Mischo Beauty: setting masks

Showing posts with label setting masks. Show all posts

Mischo Beauty School: Facial Masks 101

As a follow-up to the question I answered earlier this week on mask types, I thought I'd repost this lesson on masks. A great mask can do wonders for the skin. Masks are designed as an intensive treatment for different skin needs/issues. Generally, there are two types of masks: setting masks and non-setting masks.

Setting masks, which normally use clay as their base, harden and dry and absorb oil and remove dead skin cells. Non-setting masks are for dry or sensitive skin and are primarily moisturizing and soothing. Benefits of masks include the following:

1. Tighten and tone the skin
2. Draw impurities out of the pores
3. Clear up blemishes
4. Hydrate
5. Nourish
6. Calm and soothe
7. Rejuvenate the skin

Now that the weather is seriously cold and dry (at least in the midwest and east coast), consider investing in a non-setting mask (if it works for your skin type) which will keep your skin nourished and hydrated throughout the winter season! Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions. Love your skin.

Fight the Good Fight with Origins Clear Improvement Mask

Good people, I have been fighting the good fight against breakouts lately. Between the pollution of New York City, the harsh, cold winter air and drying indoor heat, my poor combination skin has been suffering big time. Despite the constant drilling of Ms. Mischo Beauty herself (Kitiya), I have not been a regular mask user, but I am here to tell you that this has all changed now! Thank you, Origins Clear Improvement Mask, for showing me the light!

This mask's main active ingredient is active charcoal, lauded widely for it's "adsorptive" powers, which means it has the ability to attract substances to itself and make them stick. So, when accompanied with heat, active charcoal seeps down to the lower dermal layer of your skin, magnetizes oil, bacteria and toxins and rids your skin of the nasty critters that can lead to acne, inflammation and a generally unhealthy-looking complexion. If you have oily skin, or combination skin, this mask, which also contains clay, could be a great alternative or sidekick to a lot of the salicylic acid-containing products we are often encouraged to use.

I tried it: my skin looked tauter, my blemishes dried out and perhaps best of all, my pores appeared smaller! The pore thing is huge since I am genetically predisposed to large pores in certain zones of my face and I'm always on the hunt for a great product that effectively works to minimize them, with as many natural ingredients as possible. The mask has now become a twice weekly ritual.

Use it only in your t-zone if that is where the oil is. If you have sensitive skin like I do, apply a thinner layer for your first application, since afterward you may experience a lingering (10-15 minutes for me) hot sensation and a bit of a flushed cheek. This is probably due to myrtle, also an ingredient, which can be irritating for those of us with sensitive skin. And also be aware that rinsing the mask off is not quick work, but the result is well worth it.

Have you used this mask before? What did you think? -Zee

Mischo Beauty School: Facial Masks 101

Mischo Beauty School: Facial Masks 101

After tweeting last Sunday about my mini-facial regimen, I received quite a few emails requesting recommendations of a good mask. But, before I suggest a mask, I always need to know your skin type because generally there are two types of masks I recommend: setting & non-setting masks.

Setting masks, which normally use clay as their base- harden, dry, absorb oil and remove dead skin cells. Non-setting masks can be used for normal, dry or sensitive skin and are primarily nourishing, hydrating and soothing.

Benefits of masks include some of the following:

1. Tighten and tone the skin
2. Draw impurities out of the pores
3. Assist in clearing of blemishes
4. Hydrate & nourish the skin
5. Calm & soothe the skin

I personally use a combination of both mask types. I use a setting mask on my oily t-zone and a non-setting mask everywhere else. So there you have it!

Please continue to email your questions! Love your skin.

Mischo Beauty Pick: Lancome's Hydra-Intense Masque & Pure Empreinte Masque

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I gave myself an amazing mini-facial last night! Mini-facials, like facials, are my "essential beauty product"- they're vital to maintaining my skin's health in between facial appointments.

And so the steps are simply:

- Cleanse
- Tone
- Steam
- Exfoliate
- Tone
- Mask
- Tone
- Moisturize

I used a regimen of Lancome products and was impressed with the Pure Empreinte Masque, which is a clay mask (setting) used on my oily t-zone. I also loved the Hydra-Intense Masque, which is a hydrating gel mask (non-setting) used on the remaining areas of my face. Due to the fact that I have a combination skin type (an oily t-zone, with at times a dry forehead and cheeks), most times I'll use two masks during my mini-facials.

So there you have it- easy, easy! And seriously easy enough to do weekly! Have you started a mini-facial routine? If so, please tell us about it! If not, why not?

Mischo Beauty School: Facials 101

I consider facials my "essential beauty product" because not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin. For those of you who've never had a facial, it's a service performed by an esthetician and usually consists of a professional deep cleansing, steam treatment, exfoliation, extractions, massage, mask, moisturizer and possibly other products and treatments.

Not only will facials improve and revive your skin, but they also help maintain the skin's health. You should definitely consider incorporating facials into your beauty regimen! If I haven't convinced you yet- here are a few of the many other benefits:

1. SLOWS DOWN PREMATURE AGING
2. Professional Deep Cleansing, Steam Treatment, Exfoliation, Extractions, Massage & Mask
3. Relaxing/Pampering
4. Increases Circulation & Detoxifies
5. Professional Skin Analysis, Product Recommendation & Custom Home Skincare Regimen
6. Stimulates Skin Renewal & Metabolism
7. Corrects/Alleviates Dryness, Oiliness & Redness
8. Softens Wrinkles & Aging Lines
9. Helps Clear Up Blemishes & Minor Acne
10. SLOWS DOWN PREMATURE AGING

Questions? Anyone had a fabulous facial lately? Love your skin.

Mischo Beauty School: Facial Masks 101

After last week's post on exfoliation, I received quite a few emails requesting a recommendation of a good mask. Before I suggest a mask, I need to know your skin type because generally there are two types of masks I recommend: setting & non-setting masks. Setting masks, which normally use clay as their base, harden and dry and absorb oil and remove dead skin cells. Non-setting masks can be used for normal, dry or sensitive skin and are primarily nourishing, moisturizing and soothing.

Benefits of masks include some of the following:

1. Tighten and tone the skin
2. Draw impurities out of the pores
3. Assist in clearing of blemishes
4. Hydrate & nourish the skin
5. Calm & soothe the skin

I personally use a combination of both mask types. I use a setting mask on my oily t-zone and a non-setting mask everywhere else.

Any questions? Love your skin.

Mischo Beauty Review: Erno Laszlo Hydra-Therapy Skin Vitality Treatment

I gave myself a mini-facial this weekend and it simply consisted of a cleanser, toner, exfoliant (with steam), mask and moisturizer. Very, very easy and all in the comfort of my home. I used Erno Laszlo's Hydra-Therapy Skin Vitality Treatment, which is a hydrating mask, and was very pleased with the results.

After exfoliating, I prepared the mask by mixing pHase I with pHase II and stirred the mask for about 1 minute- until the mixture formed a paste. I applied the mask to my face, neck and decollete (second face!) and allowed it to sit for about 15 minutes. It set immediately and felt both cool and soothing on my skin. Because the mask had set into a soft film, I removed it by gently rolling it off in small sections.

I used a cotton ball, soaked in toner, to remove any left over residue. Now before applying my eye cream and moisturizer, I checked the result in the mirror. My skin felt smooth and soft and looked revived! The mask proved that my skin was definitely dehydrated, because I could definitely see and feel a difference in my skin's texture.

If you've been following my blog, you know that my best advice is to purchase products for your particular skin type/issues and this is formulated for ALL skin types (though it's a "setting mask") - dry, normal, oily, combination and acneic skin. I was pleased with the results of this mask and I feel its definitely worth trying! It's available at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Holt Renfrew.

Mischo Beauty School: Facials 101

I consider facials my "essential beauty product" because not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin. For those of you who've never had a facial, it's simply a service performed by an esthetician and usually consists of a professional deep cleansing, steam treatment, exfoliation, extractions, massage, mask, moisturizer and possibly other products and treatments.

Not only will facials improve and revive your skin, but they will also help maintain the skin's health. You should definitely consider incorporating facials into your beauty regimen! If I haven't convinced you yet- here are a few of the many other benefits:

1. SLOWS DOWN PREMATURE AGING
2. Professional Deep Cleansing, Steam Treatment, Exfoliation, Extractions, Massage & Mask
3. Relaxing/Pampering
4. Increases Circulation & Detoxifies
5. Professional Skin Analysis, Product Recommendation & Custom Home Skincare Regimen
6. Stimulates Skin Renewal & Metabolism
7. Corrects/Alleviates Dryness, Oiliness & Redness
8. Softens Wrinkles & Aging Lines
9. Helps Clear Up Blemishes & Minor Acne
10. SLOWS DOWN PREMATURE AGING

Questions? Anyone had a fabulous facial lately? Love your skin.

Mischo Beauty School: Facials 101

First, please accept my apologies for the delay in posting! I traveled home to Indiana for the Thanksgiving holiday and had some unforeseen computer issues. I do truly appreciate all of your patience and support!

So I'm posting about facials again due to the many questions I've received from those of you who follow my Twitter updates. I try to give myself a mini-facial once a week and recently decided to include the steps on Twitter. For those of you who've never had a facial, here's a basic lesson.

I consider facials my "essential beauty product", because not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin. For those of you who've never had a facial, it's simply a service performed by an esthetician and usually consists of a professional deep cleansing, steam treatment, exfoliation, extractions, massage, mask, moisturizer and possibly other products and treatments.

Not only do facials improve and revive your skin, but they also help maintain the skin's health. You should definitely consider incorporating facials into your beauty regimen! If I haven't convinced you yet- here are a few of the many other benefits:

1. SLOWS DOWN PREMATURE AGING
2. Professional Deep Cleansing, Steam Treatment, Exfoliation, Extractions, Massage, Mask & Moisturizer
3. Relaxing/Pampering
4. Increases Circulation & Detoxifies
5. Professional Skin Analysis, Product Recommendation & Custom Home Skincare Regimen
6. Stimulates Skin Renewal & Metabolism
7. Corrects/Alleviates Dryness, Oiliness & Redness
8. Softens Wrinkles & Aging Lines
9. Helps Clear Up Blemishes & Minor Acne
10. SLOWS DOWN PREMATURE AGING

Questions? Anyone had a fabulous facial lately? Love your skin.