I once read that Martha Stewart does a hydrating mask every single morning, but I filed that knowledge under ‘excessive celebrity beauty rituals designed to appease magazine advertisers and sell product.’ Then I got older and watched helplessly as Mother Nature vacuumed every last trace of collagen and moisture from my face. Winter only exacerbates this devastation, so a daily mask is actually a painless way to combat dry air and prevent my face from looking like a crumpled ball of parchment paper.
I don’t much care for sleep masks because I prefer to go in hard with “serious” ingredients at night. Why waste those valuable skin-regenerating hours just moisturizing? But come morning, after I stare grimly into the bathroom mirror assessing the damage wrought overnight, I splash on some water and then apply a mask. After coffee and some random puttering, I rinse the residue off in the shower. It’s easy enough to do and the results are gratifyingly instant.
Currently in rotation: the Embryolisse Masque Hydratant ($32, Shoppers Dug Mart) is a French pharmacy miracle loaded with plant oils, vitamins and moisture-bestowing hyaluronic acid while Nudestix’ Nudeskin Citrus-C mask ($48, Sephora) from their new and surprisingly excellent skincare line, contains antioxidant-rich yuzu, soothing turmeric and has a faintly Creamsicle-ish, mood altering scent. And sure, Sisley’s Velvet Sleeping Mask ($175, Holt Renfrew) is intended for overnight wear, but 30 minutes in the morning is enough for its saffron flower and kokum butter formula to do its thing, while the very French orange blossom scent will make you feel suitably fancy as you sip the first of many dehydrating coffees that day.