If someone had told me that these custom-designed Gua Sha Cryo Sticks created by expert esthetician and facialist Vee Mistry were going to change my morning routine, improve the look of my skin, and level up my skincare game, I’d say I have to try them. And that’s what I did when I received these cryo sticks in my gift bag from Paula Sanders at her World’s Your Oysta pilates event last month.
My morning routine received a bit of an upgrade when I transitioned from my twenties to my thirties. Not only did I ditch sleeping in my makeup (yup, I’m embarrassed to say that was a thing), but I also started investing in the products I used on my skin. As someone who always had sensitive acne-prone skin, I incorrectly assumed that I needed more and heavier products to hide my blemished face. When I approached my thirties, I realized that less is more, and I began to embrace the no-makeup look. Naturally, my skin started to improve. I scrapped the foundations for tinted moisturizers and swapped my creams for serums, and I’ve never looked back. But now, as I approach my late thirties, I’m even more conscious of what I can do to help take care of my skin.
When I received these SkinByVee Gua Sha Cryo Sticks, I was intrigued. I had been using a rose quartz roller for years as part of my skincare routine to de-puff my under eye area and to reduce inflammation. But I never got into a cryo Gua Sha routine. As the name implies, these babies are meant to be used cold, so I immediately popped them into the freezer and read up on how to use them properly and ways they can help sculpt and lift my skin (while the cryotherapy part of them can help regulate blood flow and circulation). Paula did a user-friendly tutorial on her Instagram page, and I’ve followed her technique. For me, my under eyes are an area of concern, and I also struggle with TMJ, which can cause pain along the side of my face from my jaw up to my ear, so those two areas are where I tend to focus most of my efforts.
Before I start with the Gua Sha sticks, I first do my skincare routine and apply a thin layer of my morning serum after I wash my face (I use the Youth to the People 15% Vitamin C + Caffeine Energy Serum). The sticks work harder if there is ample slip and glide present, so don’t skip putting something on your face beforehand.
Once my skin is primed, here’s the routine I follow. The sticks are sculpted, so you have to use the right one on the correct side of your face (but it’s easy to tell which is which). I tend to start my routine on the left side of my face (it’s just a personal preference). I begin with my under eye area and gently move the cold stick from the side of my nose, across my face, and to my ear. I then continue that motion down to my jaw. I do a few passes in each section before moving to the next if I’m feeling especially congested or puffy.
Once I smooth out the area from my under eye to my jaw on the left side of my face, I turn the Gua Sha stick so the handle faces up, and I gently pull the skin from my brow up to my hairline, starting from the side of my temple to the middle part of my face.
After the left side of my face is complete, I take the second, still cold, Gua Sha stick and complete the same process on the right side, starting at the under eye area and moving down to my jaw before lifting the brow. When both sides are complete, I take the two sticks and go over the right and left sides of my face simultaneously. I start at the under eye area on each side and glide the stick from my nose to my ears. When I get to my cheekbones, I sculpt them by smiling and using the sticks to contour the fullness in that area. Then, I continue to my jawline. Because I have TMJ, I spend a few minutes working both sides of my jaw. I’m happy to report that since using these sticks, I have seen an improvement in my pain level and frequency of my TMJ symptoms. I shared this Reel of my entire Gua Sha process if you want to see these sticks in action.
The routine takes about five minutes, although it can take as long or as little as you like. There are days when the cold feels so good on my skin that I keep gliding it over my face. This treatment has quickly become my favorite part of my morning routine and a self-care moment I look forward to every day.
The Gua Sha sticks have many benefits, from decreasing acne outbreaks to combating loss of muscle tone to plumping and softening lines and wrinkles. It’s also great for TMJ issues, as I can attest to, and I notice an immediate reduction in my skin puffiness. My sensitive skin loves these sticks, and I’m unsure how I lived this long without them. I’m so grateful to Paula for introducing these sticks to me and Vee for creating such a magical tool.
If you want to try the SkinByVee Gua Sha Cryo Sticks, use my code Vanessa15 for a special 15% discount. Trust me, they are worth every penny!
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