Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard of at least one of the three things we’ve mentioned in the title. Crystals, gua sha and jade rolling have all become beauty industry and popular culture favorites over the past few years, and it comes as no surprise. Rooted in eastern medicine, the use of crystals and stones for both physical and spiritual healing practices has risen in popularity, especially in recent years.

 

Let’s start with the basics of crystals. The symbolism and ritual behind crystals vary across generations, cultures, and regions. However, one thing that seems to remain constant is the healing properties that they possess. Different types of crystals have individual healing properties, and having a crystal in your presence is said to bring those properties to you. You can choose which crystals you want around you based on what areas of your life you feel are lacking, or where you need support and healing. Certain types of crystals hold enough energy to create electricity and thus, can interact with the energy waves around you to shift your environment. While they are not an end-all-be-all cure, holding a crystal and taking a moment to yourself can help center you, calm you, and re-align you with nature.

 

So what does each crystal help with? While there are countless different crystals and unique healing properties, there are some fan favorites that are a great starting place if you’re new to this world. Clear quartz is said to be a “master healer” that aids concentration and memory. Rose quartz is said to encourage love and trust within your relationships, as well as within yourself. If you’re on a journey to self-love, this one might just be for you. Jasper is a nurturing stone that is said to support you through times of stress by absorbing your negative energy while bolstering your courage. For a boost of motivation and courage try tiger’s eye – it helps rid your body of fear and self-doubt, and helps you make clear, level-headed decisions. The list goes on and on, but let these be your starting off point. One of our favorite places to learn about and find crystals is GeoCentral – they have different crystal products for beginners to experts! They are committed to embodying earthly, holistic beauty while bringing positive energy into your home. We highly recommend you check them out, and if you feel like you need some healing energy ASAP, you can pick up a GeoCentral crystal from our salon!

 

Now let’s move onto the buzzword of the year – Gua Sha. Derived from ancient Chinese medicine and originally intended to relieve heat stroke and seasonal ailments like colds, Gua Sha has become popularized as a form of at-home facial lymphatic massage. Flat tools made of rose quartz, jade, and other polished stones are used to scrape along the contours of your face. As you work the stone over your skin, lymph-stagnant fluid is drained from your face, thus reducing puffiness and prompting your skin’s natural cleansing process. Gua Sha can also be useful as a relaxation technique – the muscles in your face are often much more tense than you’d think, and releasing them is a much needed process that most of us neglect. It’s important to note that before performing Gua Sha on yourself, you should do your research to make sure you are purchasing the correct tool and performing the correct motions. Additionally, don’t forget to moisturize your skin and pat in an oil before you begin to scrape away!

 

Last but certainly not least, the OG, jade rolling. Another beauty technique influenced by ancient eastern medicine, jade rollers burst onto the beauty and skincare scene with a vengeance thanks to millennials and their affinity for the wellness aesthetic. They’re not just for decoration, though – jade rollers (and their sisters, rose quartz rollers), are an easy-to-use method of smoothing and de-puffing the skin. Similar to Gua Sha, jade rollers help with lymphatic drainage. They also brighten the skin by boosting the blood flow beneath it, giving you the look of a glow from within. Here’s an insider tip: if you stick your roller in the fridge just before you use it, it will cool your skin while brightening and de-puffing! It’s important to use your roller on clean skin that’s free of products – the exception to this is if you want to use some facial oil. Work around your facial contours, and don’t forget your neck! Wondering how exactly to jade roll? Check out this video tutorial we created for you!

 

Need a bit more info? Here’s what some of our team members have to say about it: 

“I have pretty severe seasonal allergies and it helps the puffiness around my eyes a ton in the mornings paired with an eye cream. It also helps reduce inflammation around my breakouts, especially if I put it in the fridge first!

– Ryanne

 

I definitely notice a difference in my skin when I wake up super puffy. Literally the other day I had a really salty fast food dinner. I woke up soooo puffy the next morning and jade rolled when I got to work and it helped so much.

– Emilee

 

If you, like so many of us, are frustrated and stressed after 2020, one (or all) of these might be your answer! The coming months are the perfect time to re-set, connect back with nature, and take care of yourself.