How to give yourself a relaxing mini facial
The Nant's mobile beauty and holistic therapist Julie Seyburn is your guide to a calming and nourishing facial that you can easily fit into your skincare ritual once a month.
Having a regular facial provides so many benefits. Not only does it leave your skin feeling cleansed, exfoliated and rejuvenated, it's also a wonderful dose of 'me-time', perhaps with some gentle music on in the background and your phone switched off for ultimate relaxation.
Here's how to give yourself a relaxing mini facial in the comfort of your own home.
Things you'll need
A bowl of warm water
A headband
A soft facial brush for exfoliating the skin (you can find these at any good beauty retailer, such as The Body Shop or Boots)
Applicator brush for applying face mask (or just use your fingers!)
A small towel
Cotton pads
Face cleanser*
Eye makeup remover
Face oil**
Face mask
Toner
Moisturiser
Rose water
Lip balm
*Choose cleansers/face masks/moisturisers that are suited to your skin type.
**See face oil recipe below
Cleansing
1. Put on the headband so your hair is away from your face
2. Soak cotton pads in water and use to moisten your face
3. Apply cleanser to cotton pads and use upward strokes to apply the cleanser to your face, starting from the bottom of the neck. Don't forget your décolleté (chest area). The pads should be wet before applying the cleanser to avoid any dragging of the skin.
4. Using the cotton pads or fingertips, work the cleanser into your face in an upward, circular motion. Avoid the eyes at this point. Leave the product to break down any dirt and impurities.
5. If you are wearing mascara, apply some remover to a wet pad. In gentle circular movements and pressure from the outside of the eye, work the product towards the nose and over the lashes. This will not pull on the delicate skin around the eyes. Once the mascara has been softened and dissolved, remove all the product using the warm water with clean pads in the same circular motion. Do this before removing the face cleanser in order to avoid getting mascara all over the face.
6. Remove the cleanser with warm water from the décolleté, up the neck and face. Avoid the eye area.
7. Use a toner or rose water to remove any residue from the cleanser.
Exfoliating
1. Apply a few drops of face oil (see recipe below) into wet hands and press the oil into the décolleté, neck and face, avoiding the eye area.
2. Using a soft facial brush, using gentle circular movements to work the oil into the skin.
3. Remove with clean, warm water and pat dry with a towel or tissues.
Applying face mask
1. Choose a face mask depending on your skin type. If you have oily skin, choose a clay base product that will absorb any impurities and tighten the skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin – choose an oil based product that will moisturise and soften the skin.
2. Using a wet mask applicator or wet fingers, apply the face mask starting over the décolleté, up the neck, moving up the face avoiding the eye area.
3. Apply some rose water to two cotton pads (do not saturate them) and find a calming place where you can lie down and let the mask work its magic. Pop the cotton pads on your closed eyes and RELAX.
4. After around 10 minutes (or even longer if you're enjoying the moment) remove the eye pads and use clean, wet cotton pads to remove the face mask in upward strokes. Avoid the eye area.
5. Apply toner to your face. Rose water is ideal as it has an aromatic scent and skin-softening properties. It's also anti-inflammatory, which soothes irritated skin and reduces redness, and it is a natural humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.
Moisturising
1. Your face should now feel refreshed, soothed and clean ready for the application of moisturiser. This could be a day moisturiser or richer night time cream depending on the time of day.
2. Apply moisturiser to the face, neck and décolleté using finger tips. Gently work the moisturiser into the face using gentle upward strokes. Do not apply around the eyes – face cream can sometimes irritate the eye area.
3. For the eye area use an eye cream, applying a small amount with your ring finger. Apply in circular motions from the outside of the eye working towards the nose, over the top lid, gently pressing into the skin.
4. Don't forget your lips! Moisturise with your favourite lip balm.
Make your own facial oil blend
While using a carrier oil on its own is very moisturising and nourishing for skin, adding essential oils to make your own unique blend can provide some relaxing and soothing benefits. You can even leave the blend on overnight for super soft and moisturised skin.
Choose one of these carrier oils to dilute your essential oils with:
Jojoba Oil
Rose Hip Oil
Argan Oil
Apricot Kenel Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Here are some of my favourite essential oils to mix with carrier oils for facials:
Lavender (cleansing, refreshing, soothing and relaxing)
Frankincense (deeply relaxing and uplifting)
Rose (nourishing, soothing and balancing)
Chamomile (calming and balancing)
Geranium (uplifting and balancing)
To make up your oil blend, add 2 or 3 drops of one or a selection of the above essential oils to a glass bottle of your favourite carrier oil. The fragrance will be totally personal to you. It can be fun trying out different combinations depending on your mood.
Shake the oil well and store in a cool, dark place.
Note down your personal recipe so you don’t forget it!
Relax and enjoy your unique oil blend.
Julie Seyburn is The Nant's mobile beauty and holistic therapist. She brings luxurious, high-quality spa treatments to The Roundhouse, providing the ultimate relaxation experience without having to travel. Her treatments include Full Body Massage, Facials, Deep Pressure Massage and Indian Head Massage. Find out more at the-nant.co.uk/spa-package-the-roundhouse