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I started learning English right before I turned 10, at school, a natural feature of a publicly funded education in France. On top of this, and around the same time, a wave of language learning swept through my household.

My dad, who would have been in his forties by then, had also recently started taking English lessons. Two things struck him: how hard it was to learn a foreign language as an adult, and, despite these difficulties, how much bigger his world suddenly grew. He was able to pursue opportunities, learn skills, and consume art in ways he had never imagined before. He wanted the same thing for his children. And so, dear reader, my father became a—how you say?—hardass about learning English.

There were books on tape. There were English versions of classic children’s books I’d previously consumed in French. There were immersion stays in the UK, wherein a group of kids from all corners of the world would descend upon an empty boarding school in the summer and… converse. You want to make friends? Speak to your crush? Have any fun at all over the next two weeks? Well, then, I hate to break it to you, Kid, but you’re going to have to speak English.

Eventually, it became a truth universally acknowledged in my household that the best way to learn a language was to do things with that language that were fun—and preferably not openly educational. This might seem like an obvious statement now, but back then, at a time when you still had to visit specialized stores to access any media in a foreign language, it felt novel.

What was my version of fun? Makeup tutorials on YouTube, of course. There was a time in my life when I spent hours watching them. I don’t remember what that first video was. What I do remember was that I became hooked. If you were online back then, you’ll remember those videos. Those were the days when Michelle Phan transformed herself into a version of Lady Gaga in the Bad Romance music video—a clip that, 15 years later, has been watched 56 million times. It was the era of “get ready with me”s and “what’s in my bag”s. The era of Urban Decay Primer Potion, of the Naked Eyeshadow palette, of MAC foundation, and China Glaze nail polish.

Watching those videos, I didn’t actually retain much about building a beauty routine—though I did learn how to curl my hair with a straightening iron, a skill I utilize to this day. But the creators of the 2010s gave me something else. Something certainly more profound, and maybe more useful—but I had no way to know it at the time. They taught me how to speak English.

When I speak English, I don’t sound like a stereotypical French person. I know the difference between “beach” and “b****h.” I know how to pronounce my “r”s with the back of my throat. Sometimes, I “pass” as a native American speaker. Other times, people think I’m… Canadian, maybe? Sometimes, my French accent makes a small comeback, especially if I’m tired, sick, really nervous, or tipsy (I don’t think I’ve ever been all four at once, but there’s still time). If people know I’m French, the way I speak often prompts questions about where, when, and how I learned English.

At the time, I didn’t realize that watching these young women with their Christmas hauls, sparkly eyeshadow, and clattering collections of nail polish would help me become confident enough to moderate a conversation on stage with multiple native English speakers. All I knew was that they captivated me—Ingrid Nilsen (then known as Missglamorazzi) and her beauty hauls, Blair Fowler (juicystar07) and her room tours, her sister Elle (AllThatGlitters21)’s everyday makeup tutorials.

I didn’t even buy that many products—though I’m not sure I would have tried (and loved) Clinique’s three-step system if not for Blair’s video on the topic. I did splurge on the Naked eyeshadow palette and still use it to this day—yes, the same one I bought back in the 2010s, and which has endured long enough for that specific model to be discontinued, then relaunched. The eyeshadow in it has technically expired, but I’m French, and we don’t believe in expiration dates. If you’ve seen me at a book event, just know I was wearing eyeshadow dating back to Barack Obama’s presidency—the first one.

Beware the things—and the people—you don’t take seriously. Back in the 2010s, if you were not living in an English-speaking country, and if you weren’t friends with or related to a native speaker, then YouTube videos were pretty much your only source of spontaneous, contemporary, “normal” English speech, not written or edited for a given purpose.

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I love movies, and god knows I love television, but—much to my chagrin—no one actually speaks like that. People aren’t that funny, or that fast, or that quippy, or that emotional, and they don’t wield metaphors that adroitly, either. The same goes for books. As an author, I’ve found that the key to making dialogue sound natural is to omit all the tiny garnishes of everyday language—the hellos and how are yous and the likes and the ums.

A language isn’t just vocabulary and grammar. It’s turns of phrases. It’s common malapropisms. It’s facial expressions and gestures and it’s what people do with their hands while they speak. It’s exclamations of joy, surprise, and pain. All those things lived on YouTube. I gobbled them up at the same time as I gobbled up those videos.

Unbeknownst to me, the YouTube videos also served as a training ground for a part of my life I had no idea was coming: just a few years later, I moved to New York City for what was supposed to be a year but has turned into more than ten. I went through a couple of green cards and became a US citizen three years ago. I’ve worked as a journalist in English for a decade, and I’ve become a bestselling author of novels written in my second language.

