On test: face masks

Clarins HydraQuench Cream Face Mask, £28
www.clarins.co.uk

This is less like a face mask and more of a rich hydrating treat for tired skin. I often feel my skin could benefit from a longer-lasting moisture replenishment than my daily moisturisers offer, and this is exactly what this 'mask' offered. It's a light smelling thick white cream that you put on cleansed skin and leave on for 10 minutes. When you wipe it off, your skin feels just so happy and soft! I got into the habit of doing it every other night for a while and I didn't find it too much. I think my skin really appreciated the attention.

8/10 - Carol

AAY Reader Review

Yes to Carrots C the Difference Exfoliating and Soothing Mud Mask, £8.99, www.debenhams.com

My complexion and I do not enjoy this time of year so I was excited about testing a face mask. However I was rather dubious when it arrived as the packaging is garish and didn't appeal to me at all. As well as carrots, it contains a long list of healthy sounding ingredients and is paraben free. It also includes Dead Sea minerals, which encouraged me to be positive as I enjoy using products that contain them.  

When I opened the little pot I was expecting the mask to look and smell like carrots, but thankfully it's just a normal creamy-grey colour.  It also has a pleasant, subtle scent.  The mask has a thick texture and is a leave-it-on-until-it-cracks type which is surprising, as it is recommended for normal to dry skin.  I didn't notice the promised ‘grainy texture', but application was great and the mask is so thick that a little goes a long way. My skin felt quite tingly initially, perhaps due to the Dead Sea minerals, but was fine after a couple of minutes.  

Although it is called an exfoliating and soothing mask, I suspect that the exfoliation took place when I removed the mask with a cloth (not supplied), and I didn't feel especially soothed. However, it did a great job at cleansing my skin and my face hasn't felt so fresh in ages,  although it was crying out for moisturiser afterwards.  My teenage daughter also tried this mask on her T-Zone, and on balance I think it is better suited to younger, oilier skin. 

7/10 - Catherine

Neal's Yard White Tea Enriching Facial Mask, £21.60
www.nealsyardremedies.com
 
My skin is dry and sensitive, which this mask is desiged to soothe. And at my age I obviously have fine lines, so anything that helps there is welcome. I prescribed an application of this mask for my partner, as he has dry skin, which isn't helped by hurtling down the motorway on his motorbike! Plunging our eager fingers into the jar... wow, the scent! Added to its aloe vera and clay base are pungent essential oils including patchouli and cardamom. Also in the mix are anti-ageing propolis, rose and, of course, white tea extract. Having smoothed it on - avoiding eyes and mouth - we left it for the recommended 10-minute maximum. It rinsed off relatively easily as it hadn't set to a cracking hardness. And our skin? Our eager fingers found our faces to be soft, definitely smoother to the touch and adequately moisturised.

7/10 - Adrienne
 

Estee Lauder's Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Lifting Mask, £27

www.esteelauder.co.uk

Being a fan of Estee Lauder's skincare range I was expecting a lot from this mask and it didn't disappoint. The clear gel was easy to apply and was cooling and refreshing rather than sticky and cloying with no obvious smell. Once on, the instructions advise that the mask may change colour on your skin but this was not the case for me, instead for the 10 minutes I had the mask on I could feel my skin tightening and tingling and I was excited to see the results. Having wiped the mask off with warm water and a cloth my skin was left glowing, super soft and certainly felt a lot firmer for the next couple of days. I would definitely recommend this mask and will be using in between my monthly facials.

9/10 - Julie 

AAY Reader Review:
The Sanctuary's Warming Charcoal Detox mask, £8.97
www.boots.com

I was a bit taken aback when I first tried this face mask as its oily
consistency and smell reminded me more of Ronseal than a face mask - if you expected the trade mark-Sanctuary fragrance then you will be disappointed!
It wasn't too easy to apply as the oily texture made it "drag",
however as soon as you've applied the mask it starts to radiate a very
pleasant heat. After removing the mask, my skin felt smooth, clean and radiant - without drying the skin. I was impressed with the results, despite my initial reservations. This face mask ain't pretty and has a weird smell, however it does an excellent job at purifying the skin.

7/10 - Silvia

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