Nothing can take the place of a professional salon facial including pore extractions and the stimulating, revitalizing massage called “effleurage” on your face and neck. What you can do easily at home is still a relaxing, beneficial treatment not only for your face, but for your mind and body as well. If you find yourself dateless (or penniless) on a Friday night or want to have a girly night in with your BFF’s, this is the way to pass the time and achieve a great result on your skin. Maybe you can convince your boyfriend or significant other to join you in the fun. This is also a great treat for your skin before a special night out that will make you feel and look great. Since most of us don’t have professional face steamers in the house, we will offer some easy substitutions for the salon procedures that can not be duplicated such as the steaming. It is highly recommended to avoid doing any home extractions for pimples or blackheads so we will skip this step altogether. Leave that top the professionals who can clean the pores without damaging surrounding skin and know when to stop.

Let’s get started with a list of what you will need:

• Blender full of delicious, healthy smoothies or virgin cocktails.
• CD player stocked with your favorite chill music.
• Scented candles
• Hair band or hair covering
• A comfy robe that can be opened to expose the neck and décolleté. Preferably washable in case of drips and spills.
• Strong chamomile tea, brewed and chilled or cold cucumber slices (of course!)
• Cotton pads
• Large towel or sheet to cover your couch or bed.
• Large bowl filled with hot water
• Facial spray or aromatherapy oils
• Several small towels or large washcloths
• Eye make up remover
• Cleanser
• Toner
• Astringent – if you have oily/problematic skin
• Gentle face scrub
• Mask
• Moisturizer
• Serum
• Eye cream
• Lip Balm
• Pimple treatment product(s)

And now how to:

STEP ONE: PREP

Make sure your hair is out of your face and you are comfy in your robe. Cover your couch or bed with the large towel to protect it from spills and dribbles. Turn on your music and have your healthy beverage close by. Light your scented candles. Please use caution.

STEP TWO: CLEANSE

Remove any eye make up by dampening a cotton pad with eye make up remover and gently press to the eye. Wipe away in a downward direction until all traces of make-up are removed. Wet your face with tepid water and gently massage cleanser in circular motions. Don’t forget under the chin and neck. If you have very oily skin or acne, do not spend too much time massaging as this can stimulate the skin to produce more oils. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water and pat dry. Dampen a cotton pad with a gentle, non-alcohol toner and wipe your face in an outward direction until cotton is clean.

STEP THREE: “STEAM”

Soak a small towel or washcloth in hot water and completely wring out. You can put a few drops of aromatherapy oil (lavender is nice) in the hot water or spray the towel with our Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. Make sure it’s not too hot to the touch. Lay down and apply the towel to your face leaving an opening for the nose. Relax for 10 minutes while the heat softens the skin and allows the pores to open up.

STEP FOUR: EXFOLIATE

This step will loosen up any pore congestion and remove the build up of dead skin cells. Dampen your face with tepid water and massage on your face scrub in circular motions for about 1-2 minutes. Avoid getting too close to the eyes or any areas where you have breakouts. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

STEP FOUR: MASK

Apply a small amount of eye cream to avoid the mask from pulling the delicate skin once it dries. Apply a few drops of your favorite serum to “areas of concern” like the creases on your forehead and neck or around the mouth. Apply a thin layer of your mask all over the face, neck and décolleté. Lay back and apply tea-soaked cotton pads or cold cucumber slices to the eyes. Relax for 20 minutes while the mask takes effect. Now would be the perfect time to have your hands massaged with a rich and thick hand cream. Take turns with your friends. Sip your drink, listen to music and destress. When 20 minutes is up, thoroughly remove the mask with wet washcloths of by rinsing at the sink. Pat dry. Use toner or astringent if necessary to remove any mask residue.

STEP FIVE: MOISTURIZE

First apply a few drops of serum. Gently tap on your eye cream following the orbital bone to the corners of your eyes. Massage on your moisturizer or cream. Don’t forget the neck and décolleté. Apply your creams to neck and décolleté in upward strokes. Finally, give your face a light spritz of facial spray and blot with a tissue. Apply lip balm. Now keep your skin out of the pollution and make-up as long as possible for the best results. You should feel relaxed and fresh with glowing skin. Enjoy!

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