Which is the best facial exercises to try?
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free skin care · Sat Nov 06, 2010 12:00 pm

I wanted to add my experience with two facial exercise programs. I've been a long time lurker - mostly I try to absorb and assimilate, but perhaps my two pesos might contribute here.

I bought FlexEffect a few months ago and have been doing all 30 exercises about 4-5 times a week. I started with the long program, but mostly do the 12 minute version via the CD. Honeslty, I'm not sure I notice a huge difference at this point, but from what they say, it's too soon. Luckily I did take "before" photos so I can compare later. I like FE in general - love the 3rd edition book and all the add-ons (massage, jolting, etc.). Still, I just have felt as if I need something "more." More of a burn? Some results a little sooner than six months down the line? I don't know.

A long time ago, I bought the "Happy Face Yoga" dvd by Gary Sikorski after trying a few of his exercises via his website. This was when I was just starting to consider facial exercises. Of course, I never watched it, just put it on the shelf...

Fast forward to me discovering this forum and getting excited about FE. I decided to just go for it and basically forgot about the Happy Face Yoga. Well, in wanting to supplement the FE exercises, I pulled out HFY and have been doing it this week. Holy crap, talk about feeling the burn. His dvd has 18 exercises and there is no way I can do them all right now. I do the first 6-7, after FE, and I count it good. As my facial muscles get stronger, I'll be able to do more... These exerises are intense but in a good way. His emphasis on yogic breathing is great.

I can feel my platysma and cheeks especially tight afterwards. I really appreciate having both systems - they seem to complement each other and give me more options with my routine. I will continue doing the FE because it is short and sweet - but now I can bring out the big guns a few times a week and supercharge my routine.

For reference, I'm 42 - I've generally looked younger for my age, but after this last bday, I've really started noticing NL folds and looser jowls. When a friend asked if I'd lost weight because I looked gaunt, I knew the gauntlet had been thrown down TOWN, lol.

free skin care · Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:40 pm

Hey Luminosity,

You don't need to feel the burn to get good results. What most people refer to as the burn is simply an indicator of the amount of lactic acid build-up. FWIW, I think the most important measure of progress is how your muscles (and skin) are responding.

In case it helps, for reference, it took me about 4.5 months to see a change in my skin, about 5 months to start seeing changes in facial fullness, and a few more months than that to see significant progress in my problem areas (which for me, are my lower face hollows). How long it takes for a person to see results, though, varies dramatically person by person.

Best wishes Smile

free skin care · Sun Nov 07, 2010 5:29 pm

Thank you cm5597 for your insight and for sharing your progress... I did read that one didn't need to feel a "burn" to see results. My muscles are still sore today after yesterday's HFY session - something I rarely feel after doing FE. And I don't approach FE lightly...

Psychologically, this helps me feel as if I am making progress. And the tightening or lifting I see in my cheeks after HFY are a boost in this (long) process.

Like I said, I feel these exercises complement each other as they are so very different. I don't feel as if I'm just rehashing FE. I like the difference and I suspect my progress will accelerate as well.

free skin care · Sun Nov 07, 2010 5:58 pm

That's great, Luminosity! I also sometimes like feeling sore the next day (which is different from the burn), even though it's not necessary for great results. I also have been deep breathing while doing my exercises (but almost all of what I do is from FlexEffect), and I find that it definitely seems to enhance my contractions much more...it's very interesting that Happy Face Yoga incorporates breath-work, too. Anyways, it's great that you're experimenting and finding what works best for your face...that's soooo key for good long-term results. Hugs Smile

free skin care · Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:01 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU5btNpAJ0w&feature=related

Hi - I'm glad to see you have settled on a program that you like. Facial exercise is my favorite anti aging tool. It's something you can do anywhere (if you're not afraid to look a bit foolish). I have my set of favorites based on many different programs - some free (see the youtube above). This is a great all-in-one to do while in the car.
Also I wouldn't discount Carole Maggio - she has great! lip exercises, face lifting exercises that are quick and have fast results and a nose exercise (which can be had for free on youtube btw).
Eva Fraser is actually in her 80's and looks terrific. I find them all inspiring - Carolyn, Carole, Deb and Eva and I also like a few exercises by Lea Eigert who also looks wonderful although I don't know her age.

Thanks for sharing your progress.

Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:15 pm

Thanks very much for your comment about Happy Face Yoga. This is Gary from HFY. I'm so glad the program is working for you. All my testimonials on my website are true. I've had many students who have been told they look as though they have had a facelift. Just practice daily for the first 8 weeks or so, and use some of the other hints I offer with the DVD. Please keep in touch with your success! Gary, Happy Face Yoga

free skin care · Mon Nov 08, 2010 10:41 pm

Wow, it's kind of neat when you can hear from the folks who craft these amazing exercises! I've learned so much from Sean and Claudia (from FE)... Nice to hear from Gary as well!

Sister Sweets, thanks for the youtube link - I appreciate having options to check out. I really haven't strayed far from FE, but now that I've built up my confidence a little, it's fun to see what adds to the overall routine (and effectiveness).

You gals are a big help... thanks so much!

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 4:23 am

Gary whats the difference between your system and that of Rose of Yoga Facial Toning? They look similar to me, and I thought at the end of her video I saw you doing a testimonial for her system (but could be going mad!).

Gary Sikorski wrote:

Thanks very much for your comment about Happy Face Yoga. This is Gary from HFY. I'm so glad the program is working for you. All my testimonials on my website are true. I've had many students who have been told they look as though they have had a facelift. Just practice daily for the first 8 weeks or so, and use some of the other hints I offer with the DVD. Please keep in touch with your success! Gary, Happy Face Yoga

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:23 am

Gary, I have a question as well... is there a written list or description of your exercises? The dvd didn't come with it and I'd like to be able to do the exercises without having to watch the dvd each time. It would be nice to follow a guide of some sort... Thanks!

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:59 am

i did Ageless exclusively for 1 & 1/2years (including the boot camp for cheeks) and loved it for many reasons...also saw great improvement in mty cheeks...this summer i started to notice sag in my jowl area that Ageless wasn't addressing for me ...so started the Flex Effect 3 program (i still do Ageless and Flex Effect 3...at this point... in the way that they feel intutively 'right' for me...meaning the number of reps, the variation of exercises, how often i do them, how long i hold each exercises for etc.)

but in the last month or so i've become totally enamored with Sente Maria Runge's exercises ...and they have been amazing (i would have to say miraculous) for me as far as my jowl aea is concerned...perhaps Ageless and Flex Effect 3 did something for my muscles so that they can respond so well to Maria's exercises, that i don't know, i just know that i am wowed by their effect.

glad you have found a combined program that is working so well for you, Luminoisity!

Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:46 am

Hi again! It's Gary from Happy Face Yoga to answer those questions. First, my program and facial toning yoga are basically the same. Rose actually certified me to teach FTY, I learned it all from her. But I then studied the other programs out there. I felt hers was the most effective, but I as started to teach, I tweaked a few things to get better results, and just decided to call my program HFY. But Rose is wonderful, and I thank her so much! Very Happy

I also do have the written descriptions, but I usually only hand those out in class. Thanks again for your kind words. I wish more people would give facial exercise a try! Gary

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:35 am

Gary whats your opinions on the other programs, just from your viewpoint I mean the popular ones here are FlexEffect, Ageless and Facercise, and I'm interested in your honest thoughts about their drawbacks and pros.

I do agree with the above poster, that some written instructions would be nice. I do own Rose's book, dvd and cd set, but the cd set I found annoying in that she only did one count, and not the recommended counts so it was easy to get lost, and the dvd whilst being great had a lot of material which wasn't needed and set changes etc. I have seen yours (a friend purchased it) and she did say she enjoyed it, but on watching it I recognised some of Rose's stuff so hope you didn't mind me asking.

Gary Sikorski wrote:

Hi again! It's Gary from Happy Face Yoga to answer those questions. First, my program and facial toning yoga are basically the same. Rose actually certified me to teach FTY, I learned it all from her. But I then studied the other programs out there. I felt hers was the most effective, but I as started to teach, I tweaked a few things to get better results, and just decided to call my program HFY. But Rose is wonderful, and I thank her so much! Very Happy

I also do have the written descriptions, but I usually only hand those out in class. Thanks again for your kind words. I wish more people would give facial exercise a try! Gary

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 11:25 am

Luminosity - how do you find the exercises #6 The Lower Eyelid Firmer
#7 The Cheek Lifter from HFY?

Do you see any differences in your eye area from this or any other program?

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 2:46 pm

Welcome to you Gary, its good to have another male facial exercise teacher here and I've seen your dvd and like you I wish more and more people would realise the power of facial exercises.

I found another video on youtube by Ellie Schirra where she addresses some concepts that I think are so important and its a wonderful video to share:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t7NWSTlB30&feature=related

I do like Ellie's stuff, its short and sweet and reminds me a lot of Jeanette Johnson's skin firming exercises (although Jeannette also has resistance exercises in conjunction with those).

