Gua Sha Facials
Our DIY crystal Gua Sha facials are designed to work on your outer beauty and inner health while giving you a “breather" from your everyday life.
Remember to always use an oil appropriate for your skin type or face balm before you do your Gua Sha massage. You can find our 5 DIY Face balm recipes in our book Honest Beauty Talks Vol 1.
Please note we used to be called Honest Beauty Talks before we changed the name to Calmlish, that's why the videoes says Honest Beauty Talks.
We hope the videotutorials will motivate you to start your Gua Sha ritual. If you have any questions or feedback we would love to hear from you. Send us an email at care@calmlish.com.
A Good Start
We recommend warming up before your facials, as it makes you more relaxed and enhances the blood flow to your skin.
Our warm-up exercises are excellent if you suffer from tension in your neck.
1. Neck roll
Drop your chin toward your chest and slowly roll your head toward one shoulder as you inhale. Roll your head back down toward your chest while you exhale. Proceed to the other side. Repeat the full neck roll 6 times, or as many as you need.
In continuation of the first exercise, gently roll your head all the way around 3 times in each direction. If it feels uncomfortable or you have neck pain, then proceed with the exercise in slow
2. Shoulder rolls
Slowly rotate your shoulders forward, in circles. Repeat the movement backward until the set is complete. Repeat 6 times.
3. Shoulder raises
Lift your shoulders up as you inhale. Hold for a few seconds, then release as you exhale. Repeat 8 times, or as much as you need.
4. Spinal twist
Place your right hand on your left thigh and look over your left shoulder so you feel a stretch in the spine. Repeat in the opposite side.
5. Breathing
Remember to breathe deeply throughout the entire warm-up. Preferably through the nose.
6. Pressed for time?
Don´t miss out on your Gua Sha massage just because you don´t have time to do the warm-up. Include the exercises, on the days where you have more time for yourself, as an extra treat.
"Breathing gives you a sense of presence and a peaceful moment to feel and understand your body, so you can achieve greater satisfaction and well-being in your life."
Worry line
We recommend: An aventurine Gua Sha for the face. Aventurine is for you who needs to let go of your worries and invite adventure into your life instead.
STEP 1
Start by opening the "check in" point just below the collar bone by moving your fingertips in circles on the point. Open both points at the same time.
STEP 2
Use your fingertips from each finger, except your thumb, and place them along the hairline on the forehead. Bend your head forward and hold with medium to firm pressure for at least two deep breaths.
STEP 3
Run your index fingers in circles, toward each other, on the higher points of the forehead, on both sides of the face. Move 10 circles along the hairline, using firm pressure.
STEP 4
Run your index fingers in circles, toward each other, on the lower of the forehead, on both sides of the face. Move 10 circles along the hairline, using firm pressure.
STEP 5
Sweep the Gua Sha head upwards from the "peace" point to the hairline. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
STEP 6
Stimulate the "peace" point, between the eyebrows, with the tip of the Gua Sha tail. Move it in circular motions using light to medium pressure, 5 times in one direction and 5 times in the other direction.
Use the tail tip to make zigzags over the wrinkle(s). Repeat 3-5 times over each line.
If you tend to tense up between the brows, you can use the edge of the Gua Sha head to scrape from the point between the brows and a few centimeters out, in small strokes, using firm pressure 10-20 times. Start with the left brow and scrape up and out 10-20 times. Continue in the middle, up and out, 10-20 times and then toward the right 10-20 times, so that you relax the entire area between the brows. Spend more time on areas where you feel tension.
STEP 7
Start with one side of the face. Use the Gua Sha head and scrape from the eyebrow to the ear, 10-20 times with medium to firm pressure. Then proceed, in the same pattern, on the next line and end on the path at the hairline.
STEP 8
Finally, scrape from your ear and down the neck to the "check in" point below the collar bone. Repeat 3-5 times, using very light pressure to drain to the lymph.
STEP 9
Repeat steps 7 and 8 on the opposite side of the face.
EXTRA TIPS- Are you in doubt whether you tense the muscle between the brows? A good way to answer that question is to put a piece of tape on your forehead (do this at home or when you sit in front of the computer). This can help you become more aware of when you, unnecessarily, tense your forehead. Thus, preventing it next time.
- Always remember to wear sunglasses when the sun is shining.
- The zone between the brows is said to be related to the liver. Therefore, always support your liver with a little extra care. We recommend giving your liver extra love and care by drinking dandelion juice 2-3 times a day (before a meal).
- If there is something that worries or frustrates you, then remember that 90% of your worries never turn into anything. If you can´t do anything about it, let it go.
Sensitive Skin
We recommend: A rose quartz Gua Sha for the face. This facial should be done with light pressure. Start out slow and gentle if you have very sensitive skin.
