The other part of the skincare routine, masks.

Masks are amazing for pampering yourself, but I do think they can really give your skin a swift kick up the ass when it's looking less than pretty, you're targeting a specific problem, or just want something for maintenance every week. I like to have three kinds in my arsenal: one to exfoliate, one to purify, and one to moisturize.

Masks are great to pull out for trouble shooting. If your skin is looking dull, reach for an exfoliating one. If you're feeling dry, pull out your hydrating one, and if you're feeling oily and spotty, reach for your purifier. Sometimes if I want a great pamper session or really want to get my skin into shape, I'll do all three. 

It's sensible for me to use the exfoliating mask first because it takes away the dead skin. That way, when I use the purifying mask after, it gets deep into the skin, not just dead build up. A hydrating mask might always be the last step since you're trying to hydrate your new skin cells and add back moisture. You don't want to be treating the dead stuff, right? I usually will use a hydrating mask in place of my moisturizer after the rest of my routine if I'm using an overnight one, and if it's not an overnight mask, I'll put another moisturizer on top anyway and make it into an overnight mask.

So basically, exfoliate, purify, then hydrate.

My top three masks:

1. Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask: I haven't tried the overnight one, which I also hear is amazing, but this stuff is really great, too. If you're feeling dehydrated, ten minutes with this baby will leave your skin feeling plump again. It also smells divine.

2. Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask: This stuff is incredible. It gives dull or spotty skin a new glow. My favorite use for it aside from an amazing exfoliating mask is as an overnight spot treatment. This banishes zits in as little as three days. 

4. Glam Glow: Although it's expensive, I find that this purifying mask really does the job at unblocking clogged pores and soaking up excess oil. It leaves your skin more radiant, too.

I also use masks as spot treatments or even cleansers (more likely with clay masks). They're just great products.

What are your favorite masks?