Steps
- 011 min
Set-up
Client supine with a bolster under the knees and a low pillow. Ask about make-up, contact lenses and hair products, sit at the head of the table, and use little or no oil on the face.
- 022 min · Neck
Neck effleurage
Slide the hands under the shoulders and glide up the back of the neck to the base of the skull, then out over the shoulders. Keep pressure light and off the front of the neck.
- 032 min · Neck
Base of the skull
With the head resting in your hands, curl the finger pads up under the base of the skull and make small, slow circles, working outwards. Let the weight of the head provide most of the pressure.
- 044 min · Head & face
Scalp
Friction the whole scalp with the finger pads, moving the skin over the skull rather than sliding through the hair. Work from the hairline to the back of the head and ask about pressure.
- 052 min · Head & face
Opening face glide
Glide from the chin up along the jaw and cheeks to the temples with both hands. Increase pressure slightly with each pass, keeping it light.
- 062 min · Head & face
Forehead and brows
Glide from the centre of the forehead out to the temples, then along the brow bone with the thumbs. Keep away from the eyes.
- 072 min · Head & face
Temples
Slow circles on the temples with three finger pads. Keep the pressure gentle and ask if it suits.
- 082 min · Head & face
Cheeks and jaw
Glide out under the cheekbones from beside the nose to the ears, then along the jawline from the chin to the angle of the jaw.
- 091 min · Head & face
Jaw muscle
Small, light circles over the masseter in front of the ear. Ask the client to let the jaw soften.
- 101 min
Closing hold
Rest the palms still and light over the forehead, then over the ears, for a few breaths. Tell the client you have finished.
- 111 min · Head & face
Feather off
Very light fingertip strokes from the centre of the forehead out to the temples to finish.
Set-up
Client supine with a bolster under the knees and a low pillow, as in Draping and room set-up. Sit at the head of the table. Ask about make-up, contact lenses, skin sensitivities and hair products. Use little or no oil on the face, and avoid strongly scented products. Pressure stays light throughout; check it with Pressure scale and check-ins.
Order
- Neck (about 6 min): Effleurage up the back of the neck and Circular friction under the base of the skull (Suboccipitals).
- Scalp (4 min): finger-pad frictions over Frontalis, Temporalis and Occipitalis.
- Face (about 9 min): glides from the chin up to the temples, forehead and brows, temples, cheeks and jaw, then circles over the Masseter.
- Closing (2 min): still holds and Feathering.
Keep the hands away from the eyes, and never press on the front of the neck.
Closing
Finish with still palms on the forehead. If scalp work has messed up the client’s hair, offer a comb and mirror.