A Beginners Guide to Dry Brushing

31 August 2015

You may have heard of dry brushing before, but I'm bringing it up again because along with many other benefits, first and foremost it exfoliates your skin. Coming up into the warmer months is exactly when you want your skin to be looking it's best, and it'll need a little extra TLC after all those layers of warm clothes and lack of sunlight.

Why Dry Brush?

It makes your skin softer. Dry Brushing exfoliates away all of the dead skin chilling around on your body, so that your skin can regenerate and heal. Once you scour away all that ick, you're left with beautiful soft skin. Ready to be slathered in moisturiser or faux tan. 

Stimulate Your Lymphatic System & Improve Circulation. I sometimes get really sore arms and legs, which means that you can gently prod me in the shoulder and I will try not to wince, because it honestly seems ridiculous. Toxins build up in your system over time, and brushing in the correct direction directs all those toxins right out of your body, well in a matter of speaking. 

Help Reduce Cellulite. We've all got it. You've seen those bitchy magazine headlines, "OMG Scarlett Johansson has cellulite! Fire her from the Avengers!" I'm exaggerating but only slightly. We all have it but that doesn't mean it's pretty. Dry brushing on a regular basis is known to help budge those pesky fat pockets that make your legs all wrinkly. 


What to Use

Get yourself a natural bristles brush, one with synthetic fibres can cause damage to your skin. I got myself a Manicare Dry Bristle Brush from Priceline, as you can see I didn't get one with a handle, which probably would have been worthwhile getting. But I usually just get my partner to have a go at dry brushing my back in the areas I can't reach. The hand held one means I can hold it easier when I want to focus my brushing on problem areas. A dry brush with a handle is also available at Priceline. 

The body shop also currently has some great natural bristled brushes for only $12.95. Definitely worth a look at. If you want to dry brush your face, I recommend getting a smaller and softer brush to use on it. You shouldn't be using your body brush on your face, it's too rough.


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How to Dry Brush

  • The best time to Dry Brush is right before you plan to have a shower or bath, so all of those icky dry skin cells you've just exfoliated, can go right down the drain. The morning is good too as a lot of people say they feel energised after dry brushing, so it's a good start to the day.
  • Start at your feet and using long even upward strokes, brush from ankles to knees.
  • You will always be brushing in the direction towards major lymph nodes in your body. Such as the underarms, groin and base of your neck.
  • Circular motions are okay too, especially on areas you would like to focus on.
  • Brush over your legs, your abdomen and butt. Spend a little extra time on the booty and upper thighs if you want to work on that cellulite. Always brushing upwards towards your heart.
  • Brush your back, either with a brush that has a handle, by using contortionist skills or get someone to help you out.
  • Brush up along the outside of your arms, then lift your arms up and brush downwards on the inside of them, and near your underarms.
  • Finally brush your shoulders and chest, being careful with sensitive areas. 


Helpful Tips

Don't brush too hard. Your skin is going to go a bit red due to stimulation, but there is pinkish and then there is red raw. Calm down, that's not what dry brushing is about. 
Avoid brushing sensitive areas, red patches, sunburn, open wounds or rashes. Hopefully that's pretty obvious. 
After showing, give your body a good moisturising. I love using my Bondi Sands, Gradual Tanning Milk. Because then I'm moisturising, and tanning! Not even sponsored, I just love the stuff!
Be consistent, it can take quite a bit of consistent daily brushing before you will see much of the magical benefits. Apart from the lovely soft and glowing skin. 

Have you ever dry brushed your skin? What did you think?



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28 comments

  1. I dry brush myself when I go to shower, but I use cheap brush and those "salt" thingy that you put in your skin while you dry brush (sorry can't remember the name its in thai). I love dry brushing, thanks for the tips, I might have brushed my skin so hard. :)

    Dice, '96 Wild Heart
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  2. I have never tried dry brushing. Sounds interesting

    Nashia | MakeupandBeautyMayhem

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  3. This was actually very helpful for me cause i have the brush but didn't know how to use it.. :D
    I just followed you. If you like my blog could you follow back? :) xx

    Marianne // Picture Me

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  4. Oh I love the sound of this! And now that it's coming into tanning time, I rally should start dry brushing. Thanks!

