The routine is easy to follow and you can use products you already own.
No need to buy a thing.
How good is that?
Let's go!
1: PREPARE
It's so much more relaxing and enjoyable if you get fully prepared before you start.
Make sure you're not going to be disturbed.
Pop on an old top or get changed into your PJs and a dressing gown/robe.
Make sure you're warm enough and super-duper-comfortable.
Tie your hair up and pop on a comfy headband.
Collect EVERYTHING you need and lay it all out on an old towel.
Have plenty of old flannels (or a towel) to hand for patting your face dry and wiping your hands.
Light a scented candle.
Turn off your phone.
2: DOUBLE CLEANSE
Cleanse off any makeup using your regular facial oil/cream cleanser/balm or whatever you usually use.
Give your face a good massage while you're at it using upward strokes.
Be gentle with your eyes.
Once your makeup and/or the grime of the day is gone, give your face a good second cleanse with a cleanser you can remove using water.
3: EXFOLIATE
Exfoliation is key.
You can use a ready-made facial scrub but avoid those containing microbeads AT ALL COSTS!
A homemade scrub works a treat too.
You can mix castor sugar with honey for a simple scrub.
I use a muslin cloth and a spot of cleanser.
It's rough enough to slough those cells but gentle enough not to scratch.
Rinse your face thoroughly and gently pat dry.
4: STEAM
This step can be skipped if you don't enjoy it BUT if you love that feeling of steam 'opening' your pores then go for it!
You can simply use a hot cloth (a flannel works perfectly) placed over the face for a few seconds or pop your head over a bowl of hot water (draping a towel over your head can increase the intensity of the steam).
OR... if you are a fancy pants (like me) you can use a facial steamer.
This one is about 25 years old and still going strong.
Steam your face for about 5 minutes.
Adding a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil makes the experience feel even more special.
Lavender is a great one to start with.
5: Get the TOOLS out
This step can be skipped if you have dry and/or perfectly clear skin.
However, if you do have stray brow hairs/tash hairs or clogged pores then get stuck in!
I love to spend a few seconds immediately after steam using an extractor tool to remove any excess sebum/blocked pores around my nose, on my chin and between my eyes.
Using a 10x mirror press firmly on the areas you need to clear and watch the magic happen.
It's very satisfying.
BE VERY CAREFUL when using an extraction tool and make sure it is spotlessly clean.
I boil mine in a small pan of salted water after each use.
{NOTE: Extracting can be addictive. Don't overdo it.}
Next, I get the tweezers and facial razor out.
A little brow tidy and tash trim is always a good idea!
See more about embarrassing facial hair HERE.
6: MASK TIME!
This is my favourite part.
First and foremost I want to tell you about my shameful eyemask buying experience.
I naively bought a pack of 50 eyemasks online thinking they would be packaged together in a resealable bag and reasonably eco-friendly.
To my horror, each is wrapped in an individual plastic wrap and I'm not feeling good about it.
I like the little masks themselves BUT the packaging is leaving a sour taste in my mouth and I DEFINITELY won't be re-ordering.
(Hangs head in shame)
I normally use a couple of (used) tea bags that have been kept in the fridge OR good old cucumber slices and I'll be returning to these next time.
As for the rest of the face...
I like to apply different masks to different areas.
My T-zone is oily and can become congested.
I'm not acne prone but I do turn a bit greasy by the end of the day so I use a pore-unclogging mask on my T-zone (forehead nose and chin) and a nourishing mask on my (normal) cheeks.
It's easy peasy to make your own mask too.
Honey (on its own) is perfect for everyone to use or you can add a little yoghurt or mashed banana to the honey for a little extra.
A crushed strawberry mixed with honey makes a fantastic brightening mask for dull skin.
Using a brush to apply your masks feels very decadent and special.
(Remember to apply the mask to your neck and back of your hands)
Leave your mask(s) on for 15-20 minutes.
Lie back and chill out.
{Bliss}
Rinse well.
7: TONE
You can use your usual toner here.
Or just splash your face with cool water.
I spray a little mist onto my face at this point then add a little hyaluronic acid.
8: MASSAGE
I LOVE this bit too!
Using any facial oil (or good old olive oil) give your face a massage.
Massage not only feels great but works wonders at reducing puffiness.
Check this video out for a 1-minute gua sha massage:
{You can obviously take as long as you like)
If you don't have a Gua Sha tool then check out this fab video from my favourite makeup artist:
9: FINISHING TOUCHES
Slap on the moisturizer.
Use whatever moisturizer you love and go heavy-handed.
Slather it on and make sure you cover your neck, decollate and hands.
To finish off use your usual eye cream and add a nourishing balm to your lips.
I use 8-hour cream and also moisturize my brows and lashes with it!
(I can't recommend using it on lashes and brows BUT it works for me.)
Make sure you don't have to go anywhere anytime soon and avoid makeup for as long as possible.
I'd love to hear how you get on!
