Sure, makeup maximalism is back … but think of this season as the last gasp of the Clean Girl aesthetic. Because when the temperature rises above 80 and humidity hits an all-time high, who needs to worry about color staying true or sliding off?
When bare-faced beauty is the vibe, flawless skin is more important than ever. And getting it may be easier than you think. Simply supercharge a clear, even-toned, glowing complexion by masking. Whether using a cream formula or a sheet mask, the practice is “a booster that amplifies and supports the base of your routine,” says New York City-based aesthetician Madalaina Conti. And the summer months are when your skin needs extra care. “There’s a lot more sweating, which can clog pores and affect the skin barrier,” she says. “You have a lot more UV exposure and possibly sun damage, which creates water loss.” Masks are a way to calm inflammation, clarify and repair, or infuse a power punch of hydration.
Read GRAZIA USA’s Hamptons Gazette
Best put into action anywhere from once a week to nightly, masking has several factors to consider when choosing how and when to apply. Parched skin in need of major moisture will benefit from an emollient cream mask, which can be slathered on and used as an overnight treatment, or rinsed off after 20 minutes or so. If you’re plagued with blackheads and rough texture, a deep-cleansing bubble mask can help purge pores and gently exfoliate to reveal a smoother surface. Temporarily fill fine lines around the eyes, upper lip, or around the nose with a hyaluronic acid-laced sheet mask, which “can be used as a quick boost,” says Conti. An added bonus: “The sheet itself can help with product penetration,” she says, leading to foolproof results. Results so good, in fact, that sheet masking has been relied upon for eons. In the 12th century, during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, courtiers used cloth steeped in botanical tinctures to purify the skin. Geishas soaked strips from silk kimonos in rose water and used them as facial compresses in Japan during the 1800s. Even Cleopatra, the OG beauty goddess, pioneered the earliest hydrocolloid mask using a concoction of antibacterial raw honey and sour milk, now known to be rich in skin-purifying lactic acid.
Keep sheet masks in the refrigerator, and run an ice roller over the surface to de-puff for an added snatching effect. Or, just let the balmy weather do your bidding. Heat helps ingredients sink in, maximizing efficacy and leaving skin plump, dewy, and glowing — the perfect way to face the splendor of the season, makeup free.
Read GRAZIA USA’s Hamptons Gazette:
