I Gave Up My Go-To Face Mask For This Cult Favorite
With the skincare market set to hit over $180 billion in 2024, it is safe to say we will never run out of new face masks to try.
Since I am on the road a lot more these days and refuse to pay airlines baggage fees (just call me the carry-on queen), I was skipping my weekly face mask skincare ritual each Sunday. Packing my giant tub of Aztec Clay and bottle of apple cider vinegar in my carry-on was not an option — and the prospect of the vinegar possibly exploding in my bag if I checked one wasn't ideal.
Not having a clay mask on-hand was causing my skin to freak out and I started getting hormonal pimples again. Now, that I think about it, the change in water from city to city, the recycled airplane air, and my lack of sleep were probably contributing to my blemishes too — which is why it's essential to be diligent with maintaining your routine when traveling.
So, over the holidays, I bought a new mask by one of my favorite skin care brands Philosophy since they were having a sale. Thank you, Cyber Monday. I always look at reviews on the brand's website and across the internet at Sephora, Ulta, and Makeup Alley before purchasing anything new.
The Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Mask jumped out at me because of its rave reviews and because it was an Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner. Not to mention it comes in a tube that is just under 3 oz, making it mess-free and perfect for trips that I am only packing a carry-on (which is 95% of the time).
When it arrived, I give it a shot on my Sunday self-care day after washing and toning my skin. One pro-tip an esthetician shared with me was to never leave a clay mask on until it's completely dry — it strips skin of moisture, which is counterproductive if you're looking to have balanced skin. I left it on for 10 minutes and went to remove it with warm water when I realized the mask doubled as an exfoliant too. Buh-bye whiteheads.
After taking it off, my skin wasn't tight like it can be when I use other masks, and two annoying little whiteheads around my nose were less visible. The instructions say you can use this mask a couple of times a week, but since I have relatively sensitive skin, I'll keep my use to a one-week maximum.
Since adding the mask to my routine, the whiteheads I get around my nose and temples are gone, and when they do show up, they go away in a couple of days. My Aztec clay mask will always be in my beauty regime, but it's nice to know I have an option that is travel-friendly and will keep my skin in great shape while I'm on the road.
Do you have any skincare faves you gravitate towards when you travel? Share them with us below!
Featured image by Getty Images.
Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage