Holiday Survival: The Face Mask Kit

Whether you’ve overdone it on the sweets or spent too much time in the elements, there’s a face mask that can help.

face_mask_kitphoto credit: geoffrey ross

A new contingent of face masks has you covered this holiday season, with formulas and a range of ingredients to help hide a multitude of sins – even if just for the night.

Here’s what you’ll need – and when. (From left to right)

Prep for a big night out

Containing three sources of rich, glow-inducing vitamin C, as well as vitamins B5 and E, this powerful mask looks and smells like homemade marmalade in the best way possible. Use it to erase the signs of an exhausting week before slipping into an LBD for your Friday night wine date with the girls.

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask, $80 at sephora.ca

Recover from a sweets binge

When you’re faced with irresistible treats around every corner at home, on the town and at the office, your complexion can start to show a little wear and tear. Hide the evidence with this creamy and gently exfoliating mask that tones, stimulates and shrinks pores with ginseng, rice extract and nourishing sesame seed oil.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask, $28 at thebodyshop.ca

Relax after a day in the elements

Whether you spent the afternoon stringing lights in frigid conditions, fighting crowds or getting some exercise on the slopes, wind down in the bath with this soothing, cooling mask that calms dry, red skin with hydrating glycerine, thermal water, refreshing mint extract and inflammation-calming vitamin B3.

Vichy Quenching Mineral Mask, $34 at mass-market retailers