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:12 pm

Hi Mowgli,

I wish I could give you a better answer, but since I've only just started HFY this past week, I can't comment yet any differences... I can say that my cheeks and eyes definitely feel worked out - as in firmer and lifted.

Plus, at this point, I find it too difficult to do the recommended number of reps. I feel as if I am exerting such maximum resistence, that I am literally sore even before the count is done! Yikes, am I a wimp or what? You'd think after a few months of FE, I'd be stronger.

Because these exercises are so different than FE, I feel as if I'm working the muscles out in a different way... A very good thing, I figure.

Are you doing the HFY? Any thoughts you can share about your process or journey?

free skin care · Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:16 pm

Gary Sikorski wrote:

I also do have the written descriptions, but I usually only hand those out in class. Thanks again for your kind words. I wish more people would give facial exercise a try! Gary

For those of us who have purchased the dvd, would you be willing to email a copy of this? It seems fairly important to have with the visual side of things. If not, I guess I can handwrite the instructions, though it sure would be nice not to have to do that. Smile

Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:49 pm

Hi everyone - I posted a query earlier today but must have put it in the wrong place as had loads of hits but no replies! Oops Confused

Anyway I am trying to decide which to buy, Flex Effect or Facercise and would really appreciate some help/advice. I see lots of you ladies dip in and out of a few programmes but I don't feel I can indulge myself with more than one so as FE seems more comprehensive (though it's more expensive) and the DVD makes it practically foolproof would you think that's the way to go? I was a little put off by the Facercise before and after pics as they look a bit "forced". Please help ladies-the money is burning a hole in my pocket!!
PS: If I am still posting in the wrong place can someone point me in the right direction please? Thanks a lot!

free skin care · Tue Dec 28, 2010 8:01 pm

daydreamer wrote:

Hi everyone - I posted a query earlier today but must have put it in the wrong place as had loads of hits but no replies! Oops Confused

Anyway I am trying to decide which to buy, Flex Effect or Facercise and would really appreciate some help/advice. I see lots of you ladies dip in and out of a few programmes but I don't feel I can indulge myself with more than one so as FE seems more comprehensive (though it's more expensive) and the DVD makes it practically foolproof would you think that's the way to go? I was a little put off by the Facercise before and after pics as they look a bit "forced". Please help ladies-the money is burning a hole in my pocket!!
PS: If I am still posting in the wrong place can someone point me in the right direction please? Thanks a lot!

Hi Daydreamer,

I'm just a newbie, but I can tell you about my experiences with both FlexEffect and Facercise...

I tried FE for four months but didn't quite see the results I wanted. However, I was told it does take longer. I guess I was hoping for more improvement by the four month mark... . What I liked was how comprehensive it was... And it had very good instruction. It didn't quite work for me although maybe I didn't give it enough time.

That brings me to Facercise. I have been using the new dvd for the last week, so I can't comment on effectiveness yet. What I like very much about it is that it involves energy work... The exercises are presented clearly and incorporate more than just the physical. I happen to enjoy that aspect a lot so the exercises themselves are more enjoyable. And I do these twice a day.

Ultimately they are very different programs. If you enjoy physically handling your face (reaching into your mouth to manipulate the tissue), as well as rigorous massage and bone jolting, then I would recommend FE.

If you enjoy facial exercises with the added element of energy and visualization (plus a nice "burn") then Facercise is a great option. It's kind of like... cardio works for one person, whereas weight training works better for somebody else. It's hard to know which facial exercises will mesh with your lifestyle and personal enjoyment...

Ultimately, most folks incorporate the best of the facial exercises they learn. You may end up doing the same. You have to jump in and start somewhere! LOL. Whatever you choose, I'd look at it as just the beginning of your journey... You can't go wrong, and you will likely fine tune along the way.

free skin care · Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:07 am

For me, there are both pros to each system, but I really struggled with the visualization elements and the energy stuff with Facercise. Also that so called burn that your meant to strive for, even others have said sometimes you just can’t get it with each and every exercise, which kind of goes against what the author says in her book. What I do like about Flexeffect is that there is the forum with the trainers to help you should you get any problems and that is really helpful. Plus I personally learn lots on there from others sharing their problems etc (a bit like EDS) and that’s invaluable. In price comparisons, whilst I can appreciate Flexeffect looks more expensive (and it is pricewise) you do get value for money in that you get two booklets, a cd, a dvd. Whereas with Ultimate Facercise you get simply the dvd, and little cards which are awkwardly sized (just personal opinion here). Also when I have had problems with things in the past, whilst you can email Carole Maggio, it does sometimes take her several days to come back to you, and even then its sometimes just continue doing what you are doing or purchase her expensive skincare products (which I would love to do but times are hard).

