Body & beauty

Your guide to a natural face lift and face yoga

There’s no need to go under the knife to look younger, there are natural ways to tone up your face. Try them today!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and smoothed back your skin to see your younger self staring back at you? As we age, our skin’s natural collagen levels drop and we lose some of the elasticity that kept our skin taut and wrinkle-free. We start to see forehead wrinkles and natural creases around the eyes, as well as around the upper lip, neck and decolletage. Our jawline loses definition and we can develop a double chin. Whilst many women hanker after the smooth blemish-free complexion of their youth, going under the knife for a face lift or having botox to achieve it is something many of us are reluctant to do. Not only is it an expensive and drastic course of action, the results can be unpredictable and sometimes end up looking far from natural (think trout pout and hamster cheeks).

So, what if we told you there were natural ways to achieve the more toned, smooth skin of your younger self without going under the knife? Read on for your guide to a natural face lift and face yoga.

Try face yoga

Yoga can offer a stream of health benefits, especially when poses are carefully chosen to suit your personal needs. Not only does it help to balance our entire system, both physically and emotionally, but it also allows us to connect with ourselves and acknowledge when we feel unwell, tired or stressed. And the good news is you can practice yoga with your face. Like the yoga you would practice for your body, face yoga involves a series of facial poses or facial exercises that stimulate the facial muscles and can improve tone and help you retain a more youthful complexion. Add a facial workout to your routine today and reap the benefits for years to come! Try our facial yoga method for a natural face lift.

Book in for a facial

Facials can be a relaxing treat, but there’s a whole host of anti-aging benefits that come as an added bonus, from cleansing and detoxing the skin to improving blood flow and toning the facial muscles. There’s a reason why you come away looking so fresh! Try one for yourself with our guide to seven facials for a natural face lift massage and more.

Feed your skin with avocado

It might seem like madness not to mash up avocado on your toast for breakfast, but try mashing it up on your face instead – it makes the best-ever moisturising mask! Just mix it up with a teaspoon of honey and high-fat yoghurt before spreading thickly onto your skin. Let it work its magic for 10-15 minutes and then remove with a warm washcloth to reveal a plumped up, radiant complexion!

Try facial massage

“Lift, sculpt and tone your skin by spending five minutes doing a facial massage,” suggests skin health therapist Louise Thomas-Minns. “Using rosehip oil, apply firm pressure to the skin and glide your hands upwards towards your hairline. Use your knuckles in circular motions to sculpt your cheeks, then pinch and release along your brows. Repeat this six times. Next, use your ring finger to perform some tapping motions under your eyes to de-puff and reduce dark circles. Finish by gently tipping your head upside down for 60 seconds – this will flood the skin with blood, helping to feed and nourish the cells, as well as drain toxins and lift. Try Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil. For more massages and natural face lift alternatives, check out our guide.

Beat puffy eyes with rooibos tea

We all know the cold tea bag trick, but did you know that rooibos or red tea is your best bet when beating baggy eyes? “Red tea helps to decrease inflammation and redness,” explains top holistic dermatologist Dr Gary Goldfaden. “This is because it is 50 times more potent than green tea as an antioxidant, and contains high levels of vitamins A, C, E and a powerful enzyme called superoxide dismutase.”

Freshen your face with the triangle trick

Had a hard night? The most flattering way to hide dark circles and create the illusion of a fresh and radiant face is to draw an inverted triangle with a concealer under your eye and the point going down to the top of your cheek. This gives a mini-facelift, a bit like holding a light under your face.

Beat dark shadows with parsley

To banish under eye circles in the blink of an eye, pick up some parsley. Holistic skincare expert Nataliya Robinson suggests making a face mask by blending a cup of parsley stems with a cup of yoghurt. “The yoghurt is full of lactic acid enzymes that have brightening and hydrating properties, while parsley is full of calcium and vitamin K which are good for the capillaries.” Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off.

Dull, tired-looking skin? Here’s why

Mary-Rose Lobo, founder of SKINIRVANA reveals just some of the reasons your skin may be looking a little lacklustre.

Cosmetic overload

5-step, 10-step, all product junkies please stand up. Your skin only needs two things: oil and a little water. That’s it!

Environmental reasons for skin problems

Sun-worshipping in the summer and central heating in the winter leaves your skin dehydrated, while pollution clogs your pores, and stress and lack of sleep age your skin.

Picking your skin

We all do it and it can be addictive – stop! Don’t pick, pull or rub your skin. Massage it with facial oil. Facial massage is a gentle, natural exfoliator and encourages blood flow to the skin whilst stimulating collagen and elastin production; both essential proteins for firm, supple skin.

Using out of date products

We throw out food that is a day out of date but hold on to products for months and sometimes even years! Use all products, regardless of shelf life, within three to six months.

Chemicals, preservatives and toxic overload

Less is always more. You want to choose a product that contains fewer than 10 ingredients, with the least amount of processing and no preservatives.

Poor diet

We all know how bad we feel when we eat a diet high in fat and sugar; your skin doesn’t like it either and it shows. Antioxidant-rich foods such as cantaloupe, dark chocolate, berries, leafy greens and citrus fruits all help to improve the skin’s appearance.

Not changing your skincare routine with the seasons

During the autumn and winter months avoid washing your face with water as it is dehydrating. Instead, wipe a squeezed-out baby sponge (the ones for infants) over your face when you cleanse, as it is gentle and uses minimal water. If it’s particularly cold, massage your skin with facial oil three times a day.

Not using oil

Whether you have dry, combination or oily skin, still use an oil. Pure plant and seed oils mimic the skin’s natural pH level, thus bringing the skin into balance.

Not practising facial massage

It’s not just about getting the right product, it’s about how you apply it. Facial massage is exercise for the face; it lifts, tones and improves the skin condition.

Not maintaining a healthy skincare routine

Like that gym membership, skin maintenance is key. It’s what we do over the long-term that produces results. Treating your skin kindly once a month is not enough. Keep it simple and do it daily.