STEP 1
Start by opening the "check in" point (under the collar bone). Run your Gua Sha back and forth on the point with medium pressure.
STEP 2
Stimulate the "peace" point between the eyebrows with the tail tip of the Gua Sha by moving it in circular motions. Repeat 5 times to the left and 5 times to the right with medium pressure.
STEP 3
Stimulate the “body / mind” point between the nose and lip with the tail tip of the Gua Sha by moving it in circular motions. Repeat 5 times to the left and 5 times to the right with medium pressure.
STEP 4
Stimulate the "flow" point below the lip with the tail tip of the Gua Sha by moving it in circular motions. Repeat 5 times to the left and 5 times to the right with medium pressure.
STEP 5
Place the head of the Gua Sha on the “peace” point and sweep upward to the hairline. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure.
STEP 6
Start with one side of the face. Sweep from the top center of your forehead (by the hairline) and scrape the Gua Sha head down the hairline to the upper ear. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure. If you are very sensitive and turn red easily, then start with 5 times in each area.
Continue under the previous path with 5-10 strokes in the same direction. Divide your forehead into 3-4 sections (depending on the size). The final section should be your eyebrows.
Next, sweep the Gua Sha from the ear, down the neck, to the "check in” point, just below the collar bone. Remember, very light pressure 3-5 times to drain to the lymph.
STEP 7
Place the center of the tail tip at the top of your nose and scrape down to the tip of your nose. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure.
Use the Gua Sha head and scrape, from the middle of the nose, down the side of the nose. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure.
STEP 8
Continue to scrape, with the Gua Sha head, from the side of the nose out to the ear. Follow the path just above the cheekbone. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure.
Continue sweeping, under the previous path, from the side of the nose out to the middle of the ear. Follow the path in the middle of the cheekbone. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure.
Continue sweeping from the side of the nose, all the way under the cheekbone, until you reach the earlobe. Repeat preferably 10 - 20 times with light pressure.
Continue scraping from the corner of your mouth up to the lower part of the ear. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure.
End this procedure by draining the lymph from the lower ear and down the neck, using with very light pressure 3-5 times.
STEP 9
Place the head of the Gua Sha on the center below the lip and scrape along the jawline. Repeat 5-10 times with light pressure. Use the center of the tail tip, from the middle of the chin, and scrape along the jawline so that you scrape both sides of the jawline at the same time.
STEP 10
Finish this side of the face by scaping the Gua Sha head from the upper part of the ear and down the neck, using very light pressure, 3-5 times. Then sweep behind your ear and down the neck, with very light pressure, 3-5 times to drain to the lymph one more time.
STEP 11
Repeat all steps on the opposite side of the face.
EXTRA TIPS
- Sitali breath - Breathe through a rolled tongue and out through the nose. Do this 26 times each morning and evening. It is a pranayama technique that is known to be anti-inflammatory and cooling.
- Articulate your boundaries to the outside world and stop being a Pleaser.
- Fulfill your basic needs and lower high expectations for yourself. You're doing your best just the way you are.
- Drink strong linden flower tea several times a week
- Strengthen your intestine with fiber and homemade probiotic vegetables.
- Be careful not to over-simulate your skin by using harsh products and avoid soap on your skin. Try cleansing oils instead.
Spots and pimples
We Recommend: A sodalite Gua Sha for the face. This facial should be performed with light pressure. Avoid scraping in areas with active pimples/acne (or sweep softly over them). It is important not to push them further down into the skin. Be sure to clean your Gua Sha with soap after use.
STEP 1
Start by opening the "check in" point (under the collar bone). Run your Gua Sha back and forth on the point with medium pressure.
STEP 2
Stimulate the "peace" point between the eyebrows with the tail tip of the Gua Sha by moving it in circular motions. Repeat 5 times in one direction and 5 times in the other direction with medium pressure.
STEP 3
Sweep the Gua Sha head upwards from the "peace" point to the hairline. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
STEP 4
Start with one side of the face. Sweep from the top center of your forehead (by the hairline) and scrape the Gua Sha head down the hairline to the upper ear. Repeat 10-20 in all.
Continue under the previous path with 10-20 strokes in the same direction using light pressure. Work through the entire forehead. Divide your forehead into 3-4 sections (depending on the size). The final section should be your eyebrows.
STEP 5
Scrape from the ear, all the way down the neck to the "check in" point on the collar bone. Remember very light pressure, 3-5 times to drain to the lymph.
STEP 6
Place the center of the tail tip at the top of your nose and scrape down to the tip of your nose. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
STEP 7
Use the Gua Sha tail tip to stimulate the "detox" point on the side of the nose, in circular movements, using light to medium pressure. Repeat 5 times one direction and 5 times in the other direction.
