Gua Sha tutorial: jawline & cheekbone sculpting

Gua Sha is a traditional healing technique from China that involves a small, smooth stone board that is pressed against the skin to gently massage facial fascia, muscles, and skin while stimulating specific energy points. This encourages healthy circulation, releases muscular tension, and promotes lymphatic drainage for a more lifted, less puffy look and brighter, healthier looking skin. We particularly adore its effect on the jawline, where many of us hold tension.

Lanshin's Nephrite Jade Gua Sha tool has been a favorite since we first started carrying it in 2018: what we love about it is the fact that you can so quickly and easily work it into your routine, especially if you already use a face oil.

In this quick and easy-to-follow video tutorial, our esthetician, Sarah, uses Gua Sha to sculpt the jawline and cheekbones and remove puffiness from the lower part of the face. She's using the same tool shape in rose quartz (which is great for a pro, but we find that the jade version we sell is more durable for home use).

A few tips:

PREP: Begin by misting your face generously and add a few drops of your facial oil to the face and neck. Here, Sarah uses YULI Cocoon Elixir and M.E. Skin Fuel. (Watch how Sarah uses these two products to prep her skin for Gua Sha here; another facial oil we love using for Gua Sha is Dara’s Oil.)

ANGLE IT: Hold the tool at a 15-degree angle, hold the skin taut, and use light to medium pressure. Movements can be done 3-5 times per side, moving slowly and intentionally.

TRY DIFFERENT TOOLS: To target more specific areas of the face, you can try a tool like Cecily Braden’s Gua Sha Stone. Sarah demonstrates how to use this versatile stone here.

Want more instructional Gua Sha videos? We’ve got you — check out our YouTube channel.

And if you'd like to book a virtual lesson for more in-depth Gua Sha instruction, please click here and select "In-Depth Esthetician Consultation with Massage Instruction" or email help@aylabeauty.com.