It’s Face Gym, but not as we know it (rediscovering facial massage)
To say I’m a fan of facial massage would be a bit of an exaggeration. Not quite of Zac Goldsmith/Bollywood standards; it’s just that when I look back, I realise that my first facial massage was in 2010 and my most recent in 2012. That’s not to say that I wouldn’t fully recommend this non-invasive procedure. I love having my face pummeled and the results are noticeable, I even included tips from Su-Man (Juliette Binoche’s facialist) on facial massage in the beauty chapter of Style Forever. It’s just that my beauty regime is very much of the wash-and-go variety, I should make more of an effort. Major Beauty Fail.
So. When I was invited to visit Face Gym – a ‘facial workout’ that’s part of Selfridges beauty department – of course, I accepted. I’d quite happily experience facial massage every day of the week, if someone else is doing it for me. FaceGym was founded by Inge Theron, the undercover Financial Times journalist known as the Spa Junkie, who after six years as a columnist, and a failed procedure, went onto study massage and work with facialists and fitness experts.
Inge Theron photo: FT
FaceGym is situated on the ground floor at Selfridges, which doesn’t feel like the most relaxing place on earth, particularly when there’s techno/dance music playing. And you are just sitting there in the middle of the store. Anyhow, after a bit of ‘cardio’, I soon forgot about the other shoppers and the young person’s music and started to relax.
There are several types of FaceGym workout on offer, I had a £40 for 30-mins lunchtime special and the stages, very briefly, were as follows:
After the face is gently cleansed, a ‘face ball’ is used to release tension and open the sinuses. This is basically having a small hand-held ball pressed against various parts of your face, it reminded me of when I used to play football.
Next is the ‘cardio’ bit. A deep tissue massage with lots of firm pressing and pinching to stretch and release muscles, stimulate blood circulation and collagen production.
Then muscles are ‘sculpted’, uplifted and oxygenated by further deep tissue massage.
Jade roller photo: FT
Out come the rollers: a derma roller stimulates collagen, plumps lines and smooths muscles. The jade roller cools the skin after stimulation, and feels lovely after the pummeling; it also closes pores and helps with lymphatic drainage. Finally, the PureLift device emits an electronic current to further stimulate muscles and restore elasticity.
More cleansing, then a hyaluronic serum and moisturiser are applied to finish off.
My face looked much perkier afterwards, more plumped (though this was temporary) and I recently recommended FaceGym to a friend of mine who was going to a wedding but hadn’t bought a new outfit. Very wise. My advice: just buy a pair of silver shoes and get down to FaceGym. In fact, you could do both at the same time… I’m thinking about booking another session this week to give my saggy face and problem sinuses a workout.
Discussion (17 Comments)
London Liz says:
I have never had a facial massage from someone else, but am a big fan of the Method Putkisto facial workout which I don’t do often enough. It makes sense that if one of your facial muscles is tight its going to alter other parts of your face – I’m always amazed how tight my jaw muscles are (probably due to teeth grinding) and the cheek muscles under my eyes which you would never thing of a getting tight – thanks for the reminder – might have a boost session at Selfridges then get back to doing something regularly at home!
Noiram says:
Thanks for this article. I was lucky enough to experience the Su-Man facial method – life changing! On an off I’ve tried the Eva Fraser method (video) and found it quite effective – helped with sinuses and migraine. If I do remember, facial massage while cleansing is very relaxing. I’ve also incorporated some massage used on my face during a facial in Indonesia. Women outside of Europe have been using these techniques for some time – I reckon there’s something in it!
Gerri says:
I am a believer, but seems only UK/Europe has this perspective: Recommendations in New York?
I actually don’t like having other people touch my face! But I do like to do self-massage (sounds kinky?) with a nice facial oil. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.comGastgekko says:
I’m at the gym three times per week for weight training, but don’t have Madonna’s Body.
Face Massage is nice and you maybe look relaxed afterwards.
If you want results like “lifting”, you have to go the Nip&Tuck Way.
I would not pay for nonsense like this.I’ve never had a face massage such as the one you describe, but my massage therapist does something wonderful with hot towels and gentle massage that feels amazing. I don’t think it does anything for my appearance, but it’s oh so relaxing!
I’ve had body massages which relaxed me to the point of falling asleep–and then I practically had to be bitch-slapped in order to wake up so the relaxation went out the window.
And I’m also a lazy slob so I don’t work out. Actually my excercise is walking around the “Big Luxury Department Store” that I work at on a part-time basis.
The initial novelty of going to face gym sounds like a load of fun. But if I want to plump up my face on a temporary basis and get the blood flowing I’ll lay across my bed and hang my top half (the half with my head) over the bed so that I’m almost upside down. Gravity. Gravity…..I am a big advocate of this sort of beauty treatment, much kinder than anything invasive. I have regular facial massage and facial acupuncture from a local holistic therapist and I swear it knocks 10 years off me for weeks after I’ve had it done and I totally agree with you it is a wise investment if going to any fancy event!
I had this done too – found it really uncomfortable and although I noticed a difference after the first time – the results after the next two treatments were not noticeable at all. I had to give up then as I could bear the thought of having it done for the fourth time. I want my facials to feel reading and nourishing and like a treat – this didn’t. But I guess the no pain no gain school of thought doesn’t work for me.
I am doing face muscle training for some weeks now and the result is really obvious. It is a real workout for the face and I am doing it under instruction but it does show results. My face is all in all with a fresher appearance and is not hanging as much anymore, which makes the look tired much more than the lines. There are 15 workouts and I am now at number 5. I am doing it every day and to me it is not a miracle at all but the result of muscle training. I have a short video on my blog and will soon show a foto of the progress so far compared with the start. I am 56, never tried botox and never will. Started with face muscle training more of curiosity but now must admit will stick to it. It’s workout but it’s worth doing it for me.
WHAT A CONCEPT……………
I do PAR~TAKE in a monthly facial and I ADORE IT!Although, these past few months I have had terrible headaches that night!I am having horrible sinus problems this year like NO OTHER and I think she wakes them UP.I do SLEEP like a BABY after each facial……..so that in it’s self is a reason to spend the money and treat myself as sleep does not always come easy ANYMORE!!!!!
You have my BLESSING……..GO GET ANOTHER ONE!
XXDonna says:
I recently bought a facial roller and now use it religiously every day. My skin looks and feels much better. Highly recommend. I use a “Méthode Jeanne Piaubert Stimuloval Roller”, which you can buy on Amazon for around £30 if anyone’s interested.
Polly says:
Try having a Dr. Vodder Lymph Drainage therapist give a face and neck treatment for health and beauty of the skin!
For recommendations in NY- try Adrienne Keegan, she specializes in the original and most scientifically backed method.
Jane 
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I want to believe this, but scientific training prevents me.
Are you sure it lifted your face ? I feel once the skin has lost elasticity and subcutaneous fat is depleted there’s not much to be done apart from the ghastly surgery .I’d love to be wrong, but……
I think stimulating blood flow to get a [transient] healthy glow will work however it is obtained.Massaging the face whilst cleansing followed by a good facial oil/serum is my routine though it doesn’t lift anything it makes the skin as good as it can be.
I’ve never chosen massage as a fix even for painful shoulders, prefer to self help using long term fixes like Alexander Technique.
I’m a control freak ad hate being administered to , I look for the cause of a problem and try to address it .