I get into some pretty weird stuff, it’s true.
If you’ve tried face rolling, you’re probably game for anything. If you haven’t, you may be skeptical.
It’s not as weird as it seems – if you like spa treatments and facials and massage. If you don’t tend to pamper yourself I’m probably using words that don’t make much sense to you.
Let’s start with the basics…
What is Face Rolling?
Imagine a rolling pin for your face…just a really, really, really tiny one! They don’t look exactly like a rolling pin but the concept is pretty much the same. It’s taking an object (made of many materials but most frequently metal or gemstone) and rolling it across your face.
Why Roll Your Face?
This might actually be the better and more interesting question.
There are a lot of perceived benefits to face rolling. Why perceived? The science behind it is a little thin. But, here’s the list of “benefits”.
- Depuff your face. This is the big one to me – along the lines of lymphatic drainage massage, this gently massages your skin with a cold roller to help get fluids moving. You can actually SEE this benefit when you use it…if you suffer from puffiness. It is temporary but it can be dramatic.
- Help shrink pores and tighten skin. I mark this under the category of “perceived”. I don’t personally observe this when I use it, but I’m okay with it being in the eye of the beholder.
- Help with circulation. This is along the lines of lymphatic drainage. It certainly can help move fluids around which may give you a lovely flush and temporarily make your skin feel tighter.
- Help distribute product. Though I don’t personally use it for this, it certainly could be used for this. I find the process a little tedious and would rather use my hands – but if I was getting a spa facial – bring it on!!
- Improve your mood. Clearly this is subjective but I find that little bit of luxury and pampering makes me feel…good. It puts a smile on my face and relaxes me. Weird but true.
How to Roll Your Face
There’s not REALLY a wrong way if it feels good to you, but generally you want to be gentle and move in an upward direction. I like to roll along my jawline, along my cheekbone and under my eyes. I might also gently roll up my neck, in the same way we apply moisturizer – upward – always fighting gravity!
You can do this every day without ill effect, as long as you are gentle with your skin. Avoid tugging or pulling which will cause wrinkles more likely than relax you.
Different Type of Rollers
This post was prompted by the fact that I currently have three types of face rollers.
No one needs three!! I’m just saying…
Jade Roller
I’ll start with the Jade Roller because it’s the classic style. There are ones with only one roller end, but the double ended appealed to me because the small roller is well suited for under your eyes. These are available in a variety of gemstones: rose quartz, amethyst, quartz to name a few.
These have allegedly been used for centuries in traditional Asian cultures. If gemstones are your thing, you may believe the different gemstones have different properties and attributes for face rolling. I’m all for perceived value – you do you.
I will say that of all of the rollers, this one is my least favorite, though it seems like it should feel the most luxurious. I was originally attracted to the jade. These days I wish I had held out for a rose quartz. However, as my least used roller, this will end up a care package for someone (are you paying attention, sister?!).
While I like to give you handy links, I’m refraining this time because there are a lot of fakes out there in the marketplace. I would never want to mistakenly lead someone astray.
I’m deeply offended by fake gemstones.
If the gemstone aspect of this roller is appealing to you, don’t skimp and purchase from a reputable source. You should be able to find one in the $30 range but if you find a bargain, make sure you read the reviews carefully.
Nurse Jamie Uplift™ Massaging Beauty Roller
This weird purple wand will set you back about $69. It originally only came in purple but can be found in a couple of other colors now.
I think this is the most masculine of skincare tools – if you have someone prone to long nights and puffy morning eyes!
This metal roller is studded with 24 massaging stones that are barely perceptible on your skin. The metal is always cold (as long as you don’t store it in a sun patch, I’m sure!) which is a great morning pick me up. Though I don’t suffer from too much puffiness overall, I find a quick facial roll with this wand is a delightful way to start my morning. If you have metal allergies or other contraindications, work with your doctor of course.
I must confess that this is my favorite of the three rollers. The tip of the roller can be used easily around the eyes. The mechanism that allows the wand to roll is very smooth and silky. The coolness of the wand is particularly refreshing. If I’m giving facials to friends or family, this is definitely a part of it. It feels luxurious. I’ve given several as gifts and work very hard not to buy spares for my travel kit, etc!
Here are some convenience links for you:
- Nurse Jamie at nursejamie.com
- Nurse Jamie at Nordstrom.com
- Nurse Jamie at Sephora.com
- Nurse Jamie at dermstore.com
GloPro® Cryo Roller Duo / BeautyBio Cryo Roller
The last one I have to tell you about is the GloPro® Cryo Roller. This set comes with two sizes; one for face and one for eyes. Bear with me because this is an unnecessary splurge. The roller duo runs about $75 and does NOT include the handle. The GloPro® is a separate microneedling tool that runs almost $200 dollars. I already had the GloPro® (go ahead and judge me – I’m judging myself!) and thought it made more sense to buy the attachment that would make the existing tool I owned a little more valuable.
I mention the BeautyBio Cryo Roller which looks more like the Jade Roller but is a stand alone product. It runs about $85.
The GloPro® has a vibration setting that you can choose to use with this attachment or not. It’s certainly not necessary. I find that the metal heads are sufficiently cold for me at just room temperature but you can also put the attachment heads in the fridge or freezer. The nice bonus is that the larger head works well for back or other body parts. It’s designed well for versatility.
As I said before, the Nurse Jamie roller is my favorite hands down, and I wouldn’t recommend the Cryo Roller Duo unless you already owned the GloPro®. But…I don’t regret the purchase. There’s a smoothness to the rolling function of the metal rollers that I find more pleasant than the jade roller. I like their natural coolness which feels very SciFi to me – I’m a nerd at heart! The Cryo Roller Duo is a bit easier to maneuver because of its shape/handle but it’s a little harder to store for the same reason.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. They all work well, they all feel luxurious and pampering. They all help promote circulation and depuffing by gently massaging your face.
Do you HAVE to have one? Nope. But if you’re looking for a little self-care splurge I think it’s worth a try!
Is face rolling a thing you’ve tried or something you are interested in? What’s YOUR favorite face roller?
