Which would you rather have – massage or facial? For my birthday my sister gave me a little spa treatment. I could choose either a massage or a facial, and I still can’t make up my mind. Which would you pick?
I’m thinking facial. The pampering feels so good and – bonus! – you glow afterward.
I’d love to get professional facials every month (ok, massages too!) but sadly I only have one birthday a year. To pamper yourself at home, here’s my quick and simple at-home facial. Four steps is about all I can handle! Even better – no fancy creams or lotions are needed!
DIY 4-Step At-Home Facial
Note: You should start with a clean face so remove all make-up before continuing.
1. Exfoliate
Baking soda is wonderful for exfoliation. The texture is just right for a gentle scrub. Add a small amount of milk or water to a tablespoon of baking soda to make a paste. Then, using your fingers, massage it all over your face for a couple of minutes, going in a circular motion. A super easy at home dermabrasion!
2. Steam
A friend recently told me she puts a hot wash cloth on her face every day. What a quick way to give yourself a steam! I don’t know about you but holding my head over a bowl just isn’t all that appealing. Something about being trapped under the towel makes me feel claustrophobic. For this steam, simply wet a washcloth under hot water, wring out excess water, and apply to face. Repeat one or two times.
3. Mask
Now that winter is coming and the heat is on my skin definitely needs extra moisture. I use a hydrating Greek yogurt mask. DIY your own with yogurt and honey and a little lemon juice.
4. Moisturize
4. MoisturizeI can’t recommend coconut oil enough. Rub a small amount all over your face and neck. And it’s a great way to end the facial because the smell makes you feel like you are on vacation.
P.S. There are so many great beauty uses for coconut oil – check out the comments here for more ideas!
Photos by Ana Stanciu
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Hi Robin, I too would love to try this facial mask with coconut oil but am little confused, is this the same coconut oil that we Indians use in our hair or is it a different type of coconu oil. Please advice, I am fro South Africa, Kwa Zulu Natal in in Pietermaritzburg. Would appreciate a response from you.
Many Thanks
Yes, it’s the same coconut oil that a lot of folks use in their hair – it makes a wonderful moisturizer for the face as well!
Wow! This is amazing! I’m definitely going to give this a try! I’ve been dying for a facial and just don’t have the time to get one professionally done at the time. This sounds simple and easy enough for me to do myself! The tools are more than accessible.
Thanks!
xoxo
Tiffany-
I loved this! I will definitely try the warm cloth. But you should know coconut oil isn’t for everyone, as it is highly comedogenic, meaning it can cause acne breakouts in some people, specially those with acne prone skin. Just a heads up.
I take 3-5 aspirin and crush them up with my motor and pastel then add raw organic honey and sometimes a little turmeric. Followed up with coconut oil as a moisturizer. Men like to pamper themselves and have goos skin too. Coconut oil is the BEST THING ever.
To even out your skin tone, every morning cut al lemon in half and use it on your face, pick the seeds out, and go gentle around the eye area. I almost use the lemon like a luffa sponge Leave the lemon on your face for 15 minutes or longer. When you go outside always wear sunscreen, especially if you do this with lemon.
After you’ve made your morning coffee, take your now used Keurig k-cup with you in the shower. Use the grounds as a body exfolient. I’ve also heard the coffee grounds are good for cellulite, if applicable.
This is so awesome! I just bought coconut oil for the first time and I love it!
xo
Sharon
Hi,
I would like to try , Thank you all your wonderful tips. Could anybody tell me where can I buy good turmeric in London?
You can get good turmeric at the grocery store in the spice section.
I’ve never had a facial…for some reason, the idea of getting one at a spa scares me, but this doesn’t look so scary :) I’m going to track down some coconut oil and give it a go!
Definitely give coconut oil a try Emily – it feels amazing and smells wonderful!
Okay, so I did, and it was AWESOME. I am now completely addicted, and I’ve been Googling all kinds of things to do with coconut oil. Thank you!
I’ve done the baking soda exfoliation before and it’s absolutely amazing. It doesn’t hurt and it leaves your skin feeling SO soft! I’m an olive oil girl at heart (it’s SO good for your hair and skin), but I keep hearing about coconut oil. The smell would definitely be a plus :-)
SAME about the being an olive oil girl thing. But this converted me (and helped with my acne- A LOT) and I think I’m now obsessed. Definitely give coconut oil a try!
This sounds lovely Sis and reminds me I have to schedule our outing asap! You definitely deserve regular facials AND massages :)
Baking soda, really?? I never would have thought to use that. I’ll have to give it a try.
Definitely going to try this!
this looks great!! i have never tried a homemade facial, but now i want to!! thanks so much for sharing :)
I can’t choose between the two either. I had a similar dilemma a few weeks ago but I chose the massage because I don’t like to put on makeup after a facial and I was going out a few hours after.
Love the idea of an at-home facial. I really need to get some coconut oil.
I have to admit – I love getting a facial!
I love coconut oil, but another great alternative is Argan oil. It also smells delicious, has actually helped clear my skin (I, too was nervous about putting an oil on my face) and I like to work some through my hair as a hair mask while doing a facial. Thanks for the tips- my skin is really taking a beating with the onset of winter!
I’ve started using coconut oil on my hands (I have eczema on the sides of 2 fingers–nowhere else! how weird is that?), but I still haven’t gotten up the courage to put it on my face. You promise it won’t break me out? ;) I should take the time to steam my face more often. Ending the day with a hot towel on my face sounds sooooo relaxing.
I’m going to need to try this!
My little one has been vomiting all over both of us since yesterday morning, so I could really use a teensy bit of pampering. lol.
This is the second time I’ve seen coconut oil recommended as a moisturizer this month, so now I just have to try it! My skin was in an awful state when I moved back east, but I’ve been doing a mini facial every night and it’s since cleared up. Steam, the right oils, and a great moisturizer really do the trick. I’m definitely going to dig into my baking soda tonight to try your exfoliation technique. Thanks for this!
Coconut oil is a lifesaver in the winter! My skin gets so dry and nothing was helping. The smell is a nice bonus too :)
oh my gosh..this seems SO easy…i should try it.
I splurge and treat myself twice a year for facials…in the beginning of winter and the beginning of summer. Same with massages…usually twice or three times a year.
I would choose massage..they usually last longer and I am a SUCKER for someone massaging my back specifically…but facials are pretty fabulous too….lets face it..whichever you choose is a total luxury and you can’t lose.
Hope you are well!
C
I was thinking of doing a massage for the same reason – it lasts longer! Seems like a better value, right? :)
Thank you for this interesting recipe! Gotta try. And beautiful pics :)
I love a good facial and it’s been a while since I thik is very easy… Yogurt… Ilove your blog. You have a New follówer from cile
Wonderful post, Steph. I don’t think I’ve given myself a proper facial in almost a year. Might have to give that DIY mask a go sometime…
Ronnie xo
I love a good facial and it’s been a while since I’ve had one, might have to give this a try.