Japanese facial massage may be one of my most cherished beauty regimen enhancements. This practice has been proven to de-puff your skin and promote microcirculation, which boosts blood flow to vessels that can build up with waste that causes dull skin and fine lines. This invigorating flow not only refreshes blood cells and removes that waste but also feels fantastic and adds just 2 minutes to your skincare ritual. You may be surprised by how quickly those precious moments pass.
Incorporate facial massages into both morning and evening rituals. In the morning, massage your face with the purify step to stimulate your mind as well as your skin. In the evening, perform a massage as you moisturize skin in the nourish step. There are many ways to perform facial massages, but the key is to always move upward and outward, from the center of the face.
Asayake Facial Massage
Asayake means "morning glow" in Japanese. This type of massage calls for the palms to be chilled with cold water to tighten and awaken the skin. Repeat each step below five times.
- Step One: Apply moisturizer onto your hands to allow them to glide on the skin.
- Step Two: Gently massage your hands up along your neck.
- Step Three: Move upward from the center of your chin along the jawbone, applying light pressure.
- Step Four: Lay your fingers against your nose and move outward along the orbital bone.
- Step Five: Place your fingers above your eyebrows and glide upward toward the hairline.
Yuyake Facial Massage
For this "evening glow" massage, which releases tension and detoxifies through lymphatic drainage, first rub your hands together to warm them. Then repeat each step below five times.
- Step One: Begin with your fingers just above the hairline and move away from the forehead in a back-and-forth motion on the scalp.
- Step Two: Apply moisturizer onto your hands. Press your fingers above the inner corner of the eyebrows and slide outward along the brow, stopping in front of the ears.
- Step Three: Press your forefingers and middle fingers at the base of the nose and move outward along cheekbones.
- Step Four: Place your fingers behind your ears and draw down along the jaw and neck to the collarbone. This is the only downward motion you'll use, to encourage lymphatic drainage.
Via: Oprah.com
