Mmmm, there is something truly blissful about spending an unhurried day at a spa or beauty salon and sitting back while the therapists work their magic. A facial can make your skin look and feel amazing afterwards, giving you a fantastic boost to your confidence.
Of course, we all lead busy lives – jobs, families and finances mean that we can’t always disappear for a day of pure pampering at the local spa (as nice as it would be). Thankfully, it is possible to give yourself the perfect facial in the comfort of your own home.
You need:
- A gentle facial cleanser
- Cotton wool pads
- Toner
- Exfoliating scrub
- Face mask (try clay-based for oily skin or a cream or gel mask for dry skin)
- Face moisturiser
Once you’ve got everything to hand, turn off your phone, lock your bathroom door and give yourself 15 minutes of peace and quiet.
Home facial step 1: Cleanse
Apply your cleanser to two separate cotton pads (one for each eye to reduce the risk of cross infection), support your brows with your fingers and gently sweep the cleaner down over your eyelids and through your eyelashes. Then gently cleanses the rest of your face to remove any make-up, grime and dirt from your skin.
We use: Mellow Cleanser
Home facial step 2: Tone
You should always apply a toner to cleansed skin. Toners are great for adding hydration and nourishment, while removing those last stubborn traces of make-up and cleanser. If you have oily skin, you should opt for a toner that balances your facial oil – lemon, peppermint and tea tree are all great. If you have dry, sensitive skin, then opt for soothing ingredients such as rose or elderflower.
Grab a clean cotton pad and pour the toner on this. Gently sweep the pad across your face and neck, avoiding your eyes. If you have combination skin, you may want to apply the toner to just the oily areas (normally the T-zone of your nose and forehead).
We use: Mellow Toner
Home facial step 3: Exfoliate
According to Discover Magazine, the average adult sheds a whopping 50,000 dead skin cells a minute! These old skin cells can leave our skin looking dull and old. Exfoliating your face is a great way of shifting those dead skin cells and brightening up your complexion.
It is important that you don’t over exfoliate and that you ops for a gentle product that doesn’t damage your skin. The aim is for your face to look fresh and rejuvenated, not red and irritated.
Apply your exfoliating cream to damp skin and rub it in a gentle circular motion for 30 seconds, then rinse it off with lukewarm (not hot) water.
We use: Mellow Exfoliating Cream
Home facial step 4: Steam
Steam cleansing your face once a week can help to unclog your pores and brighten up your skin. You may want to avoid this step if your skin is sensitive or has a high cheek colour.
Pour boiling water into a bowl and add a few drops of an essential oil such as lavender, rose, geranium or eucalyptus. Take a few deep breathes to inhale the steam deeply – the essential oils are great for helping you to relax – and open your pores. When you’re done, place a cold compress on your face to tone up your skin and close your pores.
Home facial step 5: Mask
Pat your chosen face mask gently on to your face, being careful to avoid your eyes and lips. Relax for 15 minutes and then wash the mark off with lukewarm water.
A hydrating, creamy mask is perfect for dry, sensitive skin (you could even make your own mask with Greek yoghurt and a spoonful of honey). Clay masks are great for oily or acne-prone skin.
We use: Mellow Cleansing Face Mask
Home facial step 6: Massage
To really make your facial feel as good as one you’d have a spa, take a few moments to treat your facial muscles to a massage. It will help improve the blood flow and improve your skin tone.
Apply your favourite facial oil using deep circular movements. Gently stimulate the pressure points around your eyes and brows. Make sure that you work in an upward direction to lift your muscles, and massage outwards towards your neck as this will encourage toxins to leave your system.
We use: Mellow Face Oil
Home facial step 7: Moisturise
Pop a pea-sized dollop of moisturiser in the palm of your hand, and then rub your hands together to warm the moisturiser up and spread it between your palms. Starting with your cheeks, spread the moisturiser gently to your forehead and nose, and finally, your chin.
If you have dry, sensitive skin, then try to pick an ointment moisturiser because this will contain more oil. If you have oily skin, opt for a lighter lotion moisturiser.
We use: Mellow Moisturiser for Dry/Sensitive Skin
If you get a chance to give yourself a perfect facial at home, why not pop back and tell us all about it? We’d love to hear how your skin felt afterwards in the comments section below or over on the Mellow Facebook page.