While it’s absolutely fine to slap homemade treatments on with reckless abandon, you might be surprised to learn that there is a proper way to apply a facial masque.
Whether it’s meant to cleanse, soothe, plump, or pamper, these simple application steps can help make the most of your facial.
1Start off with bare skin that is free of any makeups or lotions.
2Moisten a washcloth with hot water. It should be hot enough to generate steam, but not so hot that it will scald your face. Be careful not to burn your skin.
3Drape the washcloth over your face. This will help open your pores, prepping your skin for your homemade treatment. Leave your skin damp or pat it dry according to the directions in your treatment.
4Scoop the masque into the palm of one hand using a clean spoon or spatula.
Using two fingers, gently spread the mixture onto your face in slow, circular motion. Avoid your eyes, lips, and nostrils. You can also try applying on your masque with a clean paintbrush or makeup brush. Follow the recipe directions on how long to leave the masque on and how to remove it.
Masque Tips :
Most masques can be left on for fifteen to thirty minutes. If your masque contains any drying or acidic ingredients like clay or lemon juice, be careful not to leave it on any longer than fifteen minutes.
If you find a homemade masque to be too slippery or wet, try adding a dry ingredient like oatmeal, oat flour, rice bran powder or adzuki bean powder.
Gentle masques can be used everyday, but any recipes that include drying or acidic ingredients like clay or lemon juice should be limited. Strong clays, like French green, green Illite, rhassoul, and multanni mitti (also known as fuller’s earth) should be used once a week at most.
