Wouldn't it be dreamy to have a weekly appointment at the spa for a long, relaxing facial?

While that kind of luxury remains an occasional treat for most of us, a bit of DIY indulgence is well within reach - and can make a real difference too.

Because they get longer to seep beneath the surface, the active ingredients in masks work their magic where it's needed most, while giving you instantly visible results at the same time. And right now, there's a slew of new soak-in saviours targeting everything from sullen skin and frazzled hair to clogged pores and acne.

So block out an evening, light a scented candle, run a bath and get ready to mask in glory...

THE BRIGHTENER

The latest addition to Origins' line-up of the UK's bestselling masks is the Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Bright Dark Spot Correcting Night Mask, £48 (www.origins.co.uk), a leave-on cream packed with vitamin-rich botanical extracts and dark spot-fading actives. Massage it in, leave for 10 minutes then rub in any excess so nothing goes to waste.

THE PORE PERFECTER

There's a reason charcoal has been a trusted cosmetic ingredient for generations - powdered carbon (that's really all it is) loves sucking up icky stuff from our skin. Likewise, Clinique's Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask, £22 (www.clinique.co.uk), works like a Hoover on pores and mattifies oily patches.

THE WRINKLE SMOOTHER

Sheet masks - face-shaped patches saturated with complexion-boosting serums - originated in the home of so many skin innovations, South Korea. Unpeel the two transparent parts of the SkinPep Collagen Growth Factor Face Mask, £19.99 for five (www.skinpep.com), and smooth them over your face for 30-40 minutes for a plumping, peptide-rich skin infusion.

THE FACE FIRMER

Promising to mimic the action of Botox, Temple Spa's The Contourist, £50 for six masks (Selfridges or TempleSpa.com), is an ultra-firming sheet mask that tones, tightens and fades pigmentation. With a chin strap and loops that hook over the ears, it's slightly scary looking, so make sure you're not expecting any visitors when you pop it on.

THE SCALP SOOTHER

Tea tree oil is well-known for its calming properties, but apply too much and it'll really sting. The Australian Bodycare Scalp Treatment Mask, £14.50 (www.qvcuk.com), gets the blend just right, resulting in a cooling sensation that soothes itching and flakiness. Apply when your hair is dry and leave overnight for maximum effectiveness.

THE HAIR HYDRATOR

Bleach, heat and stress can really take it out of your hair, but a weekly moisturising mask will counteract the damage. New from the Pantene Expert Collection, the Hydra Intensify Masque, £6.99 (www.boots.com), floods locks with a triple whammy of nourishing nutrients in just three minutes.

THE SPOT STOPPER

Unclogging pores and reducing sebum are key to preventing spots. From the new acne-targeting range, the Avene Cleanance Mask, £15 (Escentual.com), does both, plus it contains kaolin clay for a matte finish.

THE CULT REBOOT

To mark its 15th anniversary, REN has rereleased their classic Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask, £32 (www.lookfantastic.com). This cult favourite harnesses a cocktail of fruit acids to exfoliate dead skin cells and flush out pores when rinsed off.

THE BOTANICAL BOOSTER

New to the UK, French brand Aloree uses chlorophyll, the key component of photosynthesis in plants (ring any bells from biology lessons?) that also has anti-ageing properties. The pearlescent green Skin Rescue Radiant Face Mask, £24 (www.pravera.co.uk), oxygenates cells and leaves your complexion with a subtle shimmer.

THE HYALURONIC HERO

Another sheet mask, Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron Moisture Boosting Mask, £19.99 for four (www.boots.com), is soaked in moisture-maximising hyaluronic acid. In 15 minutes, the key ingredient seeps in deep, leaving your face fresh, plumped and dewy.

THE TAN ENHANCER

A thorough exfoliation is a must before your slap on the fake tan, and James Read's Enhance Tan Perfecting Enzyme Peel Mask, £15 (www.johnlewis.com), does just that. The clear gel smoothes on and dries, and then peels off 20 minutes later taking a layer of dead skin cells with it.

THE POST-SUN QUENCHER

To stop your tan fading faster than that blissed-out holiday feeling on your first day back at work, a major dose of moisture is in order. Phytomer Sun Soother After-Sun Mask for Face, £25.25 (FeelUnique.com), drenches skin with hydration and protects against the free radicals that threaten your tan's long-term potential.

TRIED AND TESTED

:: Keeley Bolger files this report on the skin-smoothing Emjoi Micro-Pedi Nano, £29.99 (www.lloydspharmacy.com)

"After running a marathon a few weeks ago, I was relieved to try out this foot-filing gadget. The toil of pounding the pavements during training had left the skin on my feet hard and ugly, and in need of some TLC before summer - and the associated sandal-wearing - arrives.

"Battery-powered, small and very easy to use, I was really impressed with the Micro-Pedi. It files feet quickly and, most crucially for me, doesn't hurt. While not as cheap as a handheld file, the results - smoother, nicer feet - justify the cost. But bear in mind - it does take off a LOT of dead skin, so make sure you're prepared with a strategically placed towel to catch the flakes!"

5/5

BUY IT NOW

Her Jo Loves brand leads the way in fragrance innovation, and now Mrs Malone has done it again with her new Jo Loves Shot Candle, £75 (available later in May; www.joloves.com). Comprised of a glass base and a 'shot' insert that contains the wick, you can choose from a menu of scents for each. When lit, the fragrances meld together creating a bespoke aroma - the ideal accompaniment to a night of beauty pampering.

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: PEEKING PALS

Have you ever had a sneaky peek in a pal's bathroom cabinet in a bid to uncover their beauty secrets? You're not the only one. Four in 10 women admit they've snooped during a trip to the loo while at a friend's house, while 75% of those surveyed by bathroom care brand Bloo believe you can tell a lot about someone from their bathroom. What's more, one in 20 admitted they've actually pinched a product from someone else's house!

:: GREY LADIES

Sparked by the 'granny hair' trend, which has seen celebs like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Kylie Jenner of the Kardashian clan voluntarily going grey, sales of silver hair colour have shot up. Amazon reports that grey dye sales are up by 83% overall, with some steely products seeing a more than 200% leap.

:: STEAL OF THE WEEK

Face masks, especially trendy sheet masks that you can only use once, can be pricey, but the Quick Fix Facials six-strong range is affordable and effective. Even better, until the end of May, they're on offer at £3 each for a 100ml tube (down from £4.99), which works out at just 30p per pampering sesh. We love the Quick Fix Facials Exfoliating Scrub Mask (www.boots.com).