So Face Bras And Chin Masks Are Actually A ‘Thing’. But Do They Really Sculpt Your Jawline?

So face bras are a 'thing'. No, really - they are. 'Face bra review' is a breakout search term on Google - meaning that it's not just you and I who are confused and intrigued. But what on earth is it? Put simply, a face bra is effectively a fabric strap that you place on the underside of your chin and jaw and hook over both of your ears, and you wear it whilst you sleep. The theory is that the fabric hoiks up the tissue and skin there, subsequently training it to stay put, zero surgical needles or scalpels in sight. Remember when Instagram went crazy over waist trainers? These things aren't dissimilar in the way they're designed to work.

And face bras aren't the only chin and jaw product doing the rounds - chin masks are also trending. As befuddled as we were? Just imagine a sheet mask in the same shape as said face bra above. They pair the structure of a face bra with a firming serum that aims to supposedly tighten everything below your chin up. These are used much like a face mask, for a matter of minutes, and are said to offer more temporary results.

So, is a face bra worth the investment? Is a chin mask worth the faff? Or is this one internet trend we should swipe a firm left on. Let's delve in deeper...

So Why The Sudden Interest?

We really started to pay attention to chin masks when beauty influencer extraordinaire, Huda Kattan launched one as part of her savvy new skincare line Wishful. Plenty of influencers and fans documented their experience with it on Instagram. The world's interest was officially piqued.

Sheet chin masks generally promise to nourish, brighten and hydrate the area. When it comes to Wishful's Chin Lift Sculpting Sheet Mask, £7, a high tech ingredient named acetyl hexapeptide-8 is used - a structure-building peptide that helps to firm the skin. It also aims to boost lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness.

The Expert Opinion

Dr Sophie Shotter, founder and medical director of Illuminate Skin Clinic, is a big name in aesthetics. This is her take:

'In principle a chin mask or face bra works by supporting the facial soft tissue to minimise sagging of the face associated with ageing but to date there is no clinically validated data that supports their claims. Face bras are worn overnight but as we sleep gravity exerts different forces on our body than when we are upright. A double chin hangs downwards as we stand up, whereas when we lie flat these tissues fall backwards and a double chin would be less apparent.'

'It is possible that face bras may provide a very short term benefit by decreasing facial swelling and puffiness in people who are prone to this. I often recommend wearing a facial support (even a pair of old tights tied around the head) after procedures to help minimise swelling. The same principle could be the case with these devices, but they will have no lasting effect on your facial contours and have no capability to improve the quality of the skin or to cause lipolysis.'

The Chin Mask Verdict

If you're happy with subtle results that last no more than an evening or so, then a hydrating chin mask might be worth whirl. A survey revealed that 88% of Wishful chin mask users agreed their 'jawline appeared lifted immediately after use'.

The Face Bra Verdict

Reviews of face bras are varied. Some say they make no difference, apart from making sleep uncomfortable, others can't believe the results.

Sarah, 44, from Windsor, who’s been using one for over a month now, gives this new-fangled contraption a glowing review. 'It’s easy to wear, it doesn’t hurt, just feels a bit tight around my chin,' she says. 'I wear it every day when I’m not at work and it has definitely made a difference to my face shape, even if it feels temporary. I thought it was unlikely to work but I have recommended it to others and will continue to wear it.'

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