And to think it all began—in earnest—with tutorials on how to achieve the perfect smokey eye and bold red lip. I would say it again: beware of the things you don’t take seriously, but who am I kidding? This was always pretty serious business to me.

Cleménce Michallon is the author of The Quiet Tenant, an international bestseller. Her second thriller, Our Last Resort, is out now.

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Are those wedding bells we hear on the horizon? They certainly are, because Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged! The pop superstar and Kansas City Chiefs tight end announced their engagement on Instagram with a truly adorable post—and a few notable beauty details.

“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” Swift wrote in the caption. In the photos, she and Kelce are all loved up in a lush garden, surrounded by flowers; Swift wears a dress with her dark blonde hair worn down in loose waves. And of course, we get a ring shot, which is where we noticed that Swift isn't wearing any nail polish… or is she? Upon closer examination, it looks like she might be wearing a sheer top coat or a very sheer, neutral color on her medium-length nails, but there is definitely no sign of a red nail, some sparkly nail art (her fave), or the multicolored manis she wore at the Eras tour.

We know Swift likes to do her own nails and nail art, and we also know that she likes an unexpected color choice, so we wouldn't have been surprised to see a bright color or fun design. But then again, ultra-simple nails make it all the easier to focus on that ring—a truly stunning (and enormous) diamond in an antique gold setting. It's a love story, baby, and she said “Yes!" (Sorry, had to.)

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There was another thing missing from the engagement post heard ‘round the world: Swift’s signature red lip! She's been ditching it more often lately in favor of a tangerine orange shade, aligned with the orange palette of her forthcoming album The Life of a Showgirl, and in the engagement pics, it looks like she's wearing a slightly softer version of the orange hue.

A new album, a new season of the NFL, a wedding-in-the-works… the next few months are going to be huge for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and we'll be keeping a very close eye on any little wedding-related Easter eggs she may sneak into her looks and promo appearances. Congrats to the lovebirds!

Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Courtesy of brands

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All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

When fine lines, sun spots, and sagging begin to set in, the best face masks for mature skin can provide the plumping moisture your skin might have lost over time. Sure, there are so many serums, creams, and at-home treatments developed for aging skin, but masks have a major advantage in that their ultra-concentrated formulations have been specifically crafted to address signs of aging at a much more intensive rate than the rest of the products in your routine.

“Generally speaking, masks are used intermittently to help give your skin a boost when it needs it," David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City, previously told Allure. So, if you find your skin needs a nourishing, sag-reducing pick-me-up, you’ve come to the right place. We asked board-certified dermatologists for their favorite line-defying face masks—check out their picks, below.

Our Top Face Masks for Mature Skin

• Best Overall: Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask, $215
• Best Eye Mask: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Mask, $50 (6-Pack)
• Best for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque, $70
• Best for Dry Skin: Blue Lagoon Iceland Skincare Mineral Mask, $45
• Best Plumping: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask, $84
• Best Firming: Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask, $96
• Best Brightening: EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask, $56
• Best Sheet Mask: La Mer The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask, $200 (6-Pack)
• Best Overnight Mask: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask, $45

Best Overall: Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask

Sisley-Paris

Black Rose Cream Mask

$210

Bluemercury

Why it's worth it: Stop and smell the roses—and let them nourish your skin, too. Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask delivers an instant boost of hydration and radiance. “This mask combines black rose extract, vitamin E, and shea butter to deeply hydrate, smooth fine lines, and restore volume to mature skin,” says Deanne Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Westport, Connecticut. Its dense texture sits for 10 to 15 minutes, creating a barrier that helps the ingredients absorb more effectively. “It’s incredibly calming and an excellent choice for complexions that are parched or irritated. I even use it on early morning flights to the West Coast to counteract the skin-parching airplane air, so I can step off the plane and head straight into meetings looking refreshed,” she says.

Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying Sisley Paris’s Black Rose Cream Mask

Christa Joanna Lee

Lee after using Sisley Paris’s Black Rose Cream Mask

Christa Joanna Lee

Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee, 38

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"I have sensitive skin, and this mask felt incredibly gentle and soothing from the moment I applied it. I love a good sheet mask, but sometimes I don’t want to scare my kids! This one goes on like a soft cream, with a subtle rose scent that’s calming instead of overpowering. You leave it on for 15 minutes, then sweep away whatever hasn’t sunk in with a cotton pad, though most of it melts right in. Honestly, my skin could handle this every single day, especially in the drier months, for an instant comfort boost for my skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer

More to know

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• Key ingredients: black rose, shea butter, squalane, grape extract, jojoba seed oil
• Who it's for: anyone with dry skin, fine lines, or wrinkles
• Fragrance-free: yes (no added synthetic fragrance; scented with natural rose oils)

Best Eye Mask: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Masks

SkinMedica

Instant Bright Eye Mask (Pack of 6)

$50 $38 (24% off)

Amazon

$50

Dermstore

$50

Bluemercury

Why it's worth it: SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Masks deliver hydration, brightness, and a cooling refresh to the undereye area in just 15 minutes. “This can be used alone or in combination with the SkinMedica Instant Bright Eye Cream or your own eye cream. I like eye masks to help improve penetration of active ingredients,” says Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. In addition to making your eye creams work more effectively, the formula includes antioxidant-rich golden root extract to defend against free radical damage, baker’s yeast to help brighten and even tone, and golden herb extract to soothe and calm delicate skin. “As skin ages, the most common changes around the eyes are fine lines, wrinkles, undereye bags, dark circles, and dry or crepey skin. This undereye mask can help hydrate and plump dry skin, while the cooling effect of the hydrogel can also help reduce puffiness,” she says.

Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying SkinMedica’s Instant Bright Eye Masks

Deanna Pai

Pai after using SkinMedica’s Instant Bright Eye Masks

Deanna Pai

Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai, 36

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"I usually find undereye masks to be slimy and generally annoying—and without enough payoff to balance out the drawbacks. Enter these, which actually feel luxurious—with a comfortable grip and smooth outer side, which makes them much easier to apply—and brightened my eyes in under 10 minutes. My entire eye looked more refreshed, which is why they've become my go-to before things like weddings and the rare night out." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor

More to know

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• Key ingredients: golden root extract, baker’s yeast, golden herb extract
• Who it's for: people with undereye puffiness
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Sensitive Skin: SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

SkinCeuticals

Phyto Corrective Mask

$70

SkinCeuticals

$70

Dermstore

$70

Bluemercury

Why it's worth it: When mature skin is feeling overworked, whether from a cosmetic treatment, environmental stress, or just daily lifestyle habits, SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque is a great reset. “It is very soothing, so I find it beneficial for sensitive, post-procedure skin, but also in general to rehydrate and soothe red or irritated skin. I also love that it is fragrance-free because many masks have fragrance and can be overpowering for people who are sensitive to fragrance,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. The bouncy gel formula blends thyme, cucumber, and olive leaf extracts with hyaluronic acid to restore moisture and bring comfort to skin.

Visuals director Kathryne Hall after applying SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

Hall after applying SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque

Tester feedback from visuals director Kathryne Hall, 49

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“While I need more time to see if really reduces my redness, I really like this mask. I was expecting something that hardens but it feels like a lightweight moisturizer. I had to remind myself to rinse it off because I forgot I had it on. My skin feels great so far.” —Kathryne Hall, visuals director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: cucumber, thyme, olive extract, hyaluronic acid
• Who it's for: anyone with sensitive or reactive skin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dry Skin: Blue Lagoon Iceland Skincare Mineral Mask

Blue Lagoon Iceland Skincare

Mineral Mask

$45

Amazon

$45

Nordstrom

Why it's worth it: If your skin feels especially dry and flaky, try slathering on Blue Lagoon’s Skincare Mineral Mask, a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner. Its blend of jojoba oil, glycerin, aloe vera, and thermal water sourced from Iceland delivers an intense surge of hydration while soothing sensitive skin, leaving you with your bounciest, softest complexion yet.

Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly, 48

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"I keep this blue tube next to my bed and when my skin is feeling parched, I never forget to make it the last step to my evening skin-care routine. Testament to its hydrating powers: Last year I put it on at the beginning of a 20-hour flight to Singapore and I swear my skin was glowier when I landed than it was at takeoff." —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director

More to know

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• Key ingredients: thermal water, jojoba oil, glycerin, aloe vera
• Who it's for: anyone with dry skin
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Plumping: PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask

PCA Skin

Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask

$84 $67 (20% off)

Amazon

$84

Dermstore

Why it's worth it: The game-changer in this face mask is its hyaluronic acid base, which hydrates the surface layer of skin rather than coating it with a veil of goopy moisture. “PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask contains moisturizing and soothing ingredients—including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol—to hydrate and rejuvenate skin overnight,” explains Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who says applying it as the last step in your nighttime routine will lead to waking up with plumper, glowing skin.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
• Who it's for: anyone with dry skin
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Firming: Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask

