Face Masks

A Face Masks is used once or twice a week to cleanse the skin more thoroughly than your daily routine does. It also refreshes the skin, tightens your pores and removes the top layer of dead cells more efficiently than you can with daily cleansing.

Applying a Face Masks is simple. First you must make sure your face (and hands) are clean. Second, use your astringent to tone your skin. Now put eye cream around your eyes to protect that fragile skin. Then put some of the masque on your fingertips and gently smooth it over your face, stopping at the area around the eyes, and onequarter inch from the hairline (you can also put some on your neck). As the masque is working, it will harden on your face.

After about ten minutes, you will feel your skin tighten-that’s the masque revitalizing your skin. It’s a good idea not to entertain in a masque, and to tell whomever you are living with what you are doing-women with masques on do resemble ghouls.

Usually Face Masks are left on the face for fifteen to thirty minutes (be sure to read the directions on the box). Try to unwind while your masque is on-in this way your facial muscles will also relax. I like to put on a masque while I take a bath; sometimes I do it while I lie in bed in the evening, learning my lines-when it is quiet and I can relax. When the time is up, I rinse my face with a warm, damp washcloth. I then apply my astringent and moisturizer-and go to bed.

Commercial Face Masks are available at drugstores, skin care centers and the cosmetic sections of department stores. If you prefer, you can make your own Masks at home. Two of my favorites are:

1. Take equal parts (one tablespoon will do) of yogurt and honey; add one egg yolk, and mix gently. Let it stand at room tem perature so it is not cold. Now apply the mixture to your face as per the instructions above. Let it stay on your face for twenty minutes.

2. Another favorite is made from avocados. Simply blend an avocado in a blender or food processor, adding a few drops of lemon (this acts as an astringent which will tighten your pores). Then put it on your face, leaving it on for twenty minutes. Be sure to tone and moisturize when you are done.

How to use a Mask

Wash your face. Always wash face in upward, circular motions. Always do to your neck whatever you do to your face. After washing face, remove residue with a wet cloth and splash thirteen times. Masks work best when they’re applied to clean, dry skin.

Don’t keep a mask on longer than suggested. Not keeping it on long enough will be a waste of money and time.

Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water after removing your mask.

Follow up with your favorite toner or freshener, and then apply your moisturizer or night treatment.

Face mask for dry skin

1. Take 1 tbsp olive oil and mix with 2 tbsp of fresh cream, leave it on the face for 10 minutes and then wash your face with warm water.

2. Mix 1 tbsp of honey with 15 drops of orange juice and 1 tbsp of fuller’s earth and add 1 tbsp of rose water. Mix well and apply on the face, wash off after 10 miuntes.

Face mask for oily skin

1. Mix a tbsp of honey with 1 egg white and apply thickly on the face and neck. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

2. Mix 2 tbsp of papaya pulp with 10 drops of lemon juice and leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse well.

3. Take fresh juice of any of the fruits (orange, sweet lime, watermelon or papaya) and apply on the face as a mask. This is very relaxing, it cleanses the skin, closes pores and stimulates blood circulation.

Carrot Facial Mask

Ingredients Needed:
2-3 large carrots
4 1/2 tablespoons honey

Directions:
Cook carrots, then mash. Mix with honey. Apply gently to the skin, wait 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Glowing Facial Mask

You will love your radiant skin after using this recipe…

All you need is:
1 tbsp fuller’s earth
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp mashed papaya

Mix and put on face for 20 minutes then rinse off.

Honey Facial Mask

Perhaps the best facial mask is honey.

Place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores. Smear on honey, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.
Use once a week.

Orange Yogurt Mask

Ingredients Needed:
* 1 tsp plain yogurt (I chose Balkan Style)
* the juice of 1/4 of an orange

Stir to mix and then dip fingers into mixture and smooth onto face. The sensation is both cool and relaxing. Leave on for a five minutes and then rinse. If you are feeling sluggish, this is the perfect mask for you.

* Yogurt will cleanse and nourish your skin
* The orange is full of Vitamin C and AHA’s