If you have been watching my stories for the last two years, you know that I am obsessed with all things facial massage. I tend to be extra sensitive when it comes to all the things that make you swell and bloat: travel, salt, alcohol, allergies, you name it — it puffs me up. I already have a very round face. So I hold on to ALL fluid. I honestly had no clue you could solve this problem at home, and since I have learned how to do it, it has changed my life. There are so many different tools you can use to do facial massage (also called facial manipulation or lymphatic drainage). And I get asked which one I prefer, so today I am going to break down each tool, discuss the differences. And choose my favorite, once and for all.

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Facial Massage 101

First, let’s discuss WHY facial massage. Here are just some of the benefits…

Benefits of Facial Massage:

• Relieves tension
• Increases circulation
• It’s a natural facelift
• Allows face products to absorb better into the skin
• It Makes You Relaxed
• It’s a Headache Terminator
• It’s an Anti-Acne Wonder
• It Kicks Congestion to the Curb
• It Creates a Toxin-Free Zone
• It’s a Serum for Smooth Skin
• It Banishes Under-Eye Bags
• Improve Skin Texture
• And many more!

Think of it as a workout for your skin! You exercise every other muscle in your body, and the ones in your face are no different.

Facial Massage Tools:

Here’s where it can get overwhelming – there are a ton of products out there when it comes to facial massage. And they range anywhere from $3 t0 $300 – so what is the deal. Here’s what you need…

First, you need a serum or oil. Something that will allow the tool the glide easily over your skin. I use different products with each (annoying I know, but I have really got my routine down).

Nurse Jamie Uplift:

This is my number one facial tool. For me, it’s just the easiest. You can actually use this with no product, and you don’t even really need a mirror either. That’s why this is on the top of my list. It fits in your makeup bag, I throw it in my purse all the time! I do it while I’m in traffic, sitting in a parked car – anywhere, really! If you follow their Instagram account, they have a lot of great tutorial videos!  I do this on a cleansed face with a couple pumps of the Colleen Rothschild serum.

The Uplift Massaging Beauty Roller is an innovative beauty tool for the face and body featuring a unique hexagon shape that holds 24 massaging stones to temporarily energize, enhance, revive, and uplift your skin. The Uplift utilizes a unique rhythmic rolling action to help improve the appearance of skin tone for a more renewed, youthful-looking you. You can use it anywhere – I like to use different angles for different parts of my face!

Gua Sha Boards:

These are my second favorite – first seen in this post. This is a great way to see if you like facial massage, because they’re super affordable and I love that it comes in a whole set. Simply apply your oil or serum and “scrape” these boards all over your face. Watch yourself de-puff instantly, no lie. The different shapes and sizes allow you to be super accurate with your placement and you can adjust the pressure as preferred. Besides improving overall health and radiance of the skin, the practice of Gua Sha has a multitude of benefits. It relieves facial and jaw tension promotes a brighter complexion, and visibly lifts and contours the face. I love that this set comes with three different shapes, you can use them for different parts of your face, you can also use them for pressure points!

Jade or Rose Quartz Roller:

What’s the difference between rose quartz and jade? Xiyuan jade is a stone with balancing properties and retains its coolness for long periods of time, while rose quartz is a crystal with calming properties and aids in meditation, reflection, and self-love. It’s totally your preference! I have had both and don’t really notice a difference. These rollers support lymphatic drainage to reduce the appearance of puffiness, and wrinkles. Physically, it helps to firm the look of skin through gentle massage. It also aids in supporting the lymphatic system, the body’s main major detoxification system. This roller is super easy to use, I put a little facial oil on before for effortless movements all over the face.  This roller helps you maintain healthy blood circulation and skin tone, and help to boost natural collagen. It can reduce puffiness and wrinkles; it can help improve the elasticity of the skin, and it can help promote lymphatic drainage. It also helps to reduce under eye dark circles and can eliminate toxins and tighten pores.

To use, begin by applying your favorite serum, oil, moisturizer or mask. Then, starting on your chin, work from the center of the face outward and upward on the cheeks, toward the collarbone and working outward toward the sides of your neck. Roll the crystal facial roller starting from the center of your neck, upward and outward. Continue for each section of your face. On your eyes, using the small roller, worker the lids and undereye area. Continue rolling strips from the corner of the eye to the ear with the small roller. You can also use this roller for targeted rolling on your forehead, nose, lips, chin and to help relieve sinus pressure and pain. Use on clean skin daily for 3–5 minutes.

Ice Roller:

I use this for totally different reasons than the other tools listed above. I have terrible allergies, and so when my eyes are huge and puffy, this thing will change your life. Also amazing for hangovers! Because of its size, it won’t necessarily contour you like the other ones, but it definitely depuffs and increases circulation – just in a very different way. I keep mine in the freezer. It can be a little squeaky, but if you put coconut oil on your face first it definitely helps! I hold mine on my eyes and roll my cheeks and neck — it feels SO good!