It’s easy to expect perfect skin at the end of a long weekend; that is if, you got the amount of rest you were supposed to be getting.
If all the late night feasting and mahjong sessions this past weekend has left your face feeling dull and patchy, here are 8 K-Beauty masks for all budgets and complexion types to soothe fatigued skin.
#1 ETUDE HOUSE SKIN NOTE HYDROGEL MASK, CALMING FACE, $7
When it comes to effective skin soothers for Singaporean skin, aloe tops the list, especially when it comes in a gel form. You’ll find it in Etude House’s Skin Note Hydrogel Mask, along with glacial water, which cools the skin upon application.
The two-piece mask is a joy to use and comes soaked in serum – so much so that you’ll have plenty left over, so massage some of it into your face before you put the mask on.
#2 INNISFREE SECOND SKIN MASK BRIGHTENING, $7
Out in the sun a lot this new year? Then try Innisfree’s Second Skin Mask Brightening.
This bio-cellulose mask is made from fermented soy bean and contains vitamin C to brighten dull skin caused by UV exposure and stress. It is also said to decrease the temperature of your skin by 5 degrees Celsius, perfect for those who flush easily under the sun.
Available at all Innisfree stores. For more information, visit www.innisfree.co.kr/global, and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
#3 THE FACE SHOP SSEAL BIRD’S NEST SOOTHING GEL MASK SHEET, $7.90
If you haven’t had enough of Chinese traditional snacks and grandma’s delicious tong sui (sweet soup) this new year, here’s one mask that’s fun and festive.
The Face Shop SSeal Bird’s Nest Soothing Gel Mask packs all the goodness of this exquisite ingredient (our hot mama’s fav) into a milky gel form. Put this on for 10 minutes to boost your skin’s hydration levels.
Available at all The Face Shop stores. For more information, visit www.thefaceshop.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook.
#4 TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL AROMA GARDEN REFRESH YOUR PORES, $4.50
When there’s constant exposure to heat and humidity (which gets even worse over the new year – three house visits in a day, anyone?) pores look enlarged and sebum production goes into overdrive.
Treat yourself to Too Cool For School’s Aroma Garden Refresh Your Pores, which has an invigorating spearmint fragrance and lemon banana leaf extract to balance oiliness in the skin.
Available at all Too Cool for School stores. For more information, visit www.toocoolforschool.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
#5 BELIF FIRST AID ANTI-HANGOVER SOOTHING MASK, $36
Non-stop snacking of “heaty” crackers over four days make you more prone to breakouts. Be one step ahead and prevent acne with Belif’s Anti-hangover Soothing mask.
This clear gel contains chamomile to calm the skin and xylitol capsules to keep the pimples at bay. It’ll also help to reduce facial swelling.
Available at all Belif stores. For more information, visit www.belifcosmetic.com/english and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
#6 CNP LABORATORY MUGNER SOOTHING FACIAL PACK, $58
CNP Laboratory Mugner Soothing Facial Pack is great when you’re too tired to put on a sheet or wash-off mask.
Acne-prone beauty buffs will appreciate this anti-inflammatory gel containing snail mucus extract which not only prevents acne, but also calms the redness and irritation caused by drying anti-blemish products. It helps with skin regeneration, too.
Available at selected Guardian Pharmacy stores and online at CNP Laboratory. For more information, follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
#7 LANEIGE MULTI-BERRY YOGURT REPAIR, $45
Laneige is known for its Water Bank Sleeping Pack, but we think this wash-off mask from the brand deserves just as much attention (also because it sounds good enough to eat).
The Multi-Berry Yogurt Repair mask is said to brighten, firm and hydrate dull skin in 10 minutes by promoting collagen synthesis and lightly exfoliating the skin’s surface. This mask also boasts a chock-full of antioxidants (derived from berries, yum!) to neutralise harmful free radicals on the skin produced by UV exposure.
Available at all Laneige stores and counters. For more information, visit www.laneige.com.sg and follow Laneige on Facebook and Instagram.
#8 SULWHASOO TRUFESH SOOTHING MASK, $60
Now if you love multi-purpose masks, this is the one for you. Sulwhasoo’s Trufesh Soothing Mask is a thick blue gel that can be applied as a wash-off mask or a sleeping pack, alone or at the last step of your skincare routine.
This relaxing mask instantly cools the skin and helps to improve the appearance of pores enlarged by heat. Plus, it smells luxuriously herbal too – great for relieving stress!
Available at all Sulwhasoo counters. For more information, visit www.sulwhasoo.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook.
#9 HOMEMADE CUCUMBER MASK
If you’re too tired to run out and get yourself one of these masks above, look inside your fridge instead. Ingredients like cucumber, aloe and chamomile are well known for soothing parched skin, while papaya and lemon can help with light exfoliation and brightening. Mix them according to your needs and create your own beautifying mask!
For oily skin types, try mashing cucumber and mixing it with lemon juice and aloe for an instant soothing face mask which helps to control oil and brighten the skin. Those with normal to dry skin should use a mixture of cucumber and yogurt (natural, full fat) for a more moisturising effect.
You can also place green tea bags on your eyes at the same time. Steep two green tea bags in hot water for three minutes, then place them in the fridge for another 20 minutes to cool, and squeeze out the excess water before putting them on your eyes. The caffeine in green tea will help to take down puffiness and improve blood circulation around the eye area. Just leave these homemade masks on for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Try one of these masks tonight! It’s the perfect thing to do during your after-work television drama wind-down. Just pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes before application for an instant cooling effect. Enjoy!
Photography: Vernon Wong; Art direction: Eugene Quek and Sabrina Tiong; Hair and makeup: Rina Sim using M.A.C Cosmetics (9762 6084); Model: Sherena Ng / Basic Models
Sherena is wearing a polyester-viscose blend tee, $56.90, from Topshop. Topshop store locations can be found here.