The degree of my facial puffiness seems commensurate with my age. The older I get, the greater my natural morning bloat. I’ve tried stacks of gels, masks and lotions, all designed to de-puff – and indeed, my intention this week was to recommend a couple of them here. But I can’t in all honesty, because although some can occasionally help, I still believe one gets better and more satisfying results from a massage tool, which has the additional benefit of never running out.
You’ll have seen some, I’m sure. “Cryoglobes” are all the rage. These are glass orbs filled with gel that you keep in pairs in the freezer, ready for a basic facial self-massage. The idea is that the combination of light pressure (believed to encourage the drainage of fluids) and low temperature will reduce the puffiness common to morning – or morning after – eyes and cheeks.
I’ve seen cryoglobes for £35, £300 and everything between, and I can’t identify much difference in quality or effect – they’re all good. Where I do see a difference is between these and the metal “cryosticks”, designed to do the same thing in the same way, but more closely resembling a pair of truncated golf drivers (again, you can spend fortunes, but mine were £20-odd on Amazon).
My cryosticks live permanently alongside the peas and potato waffles and I find myself reaching for them more and more. One in each hand, I press the cold, rounded edges outwards from the centre of my face, behind the ears, down to my neck, then inwards from the outer corners of my eyes, towards the tear ducts. Their de-puffing effect really is noticeable.
The temperature is shocking at first, but I find I quickly acclimatise and start feeling refreshed. The effects are all temporary and so this is best done daily, but it quickly becomes a pleasure rather than a chore, and for those who are not usually at their best in the morning (I sympathise, being 90% owl myself), the effects can be therapeutic as well as cosmetic, to the point where cryosticks become harmlessly addictive.
All this said, I wouldn’t spend a bean without seeing first if your puffiness responds to simple massage with something cold. Ada Ooi, a brilliant facialist and expert in gua sha massage (a traditional Chinese therapy that involves stroking and pressing the skin with a smooth-edged tool or object), suggests using the cleaned lid of a jam jar.
You can also throw a couple of soup spoons in the fridge and try those. Both are still, for me, a better bet than anything sold in a tube.
Model: Grace Acladna at Body London. Photographer’s assistant: Bruce Horak. Hair and makeup: Sarah Cherry