STEP 8
Use the Gua Sha head and scrape, from the middle of the nose, down the side of the nose. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
Continue to scrape, with the Gua Sha head, from the side of the nose out to the ear. Follow the path just above the cheekbone, using light pressure.
Continue sweeping, under the previous path, from the side of the nose out to the middle of the ear. Follow the path in the middle of the cheekbone. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
Continue sweeping from the side of the nose, all the way under the cheekbone, until you reach the earlobe. Repeat preferably 10 - 20 times with light pressure.
Continue scraping, with the Gua Sha head, from the corner of your mouth up to the lower part of the ear. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
End this procedure by draining the lymph from the lower ear and down the neck, using with very light pressure 3-5 times.
STEP 9
Place the head of the Gua Sha on the center below the lip and scrape along the jawline. Repeat 10-20 times with light pressure.
Continue to scrape, with the Gua Sha head, in the same direction, under the previous path on the jawline.
Use the center of the tail tip, from the middle of the chin, and scrape along the jawline so that you scrape both sides of the jawline at the same time.
STEP 10
Use the Gua Sha head and scrape down the side of the neck to drain to the lymph. Repeat 3-5 times with very light pressure.
Finish this side of the face by scraping the Gua Sha head from behind the ear and down the neck, using very light pressure, 3-5 times to drain to the lymph one more time.
STEP 11
Repeat all steps on the opposite side of the face. Remember to breathe deeply while doing the massage, as to release tension and blockages.
NB: Never scrape directly on a pimple (scrape around it) It will still stimulate blood and lymph circulation around the pimple.
EXTRA TIPS- Drink 1 liter of nettle tea (cleansing tea) every day for a month. Then every 3 days.
- Sebum production is controlled by the stress hormone. Try to make time to be outside in nature and get a breath of fresh air. Or, do some yoga exercises to relieve stress.
- Stable blood sugar keeps pores clean and pimples at bay. This means no snacking between meals. 3 solid main meals should be enough.
- Caution: don´t touch or tamper with your pimples. Don´t over-stimulate your skin with exaggerated cleansing. Less is more! Try using cleansing oils instead.
Eye lift
We recommend: An amethyst Gua Sha for the face and your favorite facebalm. Amethyst is often used for eye problems and headaches.
STEP 1
Start by opening the "check in" point just below the collar bone by moving your fingertips in circles on the point. Open both points at the same time.
STEP 2
Press the point, just below where the eyebrows start, near the bridge of the nose. Hold the pressure on both sides of the face at the same time and press firmly for 10-15 seconds. This point is often tender, so you won´t be in doubt when you find it.
STEP 3
Press the point on the outer edge of the eye, near the temples, on both sides of the face at the same time, with firm pressure for 10-15 seconds.
STEP 4
Press the point right below the center of the eye, on both sides of the face at the same time, using firm pressure for 10-15 seconds. This point is located on the edge of the lower eyelid, just below the pupil, when looking straight out. (You may notice a small arch where the point is).
STEP 5
Use the edge of the Gua Sha head and scrape from the side of the nose, up the nose, until you reach the eyebrow. Scrape 10 times with medium pressure.
STEP 6
Use the Gua Sha head, to scrape from the outer edge of the eye, located just below the eye, on the soft part. Sweep toward the inner edge of the eye and over the eyelid toward the outer edge of the eye. Continue in circles, 10 times, with very light pressure.
STEP 7
if you have crow´s feet: Gently stretch the area with your index finger and long finger. With the other hand, use the Gua Sha head or tail tip and scrape back and forth, or in zigzag motions, over the crow´s feet. Repeat 5 times over each line, using light to medium pressure. Skip this step if you don´t have crow´s feet.
STEP 8
Use the edge of the Gua Sha head and scrape from the edge of the outer eye out to the hairline with medium pressure 10 times.
STEP 9
Use the tip of the Gua Sha tail to stimulate the outer point of the eyebrow (back and forth, up and down and in circles).
Now take the edge of the Gua Sha head and scrape from the eyelid / point in a straight line up to the hairline with medium pressure 10 times.
STEP 10
Repeat entire step 9 in the middle of the brow with medium pressure 10 times.
STEP 11
Repeat entire step 10 at the inner point of the eyebrow at the bridge of the nose.
STEP 12
Finish this side of the face by scraping the Gua Sha head from the center of the hairline and down to the temple. Continue down the ear and neck to drain the lymph, 3-5 times with light pressure. Repeat all steps on the opposite side.
EXTRA TIPS
- End the massage by placing ice-cold crystals (we recommend amethyst) or cucumber slices on your eyes and give yourself a minimum of 5 minutes to lay and relax.
- Get your beauty sleep. Use a sleep mask or sleep in total darkness.
- It can be seen immediately on your eyes if you are dehydrated, so remember at least 2 liters of water every day.