Estée Lalonde explains how to dry brush your skin and the benefits of dry brushing

You’re probably already following Estee Lalonde If not, you should.Online content creator, creative director, and self-care brand founder mirror water, she is known as a trusted, honest and authoritative voice in the world of wellness and beauty, and as a result has created a community that feels understood and heard. Estee regularly shares her real-life experiences with her followers, so who better to weigh in on the biggest beauty and health trends of 2024 than Estee? I thought about it. This month she tried dry brushing and gives her honest and real review of the treatment below. Estee, take me…

I’m usually quick to jump on the latest trends in the beauty and wellness world. That’s my job, but for some reason I ended up sleeping while dry brushing. And when I say sleep, this Ayurvedic practice has already been used for centuries. Really slept.

But I know why I didn’t go for it. But it doesn’t have the wow factor of an infrared mask, it’s not as satisfying as a new lip butter, and frankly, it doesn’t scream long-lasting effects like the latest algae innovations.

dry brush. How good can you be? Well, I found out about it late last year. Let me share some basics and my honest experience so you can decide whether to try it for yourself.

Read my dry brushing review below:

What is dry brushing?

The name is a good clue as to what to expect. The brush itself is made of coarse natural or synthetic bristles. It is used all over the body, brushing certain specific areas and patterns for optimal results.

What are the benefits of dry brushing?

The coarse fibers not only exfoliate, but the brushing action also stimulates blood circulation, removes toxins, activates the lymphatic system, increases energy, and helps reduce cellulite.

Kate Shapland, founder of Legology, agrees. “Daily body brushing is one of those incredibly simple tasks that only takes a minute, but by exfoliating, removing dead skin cells, and leaving your skin softer, firmer, and radiant, It has great benefits for the mind and body: it provides flushing detox to the body via the lymph at a deeper tissue level, promoting circulation and shifting the position of fat cells that gather around fat cells and bring them to the surface of the skin. Displaces congestion that causes hollowness. Massage upwards toward your heart every morning before, during, or after your shower/bath and you’ll see and feel the benefits right away.”

When should I use dry brushing? How long does it take?

I use the brush before showering or bathing. I start at my feet and work my way up, using large circular motions and moderate pressure, working harder or softer in areas where the skin is tough or delicate. In total, the whole body takes less than 5 minutes. Then I do my shower routine, which is a little different. I love boiling water, but on this day I keep the temperature moderate. When you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry and slather on a nourishing body oil like SMOOTH by MIRROR WATER.

How often should I dry brush?

I incorporate dry brushing into my routine no more than twice a week. 1. Because excessive exfoliation can damage your skin. 2. Because I want to make sure I am doing it carefully for relaxation. It’s a little similar to my idea of bathing.

Step-by-step guide on how to dry brushes:

1. Start with your feet. Pick a dry brush and brush upwards, towards your heart. This reduces water retention and works similar to lymphatic drainage.
2. When brushing your belly, switch to a clockwise circular motion.
3. Do each area 3 times, ideally for about 5 minutes.
4. If needed, dry brushing can reduce ingrown hairs, so try focusing on areas where ingrown hairs commonly occur.
5. After dry brushing, apply a generous amount of body oil to make your skin smooth and super soft.

I followed Ksenija’s step-by-step video on how to drybrush.

Is dry brushing worth it?

Simply put, yes! We spend so much time taking care of our faces that we tend to neglect the other 95% of our bodies. Dry brushing is a simple, ritualistic, and truly transformative thing you can do for your body. Already in a few months I noticed the benefits. My skin feels softer, plumper, and absorbs post-shower products better than before. My SMOOTH body oil has never been so effective. If I were to disappoint a little, I can say that it definitely gets rid of cellulite completely. But it certainly improved the look of my skin and made me feel better, so I’m sure everyone will appreciate that.

As I said at the beginning, this may not be the most appealing prospect (it’s like exercise for some people!), but once you start doing it, you’ll notice the benefits. Both mentally and physically. I feel so much more grounded on the days I dry brush, and my downtime is significantly longer.