How to Get SHEETFACED with Korean Sheet Masks

As a model and pageant queen veteran, Sarah Oh really knows her stuff when it comes to the best beauty products out there, especially all those highly coveted K-beauty items. She is quite active on her beauty blog, Oh My Gloss!where she shares her expert beauty tips and tricks, as well as her favorite products. 

And, lucky for you guys, she is sharing some of her know-how with Seoul Searching readers. Check out her guest post below.

Hey guys, Sarah here, and today I’m going to tell you the best way to get #sheetfaced, K-beauty style!

This is a weekly/daily ritual for K-beauty lovers all over the world. The act of getting ‘sheet faced’ is simple. You place an essence-soaked sheet mask on your face and then resume whatever you’re doing while your skin soaks up the skin softening and brightening tonic.

That’s the gist of it, but for the K-beauty enthusiast like myself there are a few extra steps to get the most out of both luxury and dollar sheet masks. Here are some of my tips and tricks to achieve K-beauty worthy skin!

Step 1: Scrub-a-dub-dub 

Like any skincare routine, cleansing is the first step. In my opinion it’s the most important and tedious of all the steps. Putting a sheet mask on unclean skin is a HUGE NO-NO. Even if you’re not wearing makeup, washing your face is always a must. Dirt and oil have no place in achieving glowy-dewy skin. A good clean will ensure that your skin will absorb the essence and nothing else.

A gentle scrub is a great way to prep the skin so that new skin cells can marinate under the sheet mask. I love using the Mamonde Lotus Micro Mask to Foam cleanser (13,000KRW). I don’t use it every day, but on the days when I do a mask I use this first. It works as a mud pack and it washes off to a foamy scrub, so my skin feels extra clean. I would suggest removing makeup on the eyes and lips separately with a makeup remover.

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Step 2: Pregame 

After cleansing it’s important to balance the skin back to its natural pH, but more importantly toners can give your skin the first shot of what it needs to look and feel fresher after cleansing. In the same way pregaming ensures a fun night out with your friends, pregaming your skin with a toner before getting sheet faced will provide the best sheet mask experience!

I like to use the Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Clarifying Toner (26,000KRW) to remove any leftover cleanser that I might have missed and help my skin breathe better. Then, depending on my mood, I either apply Rose Water Toner from Mamonde (15,000KRW) or the Hanyul Red Rice Essential Skin Softner (35,000KRW). If I’m feeling super fancy that day I use the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (96,000KRW/75mL). Now it’s game time!

Step 3: Get #SHEETFACED 

This is the fun part. After completing steps 1 and 2 you can reward your skin with a sheet mask of your choosing. There are hundreds of masks you can choose from to suit your skin’s needs.

Here are some things to look for in a good sheet mask. First, the mask sheet itself has to be good quality. This means that it adheres well to the skin and is absorbent enough to hold the essence in the sheet and not drip off. Second, there has to be a lot of essence. Usually in the directions it says to apply the mask for 20 to 30 minutes. I usually have it on for longer and when the mask feels a little dried out, I can use the extra essence in the packet to re-hydrate it. Also, you can use the extra essence before you apply the mask and after taking off the mask. Gently pat it on your face, neck, and décolletage.

I personally like the Innisfree Its Real Squeeze Mask sheets (950KRW), Dr.Jart+ Dermask Reset Your Hydration Mask (3,500KRW), and the Mamonde Skin Fit Masks (4,500KRW). As you can tell by now, I really like the brand Mamonde.

Finding a good sheet mask can be a trial and error process, but I’d say that 98% of the time it is a very pleasurable experience. There are various types of sheet mask types such as cellulose, hydrogel, and cotton. Try out different ones to see what texture you like best.

One tip for the summer is to put your sheet masks in the fridge to get an extra cooling effect. After taking off the sheet mask apply a moisturizer or cream of your choice to lock in the moisture and essence from the sheet mask.

Getting sheet faced is as easy as that! You can do it as little or as often as you like and you will always end up with envy-worthy skin.

Don’t forget to get more K-beauty tips at Sarah’s blog. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram!

Words by Sarah Oh for Seoul Searching. Content may not be reproduced unless reauthorized.