Looks like Korea's beauty mask trend is here to stay. It all started with the disposable face mask. Yet, the variety and types now available -- from the brands all over the world that jumped onto the Korean beauty bandwagon -- means you no longer even have to head to Seoul. The proliferation of eye masks, night masks and sleeping masks can make for dizzyingly overwhelming choice, making one wonder exactly how necessary it all really is. Do we still really need masks on top of our already exhaustive facial regimen before bed?
Sephora travel-sized sleeping masks.
Sephora marketing manager Apichaya Wuttipongpreecha reveals that the large number of masks that were developed are all actually in response to the modern-day person's busy schedule. "Surely, part of it is that it's a strong trend that everyone wants in on, but it's also about our changing behaviours. These products have been developed not only because of its functions, but because of our ever-changing lifestyles. It's about you coming home late at night and not wanting to go through all the 11 steps of skincare before getting into bed. With sleeping masks, you can just clean your skin normally and put this on alone and go to sleep. It dissolves into your skin more effectively and with more potent ingredients, it has you covered."
Sephora's brand new offering of sleeping masks and eye masks include an eye-popping array of ten different formulas -- with pomegranate being a good pick for all in our sunny country.
Others include honey, rose, ginseng, lingzhi, lotus, pearl, green tea and job's tears. The eye masks on offer here are different in the sense that they cover not only the under eyes, but reach all the way to the sides of each eye. Packaged in fun, hot colours, all of these affordable treatments are classified according to four different functions, such as moisturising and nutrition, anti-ageing and repair, oil-control balance or whitening and moisturising.
The single-use night masks that Sephora now offer are great for travelling too. You can use different formulas for different parts of your face too, as they can be mixed around to target specific problems. Even if designed for one dosage, Apichaya says in truth it can be used up to three times. "Asian faces are not as big and don't require that much of any given solution. One pack can be more than enough for you to use for two or three nights."
There is no need to wash off the mask, as most of it should dissolve into your skin by the time you hit the sack. This can be a cause of confusion for some -- whether or not one should wash night masks off. The basic rule of thumb is you never have to if it is highly penetrative and doesn't leave you feeling uncomfortable.
"Cream textures are usually rich and don't completely dissolve onto your face. If you've already left it on for 15 minutes and it won't go in any more, you should wash it off so it doesn't stain your sheets when you sleep," advises Apichaya.
If you've always been diligent with your skin regimens, the use of these masks once or twice a week should be more than enough. But if you've got lazy bones, slap it on whenever you're needing that intensive and speedy fix that you know moisturisers and serums will not save. Other mask options also available at Sephora include Skin Inc's Get Glowin' Brightening Mask. This one's really good for refining pores and an instant brightening, thanks to its nanonised active ingredients. After all, Skin Inc's forte has always been smoother skin and visibly smaller pores. Add this new and improved pick to your regimen for a noticeably clearer face, or opt for more spa-like treats from June Jacobs if you're olfactory receptors are feeling needy. Their Mandarin Moisture Masque can be left on overnight for extra benefits to reduce inflammation, boost skin regeneration and soften the skin.
All masks are available at all Sephora stores.
June Jacobs Mandarin Moisture Masque.
Skin Inc Get Glowin' Brightening Mask.
Sephora Pomegranate eye mask.
Sephora Lingzhi mask.
Sephora sleeping mask.
