After the harsh (but bloody good fun!) excesses of the party season, both me and my sallow skin are in need of a serious detox, and I'm sure I'm not alone. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to try and test the best of the detox masks on the market to see which would banish the baddies from my partied-out complexion…

Eve Lom Rescue Mask
£25

Sleek and chic packaging, as expected, made my bathroom shelf look very 'high end'! A lovely subtle, natural earthy scent and an interesting texture – a light, creamy liquid with almond extracts. Very easy to smooth on and spread evenly. It dries on uncomfortably tight so it's not necessarily relaxing, but was quick and easy to wash off after 15 minutes and it left my skin sparkly, smooth and feeling very deep down cleansed, plus the almond extracts give great exfoliation – ideal for flaky January skin.
Stockists: 020 8740 2085

REN Multi-mineral Detox facial mask
£17.50

This was a real pleasure to use. 100% natural, with a delicious floral, peppermint scent and a gorgeous fluffy mousse-like texture with teeny, gentle exfoliating beads. Great packaging with a pump-action lid made it super easy to use, and after smoothing over skin, I relaxed in a hot bath until it dried, then rinsed it off easily. Total bliss. Skin felt squeaky-clean, fresh and super-soft. The morning after I was still glowing. This is a great mask for partied-out complexions, and the peppermint formula and fragrance means it's so invigorating, it's the perfect morning-after mask to get you re-energised.
Stockists: 0845 22 55 600 or www.renskincare.co.uk

The Sanctuary Warming Charcoal Detox Mask
£7.99 (99p for sachet)

This blue/grey, clay-like paste was very slimy, oily and sticky, which made it quite difficult to spread evenly, and quite a messy task too! I tried it from a sachet, but because of its sticky texture, it was near-on impossible to get out as most of the mask was stuck to the packet – so I'd recommend buying in the tube. The mask warmed up after application, which felt lovely and relaxing, and it didn't dry on tight which I liked. Washed off easily, but left my skin dry and stiff, although it did feel deeply cleansed. Needed lots of moisturiser to make me soft and supple again. Better for oily complexions, not dry faces like mine.
Stockists: Boots stores nationwide

Crabtree & Evelyn Remedy Deep Cleansing and Purifying Mask
£18

This was very similar to the Ren mask – mint green with a soft, creamy texture and a lovely peppermint scent. This mask spread evenly easily and dried after around 5 minutes, then was gently massaged off with tepid water. My skin felt squeaky-clean and very, very deep down cleansed, but slightly tight and a little uncomfortable. The next morning my skin still felt dry (I guess it really did give a deep down clean!) but looked quite bright and evenly toned. A good mask, but not the best on offer here.
Stockists: www.crabtree-evelyn.co.uk

Biotherm Hydra Detox Mask
£23

Mmmm, a lovely, airy, silky-smooth gel with a fresh, clean scent to be smoothed over skin in a thick layer and left for ten minutes. My complexion felt deliciously tingly during the wait time, I could almost feel it working its magic. After the ten minutes I just had to wipe off any excess product with a tissue. This mask had soaked in beautifully, my skin looked clear, instantly fresher, more luminous and glowing with health! It's also really refreshing and invigorating, so it's the perfect wake-up mask. I loved the simplicity, no muss-no fuss approach of this super-effective mask. The morning after, my skin still looks better than it has for a long time, or, at least since before the party season!
Stockists: 0800 037 1020