Hey, I'm Caroline, and I'm the Queen of Buying Beauty Products I Don't Need. You know how some people just can't stop buying shoes or clothes? Yeah, that's me, but with lotion, perfumes, body scrubs - you name it. It could be worse - I've come to terms with it, and my monthly Ipsy bag is generally enough to stymie the progression and stop me buying anything that damages my bank account too seriously. But, I digress; I'm really here to tell you about the beauty products I really do need: face masks. They're not a new thing, but they're a trendy thing, people are kind of catching on to the whole "rub mud all over your face and wait 20 minutes" thing, and I love it. And sheet masks? Um, yes, I do want to look like Michael Myers for 15 minutes when the trade-off is baby-soft, glowing skin. Where do I sign up?
Side note, what's the secret to looking good while wearing a sheet mask? Asking for a friend.
At any rate, face masks are the definitive answer to everything. 
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, $10
Hey, did you know Amazon sells a literal pound of actual bentonite clay for $10? Cheers to 2017, folks. Anyway, Aztec Secret is your answer for every possible skin ailment under the sun. Allegedly, Cleopatra used the very same clay to keep her skin looking, well, queenly. This one requires a bit of a process - you have to mix it with apple cider vinegar before you slather it on your face - but it's worth it. Just a heads-up: your skin will feel weird when you put it on, but then it'll feel amazing. What blackheads?
Pur Lisse Blue Lotus Seed Mud Mask, $52
Yeah, yeah. $52 is a lot to shell out for literal mud, but trust me, this one is worth it. It's detox for your skin, and it actually pulls out impurities and leaves your skin feeling fresh and cool as a cucumber. I promise, it's worth dipping into savings for; your skin is already thanking you.
TonyMoly I'm Real Sheet Masks (pack of 11), $11
Y'all. I can't stop talking about these masks, and not just because Ulta sells them for, like, $2. I never thought I'd be enthusiastically applying a product infused with broccoli to my face, but here we are. The best part is that these actually work - so the value is good, and the payoff is, too. Besides, who doesn't want to try out a sheet mask infused with red wine?
Yeah, I know, again, sorry. $44 is a lot. But - again - worth it. This stuff lasts forever since you need only apply a thin layer, and it's eco-friendly and cruelty-free, so you can feel extra good about putting it on your face. It has anti-aging components and leaves your skin feeling super soft. It also doesn't have that weird chalky smell that some mud masks get - always a plus.
Daiso Japan Natural Charcoal Peel-Off Pack, $8
We have arrived at one of my favorite guilty pleasures; you know those Bioré strips you get to satisfyingly tear off your nose to see the heinous number of blackheads you've just extracted from your face? Okay, imagine that, but with your whole face (just be careful not to apply this too close to your eyebrows. Yikes). This peel-off mask uses the powerful cleansing properties of charcoal to extract all that gross stuff from your face. Turns out you run into a lot of impurities that cling to your face throughout the day; this mask takes care of that.
Hopefully my powers of persuasion have you convinced - just trust me, go try a mask. Love your skin, and your skin will love you back!
