Say hello to the skin-plumping, cheekbone-sculpting, puffiness-reducing beauty tools loved by red-carpet facialist Charlotte Connoley. She shares her pro tips on how to use them
January skin needs an extra dose of TLC and whether you’re lamenting the lack of a sun-kissed glow or noticing some extra post-Christmas puffiness, lockdown restrictions on salon visits mean it can be even more difficult to get your skin back to its best.
Luckily, super facialist and all-round glow guru Charlotte Connoley is here to show us how to use the beauty industry’s favourite massage tools so you can still achieve professional results at home. Craving smooth, plumped-up skin this winter? Looking to master the pro techniques of sculpting supermodel-worthy cheekbones with the help of a Gua Sha tool? Charlotte has it covered.
‘Facial tools are fast becoming a must-have in any beauty routine,’ she explains. ‘These tools are great for facial massage as they stimulate blood flow, smooth lines and wrinkles, plump the skin and encourage the lymphatic system to work at its very best to help prevent puffiness.’
These useful at-home how-tos will bring your glow back in no time.
Plump it up
While cupping may be an ancient practice originally from China and designed to increase the flow of ‘qi’ (energy) in the body, it’s perhaps best known in the West as the A-list trend that since 2016 has graced increasing amounts of the beauty and wellbeing sections of glossy magazines.
The practice has recently expanded to the face and according to devotees it’s an ideal way to reduce fine lines, eye puffiness and dark circles while creating a plumped-up, smooth effect. It claims to increase blood circulation and stimulate the cells, leading to brighter skin and a toned-up chin, jawline and neck.
First, use an oil on your face, such as Lumity Skin Nutrients Facial Oil. Next, place the cups on your skin and roll gently under your cheekbones. By keeping them in constant motion it helps stops any bruising or discomfort.
‘Using silicone cups on the face to plump and smooth the skin is a quick and easy way to get circulation back into the skin,’ explains Charlotte. ‘The cups come in various shapes and sizes and each one is developed for a different part of the face.’
Try the WTHN face cupping set and choose the larger cone-shaped cups for the cheeks and jaw area. The smaller ones are for the eyes, brows and lips.
‘Working from the centre of the face and moving outwards and upwards, press the cup and put it onto the skin so that suction is formed,’ says Charlotte. ‘Glide the cup across the skin taking care not to pull the cup off as this can cause bruising. When you reach the side of the face, glide into the hair line to release. Skin will be left plumper and wrinkles and fine lines softened.’
Is it for everyone? Most skin types react well to cupping, as long as you make sure you have enough oil on your skin to create some ‘slip’. ‘I wouldn’t recommend using cupping on skin that is inflamed or reactive,’ says Charlotte.
Skin sculpting
If you’ve missed your regular facials during the year of lockdowns or just want to revitalise your nightly beauty routine, a specially-designed face sculptor is just the ticket. They claim to promote lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness and enhance your natural bone structure.
‘Rollers are great tools to have in your skincare routine as they can do a number of things,’ says Charlotte. ‘Not only are they fantastic to help with puffiness and to rid the lymphatic system of excess fluids and toxins, they also help with circulation and can be used to penetrate products deeper into the skin.’
Charlotte suggests using them over the top of a sheet mask to ensure that all the product is absorbed into the skin. Try MZ Skin Vitamin-Infused Facial Treatment Masks, which are packed with potent antioxidants and brighteners including aloe leaf, liquorice extract and vitamins C and E to reduce inflammation and improve skin texture.
Alternatively, try pairing them with a serum or facial oil to help nourish your skin. We like Moon Juice Plump Jelly Hydrating Serum, which includes hyaluronic acid and silver ear mushroom, an adaptogen that’s rich in vitamin D and antioxidants for a brighter complexion.
After removing your makeup and cleansing your skin, for maximum slip apply a facial oil such as Elemis Superfood Facial Oil. Roll upwards at your neck area using a light to medium pressure. Next, roll back and forth gently under the chin, before sculpting the jawline area with upward rolling motions towards the ear and hairline.
‘Always roll outwards, away from the middle of your chin towards the ear,’ advises Charlotte. ‘You can also use a classic Gua Sha for this or even your hands.’
Smooth operator
Facial puffiness or bloating can be caused by a myriad of factors from a late night or too much salt in your diet to genes or hormonal changes. Luckily, a Gua Sha massage will rectify this.
‘The benefits of using a Gua Sha as your last ritual in your skincare routine means your features will be left more defined and sculpted,’ says Charlotte. ‘Gua Sha tools come in various shapes and sizes, as well as in different stones for the different features of the face. The stone is held flat against the skin and scraped across the surface to remove toxins and lymph around the face, neck and upper body.’
The key is to cool down your face, as cold temperatures will shrink capillaries and stimulate drainage, so splash your face a few times with ice-cold water. Next Charlotte recommends using your Gua Sha to reduce any puffiness, relax the forehead muscles and refresh under the eyes. First, liberally apply a facial oil, such as Grown Alchemist Antioxidant Facial Oil, which contains camellia seed oil, rosehip and lavender to promote skin elasticity and healing.
‘Start off by scraping the Gua Sha tool down either side of the neck behind the ear to stimulate the lymph – this will encourage the lymph to flow better and to open up the lymphatic system,’ Charlotte explains. ‘Once you have finished using the Gua Sha on the face, finish off the routine by going back over the neck behind the ear.’
Repeat each of the exercises below at least five times. ‘Press as hard as you would with a pencil on paper,’ advises Charlotte. ‘For maximum benefit do each side of the face separately.’
Jawline and chin: Glide your Skin Gym Gua Sha Facial Tool upwards from the centre of the chin out to the earlobe to contour the jaw.
Forehead: Start at the centre, divide your forehead into three sections, and glide your tool outwards. Scrape once, then move down a bit and scrape again
Cheekbones: Begin at the nose and work upwards in a sweeping motion along the cheeks and cheekbones, moving outwards toward your ears.
Under-eye area: From the inner corner of the eye, gently glide outwards to the temple.
Brows: Move upwards along the brow bone.
Lips: Glide over your lips back and forth 5-7 times.
‘You can also use a facial roller or even sculpt using your hands if you prefer’, says Charlotte. ‘Your hands and fingers are great tools and can easily be used in sculpting, depuffing and revitalising the skin. Always start in the centre of the face, use an oil and when moving your fingers across the skin take care not to drag or pull at the skin.’
