How to do a DIY Facial

The global economic hardship has unfortunately affected the size of many of our wallets.  So if you’re one of the millions that are on a tight budget, chances are you don’t plan on booking a hundred-dollar facial at a local spa anytime soon.  However, that doesn’t mean your skin should be deprived of some TLC.  Continue reading to get the low-down on how to give yourself a facial that would put an esthetician to shame.

If you’re wearing makeup, then first and foremost remove it with a gentle makeup remover.

1. Cleanse:  Cleanse your face, neck and décolleté with a cleanser that is ideal for your skin type. Use a cream-based cleanser if your skin is normal to dry or use a gel-based cleanser if you have normal to oily skin type. This step ensures that all traces of dirt and makeup are removed. Then gently pat dry with a soft towel.

2.Exfoliate:  To slough away dead skin cells, apply a thin layer of an exfoliating mask that contains AHA’s (Alpha-hydroxy Acids) to your skin and leave on for 15-20 minutes.

3.Steam:  While the mask is sitting on your face, boil 2 cups of distilled water in a small or medium sized cooking pot and lean over the boiling water to allow the steam to saturate your face- just be careful not to lean too close, but close enough where you feel the steam. Steam your face for 5-10 minutes. Remove the exfoliating mask with tepid water then gently pat dry.

4.Facial Massage:  (skip this step if you suffer from acne or any kind of open lesions or abrasions on the skin) Of course, no one will argue that receiving a massage from another pair of hands other than your own-especially from a professional- is unrivalled, but since this is a DIY facial, go ahead and massage your own face.  There are various facial massage techniques to try that promote blood circulation and better muscle tone.  But first apply a carrier oil to use for the massage such as grape seed or olive oil.  Don’t shy away from using a carrier oil on your face even if you have oily skin- counterintuitive as it may seem, natural oils such as these will not aggravate your skin nor clog pores.  You can experiment with different methods as there is really no right or wrong way to massage your face.  One technique you can try is to use your index and middle finger and do large, circular motions on your face- especially focusing on the cheeks and forehead.

5.Hydrate:  Following the facial massage, apply a nourishing mask that has hydrating properties.  Leave on for 15-25 minutes, and then remove with tepid water.

6.Treat:  Lastly, apply an eye cream underneath and around corners of the eyes, a face serum (on face and neck), and then a facial moisturizer with SPF respectively.  Be sure to use skin care products that are suitable for your skin type.

This is a guest post by Lee Ann Buttery who is a licensed Esthetician and professional makeup artist based in the Princeton, New Jersey area. She also works for Mario Badescu Skin Care. She is a busy mom of a baby boy and is an unashamed Britney Spears fan.