the FACE
- [ the Face ]
- [ Exercise and Control ]
- [ Facial Exercise ]
- [ Mouth and Cheeks ]
- [ Cheeks ]
- [ Mouth, Cheeks and Eye Area ]
- [ Mouth and Jaws ]
- [ Lips ]
- [ Forehead ]
the Face
The most important bone of the face is the frontal bone. It forms the forehead, eye sockets and bridge of the nose. The size and angle vary tremendously and primarily contribute to the individuality of each face. The cheek bones form a flat area below the eye sockets and determine the moulding and planes of the face. The other bones are the nose bones - two small ones which link with the frontal bone - and the upper and lower jaw bones which hinge together close to the ears and hold the teeth. The ear has no bone structure and is made up of cartilage and muscle.
The eyes are delicate and intricate, depending for effectiveness not only on the condition of the eyeball but on muscles and nerves.
The muscles of the face are very intricate, giving mobility to every single inch of it. The most important, from a beauty point of view, are the zygomaticus muscles which extend across the cheeks from the temples to the corners of the mouth, keeping the contours of the face firm. All these muscles determine the expression of the features. Chewing exercises the face. Smiling and laughing, although they may add a few lines around nose, eyes and mouth, also exercise cheek muscles and pull the corners of the mouth in an upward direction, preventing the face from sagging.
The face will age long before the body. Its muscles react negatively to stress, emotion and tension. It is easy to get into the habit of grimacing, frowning and raising eyebrows and this leads to lines and wrinkles that become more definite each year.
Like any other part of the body, the face and interrelated neck structure needs exercise and muscle control to keep it in good shape and condition. Control is primarily awareness. It does not mean immobility but being more conscious of the changing movements of your face when you are talking and listening: try not to exaggerate expressions. Although I find I would rather be more expressive in my face then portraying a bland expression when having a conversation with others - like with everything, balance is important!
Facial Exercises
Facial exercises help to improve and maintain the characteristics of a youthful contour and covering. They may look weird, for they are face pulling gymnastics that manoeuvre the face to correct it, but you will quickly see that when you do them, certain lines and wrinkles are momentarily ironed out. Done with regularity, they are very effective. Do them in the bath or in front of the mirror before applying your make-up. With practice and proficiency you can do them during ‘free’ time during the course of the day - while waiting in line, riding in a lift, sitting while waiting in the car!
- Purse lips and at the same time fill cheeks with air. Place the 3 middle fingers of each hand on each cheek, either side of the mouth. Press fingers in against the blown-out cheek surface, but don’t let the air out. Count 10. Relax. Repeat 10 times. Work up to holding to the count of 30.
- Open mouth wide as if screaming, open eyes wide and staring at the same time. Count 3. Repeat 10 times. Then repeat, turning face first to the left, then to the right - 5 times each side.
- Have a relaxed smile with your lips closed and then suck in your cheeks toward and on to your teeth. Hold this for 10 counts, relax and repeat 10 times.
- Look in a mirror while doing this exercise. Pout your top lip, turning the corners of your lips upwards and move your cheek muscles towards your eyes. You should at this stage try to get your top lip touching your nose. Keep in this position for 10 counts, relax and repeat 5 times.
- Look in a mirror while doing this exercise. Smile a wide as possible - while keeping your lips closed and your mouth corners turned up. Try to make your mouth corners touch your ears. Next wrinkle your nose and see your cheek muscle move upwards and feel these muscles work. Keep for 5 counts, relax and repeat 10 times.
- Keep your teeth and lips closed and blow air under your top lip and keep it there for 10 counts, then move the air to your left cheek side, hold for 10, to your lower lip, hold for 10 and then to your right cheek side while holding it for a count of 10. Repeat 5 times.
- Open mouth wide, tilt head back. Open and close mouth moving the back teeth. Open and close 10 times.
- Sit upright and purse your lips together. Lift your pursed lips towards your nose and keep it there for 5 counts, relax and repeat 5 times.
- Pucker your lips slightly and then try with your mouth muscles to bring the corners of your mouth together as close as possible. Keep lips in this position for 5 counts, relax and repeat 5 times.
- Sit upright, lips closed and teeth together. Smile as broadly as possible, without opening your lips, keep it there for 5 counts and when relaxing starts puckering your lips in a pointed kiss. Keep it there for 5 counts and relax - repeat 10 times.
- Sit relaxed with lips hardly opened and curl your lips outwards. While your lips are in the outward position, move your curled top lip towards your nose. Hold in this position for 10 counts and repeat 5 times.
- Using the palm of your hand, push scalp back from the hairline smoothing out any furrows. Count to 3. Relax and Repeat 10 times.
- Frown as much as possible and try to bring your eyebrows over your eyes while pulling the eyebrows toward one another. Then lift your eyebrow as far as possible while opening your eyes as far as possible as well. Repeat 5 times.
- Lie on a bed with your head hanging over the edge. Lift your eyebrows as high as possible, with your eyes opening very wide. Relax and repeat 10 times.
- Sit upright and while bringing your eyebrows down over your eyes, wrinkle your nose as far up as possible while flaring your nostrils. Keep for a count of 10, relax and repeat 5 times.