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Originating in Japan, facial yoga is a series of movements that lift, strengthen and tone the two dozen muslces on both sides of your face. Much like traditional body exercises, consistently following these facial exercises can achieve face slimming and toning results. Plus, from an eco-friendly perspective these facials don’t create waste and use one of the greatest beauty tools we have – our fingertips. Of course, if you prefer to use tools, there are clean oils and tools in recyable bottles that will help you to reduce waste.
Drawing inspiration from a study at Northwestern Medicine that showed that 30-minutes per day could create a more youthful appearance of middle-ages women, facialist Nichola Joss shares the diy facials that she recommends daily. These facials can be done at home to remove toxins and lift and tone. Of course, all-natural oils can be added for an added antioxidant boast. But, the original oil-free massage is just as beneficial.
What Is A Facial Yoga/ Massage?
Think about all the things you do with your face alone every day- talking, reading, eating- and the lack of muscle release. Sleeping doesn’t give relaxation to the muscles so we need to do this manually.
This really helps remove the buildup of toxins. Removing them helps our bodies to regenerate and restore far better.
Nichola Joss
You start massaging your skin daily- once after your morning cleansing routine and then at bedtime with a facial oil. This will remove tension and stress from the muscle and skin tissue. You will also stimulate the lymphatic system to drain any fluids and toxins which can cause underlying congestion, unbalances, puffiness and premature aging.
Why Are Facial Massages Beneficial?
We hold so much emotional & physical stress and tension in our facial muscles which
can be detrimental to the skin tissue.
Morning Routine…
Always cleanse to awaken and energize the skin and muscle tissue. This will also remove any sweat and debris that accumulated during the night. Facial mists are great as they refresh and re-balance the surface of the skin to prep for other products. After applying serums and moisturizers follow these simple steps for a stimulating morning massage:
Step 1: Start from the center of the face sweeping outwards and upwards concentrating on the jaw line under the cheekbones and the forehead. You’ll also want to focus on the brow area from the bridge of the nose outwards.
Step 2: Using your thumb and index finger to hold the muscle at the top go the nose between the eyebrows- gently squeezing and releasing. Then, take the index finger and slowly and deeply work along the eyebrow from the center of the face outwards to the temple.
Night Routine…
Try double cleansing when you get home to maximize the results from the facial massage. The 1st cleanse will remove makeup and pollution. The 2nd will remove grime and dead skin. Once your skin is clean continue to add your actives such as antioxidant serums. Leave these products to work their magic through the evening. Then, at bed time do a facial massage with an oil or a balm.
Begin by washing your hands. Then follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Apply your favorite facial oil to the palms of your hands and rub together gently. Place the palms of the hands onto the cheeks and side of the face gently pressing in the oil. Take one palm and place onto the forehead, pressing in the oil. Then work down the neck from under the ears, sweeping towards the center of the neck and ending at the opposite
shoulder. Do the same the other side repeating three times each side. This will help to open the lymph system.
Step 2: Work from the bridge of the nose, sweep outwards and upwards towards the hairline. Do this six times.
Step 3: Take your index and middle finger, palms facing out, and hold the jaw firmly between the two fingers. Starting from the chin, gently bend the knuckles and sweep out towards the edge of the jawline. Do this six times.
Step 4: Taking the heels of the palms, gently press under the cheekbone area and push the palms in and hold for a count of six.
Step 5: Place index fingers on the temple, gently supporting the skin and pulling slightly towards hairline. Take your middle fingers and gently sweep under the eye area towards the bridge of the nose, and then, using pressure, slowly work along the eye brow line. Do this six times.
Step 7: Finish by organically massaging the face using the fingertips in a circular
motion – always working outwards and upwards.