Natural Beauty

  • Chinese Medicine, Natural Beauty, Wellness

    How To Do An Acupressure “Facelift”

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    In a world where beauty trends come and go, people are increasingly seeking natural and non-invasive methods to rejuvenate their appearance. One such technique gaining popularity is acupressure facelift, which harnesses the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to promote healthy skin and a youthful glow. By applying targeted pressure on specific acupoints, this ancient practice stimulates circulation, relaxes muscles, and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

    What is acupressure and how does it work?

    Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to promote healing and relaxation. It is based on the same principles as acupuncture, but instead of using needles, acupressure relies on the fingers, palms, and elbows to apply pressure. The pressure applied to these points can stimulate the body’s natural healing processes, improve circulation, and release tension and stress.

    What are the benefits of an acupressure facelift?

    An acupressure facelift can provide numerous benefits for your skin and overall appearance. By stimulating specific points on the face, you can improve circulation, reduce puffiness and inflammation, and promote collagen production for a more youthful and radiant complexion. Additionally, acupressure can help release tension and stress in the facial muscles, which can lead to a more relaxed and refreshed appearance.

    How to prepare for an acupressure facelift.

    Before beginning an acupressure facelift, it’s important to prepare your skin and create a relaxing environment. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and applying a moisturizer or facial oil. Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can sit or lie down for the duration of the treatment. You may also want to light candles or use aromatherapy to enhance the relaxation experience. Finally, make sure you have a clear understanding of the acupressure points you will be using and how to apply pressure to them safely and effectively.

    Acupressure Facelift Points

    The acupressure facelift routine is done by massaging each point in small circles for about 30 seconds to a minute. Practice the full routine one or more times daily for best results. 

    Below are the points to use for the acupressure facelift. 
    1.  
    2. DU 24 (Shenting):

    Situated at the midpoint of the hairline, DU 24, or Shenting, is known to promote mental clarity and alleviate stress. Applying gentle pressure to this point helps relax facial muscles and relieves tension.

    1. ST 8 (Touwei):

    Located at the corners of the hairline, ST 8 assists in reducing puffiness and improving circulation around the eyes. It also helps relieve tension in the forehead, smoothing out forehead wrinkles. 

    1. GB 14 (Yangbai):
    2. This point is located directly above the pupil, roughly an inch above the eyebrow. GB 14 is associated with reducing puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines around the eyes. This is another point that helps relieve tension in the forehead. 
    1. Yin Tang (Third Eye Point):

    Positioned between the eyebrows, Yin Tang is a crucial acupoint for relaxation and calming the mind. This point also helps relax the muscles between the eyebrows that contribute to development of the “angry 11’s.”

    1. UB 2 (Zanzhu):

    Located at the inner end of the eyebrows, UB 2, or Zanzhu, helps relieve sinus congestion and eye strain. This point also helps reduce wrinkles between the eyebrows and promote a more youthful appearance.

    1. Yu Yao (Fish Waist):

    Situated on the arch of the eyebrow, Yu Yao alleviates tension in the forehead and eye area. This point helps keep the eyebrows lifted. 

    1. SJ 23 (Sizhukong):

    Found in the hollows at the outer end of the eyebrows, SJ 23, or Sizhukong, improves circulation and reduces eye strain. Applying light pressure on this point with your index fingers may diminish puffiness, dark circles, and crow’s feet. It also helps maintain lifted eyebrows. 

    1. ST 2 (Sibai):

    Positioned directly below the pupil, in the hollow right on the edge of the eye socket, ST 2 relieves eye fatigue and puffiness. 

    1. LI 20 (Yingxiang):

    Situated on either side of the nostrils, LI 20, or Yingxiang, improves nasal congestion and reduces facial tension. This point helps reduce appearance of jowls and is also great if you have allergies. 

    1. ST 3 (Juliao), ST 4 (Dicang), ST 5 (Daying), and ST 6 (Jiache):

    These points along the jawline help tone facial muscles and reduce sagging in the lower face. 

    The acupressure facelift offers a natural and non-invasive approach to enhance facial appearance. By targeting specific acupoints on the face, this ancient technique stimulates circulation, relaxes facial muscles, and promotes healthy skin.

