I Still Want to Look and Feel My Best
Getting older really is a privilege. But let’s be honest… that doesn’t mean we adore every new line or crease that shows up in the mirror.
I’m an expressive person. I laugh hard, smile big, talk with my hands, raise my eyebrows — my face is basically its own little theater. And yes, those expressions show up as lines over time. I’ve earned them, and I’m okay with that.
I also sleep on my side or stomach, which doesn’t exactly help with those little creases we sometimes wake up with. Add in the natural changes that come with age, and our faces start telling the story of our lives.
But here’s the thing: I want to look and feel my best without turning to injectables or anything invasive. And I know I’m not the only woman who feels that way.
I’ve been in massage, esthetics, and wellness for nearly 30 years. I’ve seen every trend come and go, and I’ve tried a few things myself. I’ve had a single-layer Jessner’s peel twice. It wasn’t my favorite experience.
What does work for me? Keeping things simple.
My Skin Care Routine Is Pretty Basic
People assume estheticians have these elaborate, 12-step routines with shelves full of products. Not me.
I cleanse. I exfoliate. I hydrate. I seal it all in. Sometimes I’ll throw in a mask. That’s about it.
I don’t need my bathroom to look like a skin care lab. I want healthy skin, but I also want to live my life. And while good skin care matters, I also know that what we see in the mirror isn’t only about skin.
Sometimes it’s about tension. Habit. Stress. The way we move through our day without even noticing what our face is doing.
That’s what got me thinking about facial care a little differently.
Sometimes It’s About More Than Skin
Have you ever realized you’ve been clenching your teeth while driving? Or noticed your shoulders creeping up toward your ears while you’re working? Maybe you furrow your brow when you’re concentrating or wake up with a tight jaw.
We do these things without thinking. Life gets busy, and our bodies respond.
Our facial muscles work constantly — talking, chewing, smiling, frowning, squinting. Our jaw, neck, and shoulders are working overtime, too.
Stress can lead to jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Repeated expressions can deepen certain lines. Muscle tension can make areas feel tight or uncomfortable. And when we’re already tired or stressed, our face tends to show it.
That doesn’t mean we need to “fix” every line or chase perfection. But it does make me wonder:
What if we gave those hardworking muscles a little attention, too?
A Dental Appointment Reminded Me How Much Tension We Carry
I recently had some dental work done, and afterward my jaw was not happy. The tension was real.
Now, I’ve been a massage therapist for a long time — I know how powerful hands-on work can be. But feeling that jaw tension so intensely reminded me just how much those muscles do for us, and how good it feels when they finally get some focused care.
It also made me revisit facial massage in a new way.
Most people think of facial massage as that relaxing part of a facial — a little moisturizer, a few soothing strokes, and a moment to melt into the table. And yes, that’s wonderful.
But there’s a whole world of techniques that go deeper than that. Some help with relaxation. Some support lymphatic flow. Some work more specifically with the muscles and connective tissues.
I wanted to refresh my knowledge and expand on what I already knew. So I went back to school… in my own way.
Why I’m Diving Deeper Into Facial Sculpting and TMJ Work
Even after decades in this industry, I’m still learning. I believe in understanding why I’m doing something, not just how.
I’ve already completed around 24 hours of continuing education focused on facial sculpting, facial massage, and TMJ-related work — and I’m continuing my training.
I’m especially interested in how we can work with the face, jaw, neck, shoulders, and scalp in a way that feels personalized and supportive.
This includes external facial sculpting techniques and, when appropriate, buccal massage — a specialized technique that works certain cheek muscles from inside the mouth.
Before you panic: no, buccal massage is not for everyone. And no, I’m not claiming massage will erase wrinkles or permanently lift your face. That’s not the point.
I’m simply exploring another option for those who want to care for themselves without injectables or invasive procedures.
What If Looking and Feeling Your Best Didn’t Mean Doing More?
I think a lot of people feel this way:
We want to look good, but not different. We want to care for our skin, but not spend hours doing it. We want to feel comfortable in our bodies, but life is busy.
As we get older, our priorities shift. Feeling good matters just as much as looking good.
For some, injectables or cosmetic procedures make sense — and that’s perfectly fine. For others, a simpler, more natural approach feels right.
For me, it’s the simple approach. I’ll keep my basic routine, embrace my expression lines, and support my skin and muscles in ways that feel aligned with who I am.
Hands-on facial sculpting fits beautifully into that philosophy. It focuses on the muscles and soft tissues beneath the skin — the parts we don’t always think about.
Depending on the techniques used, facial massage may help ease tension, support relaxation, and temporarily reduce puffiness. And honestly, the experience itself is a gift: slowing down, breathing, and letting someone take care of you.
Who couldn’t use more of that?
Coming Soon to Linde Esthetics & Wellness Studio — Springfield, Missouri
I’m excited to share that hands-on facial sculpting is coming to Linde Esthetics & Wellness Studio.
We’ll offer different session lengths and tailor each experience to your needs. Depending on the session, we may work with the décolleté, shoulders, neck, scalp, face, and jaw.
External sculpting will be the foundation, with optional buccal massage when appropriate.
In the meantime, here’s a little challenge:
Next time you’re on your phone, driving, or working, check in with your jaw. Are your teeth touching? Are your shoulders creeping up? Is your forehead tight?
Take a breath. Drop your shoulders. Let your jaw soften.
Sometimes the first step toward feeling better is simply noticing where we’re holding tension.
As for my expression lines? I’m keeping them. They’re part of my story — years of laughing, talking, smiling, and living.
I just want to give my face a little extra care along the way.
If you’re in Springfield or the 417 area and curious about a more hands-on approach to facial care, keep an eye on Linde Esthetics & Wellness Studio. I can’t wait to share this new service with you.
Visit lindeesthetics.com to explore our current services while we get everything ready.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or dental advice. Facial massage is not appropriate for every person or condition, and individual experiences vary.
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