All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.
However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
“Lift and hold!”
Taea Thale. Joel Stans
I hear these words as I raise my eyebrows.
An aesthetician stands over me, counting reps and pressing on my forehead to create resistance.
Forget reclining with cucumber slices on your eyes.
“We’re not facialists,” says Inge Theron, creator of Spa Junkie by FaceGym.
“We’re face trainers.”
But do the results last?
I was ready to flex and find out.
This article originally appeared in the October 2015 issue of SELF.
“Toning can improve contours and reduce flab on the body, so why not on the face?”
Why not, indeed.
Then it’s time to exercise.
(“This gives you an eye lift,” explains Rachel Lang, a cofounder.)
Next I move on to a series of exaggerated smiles.
(Who knew this tool served another purpose?)
To further rev up circulation, she briskly runs semiprecious jade stone rollers over my face.
The whole treatment lasts 30 minutes.
Afterward, I have a light-pink glow, as if I’ve actually just finished a workout.
Muscle-shaping methods vary by facialist, and they’re closer to deep-tissue than Swedish massage.
“When you want to look good, you exercise.
We have muscle on our face that needs exercise, too,” she says.
The more likely causes are sun damage, your genetic makeup and your skin losing elasticity as you age.
“Getting blood flowing in your face is a good thing,” says FaceLove Fitness cofounder Heidi Frederick.
“You’re pumping up the muscle, and not in a bad way.
This acts as a natural filler.”
This stimulates lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness.
“You’re really just trying to flush everything out,” says San Franciscobased facialist Kristina Holey.
The goal: to make you appear less stressed, more post-vacation refreshed.
Just as holding a medicine ball makes sit-ups extra challenging, high-tech tools make workout facials more effective.
“It’s like a little personal trainer,” she says.
“This helps tone and heal skin,” she explains.
Mask (in black jar), Chanel Le Lift Firming Anti-Wrinkle Recontouring Massage Mask, $100.
Once a week, rotate in a strengthening mask, such asChanel Le Lift($100).
a shot of whey protein.
Consider it a postworkout shakefor your skin.
No time to hit the spa for facials, or prefer to train your skin on your own?
Just try this mini-workout, developed by FaceLove Fitness, two to three times a week.
Plus see the moves below.
Putting your facial muscles through a workout keeps them conditionedthe same way that exercise improves your body.
Swimsuit, $260;BethRichards.com.
Earring, $123;VenusByMariaTash.com
Styled by Dania Ortiz.
Hair and makeup, Amy Chin; model, Caroline at Marilyn NY.
