25 Things to Do While Your Mask Dries

Your hair’s pulled back, your skin is cleansed, and your favorite mask has been applied. Just one thing left to do:

Let dry for 15 minutes.

That’s right — you’ve got 15 whole minutes while your face absorbs all that skincare goodness.

What will you do while your mask sets? Twiddle your thumbs? Maybe watch some paint dry?

You’re better than that.

It doesn’t seem like long, but you can actually get a lot done in 15 minutes. Here are 25 fun or useful things you could be doing instead!

Our spa-day mask of choice? The Illuminating Essence Exfoliating Mask! It’s infused with volcanic ash and silica to gently clear impurities and reveal your natural radiance.

1. Meditate

Try a free guided meditation online, or simply zone out to the natural sound of wind and birds. It can help your stress...and actually, help your skin!

2. Perfect your feed aesthetic

Get your Insta looking just so with a little post planning. Whether you’re building a brand or just living your best life, a curated feed is a thing of beauty.

3. Paint your toenails

But probably wait to do your fingernails until after you’ve rinsed your face.

4. Do a quick tidy

It’s not especially fun, but you’ll be surprised how much you can put away in 15 minutes. (And how much happier you’ll feel when it’s done!)

5. Take a walk around the yard

If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space, get some fresh air while you mask. Or you can take a walk around the block, but be prepared for odd stares from your neighbors.

6. Journal

This can be whatever you need it to be. A gratefulness list, a total brain dump, your own personal Burn Book...just let it all out.

7. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee

If you’re feeling mindful, sit and sip it without any distractions. Enjoy the flavor nuances and the cozy feeling. Bonus: many teas can help boost your natural glow.

8. Relax with your trashy internet video of choice

My kryptonite: cat compilations and people seeing color for the first time. But you do you! Talent show auditions, pregnancy announcements, instant karma videos...the internet is your oyster.

9. Clean out your purse

You know you need to. And it’ll be a nice change of pace to actually find things when you’re looking for them.

10. Make your shopping list

Think about what you’d like to cook next week, and make sure you’ve got all the ingredients you need. If you’re a clear skin queen, your cart might include a few of these.

11. Do a digital clean-out

Clear old emails from your inbox and delete those awkward selfies from your phone.

12. Learn a new language

There are plenty of free apps and online resources to help you pick up a few phrases. For example, we just learned that the french for facial treatment is “soin du visage.”

Looking for your new favorite facial treatment? We’ve got you covered. 

13. Work on your budget

Again, not fun, but very useful. Plus, it can be reassuring to feel in control of your cash flow.

14. Play with your pets

We don’t always have time to give our snuggle-buddies the attention they deserve. Use this time to show them some love.

15. Wash your makeup brushes

Want that flawless look? Then keep your brushes clean. It’ll make application smoother and get rid of harmful bacteria.

16. Pack your lunch

Make your morning a little less hectic by having your lunch ready to go. It’ll also help you resist the siren song of fast food...again.

17. Fold laundry

Finally get that pile of clean clothes off your clothes and into your closet. Maybe even throw those wrinkled work shirts back into the dryer for a few minutes.

18. Declutter

Get your Marie Kondo on and toss a few things into your donation box. You may not be able to finish a whole area in 15 minutes, but progress is progress!

19. Make a music playlist

Sometimes, you need the perfect playlist to set a vibe. Make a new mix for your morning commute, your trip to the beach, or to capture the feeling of your favorite season.

20. Choose clothes for tomorrow

Another tip for anti-morning people: give yourself fewer decisions to make half-asleep at 7am. (And if you’re having trouble sleeping, maybe try some of these tricks at bedtime.)

21. Load/unload your dishwasher

Get this out of the way, so it stops nagging at the back of your mind and disrupting your blissful Netflix binge.

22. Do stretches or yoga

Release some endorphins without disturbing your mask with a full-on workout. By the time your 15 minutes are up, you’ll look great and feel great!

23. Change your sheets

Is there anything better than the feeling of fresh sheets? Maybe the knowledge that clean sheets are also better for your skin.

24. Practice a musical instrument

I’m awful at the ukulele, but that doesn’t stop me from tormenting my cats with the sound. Pick up your instrument of choice to practice an old favorite or learn a new tune.

25. Hug a goat

I saw this on a Pinterest list, and it’s haunted me ever since. So if you happen to have close proximity to a goat while you’re masking, I guess go hug it…? Then please send me a message explaining the experience.

Pro-tip: follow your mask with a luxe moisturizer like our Flawless Nourishment Cream to seal in hydration.

Once your 15 minutes are up, voila! Back to the sink for a rinse.

If you used our Illuminating Essence Exfoliating Mask, enjoy unveiling your bright new glow!

Written by

Anna Denson