A natural face lift: The best sculpting facials to book now
Consumers, including many celebrities, are moving away from high-tech, machine-driven treatments and seeking more natural, holistic results instead.
I attended the Irish Examiner’s glamorous ieStyle catwalk event this week, and it got me thinking about the most effective lifting, sculpting, and firming facials to book before a big occasion.
Consumers, including many celebrities, are moving away from high-tech, machine-driven treatments and seeking more natural, holistic results instead.
This resurgence is fuelled by a post-pandemic desire for simplicity, the psychological benefits of human touch, and a backlash against the skin-barrier damage caused by overusing products.
Today, experienced facialists employ techniques such as lymphatic drainage, deep fascia release, and buccal massage to deliver not only aesthetic results, but relief from issues like TMJ, stress, and tension.
This offers a deeply holistic wellness experience that no machine can truly match.
My first introduction to advanced facial sculpting was the Zone Face Lift, a holistic alternative to injectables created by renowned reflexologist Ziggie Bergman.
I experienced this treatment with Sarah Crosbie at Rebalance Reflexology in Gorey, and the results were immediate — it was incredibly effective at sculpting and redefining my jawline.
The treatment includes a powerful combination of facial reflexology, lymphatic drainage, and the use of gua sha, rose quartz crystals and Japanese facial massage.
These elements work together to release tension and free constrictions in the facial muscles and connective tissue.
Sarah’s advanced lymphatic drainage techniques were particularly noticeable, flushing out toxins and fluid to dramatically reduce any puffiness I had.
This intricate manual work encourages the release of toxins and promotes the flow of oxygen and nutrients, which activates the production of collagen and elastin — plumping my skin and smoothing fine lines.
The treatment also evens out skin tone, reduces dark circles, and promotes a brighter complexion. The quartz crystals calm the face and restore balance, making it quite a spiritual experience (no surprise that celebrities like Kim Kardashian are embracing crystal energy in their beauty routines).
For me, this is a fantastic natural alternative to Botox.
My first experience with Kobido-inspired massage techniques was during the Signature ‘Shaped’ Face Massage at Shaped Therapies, performed by Tomek, a true master of his craft.
The 90-minute treatment felt like a deeply therapeutic facial workout.
This highly advanced massage blends multiple powerful techniques.
The lifting movements alternate between slow, soothing strokes and fast, intense movements, delivering both deep relaxation and a visible lifting effect by stimulating the facial tissues.
It also involved hot stones, cupping, herbal stamps and acupressure.
The use of healing crystals and aromatherapy enhanced the treatment for deep relaxation.
Completely non-invasive, this natural, manual facial was profoundly effective, noticeably improving my skin’s firmness and definition.
A truly unique experience.
- €120, shapedfaceandbody.ie
I recently discovered Absolue Skin, run by another incredible therapist, Agne, which offers two distinct facial sculpting massages.
Both are designed to sculpt, tone, and rejuvenate – I usually get a mix of both in my session.
The first makes use of the aforementioned Kobido massage technique.
Using fast, rhythmic movements combined with deep tissue work, it boosts circulation and delivers a natural facelift effect.
It’s exceptional for releasing muscle tension, smoothing fine lines, and bringing dull faces back to life.
The reconstructive massage is a more intensive, therapeutic treatment focused on muscle re-education.
It targets the deeper layers of facial muscles to restore symmetry, reduce tension, and reshape the face by working from the inside out.
I’ve just had my fifth session, and a few people have already commented that my face looks slimmer and more lifted, so I am absolutely delighted.
A course of one session a week for six to eight weeks is recommended for maintenance.
- From €100, absolueskin.ie
Pharmacist and facial acupuncturist Sandra O’Neill’s cosmetic acupuncture and sculpting facial combines acupuncture, radiofrequency, microcurrents and facial cupping to naturally lift, tone, and sculpt.
The philosophy is that fine needles create tiny micro-tears that stimulate the body’s own healing response, increasing blood flow and collagen production for a tighter, smoother look.
This treatment is comprehensive; fine needles were used to relax overactive facial muscles, LED light therapy boosted collagen while the needles were in place, microcurrent was delivered through a firming mask to reeducate my facial muscles, radiofrequency gently heated deeper skin layers to tighten contours around my jawline and neck, and facial cupping finished the session, promoting circulation and a sculpted glow.
By the end of the 90-minute treatment, I felt like I was walking on air. A course of one treatment a week for 10 weeks is recommended for results that can last up to three to five years.
Face Yoga by Agnes needs no introduction — the award-winning facialist is so popular she’s booked out years in advance.
I feel incredibly lucky that I’ve experienced her “magic hands” twice!
Agnes’s mantra is to “never underestimate the power of face massage,” believing a glowing, sculpted look is intrinsically linked to the health and tone of the facial muscles.
A session of her Sculpt Pro Facial is truly transformative — a masterful combination of advanced techniques designed to lift, tone, and rejuvenate.
The treatment includes buccal (intraoral) massage, facial cupping, Gua Sha, 3D myofascial massage, lymphatic drainage, and Agnes’s own signature sculpting and lifting movements.
Agnes believes that true facial sculpting begins with three beauty fundamentals: correct body posture, nasal breathing, and correct tongue position.
This holistic approach sets her apart.
- €100, faceyogabyagnes.com
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