“I’ve started slapping myself again,” I announce, mid-Zoom meeting with the Jeannieous content team.
Not exactly the polished pitch I had prepared for, but there it was – my unfiltered confession, now hanging awkwardly in the virtual air between myself and my colleagues. Face-slapping wasn’t in my notes, that’s for sure. So why, exactly, did I blurt it out? I (somewhat) blame Jessica Chastain. Yes, the Jessica Chastain and her Vogue Beauty Secrets video.
Something about her description of being slapped by her movie set makeup artist before the MUA started applying product sprang into my mind and turned what was supposed to be a professional discussion into an impromptu overshare.
“Don’t worry, I’m not, like, hurting myself,” I quickly added, scrambling to salvage some of my dignity. “It’s a beauty practice. I swear.” Cue nervous laughter all round, and me internally screaming, Why did you say that, Lameez?!
But since I’ve already outed myself to my team, I might as well invite you into my sacred skincare sanctuary (yes, my bathroom) to share my not-so-secret self-care ritual that’s equal parts strange and satisfying. What you need to know is that it didn’t come out of nowhere. A few years ago, when I was in my mid-thirties and working as a magazine beauty editor, I did a deep dive into the benefits and techniques of facial massage for a story, including a comparison between how European and Asian experts approach it.
Somewhere in the mix of all that research, I stumbled across a common theme: the power of slapping the face; celebrity estheticians like Joanna Czech swear by it for increasing blood flow, boosting collagen, enhancing product absorption, and even releasing tension. Intrigued (and honestly, desperate for a pick-me-up as I approached 40), I decided to give it a try.
Curious? I thought you might be. Here’s how it works:
- Start With Clean, Damp Skin: Apply a generous amount of cleansing product to the face. The key here is to make sure the skin is slick enough to let your fingers glide without tugging. Wet hands are also a must.
- Slap don’t smack: Think of the action as more of a firm pat or tap than a hard smack in the face! With both hands, use the fingers to rapidly tap the right cheek 20 – 30 times in quick, light upward strokes from the jawline to the temples, then switch sides.
- Feel the Heat: By the time you’ve finished both cheeks, they should feel warm and appear flushed. It’s a satisfying, alive sensation that I’ve come to love.
- Rinse With Purpose: First, rinse with lukewarm water to clear away the cleanser. Then, for that extra glow, finish with a cold rinse to relieve some of the heat in your cheeks.
So, there you have it: my accidental Zoom confession, fully explained. Do I look like Jessica Chastain after all this slapping? Uh, no. But the 40-something skin on my face is better for it, and I like that this weird-but-effective morning treatment is fast, energising, and—dare I say—oddly fun. Give it a try; and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with it like I did. Just don’t announce your new habit in the middle of an important work meeting!
