With salons and spas closed right now, people are trying to keep up with their pre-pandemic beauty rituals at home. To help you stay gorgeous and glowing, Beauty Expert Bahar Niramwalla’s giving you the scoop on how to give yourself a spa-level facial from the comfort of home.

Cleansing

The first step, cleansing, is the cornerstone to all facials. This is absolutely the most important part of a skin care routine. Silicone cleansing brushes are a great way to wiggle out dirt and grime, but can come at a hefty price at upwards of $200. Don’t worry though, we’ve found an affordable option in the form of the Conair Skinpod. Regardless of whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin, this is a great option that won’t break the bank. With your skin cleaned, you are now in a better place for your skin care products to absorb better.

Bahar’s Tip: Find a cleansing brush that is water resistant, so you can use this to cleanse your skin in the shower and save time!

Steaming

A commonly used spa technique is steaming one’s face; but should you do it at home? We say go for it! Steaming is a great way to increase blood circulation and oxygen flow to the skin. You can also get some added hydration if you add a moisturizer after a minute of using your steamer. This method is a great way to relax and really get that “spa” feeling, as well as to open up the pores. In terms of safety, anywhere from 5-20 minutes is a good amount for steaming at home.

If you’re in the market for a steamer, we recommend this one from Osenjie. Use filtered water in it to increase the steamer’s longevity!

Bahar’s Tip: Don’t sit too close to a facial steamer: it’s supposed to be a pleasant experience, not a burn-inducing one!

Extractions

Lots of people find this step incredibly satisfying. This is an optional step, but if you are going to do an extraction, the most important thing is to be gentle. Don’t use sharp tools, and be sure your face is damp, either from the steamer or after cleansing. Using a gentle tool like the Ubitree Skin Scrubber can help to push out blackheads and whiteheads from problem areas.

Bahar’s Tip: Use the tool right side up and place the flat area against your skin to help products penetrate better.

High-Tech Devices

If you’re looking for a treatment that’s a bit more high-tech, look no further  than a tightening and lifting device like this one from Silk’n. A device like this is designed to tighten and lift areas where the skin is less taut. It uses infrared technology, LED light and RF energy to help with collagen production and improve overall skin texture. Each section of skin should be worked on with the slider gel for about 10 minutes. This gel has hyaluronic acid in it, a compound that hydrates and lifts the skin. This device should never be still; constant movement is the secret to an effective treatment.

Bahar’s Tip: Consistency is key when using a facial device like this at home. Use it twice a week for 10 weeks to see great results.

Cooling Globes

Move aside jade rollers, cooling globes are the new kid on the block! These hot (or rather, cool) new products are designed to reduce inflammation, puffiness and skin redness, leading to glowing skin. You’ll want to apply a conduit to the globe before using it. We recommend this vitamin E and oat kernel oil. To prepare the globes, just pop them in the fridge, but avoid the freezer, as these globes are delicate and may shatter in the cold. To apply, simply use gentle gliding motions on the face, starting from the centre and working your way outward.

Bahar’s Tip: Be gentle! There’s no need to use lots of pressure: this should be relaxing and soothing!

With these tips in mind, we hope you have a relaxing and rejuvenating facial. Check out some of the products we recommend to help with your skin care routine: