While there is nothing quite like a beauty salon-experience when getting a facial, we are here to share with you a full run down of how to have a happy facial day at home. We asked Sensation Boutiques founder, Gosia to take us through the steps to creating that oh-so-satisfying facial experience.
Step one: Double cleanse
Whether or not you’re wearing makeup, cleansing is the only way to start a good facial – not only is it therapeutic to start the process with a good massage, it means all your other products will work twice as hard. Ideally, you’d start with an oil-based balm or cream cleanser to dissolve any makeup, dirt and debris, before following up with something lighter to cleanse that freshly-washed skin, but you can cleanse twice with the same product if it suits your skin needs.
We love Medik8 Lipid-Balance cleansing oil ($52) and Surface Radiance Cleanse ($44).
Step two: Steam
Ahh, our favourite step – It is a long-held beauty myth that steam opens pores, but what it does do is loosen up any stubborn sebum and allow products to penetrate. Fill a bowl with hot water, add a few herbs like camomile (anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and soothing), calendula (soothing eczema, healing wounds) or St.Jon’s wort (soothing, healing) and then drape a towel over your head. Not for too long – max 10 min and not too hot – we’re going for an energised glow, not burnt tomato.
Don’t do steaming if your skin is sensitive
Step three: Now you are ready to exfoliate your skin
Try to avoid physical scrubs as they are to abrasive for our skin. Chemical exfoliant like AHAs are ideal for reducing fine lines, wrinkles and improving cell turnover, while BHAs work best for reducing inflammation and clearing out any stubborn breakouts. Our Pick for blemish-prone skin is Medik8 Pore Minimizing tonic ($78) or Medik8 Blemish Control Pads ($59) -they are decongesting and exfoliating, anti-inflammatory, hydrating and nourishing. This supports the skin’s natural healing process and renewal. Mesoestetic Ultimate Micropeel – a treatment that exerts a smooth renewing action on the skin surface to remove dead cells, refine texture, smooth out imperfections and immediately enhance facial radiance
Step four: Mask
These days there’s a face mask for every skin type and issue imaginable, so this step can be as complex or as simple as your patience (and budget) allows. We’d pop this on the T-zone, then apply a moisturising or soothing mask to the rest of the face.
Our favourites include Medik8 Natural Clay mask to absorb access oil and impurities, it deeply purifies and detoxifies and promotes cell regeneration, also the Mesoestetic Antistress Mask $118 – to soothe, hydrate, reduce redness and rosacea inflammation.
Check out our blog on how to make your own mask – DIY Masks For All Skin Types
Step five: Moisturise
Choose your serum – I like to keep it simple. Use Liquid peptides or Hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 or Vit C – massage a few drops in with circular motions to your face, neck and cleavage. Then add a couple of drops of Bestow – The Graces Nourishing Oil ($55) which is an enriching blend of 12 beautiful plant oils to nourish, soften and enliven skin. Bursting with EFA’s, vitamins and antioxidants, this gorgeous facial oil delivers plant therapy to revive dull, lack-lustre skin and its suitable for most skin types.
Then apply your favourite moisturiser, a load of it, for example Medik8 Ultimate recovery ($79) which is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, support skin natural, healing process and intensive cellular turnover.
Step six: Massage
At this stage the at home facial is about achieving maximum hydration. The only way to finish a fantastic at home facial is with an extra pampering massage step. It increases circulation to your facial tissue, resulting in brighter, more youthful-looking skin. For me facial massage is the most important part of any treatment which helps to oxygenate and freshen the skin and muscles, by getting this fluid moving again.
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Alternatively, wait to book into Sensation Boutique Bronte and let the pros work their magic on you!