Recession-Friendly Home Facial

You don’t need a trip to the spa to treat yourself to a facial.  All you need is a half an hour and some key items to emerge with a clean, fresh, and relaxed face. You Will Need     * Some hair clips or a headband     * A gentle facial cleanser     * A sink or a large bowl     * Some warm water     * A towel     * Some steaming hot water     * An exfoliating scrub     * A facial mask     * 2 chilled cucumber slices     * A comfortable place to lie down     * Some cold water     * A facial moisturizer without retinol or exfoliants     * Some fresh mint or lemon (optional) Step 1: Pull hair back Pull your hair back and secure it with a clip or hair tie so it is out of your face. Step 2: Wash skin Wash your skin with warm water and a cleanser that suits your skin type to remove all the dirt, oil, and makeup, and pat dry with a towel. Step 3: Fill sink Fill your sink or large bowl with steaming hot water and sit in front of it. Step 4: Steam face Drape your towel over your head and lean forward until your face is a comfortable distance from the water—the towel should create a tent around the water, trapping the steam inside. Keep the towel over your head for at least a few minutes until your face is warm and flushed. TIP: Add some fresh mint or lemon to the hot water to refresh your face and clear your sinuses. Step 5: Exfoliate With your face still wet, spread the exfoliating scrub over your face with your fingertips, using small, gentle circular motions moving outward toward your hairline. Be careful to avoid the delicate skin around your eyes. Step 6: Rinse face Gently but thoroughly rinse off the scrub with warm water. Step 7: Apply mask According to product directions, apply your facial mask, smoothing it on with your fingertips in small, gentle circular motions. Be sure to avoid your eyes and lips. TIP: For oily skin try a mud or clay mask; for dry skin, try one containing a hydrating gel, or a cream mask. Step 8: Place cucumbers Retrieve your cucumber slices and lie down. Close your eyes, place the slices over them, and relax for the recommended amount of time that your mask should stay on. Step 9: Remove cucumbers Remove the cucumber slices. Step 10: Rinse face Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water. Step 11: Splash with cold water Splash your face with ice cold water—or even better, submerge your face for a moment in a sink or bowl filled with it. Step 12: Pat skin dry Lightly pat your skin dry with a towel. Step 13: Apply moisturizer Apply a light moisturizer that does not contain retinol or exfoliating agents.