STAINLESS STEEL BEAUTY TOOLS I SWEAR BY
It started with a jade gua sha. I loved it and used it all the time. Then somewhere along the way I bought a stainless steel version and never looked back. I loved the weight of it and how cool it felt against my skin. Most importantly, it didn't absorb any of my skincare. One stainless steel tool somehow turned into six, and now I have this little collection that I genuinely use all the time. The best part? Five of them are under $20.
These are the six that have officially earned a permanent spot in my routine:
1. Stainless Steel Face Gua Sha ($8)
This is the one that started it all. I keep it in my nightstand and use it a few nights a week as the last step in my skincare routine. I'm not really a facial oil person, so I use the InnBeauty Extreme Cream instead. Anything rich and creamy works, you just want enough slip that the gua sha glides easily without pulling at your skin. I usually take it to bed with me and spend a few minutes working upward and outward along my jawline and cheekbones while I'm winding down. Definitely no elaborate routine. What converted me from jade to stainless steel was how much easier it is to keep clean. My jade gua sha eventually started absorbing product, whereas this one rinses completely clean and still looks exactly like it did when I bought it. Plus, that cool, weighty feeling of stainless steel against your skin is just so good.
Little tip: If it feels like your gua sha is dragging, add more oil/cream instead of pressing harder. It should always glide.
2. Stainless Steel Trigger Point Massage Tool ($10)
Possibly the strangest looking tool on this list and probably the one I use the most. This also lives in my nightstand because most nights I'll give myself a quick foot massage before bed. I roll it underneath my feet and spend a little extra time through the arches, especially after I've been walking a lot. I even travel with it because my feet always need it after those 20,000 step travel days. If this entire collection disappeared tomorrow, this would probably be the first thing I reordered. It's that good. Also, funny story: the first time I traveled with it, TSA pulled my bag aside. The agent showed me the scanner and pointed directly at this thing because no one could figure out what it was. Once I explained that it was a foot massage tool, we all started laughing. So yes, I still travel with it, but just know it may cause some confusion. And for $10, you actually get two tools. The S shaped one below comes with it.
3. The S Curve Massage Tool (sold with number 2)
This is the second half of that $10 set, and even though they come together, I use them completely differently. The pointed tool is great when I want to target one specific spot, while this one gives me more of that deep massage feeling. The curved shape fits perfectly into the arch of my foot, so I'll work it along my arches, heels and sides of my feet. Basically, one is precise and one is deep. I love having both, and considering the entire set is $10, they technically work out to about $5 each.
4. Stainless Steel Scalp Comb ($13)
First of all, tell me this does not look like a tiny dolphin?! This one lives in my bathroom and I mostly use it with my mom's Ayurvedic hair tonic. I spray the tonic directly onto my scalp and roots, then use the comb to work everything through and give myself a little scalp massage. Sometimes I'll bring it into the shower with me and use it while I shampoo + condition too. The rounded metal teeth feel really nice against the scalp without being scratchy, and I love that I can rinse the entire thing off when I'm done. Mine has lived in the bathroom forever and still looks brand new. If you want to try it with the hair tonic, I shared my mom's recipe here. I usually let it sit for a little while before showering and then wash everything out.
5. Stainless Steel Eye Roller ($16)
This is my morning tool. I don't use any product with it. I just roll the cool stainless steel underneath my eyes for a minute or so, especially on mornings when I wake up looking a little puffy. The metal naturally stays cool at room temperature, which is usually enough for me, but sometimes I'll pop it into the fridge for a couple of minutes while I'm doing the rest of my skincare. It's such a tiny thing, but it feels so good and instantly makes me feel a little more awake.
6. Stainless Steel Body Massage Roller ($40)
This is the splurge of the group, but I love it. I keep it in the bathroom and usually use it after a shower with the M3 Naturals massage oil. I'll roll it over my thighs and hips in long upward motions, usually a couple of times a week. The pressure you get from the stainless steel rollers is so much better than trying to massage everything with your hands, and my skin always looks and feels so good afterward. I'll admit, this is probably the tool I should use more often than I actually do, but I have a feeling it's going to become more and more of a staple in my routine. It also came with a mini gua sha, which I wasn't expecting, so technically another two for one.
Little tip: Keep your body oil right next to the roller. I'm so much more likely to actually use something when everything I need is sitting together.
Shop The Body Massage Roller Here ↗
The Edit
There is something very satisfying about collecting beautiful, simple tools that actually earn their place in your routine. Nothing here is particularly fancy or precious. They're just really good, well made things that I find myself reaching for again and again. And with five of the six coming in under $20, they're proof that the things you use most don't necessarily have to be the things you spend the most on. They also happen to make really good little gifts. If you're looking for stocking stuffers or something under $20 that feels a little more special than the price tag, I would happily gift almost anything on this list.
Shop the Edit
⟡ Stainless Steel Face Gua Sha, $8
⟡ Stainless Steel Trigger Point Massage Set, $10
⟡ S Curve Massage Tool, included in the set above
⟡ Stainless Steel Scalp Comb, $13
⟡ Stainless Steel Eye Roller, $16
⟡ Stainless Steel Body Massage Roller, $40
What I Use With Them
⟡ InnBeauty Extreme Cream, $50
⟡ M3 Naturals Massage Oil, $17
⟡ Mom's Ayurvedic Hair Tonic
