More face masks on test

Give your skin some tender loving care this winter with one of these fabulous face masks. We give our verdict on some of the best.

Cowshed Palmarosa Revitalising Face Mask, £20
www.cowshedonline.com

I generally judge a face mask by how it smells (it's going to sit under my nose for a quite a while) and how it feels on my skin. This Cowshed mask has quite a subtle fragrance, it smells clean and fresh rather than heavily perfumed. This is probably because it's ingredients are 80% organic and so a lot of chemicals have been stripped out. The cream feels quite heavy on my finger before I apply, however it feels surprisingly light when it goes on my skin - with a texture that is more like whipped cream than cement (yes, I have tried some that felt like cement). However it turns into a dry mask over the course of 10 minutes, which is the recommended time to leave on. While I like this enough to buy it again, I wouldn't use this type of mask all the time.
Here's what I like; I like the fact it's largely organic, I like the fact it promises to tackle fine lines and wrinkles (though I haven't been using it for long enough yet to comment on its effectiveness) and, being Irish, I like the fact it is enriched with Irish moss!

8/10 - Berni

AAY Reader Review

Olay Total Effects Mask x7, £16.63
www.boots.com

This face mask is a "stretching cloth mask" and the instructions state that it is made of special stretchy material.  It felt slimy to the touch and it was not easy to stretch and apply - a real disappointment especially as I have a petite face.  I could not get it to fit properly around the eyes and nose. Removing the mask was easy but there seemed to be a lot of moisturiser left to massage into my skin. My skin did look brighter and the tone was enhanced as promised. However I could not see any minimisation of my lines or age spots. My skin felt good but this did not live up to the promises on the package.

6/10 - Catherine

Jo Malone Nectarine & Honey Nourishing Face Mask, £25

www.jomalone.co.uk 

If there's one thing my skin craves in winter it's moisture. My relatively dry skin becomes almost unbearable in the colder months so the promise of a nourishing mask from Jo Malone filled me with hope. As one would expect from fragrance specialists, the mask smells incredible and the citrus sharpness of the nectarine tingles against your skin while the moisturising properties of the honey soothes the face. Having applied a thin layer I simply lay on my bed and relaxed for a good 10-15 minutes before rinsing off and the result - soft skin that felt utterly rehydrated. I've found my weapon of choice this winter and the cold doesn't stand a chance.

9/10 - Natalie   

Givenchy Skin Targetters Active Pure Detox Mask, £25

www.debenhams.com

I am used to using thick, clay face masks so this clear gel formula intrigued me and I have to say made for much easier application. The mask doesn't really dry onto your skin, so your face remains feeling clammy but refreshed while wearing the mask. After 10 minutes and a rinse with a soft cloth, my skin felt well cleansed which I would expect from a detox mask but any other effects were pretty minimal. My skin was left no softer or firmer than when following my regular skincare routine but perhaps I'm just lucky to have found a system that works for me. If you are looking for an intense skin cleanser this mask will be right up your street.

6/10 - Nadine

Click here for more of our face mask reviews  

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