Facial at Home

There is nothing more relaxing and indulgent than a facial, but for busy Mums with little kids a trip to the beautician is usually way down the priority list. So why not give yourself a facial?  Or even better, invite a friend over and you can take turns.  Set aside 30 mins, take the phone off the hook, put on some relaxing music, light the oil burner and you’re ready to go.  A day spa in your own living room.

What You Need

Deep bowl

Soft facecloths

Hand towels

Cream Cleansing Milk and/or Cleansing Gel

Exfoliating Cream or Powder

Rosewater or other mild toning mist

Face Mask (or plain yoghurt or avocado)

Face Oil (or use grapeseed, jojoba, rosehip or sweet almond oil)

Moisturising Cream and/or Serum

Eye Gel or Eye Cream

Pure essential oil (rose, chamomile, sandalwood or lavender)

Step One – Deep Cleanse

Fill the bowl with very warm water and add a tsp of oil with 2 drops of essential oil premixed in.  Soak a facecloth, squeeze out and gently press on your face to soften and open pores.  Then massage the cream cleanser in and rinse off with the face cloth and warm water.  Repeat this with a gel cleanser, or the cream cleanser again.

Step 2 – Exfoliate

Refill the bowl with warm water and get a clean facecloth.  Gently massage your exfoliating cream or powder/paste onto face, avoiding the eye area. Wash off with the facecloth and warm water.  Exfoliating removes dead skin calls and allows moisturiser to penetrate better. It’s amazing how fresh and smooth your skin feels afterwards!  

Step 3 – Treatment Mask

Spritz with the floral water or toner to prepare for the mask.  You can get all sorts of masks at chemists, health food stores or department store.  Clay masks or gel masks are great.  Alternatively you can use plain yoghurt or avocado.  Apply a thin layer, avoiding the eye area.  Leave for 5 minutes. If it’s a clay mask, don’t let it dry on your skin or it can leave the skin too dry.  Cold chamomile tea bags or cucumber slices are great to put over your eyes while the mask is on, to cool & tone the skin. Wash off with warm water & a face cloth.

Step 4 – Face Massage

This is the most relaxing part of a facial, and the skin soaks up the nutrients from the oil.  Use Face Oil or vegetable oil, for example sweet almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba or rosehip.  Massage slowly for a few minutes with light pressure from your fingertips.  Finish off by gently pressing the oil into your face with your palms.

 Step 5 –Moisturise

Now apply a small amount of moisturiser, either a serum or cream or both (serum first).  If you have eye gel or cream you can apply a small amount around the eye bone area by lightly tapping on with your index finger.

Step 6 – Relax

Finish off with a spritz of hydrating toner or mist, then sit back and have a cup of tea before you get on with your day…