The routine at a glance
Work on one side of the face, then the other. The table gives the edge and direction for each area. Directions differ between teachers. Many routines move outward from the center of the face and down along the neck. Pick a pattern you find comfortable and keep to it.
| Area | Edge | Direction | Passes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Neck | Long flat edge | Slow strokes down the sides of the neck, away from the front of the throat | 3 to 5 |
| 2Jawline | Notch or inward curve | From the chin out toward the ear | 3 to 5 per side |
| 3Cheeks | Long curve | From beside the nose out toward the ear | 3 to 5 per side |
| 4Under the cheekbone | Rounded edge | From the corner of the mouth out toward the ear | 3 per side |
| 5Brow bone | Small end or rounded edge | Along the bone above the brow, outward, with the eye itself avoided | 3 per side |
| 6Forehead | Long straight edge | From the brows up toward the hairline, or from the center outward | 3 to 5 |
1. Neck
With slip on the neck, place the long flat edge of the tool on the side of the neck below the ear. Make slow strokes along the side of the neck, three to five times. Keep the pressure especially light here, and stay off the front of the throat.
2. Jawline
Fit the notch of a heart tool, or the inward curve of a wing, against the jawline at the chin. Glide out along the jaw toward the ear, then lift the tool and return to the start. Three to five passes per side.
3. Cheeks
Place the long curve beside the nose, with the tool almost flat. Glide out across the cheek toward the ear. Start the next stroke a little lower, so you cover the cheek in a few bands. Keep your mouth relaxed so the skin isn't stretched.
4. Under the cheekbone
Use a rounded edge just under the cheekbone, starting near the corner of the mouth. Glide outward toward the ear, three passes per side. If the bone feels tender under the tool, ease off or skip this area.
5. Brow bone
With the small end or a rounded edge, glide along the bone above the brow, from the inner end outward. Stay on the bone and well clear of the eye. Skip the area under the eye unless you can keep the tool on the cheekbone and use almost no pressure, since the skin there is thin. Never press on the eye itself.
6. Forehead
Use the long straight edge, starting just above the brows. Glide up toward the hairline, or from the center of the forehead out toward the temple. Three to five passes, then repeat on the other side if you worked one side at a time.
Finishing up
- Let any oil sink in, or wipe off the extra with a soft cloth.
- Look at your skin. A light flush that fades in minutes is common. Marks that stay mean the pressure was too firm.
- Wash and dry the tool right away. See the cleaning guide.
How often
A few times a week is plenty for most people, and some like a short session most evenings. More often isn't better if your skin starts to feel tender or look irritated. Take a few days off whenever it does, and check the sensitive skin page.
This site shares general information about using facial tools gently. It can't tell you whether a tool suits your skin or what it will do for a skin concern. For rashes, acne, rosacea, eczema, ongoing redness or anything that worries you, see a board-certified dermatologist.