I haven’t had a professional facial or massage in a couple of years. I miss the days of an almost monthly facial at Georgette Klinger Spa in New York. Oh well. But I have certainly become better at self-care at home.
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Gua Sha
About a month ago or so, Derma E included a rose quartz gua sha in a package they sent me. I was intrigued because I had never used this ancient Chinese beauty tool before.
Two years ago, I went to an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem MA on Chinese empresses. One of the rooms displayed many of the beauty tools that the empresses used. There was a gorgeous cloisonné roller pictured below, and I believe I saw a jade gua sha as well.
The pink rose quartz gua sha from Derma E has been such a wonderful treat. It is well made, smooth, and lightweight. Rose quartz is associated with healing the heart, so that’s a good thing. The gua sha is used to stimulate the lymphatic system (much like dry brushing the body) to flush out toxins and also as an acupressure tool to soothe, relieve tension and stimulate the skin to help lift and diminish lines and wrinkles.
The stone is contoured on the sides to fit the contours of the face. You use the edges on different areas of the face. The rose quartz is so cooling. It feels so relaxing! I can feel myself breathing more deeply while using it.
You can use the gua sha to apply serum or moisturizer into the skin. Even if you are using it specifically for massage, you should apply some facial oil or moisturizer to the skin so that the gua sha glides rather than drags against your skin.
While the Derma E website does not provide instructions on how to use the gua sha (I think they should), it was easy to google “how to use a gua sha”. I found the Youtube video below to be very helpful. Check it out.
For $10.95 on the Derma E website (even less if you wait for one of their frequent sales), you can pick up one of these ancient Chinese beauty tools that will give you an instant feeling of calm and relaxation. So glad I have my gua sha. At this affordable price, it is a worthwhile treat for your skin and well-being.
Foreo Luna
I have had my Foreo Luna sonic cleanser for at least 5 or 6 years, maybe more. I lucked out because it was given to me by a blogger who had an extra one. I believe it is the Foreo Luna 2 for Normal Skin, or it might even be an original Luna. Foreo Luna now comes in version 3 that has many more benefits than the one I own. Nevertheless, I still love mine!
Foreo Luna has soft silicone “teeth” that use sonic or sound waves to go deep into pores to gently shake loose dirt and makeup residue that a face cloth or sponge can miss. Sonic waves also increase circulation, exfoliate the skin without pulling on it and improve detoxification by stimulating skin at the cellular level.
Plus it massages my skin as I move it around the quadrants of my face. It feels so good! My old Luna has two speed settings that work fine for me, but the version 3 has many more settings (I think the website says it has 16!), and it also has a larger area with many more and softer silicone teeth.
Like lots of new electronics, the Foreo Luna 3 comes with a mobile app. Not only does the app unlock your Foreo Luna to ensure that it is an authentic Foreo rather than a knock-off, the app has a variety of firming massage programs for eyes, mouth, facial contours (jawline), and neck that you can set your device to. It sounds even more terrific than my more rudimentary Luna. Instead of asking for the cordless chain saw that I asked Jeff to get me for my birthday, I wish I upgraded my Foreo Luna. Hopefully, there’s always next year. Check out the Foreo Luna 3 here. In addition to the pink for normal skin, there are versions for sensitive skin and oily skin. This Allure Best of Beauty winner is priced at $199 on the Foreo website, and you can also find it at Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Skinstore.com for the same price but where you will also get free shipping.
Do you have beauty tools that you use for at-home facial massage?
I received a gua sha in a recent Birchbox and was so excited! I also have a jade roller that I use as well. I want to get a rose quartz roller for the different qualities the stone has. I do agree that derma e should have instructions with the gua sha on how to use it because not using it on dry skin is VERY important. The skin HAS to have some slip to it in order for the gua sha to move properly. Plus, using a gua sha incorrectly can actually be dangerous.
Cassie Tucker recently posted…Beauty Bakerie Lip Gloss in Holy Cannoli
Cassie, you are so right about the importance using the gua sha correctly! Since you mentioned your jade roller, I went to look for my roller to add it to the facial massage party. The stone is white. I got it a few years ago, and I don’t remember what the stone is. I am wondering if it is white jade? Hmmm.
I love the Derma E Gua Sha a lot– it was such a special surprise to find it in one of their recent boxes! That cloisonné roller is just so gorgeous! I remember when you went to that exhibit, and can hardly believe that it was already two years ago!
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It may have even been November 2018 when I went to the Chinese Empress exhibit at PEM. I can’t believe how time is flying!
Chain saw? Really? I think next time you should think of a feminine gift!!! I have a new beauty oil to review so I’ll grab my Gua Sha to use with it. I forget about using that tool even though it is so helpful and makes me feel so good about myself.
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Yes, chain saw, lol! I have a decent size yard that borders the woods on two sides and lots of trees and shrubs. Trees often need trimming, and I have several big piles of tree limbs and branches in the woods. I wanted the chain saw so we can cut them into usable pieces for my Solo Stove fire pit and make a dent in the piles. But I just couldn’t think of another gift idea this year especially where we haven’t been going out anywhere. After writing this post, I thought I should have asked for either a new Foreo Luna 3 or the Foreo Iris. Oh well, maybe when Ulta gets around to having their 20% off sale I’ll get one for myself. 😉 I love using the gua sha along my jawline, but especially along my spinal column along the back of my neck. So stress-relieving!
I am still joined at the hip to my now-obsolete-and-abandoned Clarisonic, but I’ve heard great things about the Foreo!
I love using the foreo for facial massage!
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I’ve been wanting to try a gua sha – I have a jade roller and I do love it!