Quick Me Ups

Why yes, I do happen to be super reliant on the 5 minute pick-me-up method. When my mood starts blending into the sky – bluesy, gray, blah – I reach for the Official Winter Blues Cure jar. But I’m always cheating, putting back a few slips of paper (jumping jacks – feeling lazy! build a fire – too much mess!) while I cross my fingers, hoping I’ll manifest the one I realllllly want:

Don a face mask.

I’m up for that one nearly every.single.time.

A few of you asked for my favorite recommendations, and you know, I am so far from a beauty expert, but: I know face masks. It’s a weird gift, my predisposition to slather anything muddy, clay-like, thick onto my face. I just love it. I love the tingling, the oddly high-stakes challenge of keeping it on for twenty minutes even though my face is tightening, it’s starting to burn a bit, wait, ah, the itch! The itch!

I love the itch.

And so, here are my favorites, in no particular order, so you’ll have to just eeny-meeny-miney-moe it, sorry:

Indian Healing Clay ($12)
This arrives in powder form, so you’ll need to mix it with raw apple cider vinegar or water and you know, sidenote: this is weird, but it kind of makes your face pulsate. Like, a small vibration, kind of as if you could feel your heartbeat in your cheeks? It’s the most bizarre thing. You’ll hate it or love it. (Love it, please love it.)

Glam Glow ($50)
This one is pore minimizing and feels realllllllly clean, so it’s a good pick if your toddler wakes you extra early and you need a jump start but you’re out of coffee. And it might be in my head, but I always think my skin really, really glows on the days I use this one.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque ($7)
Hey hey, 8th grade self. I used to slather this one on after a grueling weekend swim practice, so I can’t use it without smelling chlorine and Gatorade. But, it’s calming and gentle, and it’s been around forever and ever and ever. Great pick for a mid-day break with a hot cup of tea – add Daniel Tiger for the little.

Crude Oil Detox Mask ($18)
This one really feels like a detox, and it tingles as it firms, so you’ll feel the itch on this one. The itch! You know I love it. Sidenote: I like everything Crude, just in case you’re in the market for a cleansing oil.

Dirt Mask ($18)
There’s a slight tingle/burn if you’ve got extra dry skin around your nose or cheeks, but this one is super moisturizing and a great winter pick. Also, it’s packed with pumpkin ingredients and smells fantastic.

TruSelf Organics Detox Mask ($25)
Volcanic ash, dead sea clay, epsom salt — you know I can’t not love this one. It tightens like crazy, so I’ve never been able to leave it on for the full time allotment because the itch arrives and I start feeling angsty, but as soon as I wash it off, I walk around like a queen and catch myself peeking into the mirror, surveying my deliciously small pores for the hours to come.

100% Pure Caffeine Mask ($7)
This one is guaranteed to freak out any toddler, so use it before they wake or scar them for life. Trust me on this.

Your turn! What are your favorite face masks? Do you love ’em or hate ’em? I’d love to hear!