How To Apply a Face Mask Like a Top Esthetician

Just slopping on your favorite face masks with your fingers? You could be doing so much better for your face. We tapped top esthetician for The Body Shop, Vanda Serrador, who shares the right way to apply The Body Shop’s latest collection of expert face masks, below. Spoiler Alert: The technique is all in the type of mask!

The Mask: Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask

What It Is: An energizing mask inspired by Amazonian tribes. Formulated with antioxidant-rich acai berry extract, guarana seed extract, and Community Trade Babassu oil, it helps to recharge tired-looking skin.

The Technique: For skin that looks well-rested (even if it isn’t!) Serrador suggests using this mask at room temperature. Its juicy, gel texture goes on beautifully with a facial mask brush—like this one from collection.

The Mask: Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

What It Is: A purifying mud mask inspired by Ayurveda. Formulated with bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves, and Community Trade tea tree oil, the tingling mask helps to decongest pores, drawing out impurities and excess oils.

The Technique: Like the gel acai mask, Serrador suggests using this mask at room temperature to help to leave your skin feeling deeply purified. Again, use with a facial mask brush for the most spa-like precise application. Check out the videos below to see exactly how Vanda applies and removes this pore-purifying mud mask! 

The Mask: British Rose Fresh Plumping Mask

What It Is: Inspired by European bathing rituals, this gel-textured mask helps to quench parched skin in need of a little hydration. The mask is formulated with real rose petals, the essence of hand-picked roses, rosehip oil, and Community Trade aloe vera and helps to leave skin with a dewy-looking glow.

The Technique: “[First] warm it up in your hands to release that British rose scent. [Then,] using the mask brush, apply this homemade-looking formula on cleansed skin, you can keep in on for a couple of minutes or as long as you like,” Serrador says. “Your skin will feel quenched with moisture.”

The Mask: Ethiopian Honey Deep Nourishing Mask

What It Is: A nod to African rituals, this nourishing mask is formulated with Community Trade honey, cold-pressed marula oil, and olive oil. The melting mask helps to comfort and replenish skin.

The Technique: Serrador suggests drizzling this mask with a texture of real honey into the palm of your hands to warm. “The heat melts the concentrated honey, allowing it to spread easily across the skin,” she says.

The Mask: Chinese Ginseng and Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask

What It Is: This creamy exfoliating mask was inspired by Chinese traditions. Formulated with ginseng and rice extracts and Community Trade sesame seed oil, it helps to brighten the appearance of dull skin.

The Technique: “I recommend you apply this mask warm, which will work better with your skin giving you a clarified unified complexion,” Serrador says. To warm, scoop some of the mask out with a spatula and warm in your hands, then use the facial brush to apply to your skin. 

Purchase the brand-new expert face masks—$28 each—from The Body Shop at www.thebodyshop-usa.com.