Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $42 for 8 pods

THE SKINNY: Oh how I love a good mask. And mud masks are my absolute favorite!

The new Wei Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask is no exception. This mask was pretty amazing.

The mud mask comes in eight little pods (which actually contain enough product for two applications if you could find a way to store it) that brush on (the brush is included).

The mask goes on smooth and cool. The brush is super-soft and the product applies with ease. It felt great on skin -- cool with a little tingle as it dried. I left it on for about 15 minutes, but the package says you can allow the mask to stay on overnight to fight blemishes or other problem areas.

It both moisturized and helped my face feel fresh and clear.

Make sure to clean the brush well after each use. It washed clear with water right after use with ease, but I would not dare letting it sit for any lengthy periods of time.

This product is a little on the pricey side, but it works nicely and breaks down to less than $3 per mask if you can get 16 uses out of it. (Store it in small plastic containers and it won't dry out.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find the Wei mask at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1.5 stars

COST: $85 for 2 ounces

THE SKINNY: What I did not expect from Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate scrub would be that it was a seaweed green color in the packet.

I also did not expect it to have a strong organic, yet medicinal smell.

Combined, I was not at all impressed.

 It did seem to exfoliate pretty nicely although the formula was a bit too harsh for my sensitive skin. (It was a bit red afterward, but the label warned to use the "gentle" formula on sensitive skin.

But the color and mostly smell, were just hard to overcome. And for something that costs a small fortune, I'll pass on future use.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: It's pricey but well liked with more than 10,000 loves at Sephora.com.

-- Tested by Carrie

Sephora Green Tea Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $6 for 1

THE SKINNY: So I quickly decided that paper masks gross me out. Applying this thing is like laying a wet paper towel on your face.

And then leaving it there for 15 minutes.

While it tries to peel off and slide around.

It was in no way soothing or relaxing. It might have done something nice for my skin, but I was too disgusted to notice. No more paper masks for me. I will stick to mud or peel-offs.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Sephora has a whole line of individual paper masks in different formulas, including this one.

-- Tested by Carrie

Fab First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $30

THE SKINNY: There's something about a peel-off mask that I just like. Whether it works or not, peeling the layer from my skin just feels cleansing.

Fab First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask has the feeling for sure. It goes on with a minty tingle and peels flawlessly. I am not sure if my skin actually looked better afterward or if it was all in my head though.

One real warning about this product -- the mast is bright red. Like nail polish or lipstick. I was pretty shocked when I ripped open the packet to find that color. (The mask is made with red clay, hence the hue.)

And it takes every bit of 20 minutes to dry. So you will need some time to hide your red-faced self from the world while it does its thing.

This mask is designed for skin like mine which has a few "problem areas." According to the label, "it regulates excess sebum, and eliminates clogged pores. In addition, mineral rich red clay reduces congestive pigmentation in problem areas where pimples previously formed and improves the skin’s texture."

But for me, it was worth it. I just love the super clean feeling a peel-off mask provides.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Even at $30, I will likely be looking for this product at Sephora soon.

-- Tested by Carrie

Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Exfoliating Facial

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $38.50

THE SKINNY: Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Exfoliating Facial is a mask that's difficult to use but left my skin incredibly soft and refreshed.

This is an exfoliating mask that smells like a rich clay mask but with a fine and slightly sharp grit.

Because of the grit, you have to apply it to wet skin. But the product starts to dissolve as soon as it touches water. So you need a damp face and dry hands.

Massage on carefully because of the grit. Then let dry. This is where it gets a little scary and starts to hurt. When you take off the mask with water, you start exfoliating your face with the gritty pieces. I was a little worried I'd get something sharp in my eyes, but I didn't.

When it was off, I breathed a sigh of relief. My face felt and looked amazing, though, so all the stress of using the product was worth it in the end.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I think.

CHECK IT OUT: Find a complete list of ingredients online.

-- Tested by Shay

Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $17.50 for three treatments

THE SKINNY: I'm one of Shiseido's biggest fans, but I was disappointed with its Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask. It didn't do much for me.

Here's how it works: Take the two under-eye patches and press them into place. They're not sticky, but they are really wet and gooey. They're also much bigger than I needed them to be, so the fit is a little awkward.