Fresh

Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask

$96

Ulta Beauty

$96

Sephora

Why it's worth it: When your night cream just isn’t cutting it, Fresh’s Black Tea Peptide Firming Overnight Mask can be used every evening in its place. Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, is a fan of its hyaluronic acid- and peptide-powered formula because these ingredients, along with antioxidant-rich black tea extract, can help tighten, firm, and hydrate all at once. “The black tea complex improves skin elasticity, and hyaluronic acid heightens moisture,” he says.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, black tea extract
• Who it's for: anyone who wants a firming, moisturizing mask that feels as much like a treat as it does a treatment
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Brightening: EltaMD Skin Recovery Night Mask

EltaMD

Skin Recovery Night Mask

$56 $45 (20% off)

Amazon

$56

Dermstore

$56

Bluemercury

Why it's worth it: Snooze your way to calmer, plumper skin with this plush overnight mask. “EltaMD's Skin Recovery Night Mask is a hydrating mask that can repair a damaged skin barrier,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. The impressive tech behind the mask is due to the brand’s AAComplex and Chronobiology Technology, which work in sync with your skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle to replenish essential amino acids, strengthen the barrier, and reduce visible signs of irritation. A healthier skin barrier means better moisture retention, improved resilience against environmental stressors, and skin that wakes up softer, smoother, and glowing.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: amino acids, vitamin E, aloe, turmeric
• Who it's for: anyone with normal-to-dry or sensitive skin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Best Sheet Mask: La Mer The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask

La Mer

Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask (Pack of 6)

$200

Nordstrom

$195

Saks Fifth Avenue

Why it's worth it: La Mer The Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask takes the beloved classic Treatment Lotion formula and transforms it into an ultra-luxurious sheet mask experience. Each silky mask is drenched in the radiance-boosting essence, powered by La Mer’s iconic Miracle Broth (a nutrient-rich blend of sea kelp, minerals, and antioxidants), along with glycerin and algae extracts to deeply replenish moisture and soften the look of fine lines. “The sheet format creates a gentle occlusive barrier, helping these ingredients absorb more effectively, while delivering an immediate plumping and soothing effect,” says Dr. Mraz, who recommends it for people with mature or dry skin who need a quick radiance boost, especially after travel or a day spent in the sun.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: Miracle Broth, algae extract, sesame seed oil, eucalyptus, urea
• Who it's for: anyone with dry or dull skin
• Fragrance-free: no

Best Overnight Mask: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask

Kiehl's

Ultra Facial Overnight Rehydrating Face Mask

$45

Amazon

$45

Nordstrom

Why it's worth it: Although Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Face Mask has “overnight” right in the name, Dr. Camp says this mask can also be used as a targeted 15-minute treatment. However you use this Allure Beauty of Beauty Award winner, expect your skin to feel smooth and supple after applying this squalane-powered mask. “A sugarcane-derived lipid, squalane helps maintain the integrity of the skin barrier to improve hydration,” he says of the star ingredient.

More to know

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• Key ingredients: squalane, glacial glycoprotein, salicylic acid
• Who it's for: anyone with dry skin
• Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I use a face mask?

Skin’s characteristics change over the years in both obvious and not-so-apparent ways, so even if you’ve maintained an elaborate, diligent skin-care routine, you’ll likely experience a decrease in elasticity (the quality and quantity of our collagen plummets) and an increase in discoloration.

More than anything else, mature skin typically looks and feels much drier than it did in younger years—hence the need for moisturizing intervention through a hydrating, skin-plumping mask. “As we age, our capacity to retain water in the skin diminishes, so skin becomes drier,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Dry skin can appear dull and make fine lines more noticeable.” So while you might have collected oil-absorbing, acne-clearing masks in your twenties, your now-seasoned skin’s needs demand a shift in priorities. And by “priorities,” we mean ingredients.

Which ingredients should my face mask have?

According to Dr. Murphy-Rose, dry skin and fine lines can be immediately improved with humectants like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and glycerin to “bring more water to the surface and help plump the skin.”, She also notes that adding ingredients like shea butter and colloidal oatmeal will also help with rejuvenation by deeply moisturizing and soothing dry skin.

In addition to moisturizing ingredients, those with mature skin should look for antioxidants when shopping for masks, says Dr. Camp. “Free radicals can damage cellular structures like DNA, lipids, and proteins, which can contribute to the formation of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots,” he tells Allure. Exfoliation and cell turnover are especially important in helping mature skin look and feel its best, so he also recommends masks with retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

Meet the experts

• Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
• Michele Farber, MD, a Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist
• David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Idriss Dermatology in New York City
• Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best face masks for mature skin, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.