I started 2020 in Korea. While in Korea, I decided to pick up a slew of different masks. I had already been using masks occasionally back home and had some favourites, but decided to try more out and see what the hype was about using masks daily. After I returned home, I started using masks at least two to three a week. There are a few very notable things that I have discovered about face masks now that I’ve tried a variety of them.

First off, you know how people always share photos of happy people doing masks? How are they doing it? Whatever medium of mask (clay, sheet, mud, etc), I find it extremely difficult to engage in something that requires movement of any part of my face. Especially when I am doing a clay type mask that hardens the longer it sits on my face. How are these photos real? My only conclusion is that they must have paint on their faces rather than actual masks or maybe they were willing to ruin the mask for the sake of a spark joy type photo.

Secondly, when it comes to sheet masks, I have decided to stop feeling insecure about the shape of my face and just continue the search for a sheet mask that fits better instead. I find that majority of sheet masks I use leave the tip of my nose exposed, have holes that are extremely small for my wide Chinese eyes (I didn’t even think they were that wide tbh), and a small slit for a perfect heart-shaped kissable pair of lips (which I apparently don’t have). Watching vloggers doesn’t particularly help in all instances either because a lot of the popular mask vloggers either actually have face shapes that fit the masks or they’re using super expensive masks that I’m not prepared to spend the money on (yet). As a result of all of this, I have discovered a love for 2-piece masks which seem to fit way more smoothly on my face and feel a lot more comfortable.

Thirdly, I am still unable to really tell the difference of what these masks are doing or not doing for my skin. I love that they make my skin feel moist and supple after finishing the mask, but I don’t think there has been any mask that hasn’t made my skin feel more moist than before doing the mask. I probably just need to trial run specific masks for a more extended period of time in order to actually tell any lasting difference, but the only masks I have for that purpose are the sheet-a-day type masks, which are quite handy.

Lastly, I’ve learned to treat my masking time as dedicated time to relax my face, mind, and body. After I jot down my initial notes on the mask, I lie back and relax. After all, isn’t this also meant to be a pampering activity? I know there are lots of people who include sheet masks as part of their skincare prep prior to applying makeup, but I am not motivated to wake up early enough before work to delve into a complex beauty routine like that. My preference is for it to be a treat at the end of the day before I doze off to la la land.