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  5. Oh wow I'd never even heard of doing this before (I don't think?) but man that sounds weird and so interesting at the same time I kind of want to try it. Should it not tickle me and make me stop, it sounds like it could tickle hehe

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    Replies
    1. Haha it doesn't tickle, it's more of a scratching sensation, as it exfoliates! I love the feeling. :) xx

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  6. Such useful tips! I love dry brushing! xxx

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  7. I've been meaning to dry brush for years but I've never been quite sure of the best way to do it so your post is really helpful!

    Lucy x- Yellowicing

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  8. Thanks for the great tips. I really want to start dry brushing. I have had dry brushing as parts of spa treatments, but never thought of doing it myself at home. Great tips!

    Rae | Love from Berlin

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  9. Such a helpful blog post! I really want to get into dry brushing! Thanks!
    Fix Me In Forty Five - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
    Blog Lovin' // Instagram
    xx

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  10. I have never tried this before but I'm definitely intrigued! Very detailed article once again.

    x- Naomi in Wonderland

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  11. I have never done this before but have been meaning to. Thanks for the details in post, will refer back when I get around to purchasing a brush. Some day soon.....

    Nat | Dignifiable

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  12. I have never done this before but have been meaning to. Thanks for the details in post, will refer back when I get around to purchasing a brush. Some day soon.....

    Nat | Dignifiable

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  13. I have never done this before but have been meaning to. Thanks for the details in post, will refer back when I get around to purchasing a brush. Some day soon.....

    Nat | Dignifiable

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  14. I love the body shop products they smell amazing

    Candice | Beauty Candy Loves

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  15. I've tried dry brushing once and only once! It feels soo weird! It's ticklish but soothing at the same time! My friend did it to me and I didn't know how to feel. Ahhh...Maybe I'll stick to exfoliating! Hahaha

    xx Bash | Hey Bash | bloglovin'

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  16. amazing post !!

    also I love your background/design its gawjus !!!!

    Jadiee'sLittleBlogGIVEAWAY


    Jade

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  17. I have never heard of dry brushing but it sounds interesting, I think I'm definitely gonna try this. Great review. xoxo

    http://terramcd.blogspot.com

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  18. Thanks for such an informative post! Dry brushing is something that seems to be popping up a lot on the blogosphere at the moment and its definitely something I need to try as my circulation can be awful at times. I also want to reduce my cellulite too, so will be picking a brush up asap :) x
    Charlotte's Road

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  19. I love dry brushing! I've found it so beneficial since starting to do it regularly and I love moisturizing with almond oil afterwards.

    Kathryn | nimblenote.blogspot.com

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  20. wow thanx for sharing

    http://carrieslifestyle.com
    Posts online about Dubai, Egypt, Amalficoast...

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  21. thanks for guide ! :) I never try dry brushing :)
    please follow my blog : THE COLORFUL THOUGHTS

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  22. I always try to use my dry brush from Sanctuary Spa as it makes such a difference to my skin x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness x

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  23. I love dry brushing! I need to get one with a handle though x

    Josie’s Journal

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  24. I haven't heard of dry brushing, so it's a first for me. It sounds very benefiting, might need to try it out :)

    -Leta | The Nerdy Me

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  25. This is definitely on my list of things to try! I could definitely use a little help with cellulite lol. Couldn't we all?

    Thanks for your comment! My heart sunglasses are actually from when I worked at Justice - they're little girls sunglasses!

    COOCOO FOR COCO

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  26. I've actually never heard of this before, is that bad haha? I might have a look online for a brush in a minute though as this sounds interesting. By the way I love the hanging plant on your header!

    www.sophieslittlesecrets.blogspot.com

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  27. Thanks for the great tips, I need to get back into dry brushing :) x

    The Belle Narrative

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Thanks so much for commenting everyone! I read and appreciate every single one of your comments! xx