THE BEST AT-HOME FACIAL PRODUCTS & ROUTINE
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Last week I shared my love for
, and the amazing results they yield for your skin and well being. But not everybody has the ability to treat themselves to a spa visit- and as a busy working mom, I understand that sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day to make pampering a priority.
If you can't hit the spa- but you'd still love to get the great benefits of a facial, take a page from my book, and put those kiddos to bed so you can
indulge in my signature at-home facial
.
You can certainly use the products you already have at home, but if you need to fill in any holes you may have in your arsenal- these are my favorite products that I always go back to time and again. Follow the order listed above to get the best results, and you'll be feeling brand new in no time!
1-Cleanse
Start by gently removing your makeup and preparing the skin to receive all of the goodness coming its way. I swear by the
Triple Oxygen Foaming Cleanser by Bliss
- it's foams to a beautiful creamy consistency, has a pleasant citrus smell and is gentle enough to use on your eyes.
2-Steam
By far the best trick I know, is to borrow your slow cooker/crock pot from the kitchen (or buy a second
if you don't like the idea of duel usage) and prepare some hand towels to use for steam therapy. Take a few large wash cloths or hand towels and run them under hot water until saturated. Ring them out and then roll or fold them till they fit nicely into the slow cooker. Place the cooker on high and let the towels heat through for about 20 minutes with the lid on. After your cleanse, take a hot towel (test the temperature first) and place it over your face leaving your nose and mouth exposed for breathing. Press the towel into your skin while taking a few deep breaths- you can add a few drops of essential oils to the towels for added zen. After the towel has cooled, gently wipe from side to side to remove any additional makeup or cleanser from the face.
3-Exfoliate
Next up...exfoliation! I love to alternate between my
, and a good old fashioned sugar scrub. But remember not to use both in one session because you could cause some damage. The sonic brush is so quick and easy- and it does all of the work for you. While the
takes a little more effort, the scent is enough to take you to heaven and it leaves your skin truly polished.
4-Hydrate
This step in the facial is all about relaxation and rehydration. Apply your favorite masque and let it go to work for 10-15 minutes, while you kick back with a magazine or paint your toe nails. I love the
- mostly because I think it is fun to peel it off afterward! It is very hydrating though, and leaves the skin quenched. A second steam towel is great post masque as well!
5-Tone
Toners are designed to balance the pH in your skin after you've cleansed which helps so you don't have that 'tight' feeling that can occur. I just discovered the
, and I am hooked! Use a cotton round to liberally apply your toner and then let it sink in for a minute or two before moving on.
6-Replenish
Americans are just coming around to the idea of using oils in our haircare and skincare. We've been such a 'clean' obsessed nation, that we've dried ourselves out by stripping away natural oils. Thank goodness the trend is reversing and we are finally seeing the beauty behind supple skin and hair.
is one of my favorite beauty secrets. (in fact I can't believe I'm telling you about it, cause I really wanna keep it all for myself!) Press a few drops into your skin especially on dry areas like your under eyes and cheeks. Your face will soak it in, then it will scream "THANK YOU!!!"
7-Repair
Finish with your favorite moisturizer or serum like my cult favorite
Image Vital-C Anti Aging Serum
. Be sure you work all the way down your neck as well. You may need to apply a
and
as well to repair any moisture lost from the steamy hot towel action.
So there ya have it, my routine for a perfect at-home facial. And while it may seem like a lot of steps, you can certainly cut out what you don't have and substitute what you do. But if you build up your supply of high quality products, you'll be able to get amazing skin results just like the pros do. If you can schedule this routine in twice a month, you'll notice a huge difference in the way your skin looks, and how your makeup wears. Cheers!
