Who Needs A Spa? A DIY Facial at Home
I may have mentioned that I indulged in a ‘girls day’ this past week with my dear old mom…not only was I ecstatic to get some new beauty products, but I also was treated to a facial! Facials truly are a fantastic experience and they are something I’ve never been able to justify spending money on, but I have gotten a few in my lifetime and they are worth every penny. Now lucky for me, I didn’t have to spend a cent on this last one–we’ll just say it was a little gift. Facials don’t really come cheap. Now, if you’re running down a spa menu, facials may actually come up under the most affordable of options next to a basic salt or sugar scrub. Not that I’m a beauty spa regular, but I have had my share of blissful pampering days and somehow the prices that come along with have never seemed to leave my mind.
You can probably go out, to a decent day spa, and get a facial for around $60-$100 bucks. Of course they can always get more expensive, but the point is to stay economical right? Not bragging at all, but I’ve had facials in a slew of different places and its usually when I’ve been on vacation. Hotel spas in Mexico, Hawaii, Phoenix, and of course here in Los Angeles have made the roster. My favorite? Phoenix believe it or not. This woman had been doing skin for over 30 years and read the condition of mine immediately. Roseacea was the diagnosis–something I’ve made a mediocre attempt to get under control. As much as I’d love to travel to Phoenix on a regular basis or even frequent my little LA spa for weekly visits–I simply cannot afford it. Stubborn to get what I want on the budget I’m allotted, I will make the extra effort to do my own at home facials and make them feel as luxurious as possible. A smart idea is to start with something that will clear the pores. A deep cleaning is what they need. The special thing about facials is that there is a skin expert gently removing all white and black head blemishes. I wouldn’t try this at home. It requires special tools that I personally don’t feel advanced enough to use, so instead I’ll opt for hot water and a washcloth. Be sure to exfoliate well with a nice scrub prior to getting into the pores. There’s been a mask I always eyeball in the Whole Foods beauty section and I may finally break down to buy if for my new DIY facial.
Collective Wellbeing Hot Pore Scrub with active charcoal $18, collectivewellbeing.com
This should kill two birds with one stone. Skin should now be clean and smooth (looking well-buffed) so tone with something moisturizing. Whatever you do, make sure it doesn’t have alcohol in it (this will sting like no other on freshly buffed skin.) Witch Hazel will probably do the trick.
Dickinson’s Witch Hazel $5.99, walgreens.com
Next step should be a cooling mask…
The Face Shop Wash Off Yogurt Mask $5.99, walgreens.com
This is amazing! It’s sold as a 4-pack, and looks like yogurt you’d buy at the supermarket!
Once you’ve masked, tone again and moisturize while skin still feels dewey and damp. For extra luxury once you’ve got the mask on, put a cold washcloth over your face or some cucumber slices over the eyes.
Shop for more facial masks, witch hazel and facial scrub.