Leave them on for 15 minutes. They feel nice and cool. Then a little warm (the retinol working, I guess). Then cool again.

Then peel them off and lightly massage what's left of the moisturizing goo into the skin beneath your eyes.

Shiseido says this will instantly erase dark circles and puffiness and leave your eyes feeling plumped and hydrated for 24 hours. I didn't see much difference, really, but I don't look any worse.

Shiseido says to do this two to three times a week. (At $17.50 a week, that would add up really fast.)

I've found better options for under-eye treatments.

KEEP OR TOSS: I used my sample and will not buy again.

CHECK IT OUT: Find these at high-end beauty stores such as Sephora.

-- Tested by Shay

Skinn Olive & Enzyme Cleanser

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $24 for 4 ounces

THE SKINNY: Skinn's Olive & Enzyme Cleanser suffers from an identity crisis.

It's a makeup remover, a cleanser and a mask. And it doesn't do a great job with any of those tasks.

Billed as a "water-free, super-rich, night-time cleansing balm," this soap is thick and gooey. It dissolves if you mix it with water, so don't expect any bubbles or froth.

It goes on thick like a mask, but never really dries on your skin. When I rinsed it off, my skin felt a little oily and not very clean. It didn't do much to remove mascara.

Really, the only good thing about this soap is the scent, which smells like an Orange Creamsicle.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I think this made my chin break out, too.

CHECK IT OUT: Find a full list of ingredients on the Skinn website.

-- Tested by Shay

Hey Honey Take It Off!

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $35

THE SKINNY: The Hey Honey Take It Off! Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask left my skin feeling soft and radiant. Yay for honey extract.

But that's where the good review ends.

This peel-off mask is incredibly hard to peel off. The mask itself is clear and runny, and the instructions say to apply a thin coating (over a light coating of moisturizer) to your face.

I ended up removing it off with warm water and a wash cloth. That works fine, but because the product is clear it's difficult to tell if you've actually gotten all the mask off your skin.

I don't understand the logic of applying a peel-off mask over moisturizer. Isn't that a waste of moisturizer? Why not make a thicker mask that's easier to peel off?

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. This mask is good for my skin, but the process stresses me out.

CHECK IT OUT: Learn more about Hey Honey at the company's website.

-- Tested by Shay

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $88

THE SKINNY: Fresh's Black Tea mask leaves my skin feeling incredibly smooth and soft. It really does smell like a fruity tea, from which the mask pulls antioxidants to cleanse and moisturize.

This is a lightweight product, which is good considering the instructions say you can use it several times a week. It feels refreshing on skin, then it starts to tingle.

The mask goes on like a lotion, and it doesn’t harden as it dries. The downside to that is it’s hard to tell that you’ve gotten all the mask off.

In a handful of uses, my skin doesn't look much different, but boy is it soft.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, although it's too expensive to buy more than my little sample.

CHECK IT OUT: Fresh recommends leaving this mask on overnight occasionally. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try that.

-- Tested by Shay

GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $19 for 0.5 ounces, $69 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment is fun to use, despite its very gritty pieces.

This is a dark gray mud with a lot of gritty pieces that almost felt sharp against my skin. But the 10-minute facial left my skin feeling smooth and healthy for days afterward.

What you do is rub the mud into your skin and let it sit for 10 minutes. A few minutes into the treatment, the mud starts to tingle and feel cool, like it contains peppermint. Like any mask product, it tightens as it dries.

After 10 minutes, you rinse it off with water. You're supposed to massage your now-wet face in a circular motion to exfoliate the skin.

The gritty pieces scared me a little because I always worry I'm going to be sloppy and get it in my eyes. But the product and the grit washes away easily.

KEEP OR TOSS:  I would definitely try this product again.

CHECK IT OUT: GlamGlow Youthmud contains clay, pumice rock and a special, time-release green tea leaf compound. Find a complete list of ingredients online.

-- Tested by Shay

Freeman Polishing Mask with Charcoal and Sugar

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $3.99

THE SKINNY: There is nothing better than finding a cheap product that works like a charm. Freeman Polishing Mask with Charcoal and Sugar is just that.

