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VALENTINE’S DAY AT-HOME FACIAL
31st Aug 2024
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner but social distancing restrictions still in full effect, it’s the perfect time to invest in some self-care. Whether you’re treating yourself solo this year or cuddling up with your loved one at home, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s INSTANT GLOW FACIAL is the perfect treat this V-Day. It incorporates cleansing, exfoliating, lymphatic drainage and a relaxing facial massage to deliver hydration, boost skin barrier function and soothe signs of irritation, leaving your skin with Dr. Sturm’s signature #SturmGlow. The facial is usually available in all of Dr. Sturm’s Boutiques & Spas. To replicate an express version of it easily at-home, read on.
What You'll Need
Ambiance is everything. Take a moment to disconnect from technology and the stresses of the day. Dim the lights, take some deep breaths, maybe put on a soothing spa soundtrack and light up a few candles. Now that the mood is set, make sure you are either near a faucet or have a small bowl of warm water within reach, as well as a few hand towels and cotton pads. Put on a headband and get comfortable.
The Products
For this at-home Instant Glow Facial you’ll need Dr. Barbara Sturm’s CLEANSER, ENZYME CLEANSER, BALANCING TONER, FACE MASK (or a DIY mask, see here), one HYALURONIC AMPOULE (or substitute with the serum in a pipette bottle), GLOW DROPS, FACE CREAM and HYDRATING FACE MIST.
1. Lip Balm
The LIP BALM is formulated without mineral oils and instead contains a hydrating blend of butters, waxes and plant-based oils which double up as a fantastic moisturizing balm for your cuticles and dry patches on your hands or elbows. It can be used as a nightly nail treatment before bed and is also light and absorbent enough to be used throughout the day. Alternatively, apply the LIP BALM on the high areas of your face, such as the cheekbones and temples for a natural and dewy highlight over makeup or on its own. Our new mini-size version makes it easy to carry around with you, even in the tiniest bags.
THE TREATMENT ROOMS
The LA Boutique & Spa accommodates three treatment rooms, two express facial rooms and two infrared saunas where customers can enjoy treatments from Dr. Sturm’s wide-ranging spa menu, including the Super Anti-Aging Facial, Instant Glow Facial, Clarifying Facial, Brightening Facial, Darker Skin Tones Facial and Men’s Facial. Dr. Sturm will also be premiering advanced beauty and wellness technologies at the LA Boutique & Spa.
2. Brightening Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s EYE CREAM effectively targets puffiness and fine lines – but did you know the BRIGHTENING SERUM can be used to combat dark circles with an almost instant brightening effect? It contains a special extract of Cress Sprouts to brighten the skin, Hyaluronic Acid for hydration and Allantoin to soothe and calm – truly a secret weapon for anyone struggling with dark under eyes and dry skin.
3. Baby & Kids Face Cream
Whether your skin needs a break from harsh ingredients, “over-care” or you are experiencing irritation, the BABY & KIDS FACE CREAM is a great way to soothe and rebalance your . It is a rich formula of hydrating, calming and soothing ingredients like Almond Blossom, Calendula, Panthenol and Jojoba Oil and acts a savior for dry skin in the winter. Apply onto irritated, dry areas such as the nose and cheeks for instant relief.
THE TREATMENT ROOMS
The LA Boutique & Spa accommodates three treatment rooms, two express facial rooms and two infrared saunas where customers can enjoy treatments from Dr. Sturm’s wide-ranging spa menu, including the Super Anti-Aging Facial, Instant Glow Facial, Clarifying Facial, Brightening Facial, Darker Skin Tones Facial and Men’s Facial. Dr. Sturm will also be premiering advanced beauty and wellness technologies at the LA Boutique & Spa.
4. Calming Serum
Formulated with a powerful, plant-based complex of Cardiospermum, Echium and Sunflower that help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness, the CALMING SERUM is essential all year round. Use it in the Winter to soothe the effects of colder climates and in the Summer, to calm the skin after sun exposure and help reduce irritation caused by mosquito bites. It even doubles as a great skin soother post-shaving; simply apply it straight onto any inflamed areas of skin for instant relief.
5. Glow Drops
GLOW DROPS can be applied as the last step of your skincare routine or blended with your moisturizer to add radiance to your complexion and give your skin a naturally boosted, healthy glow. They can also be mixed in with your foundation to add a hint of highlight and create a more natural-looking coverage. The GLOW DROPS will give you that instant #SturmGlow - no matter how you use them - and are also packed with skin soothing, anti-aging ingredients like Purslane and pore-refining Wild Rose Extract, so they are great for your skin health, too.
THE TREATMENT ROOMS
The LA Boutique & Spa accommodates three treatment rooms, two express facial rooms and two infrared saunas where customers can enjoy treatments from Dr. Sturm’s wide-ranging spa menu, including the Super Anti-Aging Facial, Instant Glow Facial, Clarifying Facial, Brightening Facial, Darker Skin Tones Facial and Men’s Facial. Dr. Sturm will also be premiering advanced beauty and wellness technologies at the LA Boutique & Spa.