daydreamer wrote:

Hi everyone - I posted a query earlier today but must have put it in the wrong place as had loads of hits but no replies! Oops Confused

Anyway I am trying to decide which to buy, Flex Effect or Facercise and would really appreciate some help/advice. I see lots of you ladies dip in and out of a few programmes but I don't feel I can indulge myself with more than one so as FE seems more comprehensive (though it's more expensive) and the DVD makes it practically foolproof would you think that's the way to go? I was a little put off by the Facercise before and after pics as they look a bit "forced". Please help ladies-the money is burning a hole in my pocket!!
PS: If I am still posting in the wrong place can someone point me in the right direction please? Thanks a lot!

free skin care · Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:28 am

Luminosity, I have to say, at four months I would guess you should have received some results, and really interested if you did/didn’t but have to say with all the programs I’ve tried they all sort of suggest that you need to give the programs at least a year. I think every program I’ve tried has delivered some form of results within the first few months, but they haven’t been the big results that came after a years period if that makes sense.

Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:08 am

Hi Luminosity and TheresaMary(again!). It's such a big decision isn't it? I'm not really 100% sure what is meant by energy work but bodywise I like weight training but hate cardio so on that basis it seems that Flex Effect is the one I should go for-and I must admit overall it is the one that appeals to me the most. My only problem now is to stick with it as I am a nightmare for always expecting instant results!

free skin care · Wed Dec 29, 2010 5:12 am

There's nothing that can give you instant results, not even surgery - so I'd be realistic at the get go and you will be fine. I do favour FlexEffect more than Facercise, as there are more physical in nature and you use your hands etc to make the movements and work the muscles, plus I think you do get good value for money, so whilst it can seem expensive, you do get the forum there etc and support of trainers (which is invaluable).

daydreamer wrote:

Hi Luminosity and TheresaMary(again!). It's such a big decision isn't it? I'm not really 100% sure what is meant by energy work but bodywise I like weight training but hate cardio so on that basis it seems that Flex Effect is the one I should go for-and I must admit overall it is the one that appeals to me the most. My only problem now is to stick with it as I am a nightmare for always expecting instant results!

free skin care · Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:25 am

Luminosity, looks like Gary heard your plea, and is selling this on the website for dvd owners (its package 1):

Worksheets on all 32 exercises Worksheets are all 32 exercises
Audio CD with 12 exercises Audio CD with 12 exercises
Bonus Booklet : nutrition, supplements & tips for facial success Bonus Booklet: nutrition,
supplements & facial tips for success

http://www.happyfaceyoga.com/

Bit annoyed having spent money on the dvd, to have to buy these next, but I suppose thats what he's in business for.

Luminosity wrote:

Gary Sikorski wrote:

I also do have the written descriptions, but I usually only hand those out in class. Thanks again for your kind words. I wish more people would give facial exercise a try! Gary

For those of us who have purchased the dvd, would you be willing to email a copy of this? It seems fairly important to have with the visual side of things. If not, I guess I can handwrite the instructions, though it sure would be nice not to have to do that. Smile

Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:22 am

moved from the Up to date photos – Facial Exercise Program Founders thread

kerri78237 wrote:

After reading through the thread I feel hesitant to ask anyone the best way to start with facial exercises! Any suggestions?

Deb Crowley wrote:

Hi kerri,

I would guess your best bet would be to first give them a try. Tom Hagerty at Shape Your Face.com offers free training.

Tom’s program will more than offer enough results to build your believability in such training. Later, you can decide where you want to go from there, or, maybe you'll be just fine right where you are

Good Luck Smile

kerri78237 wrote:

Thanks so much Deb!

Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:40 pm

@decent
I did FlexEffect for some years and I still do the eye exercises: no drooping at all, the few undereye lines are barely noticeable. So I swear by these exercises. I noticed friends and colleagues who are only in their thirties or early forties with droopy lids, so I really credit FlexEffect. Thank you, Deb!

For the rest of the face, I switched to Loulou's Ageless, just because it takes less time and gets me good results. I used to do FE 5 times a week, I think I overdid it. I think Deb looks great and her neck area is to die for. Loulou looks lovely, too, both have no jowling issues, which I admire most. Face exercises will give you results, the eyes are quite easy to maintain.

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