8 STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FACIAL AT HOME

The first time I enjoyed a facial treatment, was on a business trip in Nuxe Spa, in Paris. My face on that day just couldn’t show or feel any better! As a lover of homemade beauty routines (maybe the only thing I don’t do myself at home, is a haircut! ), during my  next visits to beauty salons as a beauty editor, I found myself memorizing the steps beauticians followed to change the appearance to my tired skin . So whenever money or time is scarce, or as now, at the end of the summer ,when skin is dull, sunkissed and dehydrated, the following eight steps take place in my bathroom rather than the beauty salon, to give me great pleasure along with equally visible results. Follow these steps as a ritual, dedicating some time to yourself, perhaps putting your favorite relaxing music on, or lighting candles in the bathroom and … enjoy!

1. CLEANSING/DEMAKEUP. Before anything else , the skin of the face must be free from all traces of makeup or pollution. Choose an emulsion remover , spread it like cream all over your face and remove with cotton pads. For the eyes leave pads with emulsion a little time on the eyelids , to ” magnetize ” mascara and eye shadow and then remove. Complete with a face toner.

2. STEAMED! The beauticians use a specific steaming machine, to well open pores of the skin so as the following treatment penetrates properly. At home, the options are three : a hot towel , pot with water and face on top, or a hot bubble bath . Choose according to your taste!

3. EXFOLIATION. In this step you want persistence and patience. Spread the scrub as slowly as possible with circular motions. Insist on face areas that gather more dead cells and blackheads like around the nose, jaw bone , between the eyebrows and cheekbones .

4. MASK. Choose according to the current needs of your face, rather than your skin type. This season I find hydrating and soothing masks the best choice.

5. TONING. Some face toner on a cotton, patted softly, really makes a difference!

6. SERUM. Like the mask , choose your serum according to seasonal needs of the skin . And do not forget the neck too!

7. CREAM. After the serum has been absorbed, continue with the cream, applying it with the fingertips and gently massage to relax expressive facial muscles .

8. EYE CREAM. Last but very important is the eye cream , which in my opinion should not be missing from any beauty routine.

Each step can be followed with appropriate for your skin type products.

Stay tuned for the next Homemade Spa lesson!

Kakia Kaffa (kakia@arnica.gr)