    Remember, consistency is key when practicing acupressure, and combining it with a healthy lifestyle can yield long-lasting results. So, unlock your natural beauty by incorporating acupressure facelift techniques into your daily self-care routine

  • Life, Natural Beauty, Wellness

    My 3 Best Natural Beauty Hacks

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    Since we are all stuck inside and probably a little afraid to make a drugstore run, I wanted to share some of my best natural beauty hacks that you can do at home, with things you probably already have on hand.  These beauty hacks are great because they are inexpensive, easy to do, and they give you a jumpstart on detoxing your beauty regimen which is essential to achieve optimal hormone balance.

     

    Natural beauty hack #1: Facial Gua Sha

    My absolute favorite natural beauty and anti-aging hack is taken straight from Chinese Medicine.  Facial Gua Sha (prounouced gwah shaw) is a gentle “scraping” technique that helps relax tight muscles, increases circulation, and restores fluid balance in the skin. It is relaxing, effective, and a great addition to any self-care routine. Facial gua sha is best when done with a contoured gua sha tool, but you can also do it with a porcelain soup spoon like the ones you find at Chinese restaurants. I haven’t tried it yet, but I imagine you could do it with any small rounded-edge object you have on hand. This video is one of the best facial gua sha tutorials I have seen.  But honestly, you don’t have to do it perfectly. Just follow a few simple rules and you will be good to go:

    • All strokes move in an upward and outward motion
    • Keep the tool flat-ish against the skin
    • The pressure is gentle on all areas of the face, and extra gentle around delicate areas near the eyes.
    • Clean your gua sha tool before each use.

    Commit to doing the facial gua sha routine for seven days in a row and I promise you will notice a difference. Once you get the hang of it you can do it just about any time. I often do my facial gua sha while watching TV or when my son is taking a bath.  A consistent facial gua sha routine will keep you looking younger and less stressed.

    I have a very limited supply of gua sha tools for sale.  To purchase, visit my secret shop. 

    Natural Beauty Hack #2: Cornstarch + baking soda dry shampoo

    If you are working from home then there’s a good chance your shampoo routine has gotten a little lax (at least I know mine has!).  A couple of common household items are about to be your new grease-be-gone best friends. A mixture of cornstarch and baking soda can be brushed on to your roots to absorb the odor and excess oil that comes with the “I’ll just wash my hair tomorrow” mentality.  Here is a quick and easy recipe to follow.

    • 1 part baking soda
    • 4 parts corn starch
    • 1-2 drops of essential oil if you want a fragrance
    • A small amount of cocoa powder or cinnamon can be added if you have darker hair

    Mix everything together and store in a small jar or empty spice shaker to use when needed. Apply to roots with a fluffy makeup brush until blended.

    While this will work for most people, I have heard some say that it makes them break out on the scalp.  Now is a great time to test it out!

     

    Natural beauty hack #3: Activated charcoal teeth whitener

    I love using activated charcoal as a natural teeth whitener.  It is way less expensive than Whitestrips or other teeth whitening kits and it won’t make your teeth super sensitive when you are done.  You might not have activated charcoal on hand at the moment, but I definitely recommend making it a supplement staple. Activated charcoal is known for its highly absorbent properties and is often used in hospitals to treat overdose or poisoning. At home it may be used to treat food poisoning, gastrointestinal upset such as gas and diarrhea, and many believe it helps with hangovers (I haven’t tested this theory, but I am very curious!). You can even create your own DIY Activated Charcoal face mask to make your skin glow!  In a nutshell, Activated charcoal is an extremely versatile product that will be worth every penny you spend on it (bonus: it’s not expensive at all).

    How to use activated charcoal as a teeth whitener

    • Break open two activated charcoal capsules and pour contents into a small dish
    • Add a few drops of water to make a paste
    • Dip toothbrush into paste and brush on to all teeth (I recommend having a toothbrush solely dedicated to charcoal brushing.)
    • Let the paste sit on your teeth for a couple of  minutes and then brush a little more
    • Rinse and spit

    Do be warned that activated charcoal is very messy so be careful when you spit! Activated charcoal is also quite abrasive, so it isn’t something you necessarily want to do every day.  I usually charcoal brush about once per week.

    There you have it!  My three best natural beauty hacks that you can start using right away. If you try any of these, I’d love to hear your experience.  Send me a DM on Insta and tell me all about it! Now I’m on a quest to find a DIY to cover up my gray roots :-/