What It's Really Like to get a Facial

What It's Really Like to get a Facial

By: Lena

Getting a facial is a rare, luxurious occasion, but the first time you go can feel a little like going to the dentist if you aren’t sure what to expect. The point, of course, is to relax and treat yourself, but feeling uncomfortable and awkward can hinder that and ruin your facial. Below I’ve outlined some tips to help you feel prepared to be pampered!

It’s going to be awkward

As with a lot of beauty services, a facial can have its awkward moments. Long silences, being undressed in front of someone, or sneezing on your facialist are all possible, but remember, your facialist has seen it all. Every time I have an awkward moment with a beauty specialist, I think about all the people who have probably done something worse than me, and I feel better! Furthermore, your aesthetician chose this profession and knows what comes with it, good and bad. Accept that you are a human being, and let go of insecurity.

Come with a bare face

For some weird reason, I used to feel embarrassed if my skin was bad when I had a facial booked. Hello? That’s the reason you’re there! Don’t apologize for your skin; the facialist is there to help. In the same vein, skip the makeup. It’s like going to the doctor for a cold and pretending to be fine once there - how can they help you if they can’t see the problem? In addition, explain up front any irregularities or sensitivities in your skin. Most facialists will ask about this, but if not, it’s not worth being in pain from a harsh treatment because you’re too afraid to speak up.

Relax and let go

This is the hardest one for me. During a facial, a strange person will be hovering above your face, massaging various lotions and potions into your skin, and it can be a little hard to relax and enjoy the moment. I try to employ yoga breathing techniques instead of focusing on what the facialist is doing. Close your eyes and focus on your breath, or the music playing, or a thought that makes you happy. Doing so will make your mind drift and you’ll wake up in an almost trance-like state of relaxation.

Make sure to tip

It can be confusing to know if you should tip your facialist or not if you’ve never had one before, but it’s usually a good practice, especially if you intend on returning. A tip for a facial is usually 15 to 20%, and make sure to thank them for their work. That being said, if you’re not happy with their performance, don’t be afraid to speak up. Most aestheticians would prefer to know what they did wrong so they can learn from it.