While we lift dumbbells and power through ab crunches in pursuit of a sculpted, toned figure, we don't automatically think about exercising our face. But when you consider it, it makes perfect sense – the more you train and tone your muscles, the more defined they appear. Enter: FaceGym.
If you've ever wondered how A-listers achieve those razor-sharp jawlines while posing on the red carpet, much of it comes down to the pre-event prep. The likes of Bella Hadid, Nicole Kidman and Demi Moore are all said to indulge in a treatment at FaceGym, which boasts locations across the United Kingdom and the United States.
This isn't your typical facial. FaceGym operates more like a training studio for your face, with a focus on lifting, sculpting and lymphatic drainage through targeted massage techniques and electrical stimulation, rather than the standard cleanse-and-exfoliate approach.
© FaceGymI headed to the Notting Hill branch to try the Signature Sculpt Facial with Anita and Anthea to put it to the test. Could I really work out my face and make my cheekbones and jawline more defined, the same way I would train my abs and core? As it turns out, I absolutely could, and I’ve documented the experience to prove it.
My review of FaceGym
The original hands and pro tool workout instantly sculpts, lifts, and reduces puffiness by combining expert facial massage, electronic muscle stimulation technology, and targeted skincare.
The studio mirrors the aesthetic of a high-performance gym, with grey floors, light grey leather chairs, mirrored walls, and a distinctly industrial edge – setting the tone for an intensive session. I settled into the reclining chair, ready for my treatment as upbeat music pulsed through the room.
The treatment begins with a refreshing cleanse using the brand's own Electro-Lite Energising Brightening Gel Cleanser to prep the skin. Anita removed the product with a hot cloth before the 'cardio' section. A plumping ritual began with the red Face Ball to encourage lymphatic drainage and a sculpting facial massage.
Despite its workout-driven premise, the experience is surprisingly relaxing. Don't be misled by the name, it doubles as an indulgent wellness ritual as much as it does a results-driven facial.
The electronic muscle stimulation device paired with a lubricating gel is an experience in itself – entirely painless, though undeniably unusual. There's a subtle twitching around the mouth, but once Anita completed one side, the lift was instantly noticeable compared to the other. While I regularly use microcurrent devices at home, this felt noticeably stronger and more tingly, reinforcing the sense that it was actively working beneath the skin.
The treatment concludes with the brand's skincare, applied using a gua sha massage with their Multi-Sculpt tool. Not only did I feel a significant release of tension in my jaw, but my complexion appeared visibly less puffy and more defined.
Is FaceGym worth the money?
The 45 minute session costs $145.00/£110.00, and I believe it's well worth booking if you're in need of a refresh or want to look your best ahead of a special occasion. Even better, the results peak the following day and last for at least a week.
Naturally, the more you go, the more you notice long term results rather than a quick sculpt for an event. I spaced my sessions two to three weeks apart, and by the third facial, I noticed my features looked visibly more defined and significantly less puffy on a daily basis. However, I do believe it's important to maintain the results at home by using their Multi-Sculp tool, which is their iteration of a gua sha.
