India: Turmeric: Turmeric or haldi as is called in India is amongst the most favourite face masks used by the Indian people. Models Bhumika Arora (from Karnal) and Rasika Navare (from Pune) say that every Indian woman has used turmeric on her face. But the key is to weigh the ingredients properly. “If you’re using a full spoon of gram flour, less than a quarter spoon of turmeric is enough. It’s very powerful—and very yellow. You could tint your skin if you use too much,” says Arora.

“You need to listen to your skin,” says makeup artist and Estée Lauder global beauty director Violette. “We’ll always ask the pharmacist, ‘I have this dark spot or this pimple—what do you think?’” Violette's mask rotation includes, African Botanics Marula + Plant Stem Cells Mineral Cleansing Mask (to decongest), Pratima Revitalizing Turmeric Cream (to reduce inflammation), Joëlle Ciocco Heat Mask (to purify), and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Power-Foil Mask (for glow).

Since the Americans are super focused on their pores, they tend to opt for anything that can help get rid of blackheads. Jessica Richards, founder of Shen Beauty in Brooklyn says that currently, charcoal masks are at the top of the list. Jessica swears by the Arlo Blak mask which is a loose powder. You have to mix it with water to make a paste and make sure it doesn't overdry. “After I rinse, my skin looks glowy, and my pores are clean and tight,” says Richards.

Nail artist Mei Kawajiri says sheet masks are the go-to products for moisture in Japan. “Japanese weather is so humid, but our skin is still dry because of the AC in the office, the subway, everywhere,” she says. Kawajiri swears by the TonyMoly Pureness 100 masks, DHC Revitalizing Moisture Strips for Eyes, and the longtime beauty-editor staple, SK-II Facial Treatment Mask.

“Eggs, oats, dairy products, honey, local herbs, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, cucumbers—our mothers and grandmothers would mask with pretty much anything they could find in the fridge,” says Olga Karput, the founder of Moscow’s Kuznetsky Most 20 boutique. “I’ll start with a homemade mask, like maybe I’ll mix a few different acids and some chia seeds. That prepares my skin for whatever I use afterward,” says Karput. Biologique Recherche’s Biomagic Mask and Masque Vivant are what follow after.

Khoudia Diop, a model and a brand ambassador for the creative agency The Colored Girl says she loves to use henna in a mask. Colourless henna as it turns out can do wonders for your skin. “Pure henna comes from a leaf,” explains Diop. “Some hennas have more ink than others, and we use the less tinted ones to smooth and moisturise the face.” Apart from henna, they like to use fruits in face masks. “The grapes are great for hydration, and lemon and honey help exfoliate and cleanse in the summer,” she says.

“In the north of Argentina, the earth is really powerful. I used to go to the backyard of my grandmother’s house and make masks with mud,” says model, actor and activist Calu Rivero. “Because of the minerals in the dirt, my skin would feel so much softer after 20 minutes.” Apart from this she also goes for the Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Brightening sheet masks for that baby soft complexion.