Benefit Honey Snap Out of It Scrub

For me, all things almond are awesome: snacking on almonds, slathering on almond-scented lotion and don't even get me started on Marzipan--yummmm.

Benefit Honey Snap Out of It Scrub is an almond-scented cleanser/scrub/mask that has a clay texture with tiny granules.

This product is marketed for morning use, and it definitely seems best suited for times when only a mild cleansing is desired. It doesn't lather but it does gently exfoliate. Afterwards, skin feels smooth but it does leave a strange feeling behind, like the clay hasn't completely rinsed off.

It doubles as a mask, which is pretty nifty. Although it doesn't deep clean skin, it does leave skin smooth, tight and soothed.

While this product might be worth checking out for almond affectionados, it seems like more of a novelty item than serious skincare.

The Aspirin Mask

Gee, these days you can't buy much for a dollar, not even a pack of gum. But here's an awesome beauty treatment that you can do again and again, for just one dollar!

It's the Aspirin Mask and it will make your face look so bright, tight and smooth! To make the mask, simply dissolve 5* uncoated aspirin tablets in a tiny drop of water, and then mix it into a paste. Add a teaspoon of honey, blend and apply the mixture to your face. Leave the mask on for 15-30 minutes, rinse with warm water, and pat dry.

This miracle mask clears pores and dissolves dull skin cells. The secret behind its power is the fact that aspirin is made out of acetylsalicylic acid, a derivative of the popular pimple-fighter salicylic acid. Be sure to use uncoated aspirin, so that the tablets will dissolve easily. CVS sells a bottle of 120 generic tablets for $.99.

*Adjust the strength of the mask based on your skin sensitivity. I only used 4 for my first attempt, but my skin is not sensitive, so I've upped it to 7. Start out conservatively to determine what your skin can tolerate. Also, this is a medicine so use it carefully. If you use a large number of tablets, you may start to feel slightly sick, and please do not use this mask if you are pregnant or nursing!

Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque

Mud masks are one tried and true, old school beauty treatment. This Queen Helene Mud Pack Masque definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame of mud masks.

After spending 15 minutes with this English Clay-based mask slathered all over my face (hey, it's super cheap!), my pores are visibly clearer and significantly shrunken; my face feels ultra smooth, and it glows! Despite the deep cleansing, my face doesn't feel dried-out afterwards. The strong rose scent isn't my favorite, but it's not totally offensive either.

All-in-all, this is a great mask that does what it promises. All hail Queen Helene!

Bliss Steep Clean

Bliss Steep Clean supposedly has a cult following among Bliss fans. Well, here is one Bliss fan who isn't jumping on the bandwagon.

This non-hardening mask is purported to dissolve blackheads and remove dead cells and dark spots. It works by digesting dead skin cells with microencapsulated enzymatic exfoliators. In addition, sebum secretion is supposed to be slowed, and botanicals are supposed to brighten the skin.

Unfortunately, no such wonders were experienced by me. Also, the goopy formula must be mixed prior to its application, which I'm not too keen on. Once applied, the mask does feel nice and it smells great, but when it comes to blackheads, I need a mask that means business, not just pleasure!

Sisley Paris Radiant Glow Express Mask with Clay

For beauty devotees in a time crunch, Sisley Paris Radiant Glow Express Mask with Clay delivers a sumptuous experience in a jiffy. Just 3 to 5 minutes is all this mask requires.

Although this mask contains clay, the texture is quite the opposite of traditional clay masks. It comes out of the tube looking frothy and feeling silky. Instead of tightening and cracking as it dries, it just hardens ever so slightly. This made the mask comfortable to wear and the overall experience felt very pampering.

Sisley Paris claims this mask will leave skin looking matte, however my skin looked and felt hydrated afterwards. My face did have a glow, but nothing beyond what I could have achieved with an exfoliant and moisturizer.

Even though this is an express mask, I think next time I'll put it on and relax in the tub. At $95 a pop, this is a luxury I don't want to rush.