Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #1...Diptyque's Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay

If you follow my instagram, you know the love that I have for this mask is real, SOOOO real. Like, this mask is #1 on the list because its literally the #1 best exfoliating mask/scrub/magic I've ever put on my face, period. Thats a lot to say about ONE product, but this is literally my most favorite product from all the skincare I own/use/love. 

In a beautifully designed ceramic 3.4 fl oz white jar, there is this beautiful clay-marble-apricot kernel oil concoction inside that makes my face feel and look like its the first time I've ever cleansed my face before...words are becoming difficult now as I type this, but this love is real guys. Its a thick mask, not as thick as the Freeman Beauty's 'Avocado & Oatmeal' (see previous post) but its just enough to not take more than you need (no wasting!). It applies evenly on the skin to perfection as well, naturally. The smell may not be for everyone, though I personally don't mind it, but a scent is there nonetheless; its more on the 'medicinal'-esque side of the fragrance spectrum.

For removal: I massage it in for a few seconds first to activate the exfoliator, then take a damp washcloth and remove, easy-breezy. After removal, my skin looks CLEAN, pure, and perfect with nothing being stripped of its naturals. Its just this wonderfully pure feeling; my face feels like weight has been taken off of it and almost lifted at the same time. It helps detoxify & rid of dead skin cells, while building it back up with its shot of nutrients compacted into this small, eloquent jar. The clay can also be used as a facial scrub, not just a mask, which I have tried both ways an equal amount. Both are quite fine, but I much prefer getting my money's worth and leaving this on as a mask and soaking in all its beautiful benefits.

I'm on my second jar already, and though the price point for this multi-purpose product is a bit steep at $65, honestly, its worth every damn penny. If you were curious about trying out Diptyque's skin range and can't decide which product to choose first (if you can't have them all...DREAMING BIG OVER HERE), get this exfoliating clay, its a solid 10 out of 10 if I had a ratings system, ha!

Ok, I feel my love letter to this clay is complete. Links below on where you can pick up this mask for yourself, and the rest of Diptyque's skincare range!

Multi-Use Exfoliating Clay, $65

Diptyque's L'Art du Soin for the Face 

Top 5 Fave Facials Masks, #2 Freeman Beauty: Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask

These last 2 spots were not hard to fill, just hard choosing the order to place them in since these both have been saviors during a time when I had very problematic skin. During that period, I was trying every mask under the sun, all different price ranges, when I started to slowly give up on there being some hope of a product that was actually right for my skin, and that benefited it tremendously. My #2 spot is Freeman Beauty's 'Avocado & Oatmeal' clay mask. This is as drugstore and inexpensive as I've ever been able to find when it comes to spot on skincare; this brand knows how to do masks and do them well.

This is a very thick, heavy duty clay mask without stripping the skin of any kind of moisture. It beautifully decongests and purifies the pores and the skin just feels soft and clean after removal; no tightness or dryness. With each use, I noticed that my acne was reducing weekly, I was actually seeing a difference...I became a bit obsessed with it because I started to use it almost every night for about 2 months straight until my skin was almost back to normal. Now, I don't recommend this method, I did what ended up working for me, but masks generally should be used about 2-3 times weekly. 

I've tried a few other masks from this range, and I've gotten great results with each one. I want to try the entire range of their masks, and they have PLENTY to go around for all different skin types and concerns, its amazing! Ugh, I can't get over this mask, guys! If you're in the market for a new face mask thats affordable AND does what it saids on the bottle, CHECK THIS BRAND OUT ASAP! Links to this mask & Freeman Beauty's website are below.

Avocado & Oatmeal Clay Mask, $4.29 

Freeman Beauty's Gallery of  Amazing Face Masks

Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #3 Super Facialist by Una Brennan: Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask

We are getting closer to #1, SO CLOSE.

You all will be surprised that my top mask in the #3 spot is NOT a clay mask, oh my! It's a wonderful, absolute hydration-queen-master mask...ok, I am sure there are far more superior ones out on the market, I just happen to be involved with this one for the time being, and I'm loving it! If you've tried anything from the 'Rose Hydrate' range from Una Brennan, the smell is pretty much the same all across the board (cleanser, facial oil, mask...) and the consistency is just about the same as the cleanser, but obviously this tends to be more thicker with a much higher hydration punch. The smell of rosey-goodness is divine, than again I'm biased because I love the scent of almost anything rose. Its creamy and thick and beautiful and moisturizing and...I've gone off rambling again.

Since my combo skin tends to also be on the dehydrated side, this mask does wonders in terms of giving back my skin what it needs. It calms and soothes down any faint spots of redness that may peak through time and again, as well as plumping up the skin a bit with all that wonderful (much needed) moisture. The whole 'Rose Hydrate' range (of what I tried) is just 5 stars across the board for me in terms of performance and for the major fact that its quite an affordable line, too.

The burst of rose fragrance doesn't irritate my sometimes sensitive skin. Its wonderfully creamy and smooth; a great one after one too many days in the sun or during the fall and winter seasons. I wish the States had a stand-out, drugstore skincare range thats as good as Una Brennan is...or Una Brennan can possibly bring her range across the pond? A girl can dream.

You can purchase the mask here from Amazon which way overpriced. I actually paid $7.99 for it when I got some bits from the line at Tj Maxx & Marshalls originally a few months back. Its a hit or miss nowadays, I haven't able to see or find the range again (yet) in any of my stores.

Top 5 Fave Facial Masks, #4 Decléor Paris: Aroma Cleanse Clay and Herbal Cleansing Mask

This mask is actually quite an unexpected and underrated favorite, Decléor's 'Aroma Cleanse: Clay and Herbal Cleansing Mask' is such a little (50ml Eek, literally!) treat. Sometime ago, Decléor was having this 40% sale on their whole website, never having tried them before, I scooped some goodies up, this included. This was very much 'on a whim' purchase, but a very smart one because overtime with each use, I keep falling in love with this very delightful clay mask.

For all of my medicinal-scented skincare fans out there, this one you'll love! LOVE medicinal-smelly products, I don't know why, they just always are so calming and relaxing in terms of fragrance for me, and I always feel they pack the punch so much more than if it were to smell like, I don't know strawberries & vanilla or something...In terms of consistency, its slightly thicker, but not by much, compared to CT's 'Goddess' mask (check previous post). It also feels creamy, which I didn't know was really possible with a clay-based mask (not complaining though). Despite the tiny bottle, this has lasted me months because a little goes a long way, and spreads very nicely and evenly on the skin. 

Another great clay mask that doesn't dry out the skin either; the skin feels incredibly hydrated and smooth after cleansing it off, clearing away all impurities, as well as being just a bit brighter with a clearer complexion as this mask also purifies the skin. No irritations, no breakouts, NADA. This mask is beautiful and easy to rinse away, never gets too dry on the skin. This best suits for combo/oily skins, though elsewhere I've read that pretty much almost every skin type can benefit from this, just use your better judgement and what your skin needs. 

I use this about twice a month or so; nothing more or less usually. Because the bottle is so small, I always have a fear that I'll be out of it the next time I want to use it, so I put it off for so long until I can't resist it, than the cycle just repeats itself... because for $42, it's still a bit on the pricey size for the 50ml you're getting. Just stay tuned for those once-in-a-blue-moon amazing sales on Decléor's website or your favorite online beauty store if you have your eye on this mask. This will be an absolute repurchase for me once my tube (sadly) runs out and a brand I'll go back to try more of.

You can find/purchase the mask here on Decléor's official website for the US.