‘Lazy girl’ tricks to get instantly tighter pores and a less puffy face

1. Firm up your face with a frosty morning treat

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This hack really works to rid me of water retention for a Korean drama-ready ‘small’ face the morning after. What you do is to grab a jug and stir the tiniest bit of toner (I’m gaga for Kiehl’s reliably rad Calendula Herbal-extract Alcohol-free Toner, $40) into water straight from the tap – I’d say approximately one to five, proportions-wise – then chuck your container into the fridge. Done? Good, you’re free to shuffle off to bed. 

Next morning, simply step out of the shower, dunk your clean face into the deliciously cold brew, then caress the contours for 15 seconds or so. (Pay special heed to the cheek and jowl areas, where most of the sagging and bagging occurs.) Tissue off excess and follow up with your usual morning regime. With any luck, you should find that this chilly treat will result in more petite pores and a less blotchy complexion.

2. Roll back the years

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Into wowza wizardry of the highest tech? A facial roller like say, Panasonic’s Warming Facial & Body Roller EH-SP32, $189, is a savvy skin-saving investment well worth the money. Grooming gizmos of its ilk function much like the “hands” of a masseuse to manually massage away facial bulges and bloatedness. 

To use, simply angle the applicator along the side of your mouth, rolling up along your jawline towards your ears to (temporarily) tone and tighten any sagging and bagging virtually instantly. How’s that for a booster shot of instant gratification?

3. Thread a thin line

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Y’know what they say – when all else fails, bring out the big guns. Consider splashing out on a cutting-edge thread-lift treatment, which generally entails a qualified doctor gently inserting surgical-grade threads under your skin. 

Here’s what happens. After administering local anesthesia, your surgeon will make pinprick-sized punctures along the hairline. Next, the threads are well, threaded through these tiny holes, and then adjusted accordingly to lift the facial tissues upwards – essentially “pushing” up the bulkiness of your lower face and making your jawline appear sharper and slimmer. 

All told, you'll be sashaying in and out of the clinic in about an hour, making this a bona fide lunchtime fix. Virtually no one will know! (Quick note on pricing: Cost varies from clinic to clinic, but you can expect to pay a low-to-mid four-figure sum per session in Singapore.) Crucial caveats apply, of course: Consult a doctor in real life before committing to any in-clinic procedure, and practise due diligence by always selecting an SMC-registered aesthetician.

Right, then, picked out a personal favourite yet? Have fun lifting your spirits and your skin, and continue fighting the good fight against gravity!