The Gua Sha technique for improving the skin’s blood circulation has gotten very popular with beauty enthusiasts. It is a great way of massaging your face and shows instant results — mostly in the form of plumpness that stays for a couple of hours.
The traditional Chinese technique can also be used to massage the area around your mouth to give you a natural pillowy pout. Even though it doesn’t stay all day, using the Gua Sha technique to massage your lips will bring back their natural juiciness, that you often tend to lose with age. And hey, anything that will keep us away from getting lip fillers or using makeup to fake a fuller pout is bound to get all our attention.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the Gua Sha technique to naturally plump up your lips!
- Step 01: Get a Gua Sha tool with combed edges
- Step 02: Prep your pout
- Step 03: Hold your lips in place
- Step 04: Massage with the Gua Sha tool
Step 01: Get a Gua Sha tool with combed edges
All good projects begin by choosing the right tools! There are a couple of types of Gua Sha boards available out there. Regardless of stone or wood make, use one that has a combed edge. This is used to stimulate intense circulation around your mouth.
Step 02: Prep your pout
There is a reason why Gua Sha massages are done after applying serums on the face. For your lip plumping sesh, spritz some toner on your face, followed by your favourite facial oil. Rub a couple of drops in your palm and press it into the skin around your mouth. For your lips, apply the oil gently with your index finger making sure you’re not tugging at it too much.
Step 03: Hold your lips in place
Given that Gua Sha works best when the motions are controlled and sped up, you will have to gently hold your lips taut. That way you won't hurt your lip or bump it with your teeth. Do this with your non-dominant hand and section your massage to focus on your upper right lip, upper left lip, lower right lip, lower left lip, top middle lip, and bottom middle lip individually.
Step 04: Massage with the Gua Sha tool
Use the combed edge to boost circulation on the outer edges of your lips. Once you feel all the blood rushing, use the soft edge to direct it towards your lips. Make sure you’re not rubbing on the actual lip; the skin on your lip is thin and might not be able to take all the pressure. Do this till you feel all the oils soaked in and voila! You’ve got yourself a natural pillowy pout.
Image courtesy: @Zendaya
Written by Sumona Bose on Jun 11, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!