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How to give yourself a DIY facial like a pro
A good facial is one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating things you can reward yourself with, and many women have made it a key part of their beauty routine. But a facial spa treatment can last a few hours, and many of us girls (and guys!) just don’t have the luxury of time to head to the beauty salon. And let’s not forget that a facial can set you back a pretty penny or two, so trying to schedule one in on a regular basis can be out of reach for many of us.
The thing is, as you age, your skin will definitely reflect the extra care and attention it’s been paid if you pamper it every four weeks or so. But don’t fret if you can’t afford the High Street salon, because we’ll tell you right here how to give yourself a DIY facial like a pro!
Set the ambience
Set a relaxing ambience around your home and in the bathroom to recreate the feel of a professional beauty spa environment. A few scented candles here and there, some fresh flowers, and laid-back music will do the trick. It may not seem to be an essential step, but you’ll be amazed how much more relaxed you’ll be when you create a tranquil ambience to set the mood.
Prepare yourself
Now, it’s time to get ready for that facial spa treatment you’ve been looking forward to. Immerse yourself in a warm bath with essential oils - not only will this help you to relax while you enjoy a good long soak, the steam will start to open up your pores so your facial will be even more effective. Pull your hair away from your face with a towel or a headband. Remove your makeup with an oil cleanser before wiping it off with a damp cloth. If you’re wearing eye makeup, pour some drops of eye makeup remover onto a cotton ball and gently wipe it on your eyelids.
Double cleanse
Cleansing your face is the foundation of a great facial. Before you do anything to your skin, you must ensure that it’s immaculately clean, and double cleansing will guarantee an effective facial. Once you’ve removed your makeup with an oil-based cleanser, use a cream or foam-based cleanser for your second cleansing. Then, rinse your face thoroughly.
Steam your face
The steam from your bath will have started the process but now it’s time to really soften your skin and open your pores to allow better absorption of your exfoliant and other products that will be applied next to your face. You don’t need a fancy steamer to do the job - all you need is a good bowl of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and hover over the bowl to trap the steam. You can do this while you’re still in the bath – just make sure the water in the bowl is hotter than the water in the bath.
Exfoliate
While double cleansing is a great start, exfoliating will get rid of any dead skin cells, and reveal your radiant, glowing skin - thus allowing you to get the most out of the remaining steps in your facial treatment. There are many different brands and varieties available in store and online but if you’re a serious DIY-er, check out these 8 homemade face scrubs that will help you to glow. They sound good enough to eat so don’t worry if you start to feel a little peckish while you’re soaking in the bath!
Mask
You’ve finally reached the fun part! It’s masking time, and no facial would be complete without it. Masks are generally either used for deep cleansing (for problem, acne-prone skin) or for hydration (to reduce the appearance of fine lines) so make sure you choose a mask that works on your main concern. And no, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having multiple different masks in your bathroom cabinet, just make sure that you only use one of them during your facial. You can always use the other one later in the week. Apply a thin layer onto your face, neck, and down around your cleavage area. Leave it on for about ten to fifteen minutes, then gently remove with a damp face cloth.
Serum
Serums really are an important part of any facial – and in fact should be part of your daily skincare routine. There are a plethora of face serums available and they’re usually pretty pricey, but since you only use a few drops at a time they tend to last quite a while. Even better, you can make your own serums, and here’s a great article that tells you exactly how to make the serum that’s best for 6 different skin types in just 3 easy steps.
Moisturise
Once you’ve added your serum, it’s time to add your favourite moisturiser, which will seal in all the benefits of the previous steps. Moisturisers also work to protect the skin from the elements while adding moisture, and for best results, gently massage around your face and neck.
Sunblock
OK so it may not technically be part of your facial, but you should never finish without applying a good sunblock (SPF50). Even on a cloudy day the sun can cause damage to your skin that you’ll pay the price of, a decade from now - so this should be an essential part of your daily routine.
Wrap up
And you’re now done with your DIY facial spa treatment. But don’t forget, great skin needs care every single day – morning and night. It may cost a bit but as Jane Fonda says on those adverts – you’re worth it!
If you need a little financial help to get you skincare basics lined up, we’re here to help. Just take a look at our cash loans from $500 - $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours – so you can start your new skin pampering regime this week.