Beauty Tips

The Buzzy Mind-Body Facial That Puts Skin in its Happy Place

Gwyneth Paltrow and Elle McPherson approved

by Nicola Bridges | COMMENT

PHOTO 4/8

The Correct Facial Gua Sha Technique As we sit with anticipation, our jade stone tool in hand, we spritz with Rosebrook's organic Herbal Infusion Oil (a 3-in-1 organic nourishing vitamin moisturizer, herbal oil cleanser and makeup remover), to hydrate and slightly oil our skin creating a conduit for the stone to glide smoothly without tugging.

Gua sha is a meditative practice that releases the fascia and muscles underneath the skin. It's always done in an upward motion to uplift the skin, and always the neck first. "In Chinese medicine, the neck is the gateway to our head."

And that's where we start — the back of the neck, gliding the stone slowly and smoothly starting at the shoulder and sliding up to the base of our skull. Then to the front of the neck, stroking up from our clavicle bone to jaw bone — left side, right side, then gently up the center of our throat.

"Always use one hand to hold the skin taut at the base of the stroke to assist and maximize a smooth stroke. And use some pressure, not too hard and not too light." Chiu says the biggest mistake people make is vigorously sweeping the tool using strong pressure.

"Slow it down, focus, and be one with every single nano millimeter of your skin," Chiu guides us. Be at one with your skin," Chiu guides us. "Facial Gua Sha makes you feel calm, relaxed, and reduces tension. It's very powerful." And it is.

Moving the stone horizontally between two fingers and your thumb is tricky to start, but once you get the hand of it, you almost don't want to stop. If your hand starts to cramp, it means you're not holding the stone correctly — lightly firm but loose.

Image courtesy Nicola Bridges

SEE NEXT PAGE: The Face Lift Effect

EDITORS' BEST OF

12 Best Acne Products for Your Clearest Skin Yet

11 Best Tinted Moisturizers for Easy, On-the-Go Coverage