One thing I noticed living in Japan is how much pride the women take in their skin. In the summer, almost everyone wears a hat, sunscreen, gloves, and many even carry an umbrella. Attention to detail and aesthetics form the basis of their culture so it’s no wonder that this also translates to health and beauty.
Gua sha is a massage technique from China and Japan that’s designed to stimulate blood flow around the face and neck. You see these in almost every spa and onsen in Japan and around drug stores all over the country. They believe in using tools to stimulate blood flow in the face and to help heal the skin.
I’ve been using a gua sha that I bought from my favorite spa in Tokyo for years and I notice that it helps to reduce puffiness in general and to stimulate lymphatic drainage around the neck and face. Once you become mindful of your body, you pay more attention to how these small things add up. I’m convinced that it’s these little things that will save your skin, rather than applying a large procedure or the most expensive skin cream, etc.
Romee Strijd is a natural beauty so it’s no wonder why she’s a Victoria’s Secret model. But what I love about these models is how they represent health, wellness, and beauty. The models serve as an example of leading a healthy lifestyle.
In this video, Romee basically gives a simple breakdown of how she gives herself a natural facelift, and of course, she uses a Gua Sha. She also gives some other tips on what else she uses to keep her skin looking fresh and young.
So how do you use a gua sha?
- Start by applying a light lotion or serum to your face which makes it easier for the stone to glide over the skin. I love to do this both morning and night and one of my favorite oils is the Midnight Recovery Concentrate by Kiehl’s.
- Make sure to use medium pressure around the face and neck and then light pressure around the delicate skin of the eyes.
- Refer to Romee’s video and use her techniques for how she glides across her face and up towards her head. You can visibly see a facelift occur around the eyes. There are other good tutorials as well on YouTube, but I like this one.
- Repeat motions between 5 and 10 times.
Romee also uses a second tool, NuFace, to also drain the water around her face and neck. I haven’t personally tried this yet, but for someone who suffers from puffiness in the morning, I’m excited to try it.
Products for a Natural Face Lift at Home
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Oil
$29.49
This oil is so smooth and packed full of highly potent serum that will hydrate your skin and turn back time.
NuFace Petite Facial Toning Device
$209
This isn’t the cheapest tool, but if you’re looking for something that will give you a bit more stimulation and fitness for your face, this can help. This toning device is designed to improve your facial contour and tone the appearance of fine lines.
NuFace Facial Primer to Brighten and Hydrate
$45
This also makes a great gel primer for your gua sha if you choose to simply go with that instead.
Rose Quartz Gua Sha Massage Tool
$9.98
Gua Sha Facial 3 Piece Set
$16.99
This is a great deal if you want a set of three which offer a bit more of a refined contour to your skin and face.