6. Clarifying Mask
In case you’ve run out of the CLARIFYING SPOT TREATMENT, the CLARIFYING MASK serves as a useful overnight blemish treatment. Simply apply onto the irritated area with a Q-tip and leave it on whilst you sleep. Zinc and Kaolin Clay in the mask absorb excess sebum and draw out impurities while Purslane, Balloon Vine and Viper’s Bugloss soothe and hydrate making it a suitable product to keep on for an extended period of time.
7. Eye Cream
The skin on your neck has almost the same consistency as the skin around the eyes. Because of its varied cell composition compared to other parts of the body, the dermis is thinner, more prone to wrinkling and lacks the same levels of collagen. So, when using the EYE CREAM, make sure you do not forget to apply a small amount (in upward motions) onto your neck area to reap its anti-aging and hydrating benefits.
THE TREATMENT ROOMS
The LA Boutique & Spa accommodates three treatment rooms, two express facial rooms and two infrared saunas where customers can enjoy treatments from Dr. Sturm’s wide-ranging spa menu, including the Super Anti-Aging Facial, Instant Glow Facial, Clarifying Facial, Brightening Facial, Darker Skin Tones Facial and Men’s Facial. Dr. Sturm will also be premiering advanced beauty and wellness technologies at the LA Boutique & Spa.
8. Face Mask
The FACE MASK acts as an effective 15 - 20 minutes boost of rich hydration and doubles as an overnight treatment. Apply it after your normal night-time routine and remove it in the morning by gently rubbing it off, to reveal moisturized, glowing and refreshed skin. Because the mask is fast-absorbing and becomes clear once it has soaked into your skin, it is comfortable and mess-free for sleep. Pro-Tip: If you have a big night out or a special event, applying the mask before makeup (or without makeup!) will give you an unbeatable, healthy and glowing complexion.
The Steps
1. Cleanse
Start your at-home facial with the foam CLEANSER. Put two pumps into the palm of your hand and taking your time, use gentle circular motions to work the product into your skin. Rinse with lukewarm water or use a warm washcloth to pat the cleanser off. Gentle but thorough cleansing is an essential step to remove makeup, pollution or other impurities, so the skin can absorb active ingredients.
2. Exfoliate
The next step is essential in removing any dry skin and impurities from the skin to pave the way for the absorption of all the lovely ingredients your skin is about to experience! Pour a little ENZYME CLEANSER into your palm with equal parts water and rub between your hands for a couple of seconds before applying the foam to the skin. Massage in thoroughly, focusing on areas where skin is more prone to blemishes or oil and then rinse with water.
3. Tone
Apply a couple of pumps of the BALANCING TONER to two small cotton pads and apply to the skin. The toner rebalances skin pH, which is especially important after using tap water to wash off your cleanser.
4. Soothe
Use your fingers or the facial brush provided with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s FACE MASK to apply an even layer of the Mask all over your face. While the mask absorbs, you can give your loved one a shoulder or hand massage using the ANTI-AGING BODY CREAM or SUPER ANTI-AGING HAND CREAM. If you’re by yourself, this is a great time to take a nap or meditate. After 10 – 15 minutes, the FACE MASK will have soaked into the skin entirely. Remove with lukewarm water or – for an intensive treatment – leave on until dry and no longer visible before rubbing it off in gentle motions.
5. Hydrate
Apply a full HYALURONIC AMPOULE all over the face, neck and décolleté, or a full pipette of HYALURONIC SERUM. The serum is the most fundamental creation in Dr. Barbara Sturm’s skincare line and is packed with an optimal concentration of low and high weighted Hyaluronic Molecules which provide instant hydration at the surface and deeper skin layers.
6. Massage
A lymphatic drainage is key for depuffing skin and boosting radiance. Apply a little serum and then, beginning just above the collarbone, gently massage the skin using your fingertips in downward, circular motions for one minute. Move up the neck, then use the edges of the hands to continue towards the outer sides. Next, move to your forehead and massage from the temples to the jawline, using a downward facing, sweeping motion. Repeat the same movement from your chin towards your ears and then from the upper lip and cheekbones outwards. Moving to the delicate eye area, continue to softly massage the skin in outward facing motions towards the hairline.
7. Moisturize
Seal in moisture with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s FACE CREAM.
8. Glow
Next, add some extra glow! To get that “post facial” look, add a few GLOW DROPS to the face, neck and décolleté to revitalize tired, dull skin and leave you with the signature #SturmGlow. Polygonum Bistorta Root is a potent anti-aging ingredient which optimizes skin tone, while Wild Rose Extract refines pores giving the complexion a more even appearance.
9. Finish
Finish off your facial with a generous spritz of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s HYDRATING FACE MIST. Detoxifying extracts from Lemon, Aloe Vera, and Broccoli refresh and soothe the skin and an active ingredient from Vitamin E-rich Prickly Pear soothes stressed and sensitive skin.
The Results
Your skin will look glow-y, dewy, radiant and healthy! Perfect for a Valentine’s Day date on Zoom.
Delfina Forstmann is a skincare fanatic and a contributing writer for Doctor's Notes. She has worked closely with Team Sturm on product copy and social engagement giving her an inside understanding to Dr. Barbara Sturm’s unique approach to skincare.
