I know a lot of you fellow forumers do your own facials at home. In fact I think just about everyone who remotely likes anything beauty related would atleast own a mask! Take us through your process, what do you do?
I have an at home D.I.Y facial atleast once a week (usually twice). I start off by doing a double cleanse to ensure my skin is super clean. When doing a facial on myself I prefer to use either Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser or Mario Bedescu ezyme cleanser (contains aha's).

I am lucky enough to have my own steamer at home so I usually just pop my face under that for ten minutes to open up my pores etc and prepare for exfoliation. If you don't have a steamer a hot bowl of water with a towel over your head will do the trick (just hot tap water, no boiling water please).

I then exfoliate. I usually use either Estee Lauder Idealist Micro D thermal scrub (supposedly similar to microdermabrasion), Philosohy The Greatest Love (thermal 3 minute hydrating microdermabrading scrub) or if my skin is feeling a little sensitive I will use a gentler exfolient such as Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfolient or Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub. I usually gently massage in the exfolient for three or four minutes then wipe off with a warm face cloth and splash with warm water.

Next comes the mask (my favourite part). If my t-zone is a bit oily I will use a different mask on my t-zone and another different one on my cheeks. I love the Dermalogica Skin Refining mask, Plankton and Intensive moisture masks. I am also just loving my Alpha-H Glycolic Mask at the moment. I leave the mask on for around 20 minutes (although only 10minutes with the Alpha-H glycolic) and then wash off with a wash cloth and warm water.

I then make sure my face is thoroughly clean and that any excess product is removed. I pat dry with a soft towel.

I then Tone (loving Mario Bedescu alpha Grapefruit toner at the moment), I give it a couple of minutes to absorb and then I will add a serum of some type or a booster by Dermalogica. Again I give this a couple of minutes to absorb and then apply my eye cream followed by moisturisers (different for cheeks and t-zone) and finish with a slick of lip balm to hydrate my lips.

I love doing my at home facials. Although I have a professional facial every 6 weeks or so (just to get my skin checked by a pro) I think my at home facials are just as good if not better.

I honestly believe that great skin begins at home with a good skincare regime!

I try to do a facial once a week but lately I've been a bit lazy. When I am being good I use a warm facewasher to open pores, exfoliate with Alpha-H Microcleanse, use the Alpha-H Purifying Mask, tone and moisturise with Clinique and apply an eye cream. There's nothing better than super-clean skin, I reckon.

My routine is pretty close to yours pinkcupcake.

If I can be bothered (as you have to recline) I like one of those SKII masks that looks like a scary white face! The are very cold but do miraculous things for your skin.

I also like to use the Alpha H Hydra Defense (for slip) to do a lymphatic drainage massage like you would get having a professional facial. Not quite like having someone do it for you but I get great results and can mix up my products.

I use masks at home, but leave the facial to my beauty therapist every 4 weeks. I can't extract as good as she can..:whistle:

Hey Sarah (and other gals?), can you tell me about extractions? I'm scared!

Extractions involve removing pimples, blackheads or whiteheads from the skin. They are usually performed after the vaporiser/steamer has been used and skin is clean. Not all therapists perform this step so if you are interested (or not!) make sure you ask.

A disposable lancet or sterilizable instrument is used to gently pierce the skin and the therapist will then gently remove them. Therapists are the best person to remove whiteheads which can feel hard and lumpy and usually unsightly. You may be slightly bruised (depending on your therapist) so be aware of this.

I do my own extractions and it's certainly easier and I believe less of a shock to allow a therapist to pierce your skin when you least expect it and not have to do your own!! Leave it to the experts!

After being in Melbourne in 42oc heat I got back to Hobart (and thankfully my close up mirror) and noticed all these little black dots in my chin:explode: !! The terrible hotel lighting hadn't enabled me to see them!

There were about 6 balck dots deeply embedded in my chin!!! Rather than stuff around with my beauty therapist I decided there was only one thing for it, I would have to get the suckers out myself! After double cleansing and steaming for 10 minutes I decided to start sqeeezing. The little buggers came out far easier than I thought they would and luckily I got them all out without too many dramas and thankfully no scarring!

Don't do this at home people. Pinkcupcake is not an example for you to follow! But gee I was proud to get them out:saber:

I've just treated myself to a facial tonight & my skin feels lush.

Beauty & Bees Honey Coconut Cleanser
Juvena eye make up remover
Alpha H Microcleanse :hearts:
Avon Dramatic Smoother mask
Juvena Quick Moisturising Mask
Juvena Soft Lotion toner
Ultraceuticals Ultra A treatment serum
Ultraceuticals ACE eye treatment
Avon Transforming lift eye cream on my neck
Aesop Primrose Hydrating creme