The popularity of the humble face mask has grown significantly of late. According to Google's internal data research for 2014-2016, they're the second most-searched-for bathroom buddy (just behind bath bombs) and show no sign of peaking.
Modern-day masks come in all forms – sheets, powders, slime, heated formulas – and we apply them to targeted areas: antioxidants for the T-zone, super-gentle for under-eyes... the list goes on. There's been an increase in more tech-savvy at-home beauty recently, too; we're turning away from expensive spas and looking at the most fun, experimental and effective treatments we can give ourselves – right in the comfort of our rented flats.
A face mask is more than a skin saviour, though. It's time to relax, it's wine and your favourite TV show, it's unwinding after a super-stressful day with Barb from Accounts, it's prepping for that big night out with your pals. So prep your skin, get out your application brush, and flick through our pick of the best face masks out there.
Korean beauty has led the way in innovative beauty technology for some time now, and this fun mask with pep up bath time thanks to it's foamy cloud-like effect.
Oh K Bubble Exfoliate & Cleanse Sheet Mask, £6, available at ASOS.
This 100% vegetarian mask smells heavenly. We don't need to school you on the healing properties of honey, which is mixed here with olive oils and marula, just trust us when we say this treat is so luxurious. Apply with a mask brush for extra spa points.
The Body Shop Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask, £16, available at The Body Shop
At-home skin peels are where the glow is at. Natural enzymes (catalysts for natural reactions in the body) break down dead skin cells, while lactic acid and cellulose exfoliate, peel and polish, so you're left with super-bright, baby-soft skin. This treat by Pixi smells of papaya fruit, too. Mmm.
Pixi Peel & Polish Resurfacing Concentrate, £26, available at Marks & Spencer
So this mask is a bit of an innovation – it uses crystallisation for the first time outside of a clinical environment. The ingredients create a CO2 chemical reaction on the skin, forcing it to produce oxygen, which – as we know with bee venom – causes a collagen-producing healing process. You mix the ingredients together, apply to face, wait 40 minutes and remove with warm water.
111 Skin CO2 Crystallising Energy Mask, £125, available for pre-order at 111 Skin
Charcoal is the current wonder ingredient in everyone's beauty routine, so get your fix with this sheet mask. When taken out of the packet, the charcoal powder reacts with the air, causing it to foam up, exfoliating the skin. It sounds like a fun addition to your Sunday-night bath, right?
Skin Republic Bubble Purifying and Charcoal Sheet Mask, £5.49, available from 1st April at Look Fantastic
This will sit damn pretty on your bathroom shelf, let's face it. But it's more than aesthetically pleasing. Seaweed is renowned for its antioxidant healing power, and it's really fun to apply: pour a spoon of powder into wet hands and lather into a paste. You'll feel like you're at a Turkish spa.
Haeckels Seaweed and Mineral Face Mask, £34, available at Selfridges
We'll always wax lyrical about Lush's fresh face masks but this one is a winner, thanks to the really gentle ingredients, suitable for all skin types – from the oily and oversensitive to the dry and patchy. This hydrating, thick mask is made with all the good stuff – bananas, illipe butter, oats, ground almonds and kaolin – and smells good enough to eat.
Lush Oatifix Fresh Face Mask, £7.25, available at Lush
This one is expensive, there's no two ways about it. It's also one of the best masks we've ever used. It's a cream mask that you can use like a regular treatment (all over your face for 15-20 minutes), or apply a small amount nightly over weeks, which makes it last forever. Either way, you'll see a huge change in skin tone (bye, red patches), texture (so, so soft), and clarity (pores almost disappear).
Eisenberg Melt-In Repairing Mask, £110, available at Eisenberg
Oh, the endless fun we have playing Hannibal Lecter in a good sheet mask... We often resent disposable masks as it seems like a lot of money for a single use, but this clever guy can be used three times. It's also a dry mask – unlike the more slimy textures you're used to – and with vitamin B3 and plant stem cells lifting and brightening, it's like a mini-facial for when you're on the go.
Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask, £18, available at Selfridges
Matcha powder isn't just for your lattes. The buzz ingredient is combined with green tea in this powder mask for a revitalising pick-me-up for your skin. Plus the tin is very cute.
Origins RitualiTea Matcha Powder Face Mask, £30, available at Selfridges
Heads up, guys, mung bean isn't just for your vegan art-teacher aunt. Its anti-inflammatory properties are actually super-soothing and purifying, and here it's paired with Chinese liquorice root to heal blemishes and soreness. The sheet is rolled up inside a science lab-style tube so once you've finished with the mask, you can pat the excess serum onto your skin.
Wei Mung Bean Sprout Stress-Relieving Soothing Mask, from £10, available at Space.NK
Caudalie is one brand we return to time and time again. The products smell gorgeous, the packaging is pretty and, well, they just work. This mask contains pink clay (a.k.a. the detoxifying dream), grape and coffee – a real skin-reviver.
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask, £22, available at Space.NK
Don't be put off by the word 'peel' - this mask promises to wash away dead skin cells and rejuvenate your complexion.
Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel, £40, available at Fragrance Direct.
Immunocologie has proved itself time and time again to be one of our favourite skincare brands. This one is for those who know the benefits of a deep-clean mud mask, but who are looking for a little more luxury.
Immunocologie Vital Clay Mask, £120, available at Cult Beauty.
This lavender mask is perfect before bed to fully relax you while soothing skin.
Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask, £21.95, available at Fragrance Direct.
The essential oils in this red and white clay mask are pure indulgence but don't think it's just for dry skin. Suitable for all, it brightens, cleanses, and won't leave skin feeling stripped and tight.
Sisley Radiant Glow Express Mask, £77, available at Selfridges
We love Farmacy's 'farm-to-face' ethos, which guarantees that the ingredients are curated and grown by the team. This sheet mask has ultra-hydrating coconut, with purple broccoli to reduce dark spots – and at £8, it's a steal!
Farmacy Hydrating Coconut Gel Mask, £8, available at Cult Beauty
We adore Starskin – their masks are affordable and give us the skin we want pre-night out. These nifty little numbers are their latest offering, a 7-in-1 super-speedy face mask. On one side you have a rough texture for massaging, exfoliating and toning, then on the reverse you have a smooth serum, moisturiser, leave-on mask and primer. Perfect for hungover mornings, travelling, or even festivals. We love.
Starskin 7-Second Morning Mask Pads, £27, available at ASOS
Don't be fooled by the tiny price tag. This cult Korean mask packs a punch, thanks to the cherry, broccoli and lily extracts. The sheet itself is 100% cotton, so you know you're getting natural goodness on the skin, while Geumjin thermal water delivers a hard-to-beat glow. Believe the hype.
Cremorlab White Bloom Triple Bright Floral Mask, £3.50, available at Ulzzang
After you wash this mask off you'll feel a bit of tingling but, once that's subsided, you'll notice a barely-there film over the skin. This will last about 48 hours and you will glow. GLOW, my friend! Make-up will glide on and you'll look like you, but 110% fresher. This is NIOD's star player, the real deal.
NIOD Flavanone Mud Mask, £29, available at Look Fantastic
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Eye Cream That Delivers 8 Hours Of Sleep In A Pump
Selena Gomez's New Wavy Bob Is Our Spring Haircut Inspiration