step-by-step home facial for glowing skin
whether you’re a skincare fiend or a person that likes to stay clean, daily routine care of your skin is important. but, when you have a special event coming up, how your skin looks underneath makeup is even more important!
have you been searching for a step-by-step guide for a facial at home?
whether you’re a skincare fiend or a person that likes to stay clean, daily routine care of your skin is important. but, when you have a special event coming up, how your skin looks underneath makeup is even more important! makeup only enhances texture, and it can take weeks - months to get it camera ready.
so, want to know how to prepare? let’s jump right in by learning about how to do a mini facial on yourself!
Where do I start?
I'm Kelli, owner/lead artist of The Understated Bride based in Los Angeles. I’m here to guide you through your beauty planning process with professional advice, tips, and tricks.
the best way to start is to have an aesthetician assess your skin type. they will recommend the best products + regimen for you. they may also book monthly - quarterly facials to meet your goal, depending on what you need.
during the weeks between facials, your skin may need some extra love. that’s why I created this guide on how to pamper yourself with an at-home mini facial!
*DISCLOSURE:
SOME OF THE LINKS BELOW ARE AFFILIATE LINKS. MEANING, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, I WILL EARN A COMMISSION IF YOU CLICK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE. REST ASSURED THAT I ONLY ENDORSE PRODUCTS THAT I HAVE PERSONALLY USED AND LOVE!
products you’ll need (you’ll base this on your skin type):
✴︎ makeup remover
✴︎ facial cleanser
✴︎ exfoliant
✴︎ toner
✴︎ treatments/serums
✴︎ masque
✴︎ facial oil (optional)
✴︎ moisturizer
✴︎ spf (daytime)
Step-by-step instructions
1: cleanse
first, we want to remove any makeup (if applicable) with makeup remover or oil cleanser. one of my favorites is Japanese Cleansing Oil by Sonia Roselli (and yes, I actually use this in my personal stash!).
after we have removed any makeup, we are going to cleanse our face again with the recommended facial cleanser for your skin type (b o n u s: JCO works for this step as well!). we call this a double-cleanse. this ensures that the dirt/grime we have loosened on our face with the first cleanse is washed off with the second.
2: exfoliate
next, we’re gonna take some exfoliant, and slough off allll those yucky dead skin cells!*
(try Sonia Roselli’s Sexapeel - it’s literally baby-smooth magic)
this evens out the surface, creating brighter, softer skin texture. bonus: you'll get better absorption of your serums, too!
now, we could all use some more of that, right?
*do NOT do this step if you use Retinol products or acne medication such as Accutane, as it will irritate the skin.
rinse again, and this time, dry your face. while drying, make sure you’re pat-drying instead of scrubbing your skin.
3: tone
spray or pat some toner on your face to bring it back to its pH level (and, again, for deeper product penetration). there are many refreshing toners out there; some of my favorites are Murad Hydrating Toner, and G.M Collin's range of Treating Mists.
note that I am not giving any information on extractions, as those are best done by a professional. when done incorrectly, that’s how you can get infections and scarring!
4: spot treat
if you have any spot treatments / serums you like to use, go ahead and put them on now - from thinnest to thickest (pro tip!).
Sonia Roselli, a makeup artist I follow, created a serum called Water Elixir, which has hyaluronic acid for intense hydration. it’s fast-acting, which is amazing for makeup artists and consumers alike!
5: masque
apply a masque over your serums/treatments to let them sink in. choose one that is best for your skin type (hydrating, brightening, pore tightening, etc. - I use G.M. Collin). when the masque has been applied, let it sit for 10-15 minutes for best results. wipe clean, rinse and dry, again. apply some more toner and treatment - this time, you won’t rinse it off!
6: face oil
if you have dry skin and/or love an extra glow, pat a small amount of face oil on the high points of your face. I use Sonia Roselli’s Water Oil for this. pro tip: you can use it on top of makeup as well!
7: moisturize
next, apply some moisturizer. if you’re wearing makeup after your mini facial, try using Sonia Roselli’s Water Balm - it creates the perfect priming base for foundation.
8: SPF
and don’t forget SPF during the day (Supergoop! is great! they have a wide variety of SPF products).
there you have it, a step-by-step guide to an at-home mini facial!
Need a professional opinion?
you can always get your skin type assessed by a professional aesthetician. if you're looking for someone, book a consult with my skincare partner Jennifer De Vivo.
she recommends + uses G.M. Collin products exclusively in her facial treatments.
how can we help?
taking care of your skin is one of the most important steps in prepping for your wedding day. we take the time to understand every feature of our brides, down to her last freckle. beautiful makeup starts with a beautiful canvas. that’s why we focus on skin just as much as the makeup products we will use.
if you’re getting married - look into my 60-Day Skincare Plan. this plan includes a consult with Jennifer, a custom regimen, and a travel skincare set by G.M. Collin!
I’d love to chat + learn more about your wedding day vision. you can follow us on instagram + inquire with us to discover what it’s like to partner with us for your event.