My Take on the Mask Movement

hey hey!
I am just hopping off a plane from Florida, back to reality in snow covered Michigan. I missed my puppy snuggles so I am happy to be back, but a little sad I am not looking out at palm trees currently. I am so excited to share what I have learned for all you, but first I want to talk to you guys all about masks. Its a hot topic on social media and literally at every store ever. The sheet mask selfies? KILLS me every time, it is so hilarious looking. Charcoal masks, honey rubbed all over your face, have we tried just slapping some ‘cados on our face? no? not funny? okay.

If masks had only one purpose, and that was get you to slow down for 5 minutes, to sit down, lock yourself in the bathroom, and chill, I think I would STILL recommend them to each and everyone of you. Good news, they do so so much more than that. I think I could talk about masks for a whole weekend and show you all the way to piggy back them into your weekly routine, they can really accelerate the results of a problem you have been trying to fix (like acne or extremely dry hair) or they touch on a problem that is more of a secondary issue, or an issue that your daily routine does not touch on (like the occasional pimple, or dry hair that only seems noticeable in January and February). For the most part, a mask needs you to pause for 5-10 minutes, for it to do its job. Now I know I am speaking from the perspective a 24 year old that doesn't have a little person knocking on the door any second I walk into the bathroom, or a husband that said he would unload the dishwasher for the 18th time and still hasn’t. I get it, free time is rare, but its so essential for your mental health. Have you taken a bath lately? Pair it with a mask. Or maybe baby steps, while you're folding laundry, throw a mask on. It might even scare your kids off so they don't bug you for a few minutes, and I’m sure it will scare your husband off for a bit.

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Let’s talk specifics, and why mask monday is thing for me ( or at least once a week, but its more fun if it has a little ring to it). disclaimer: there is a million masks that would be lovely for your skin hair, but today I am sharing ones that I know and love, ones that I have studied the ingredients and 100% back up. Have some that you want to run by me? I would love to chat with you!
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S K I N
I am obsessed with the five masks I use from Rodan and Fields. They have amazing ingredients, and they instantly gratifying. So lets say I use an anti aging skin care line for the most part (I use redefine) but I can get occasional breakouts and I always love having a little brighter complexion, so i piggy back with my unblemish mask (a clarifying mask, where I usually get the random breakouts ( for me thats around my nose and mouth) and I put the reverse mask (brightening dark spots mask) every where else, forehead and cheeks and neck, where i notice freckles get a little bigger and darker.  This is the routine I love to do, it gives me really great results, and my breakouts are more minimal. extra little tip, when i have a pesky zit i sleep with the unlblemish mask on just where the blemish is and it helps really dry it and shrink it because it contains sulfur in it, which is great to fight acne. Another way to utilize masks, is getting a mask that is focused on the same problems you are focusing on with your daily skin care routine. If you are trying to speed up the process of lighting your dark age and sun spots (reverse) you could use throw the brightening mask on once a week. If you are trying to just really get your skin hydrated and radiating youth, you could you use the rejuvenation mask, that focuses on firmer skin. If you are 20 something and don't really have any skin concerns, other than you don't want to get to age 40 and realize your skin is not full of moisture and nutrients and is dull. You can start with the detox mask, that just helps keep your skin fighting against all the screen time we are exposed to, and remove all the junk our skin gets hit with all the time that likes to hang out in our pores.

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H A I R
I follow the same idea when it comes to masks that I use for my hair, my daily routine focuses on volume and texture, with a heat protectant but I don't focus d a i l y on extra moisture, protein and strength for my hair. Please don't read this wrong, the products I use are jam packed with ingredients that help my hair and keep it looking pretty awesome, but there is something to be said about an extra little punch of all the goodness. My two go to masks are Olaplaex #3 and Television hair masque, from my bestie for the restieeee R+Co. Television improves the elasticity (when the elasticity in your hair is compromised, it takes a lot longer to dry, feels gummy when its wet, or simply looses its youthful look, usually resulting in a matte color finish) as well as give my hair extra moisture, which helps hold color and product better in my hair. Olapplex #3 isn't technically called a mask but it acts like a mask, it does its work when its not just thrown into your hair for a 1- 2 minutes in the shower. Olaplaex is a patented bond builder ( bonds are broken down in your hair pretty much daily, through heat, color, hot water, UV rays) and there is literally nothing like it on the market, it works so amazing I use on almost every single person that sits in my chair. For both of these masks, I like to shampoo, then make sure my hair is not soaking wet and apply the product mid length to ends. I reccomened waiting minimum 5 minutes but if you can leave them in for 10-15 minutes your hair will thank you. If you are looking to really give your hair some rehab you could use these mask every other time you wash your hair, if you are wanting to just add some precautionary measures to your mane, you could you use every other week, or once a month.

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C L I F F   N O T E S
on today’s wisdom: have a daily routine, something that is promoting growth, health, and strength of your hair and skin. For special occasions, have a few products in your cabinet that amp it up, that make you feel amazing, that give you a few minutes to sit, maybe with a glass of wine, maybe in the bath, or maybe muti tasking and packing a lunch. Any of it will do. Treat yo self girl, you earned it!