Masking as a Ritual

Masking as self-care. If you have been reading this series for a while, you know that caring for one’s self is a staple theme. When we care for our skin, body and mind, the shift we create causes a magnetism of goodness and well-being in our lives.

BY CHELSEY ANN

Masking is a beautiful way to care for the skin. We get our daily routine to nourish, maintain hydration and protect against environmental factors. This is where masking comes in,targeting the pain points in our skin and hair that need a little more attention and time. Masking comes in many shapes and forms: you have sleeping hydration masks to quick 10 minute peels. Whether you purchase or custom make one at home, masking can be a luxurious experience no matter the budget.

the ritual

1 Cleanse. It is always best to start with a clean face so the product can truly absorb into the skin and do active work and so makeup and the daily grime are off.

2 Take a moment to breath– a few inhales into the palms with an essential oi. I love to express gratitude for the time to myself. A little music, incense and beverage never hurts engaging as many senses you can in relaxation will deepen your connection to benefits of the ritual.

3 Apply mask according to the directions and best practices. Use upward motions on hydration masks and circular motions on exfoliation and enzyme masks. You can use your fingers or a brush. While a brush application makes for a more even, application on dense products, gels glide right on with the fingers touch.

4 Let the mask set for the recommended time. Masks are active and working on a cellular level, penetrating deeper into the skin, so under or overdoing it is not helpful and can cause irritation.

5 Removal: I love to use a sponge for removing thick, textured products. It helps dissolve them quickly. For lightweight products, a dark colored cotton cloth is lovely. Or you can gently rinse directly with water.

6 Finish according to directions. Some of my favorite masks require no following steps and off to bed you go. Others you will finish with a pH-balansing toner and hydration of your choice.

keeping a home

Creating intention with the home we keep is always a topic. As we set forth in a new year, cleaning up how we fuel our body with food, and aging well, taking stock of what we use in and on our skin become natural. How do you want to feel?

Take a moment. How do you truly want to feel when you walk into your space? Is it calm, joy, vibrant, peaceful, safe?

Vulnerability moment: mine is calm. The outside world is so full of color and stimulus. I love coming home to clean surfaces, pure air, and textures that calm my mind. We get to choose how we feel and the energy we create. Simple towels exchanged for linen or cotton are not only a beautiful break for the eyes but are also gentle and safe on the skin and environment. Using charcoal in your water pitcher at home not only filters your water, but also is a great debloat for the gut. Choose to use cleaning materials that function and smell safely. These are little things you can do intentionally. Create a cleansing ritual for the air in your home; it’s a wonderful way to keep illness at bay, relax or invigorate. Some use sage, Palo Santos, essential oil diffusing, or incense. I begin the day by simply walking around my space with a lit bundle, again expressing gratitude, setting intentions for how I want to feel. It is a great way to get grounded for the day ahead. In the evening I usually burn a blend of calming oils. We all know scent can take us places, so choose how you want to feel.

varieties

just hitting the tip of the iceberg here, butdehydration, hyper-pigmentation (dark spots) skin elasticity (wrinkles), acne,pore size, texture, flakiness, discoloration (redness).

Tidbits: be attentive to the areas around the eyes and lips; they are quite delicate. And is always best to do a test patch on active masks to avoid unwanted irritation. If mixing a powder mask, use a small bowl and whisk so you can get the proper texture. Mixing with yogurt is a great way to get a smooth texture and added activation.

noteworthy: Lilfox Leahlani Meli Glow Tata Harper clarifying H is for Love Propolis Udander

at home luxury: mix, spread, set 20 minutes, rinse with cool water. Avocado Mashed banana Raw medicinal honey Plain yogurt

hair and scalp

Caring for the scalp is a seasonal must. With the indoor heat and lack of vitamin D during the cold months, dry scalp and irritation become a concern. You can’t grow healthy hair without a healthy scalp. Scalp masking has been quite a trend this year and we all see why. From clay hair masks to scalp scrubs, weekly maintenance at home fills in between deep salon treatments. Same thought as with the skin: exfoliate the dead cells and buildup off and hydrate.

we love: G. Tox Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Oway Moisture Mask Josh Rosebrook Intensive

caring for one’s mind

“Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages– they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow.” - julia cameron

I have done these morning pages this past full year. They get me through creative blocks and the chatter between my head that needs a safe place to land. It’s simple. It’s freeing.