Hello All!
I have missed your faces! Don’t despair; I have taken a little bit of my time to help guide you through your at home facial. This will be added to the Blog on the website, and will be available to you anytime you need it! Obviously, there are many steps in this quarantine facial. Don’t worry if you don’t have products for every step. **Exfoliation should only be done once a week, and exfoliating serums should also be used to your comfort level. For some of you this means 2 times a week, and others could tolerate every night with time.
Let’s get started! I am including the product lines I carry in the guide above : Cosmedix. Botnia. & Ann Webb. I hope this chart helps. I will also be printing blank guides when we are back to work at Mira, and customize this for each of you.
First things first, and always—Wash your hands. I love the Botnia’s Gentle Hand Wash It is powerful, and nourishing! This should have already been the first step of your home care routine. Now we can get started with your lovely face. Run the sink, and always use tepid water during my cleanse. Not too hot or too cold.
Step 2: Oil Cleansing: If you have never used an oil cleanser, this might be the perfect time to start! I absolutely love it, and you can choose between Botnia’s Balancing Cleansing Oil and Cosmedix Purity Solution You can either start your cleanse by placing a warm towel on your face for 30 seconds, or simply pump the oil cleanser directly into your hand and massage into your face, neck, and décolleté. This is where I love to incorporate my facial massage, and take my time getting my blood flowing. Dampen your hands with tepid water, and continue massaging and cleansing. If you are using Cosmedix Purity Solution it will turn milky as you massage. This is what you want to see. Massage for a minimum of one minute. Remove with tepid water or a damp towel. You can repeat this process twice if you have dry, wise, or sensitive skin. Otherwise, you can continue to step 3, and cleanse your skin thoroughly for a minimum of one full minute with any of the cleansers on that table. You can rinse off, or remove with a warm towel. If you do not have a cleansing oil, simply do Step 3 twice. Trust me, if you start double cleansing your skin; this will be a complete game changer.
Step 4: Exfoliation! This should be done 1-3 times a week. This is where you follow the chart and decide which exfoliating product is best for you! I am happy to suggest one if you are not sure. Each of the products in the chart utilizes chemical or enzymatic exfoliation. This means, we simply apply the product, and allow the active ingredients to work their magic. I love to massage this in as well. Please read each exfoliants directions, and leave on for the suggest time frame. Usually this is between15-30 minute, or as tolerated. If my skin becomes warm and flushed I will grab my Glow Face Roller from the freezer and soothe my skin.
Step 5: Massage! I love facial massage. I wish I had a video to share of my own facial massage tips, that will come in time I am sure. I love this step with a little face oil on my skin to help with the slip of my fingers. I suggest Botnia’s Replenishing Facial Oil. This step should be skipped if you have acne prone or oily skin. Do not remove oil, and continue to the next step.
Step 6: Masking. Now that our skin is exfoliated, this is a great time to mask based on our skincare needs. Each of the masks listed are intended to be chosen for your specific skin concern. I love to mix these masks prior to beginning my facials, and cooling them in the fridge before application. My favorite mask is Botnia’s Gentle Hydration Mask This is hydrating, soothing, and restorative. Also love this because you can add Botnia’s Kale Yeah Mask or Botnia’s Flower Powder Mask directly to this mask in a small bowl. Each of those are dry mask, and last for multiple applications. This is very similar to the masks I customize during your Signature Mira Facial! Leave your mask on for 10-15 minutes and remove with tepid water, or a warm towel.
Step 7: Toner. You all know my feelings and thoughts towards toners. I prefer the toners listed above, because they will not dry you or irritate your skin. My personal favorites are Botnia’s Rose Water Toner because it is specifically designed for daily use with even the most sensitive of skin types. This botanical-rich toner balances your skin and helps to reduce inflammation and redness. Those of you who are more acne prone, my favorites are Botnia’s Toner or Cosmedix Purity Balance which I use during most of your facials because it eliminates pore-clogging oil and impurities, helps restore balance to the skin, gently exfoliates to refine the look of pores, and cleans acne-prone skin. You can spritz directly on your skin or apply to a cotton 2x2 and wipe on your face. Pro Tip Cosmedix Purity Balance can also be used as a deodorant if you want a product with multiple uses!
We are getting closer to finishing our routine. Serums! #8 First, if you are choosing to use a hyaluronic acid like Surge or Hydrating Serum please apply a thin splash or spray of water to your skin before applying. Also, please be sure to follow steps 9 & 10! This is very important if you live in a arid climate! HA holds 1000x’s its molecular weight in water, and in normal humid climates it simply pulls water from the environment to your skin. In Marfa we tend to have low to no humidity. If you provide water for this product to pull to from, and apply a water based moisturizer followed by, a humectant product like Bontia’s Replenishing face oil then it will work as intended. Otherwise, people who do not use this product properly complain of feeling more dry when using it. Which is the opposite of it’s desired effect.
Back to serums; these are potent concentrations of skincare ingredients. This is where we correct our skin over time! Some options would be Simply Brilliant mixed with Pepoxide and Cell ID. Yes, I love to layer many serums.
**This is where layering and product choice can get tricky, so please reach out if you would like a recommendation from a licensed skin care professional like myself. This is one of the easiest steps in the routine, and one of the most beneficial. It is also a step so many people can get wrong by wasting their money on ineffective and/or overpriced products. Also, by simply purchasing products that are not intended for their specific skin conditions and concerns.**
Time to moisturize. Apply your lip and eye treatments at this time. I recommend Lumi Crystal as a night time lip treatment, and my favorite eye treatment is Opti Crystal Remember to tap your eye cream in gently and avoid pulling the skin in this area. Also, don’t neglect those lips! Now you can apply moisturizer to you face, neck, and décolleté. My favorite current;y is Botnia’s Daily Face Creme Your facial does not simply end at your chin, so please remember to give your neck and décolleté love and attention! Illuminate and Lift or A-Lift could also be used at this time.
This last step is optional, but I find this to be a complete game changer in the West Texas Desert. Pump either Mira’s Oro Resorative Facial Oil or Bontia’s Replenishing Facial Oil into your hands, and pat a thin layer over the entire face. Don’t forget neck and chest. I simply press into your skin. Please avoid rubbing in, as your products might pill with rubbing. You should look in the mirror, and notice your skin looks and feels much like it does after you’ve spend your hour with me!
Please message me for any recommendations! Reply to this email, or simply follow the guide above, and enjoy your time at home with your skin!
Thanks for supporting me during this uncertain time!