Your hands are a powerful tool in determining the appearance of your skin.

Through utilising invigorating, stimulating facial massage movements in your daily skincare regime, your skin will look healthy and fresh with an additional softness and glow. Which, frankly, makes this vital beauty step well worthwhile.

To make sure we had all the tips and tricks we needed to nail our massage technique, we asked Christchurch boutique skincare therapist and facialist Clemency Alice to share her wisdom:

“There are 42 individual muscles in the face which can be toned just like any other muscle group can. Facial massage helps improve muscle tone and relieves tension in the face. It facilitates the draining of unwanted toxins plus increases oxygen to the skin tissue.

The question is: how should you utilise your palms and fingers to ensure a flawless makeup application? It all goes back to how you apply your skincare product. Before beginning your massage routine, warm your go-to facial oil or moisturiser in your hands. This will ensure that the skincare actives are better absorbed by the skin. Intention of application and mindful execution behind each facial massage movement ensures gilt-edged results. A common mistake with skincare is applying too much. So my advice is use this sparingly. You don’t want to overburden the skin. What you are wanting is an effortless, easeful makeup application.

Remember, you do need to perform this each day. Think of your facial massage routine as a way of maintaining the tone and fitness of your skin. It’s rather like going to the gym or yoga class only once a week versus on a more disciplined day-to-day basis. Which one will ensure the best results?

Six Clemency Alice signature-style massage techniques

Step 1: Awaken
Firstly dispense then warm the product in the palms of your hands, cup these over your face and and do three ‘inhale ~ exhale’ breathing sequences. Gently massage the product onto your face, neck and décolletage using upward, gentle, sweeping movements.

Step 2: Revive
Starting from the chin and working along the jawline, perform quick, rhythmic pinching movements with your thumb and forefinger. Work your way up across the cheeks to the forehead.

Step 3: Smooth
Place all four fingers at the centre of your forehead. With a firm pressure, slowly glide out towards temples. Repeat three times.

Step 4: Release
With the balls of your thumbs, press firmly into the hollows beneath the inner corners of your eyebrows. Repeat these pressures to the outer edge of your eyebrow, each time holding for a slow count of three.

Step 5: Glide
Place the fingers on each side of your nose, and slowly glide below cheekbones to the ears. Repeat three times.

Step 6: Oxygenate
Closing your eyes, gently tap the entire face and neck with your fingertips (15 seconds).

Step 7: Repose
Cup your hands on either side of the face and hold for a slow count of five then release. Then press the forehead and chin, hold for a slow count of five and gently release.”

There you have it, the perfect, plump canvas for applying your makeup, or even better, go makeup free and let that invigorated glow be the hero.