The simple exfoliating mask has just enough scrubbing power to rub away rough spots will making skin feel fresh and clean. (I also like that you can use it in the shower.)

When you first look at the mask (which is a bit of a misleading term), it is black but looks like dampened sugar crystals. It goes on pretty light -- you can see skin through it -- and rinses off after five minutes. While it is called a mask it works much more like an exfoliator.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: This mask is an Allure Best of Beauty Winner -- typically the sign of a great product.

-- Tested by Carrie

Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $34

THE SKINNY: This facial masque looks and smells like real pumpkin. Not a spicy pumpkin pie smell. Just the pumpkin. It's a little off-putting.

Michael Todd Organics adds glycolic acid to the pumpkin, which is supposed to dissolve dead skin cells and clogged pores and attack other imperfections. But because of that, the masque burned a little when it first went onto my skin. (Side effects can include mild irritation and sun sensitivity.)

It goes on thin and has about the same consistency as canned pumpkin.

This masque was a little hard to rinse off and left my face feeling sticky, even after I used cleanser to try to remove the last of the pumpkin goo. I've been a little itchy after using it, and my skin doesn't look any different.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. Weird smell + weird burning sensation = thumbs down.

CHECK IT OUT: Find more details on the Michael Todd website.

-- Tested by Shay

Enspri Ulta Collagen

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1.5 stars

COST: $99.50

THE SKINNY: Ultra Collagen is an anti-aging mask made from a powdery, marine collagen. It's meant to provide intense hydration.

But this product is a lot of work. It's sold in two parts, the powder and a clear gel that contains vitamins and the binder for the masque.

You mix it up. The result is an almost fizzy watery good that you dab onto your face and let dry.

It smells awful. Then it hardens on your skin, and it's one of the more uncomfortable masques I've tried because it's so stiff.

Once it dries, rinse off with warm water. Luckily, it rinses easily.

My skin didn't look or feel that different. It was softer, but it also felt a little greasy.

KEEP OR TOSS: Skip this one. It's really expensive to not get real results.

CHECK IT OUT: Fine a full list of ingredients at the Enspri website.

-- Tested by Shay

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips

 RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $15 for 6

THE SKINNY: I am one of those people that has been using pore strips from about the time they first hit the market.

There is something about peeling the dirt away from my face that just feels clean. (I know it is bizarre!)

Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips are the grown-up version of those same strips I used a decade ago. And they are not just for the nose; I always use them for the troublesome chin area.

Dampen your face. Pop on the strip (and hide from anyone else who lives in your house for the next 15 minutes) while it hardens. Then peel and look at all the little gobs of dirt that are gone from your skin.

The strip made my skin a little red at first, but it went away quickly. And the next day, wow, the area was super-smooth and the pores looked smaller.

These strips are more expensive than the grocery store variety, but they work. Boscia's strips seemed to get my skin cleaner (pulling out all those little blackheads) with less irritation. Plus they are not made with preservatives.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. They really work!

CHECK IT OUT: Boscia uses a variety of natural ingredients and you can buy direct from the site.

-- Tested by Carrie

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $34 for 2.8 ounces

THE SKINNY: Peel-off masks were something I used quite often in my teens and 20s when they were more popular and found on grocery and drug store shelves.

So when I saw the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, I had to try it. Would it give my skin the little burst of energy I remembered from the past?

This mask lived up to its billing. It went on easy -- although looks very odd because of the black color and peeled off pretty well. (You do have to apply a pretty thick layer to get this result; too thin of an application makes peeling off very difficult.)

My face looked and felt smoother and brighter. It really helped my combination oily in patches/dry in others skin. The tone was more even and the flakiness was gone.

I am now using this once a week to help keep my skin looking more even and happy.

I really like this product although it is MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE than products that used to be out there. Someone really needs to bring back the value peel-off mask. (If you have found one, please share!)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. It is a little pricey but I am loving the results.

CHECK IT OUT: You can buy Boscia products at retailers such as Sephora and find out more about the line from the company, which also has online sales with free samples.

-- Tested by Carrie