Unplug at spa chez vous!

In these unusual times self care is more important than ever. Sometimes you must give yourself permission and take a step back from all the noise. Turn off the screens, turn down the lights, slip into your comfiest loungewear and give your skin some TLC. Nothing will replace the magic touch of your skincare professional – but while you wait for your favorite spa to reopen- here is your ultimate guide to your at home facial.

1. Set the mood.

Dim the lights and turn on your favorite relaxing playlist (do not limit yourself to typical spa music- there are even relaxing rock music playlists)!

“Create a relaxing space free of digital distractions!”

2. Start with a first cleanse.

Using an oil based or creamy cleanser first, warm a quarter sized amount in the palm of your hand and apply to your face, neck, and eye area. Using upward and outward strokes, massage the cleanser into dry skin. Gently remove excess product with a warm, damp washcloth. Blot dry with a clean, dry towel (bonus: place your towel in the dryer for a few minutes to mimic a true spa experience). Suggested products: Luzern La Nuit Hydra Cleansing Emulsion, Mary Cohr Soothing Cleansing Milk or Payot Milky Cleansing Oil.

3. Follow up with a micellar water.

Using a cotton or reusable pad, gently wipe your skin with a soothing micellar water or milk. This will ensure that all traces of remaining cleanser or makeup are removed- leaving your skin ready for all the skin treats to come! Suggested products: Luzern L’Essential Micellar Cleansing Water, Mary Cohr Micellar Cleansing Water or Payot Crème no2 Micellar Water.

4. Exfoliate.

Use a traditional mechanical exfoliant (scrub) or an enzymatic action exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, more even skin tone. There are many gentle options out there:

• For a mechanical scrub, warm a quarter size quantity of exfoliant in the palm of your hand and massage into to the face and neck in circular motions for 1-2 minutes, then wipe off with a warm, damp cloth. For example: Luzern L’Essential Micro Exfoliant.

• For an enzymatic exfoliant, apply to skin and leave on according to the directions on package before removing with a warm, damp cloth. Suggested products: Mary Cohr Lily Essence Mild Exfoliator or Payot Bubble Mask Peeling.

5. Mask it up!

“Not those masks! ”

Here is where you can really have some fun!

There is a veritable treasure trove of masks out there in every texture and for every skin concern. Choose a clay or charcoal - based mask to purify, a gel or peel off mask to soothe and moisturize, an intensive anti-aging mask, or a sheet mask tailored to your skins’ needs.

Apply your mask and leave on according to package directions - typically 10-20 minutes. This is when you really get to sit back and relax. Put up your feet, close your eyes or read a chapter from your favorite book. Take a few deep breaths. Eat a chocolate chip cookie. Do what helps you unwind.

• Purifying Masks: Luzern La Defense Purifying Mask, Mary Cohr Mattifying Purifying Mask or Payot Pâte Grise Charcoal Mask.

• Moisturizing Masks: Mary Cohr Hydrosmose Mask or Payot Hydra 24+ Baume-en-Masque.

• Anti-Age Masks: Luzern La Nuit Hydra-Enzyme Mask (can also be left on overnight), Mary Cohr New Youth Mask or Payot Suprême Jeunesse Le Masque.

• Sheet Masks: Mary Cohr Firming Lifting Mask or Payot Morning Mask (various formulations).

6. Tone.

Using a cotton or reusable pad, wipe face and neck with toner and/or essence* to remove any last traces of your mask and nourish the skin (note: some masks contain a serum which should be left on the skin. If that is the case skip this step and go straight to step 7).

*What on earth is an essence anyways? An essence is like a toner in consistency and used instead of or after your regular toner. However, an essence is more concentrated and hydrating than a toner alone. Often, it is splashed directly on the skin. Suggested products:

• Toners: Mary Cohr Soothing Toning Lotion or Payot Radiance Boosting Lotion .

• Essences: Luzern L’Essential Hydrating Essence, Mary Cohr Universal Vital Essences or Payot Hydra 24+ Plumping Priming Infusion.

7. Serum(s) and massage.

Use your favorite serum or oil serum and use 4-6 drops (approximately twice the amount you would usually use). Using your fingers or a facial massage tool (such as a facial roller or a guasha stone), gently massage the skin in upward and outwards motions until the serum is absorbed.

You can also layer up to three serums.
If you are using an oil, apply this one last.

Suggested products: Luzern Serum Absolut (various formulations), Mary Cohr Firming Lifting Serum or Payot RoseLift Collagène Serum.

8. Don’t forget those eyes!

Apply a pea sized amount of eye cream which addresses your concerns (puffiness, dark circles, signs of aging) from the orbital bone to the brow bone. Suggested products: Luzern Force de Vie Eye Contour, Mary Cohr Double Youth Eye Contour or Payot Blue Techni Liss Eye Contour.

9. Moisturize and Hydrate.

Finally, apply your favorite moisturizer. Use a dime sized amount and apply to your face and neck using gentle upward and outward motions. Suggested products: Luzern Force de Vie Crème Luxe, Mary Cohr I.H.C. or Payot Suprême Jeunesse Pro-Âge.

10. Enjoy your clearer, firmer, glowing skin!

*Please consult with your skin care professional which products are right for you.