Zendaya’s glow has become one of modern beauty culture’s most studied phenomena. Fans, stylists, and fellow celebrities alike dissect her red-carpet photos, backstage images, and morning snaps searching for repeatable secrets. The “hack” they keep returning to isn’t a single bottle or a trending device; it’s a focused set of facial massage and skin-care rituals championed by her long-time aesthetician, Joomee Song — techniques that combine circulation, de-puffing, and structural tone to create a luminous, camera-ready complexion without relying on heavy filters or constant treatments NET-A-PORTER. This article lays out the method, explains why it works, shows how celebrities and savvy beauty pros are adapting it, and gives you a practical, science-aware plan to try at home.
The hack in one line
Consistent, targeted facial massage — especially along the jawline and masseter muscles — paired with strategic heat (warm baths or steam), gentle cleansing, and an emphasis on lymphatic drainage, rather than heavy layering of products, is the core of the Zendaya-endorsed approach celebrities are asking stylists to replicate NET-A-PORTER Times Now.
Why the hack spreads quickly
- Visual payoff: Facial massage yields a quick, visible reduction in puffiness and a sculpted jawline that photographs well under lights and in candid moments, which makes it instantly shareable.
- Accessibility: The technique uses hands (or simple tools) rather than expensive in-office devices, lowering the barrier to entry for influencers and celebrities during travel or busy schedules NET-A-PORTER.
- Endorsement effect: When a celebrity with Zendaya’s profile and a credible professional aesthetician vouches for a method, stylists and beauty editors prioritize it for clients and coverage NET-A-PORTER.
- Longevity: Unlike fad products that promise overnight miracles, massage and drainage promote skin function and circulation, benefits that compound over time and suit long-term red-carpet preparedness.
The aesthetician behind the hack
Joomee Song, an LA-based aesthetician known for techniques that blend Japanese-inspired massage with modern skin science, has worked with high-profile clients and publicly shared a set of practical steps aimed at achieving a “radiant, rested look.” Her core recommendations emphasize targeted massage along the jawline and masseter muscles, the benefits of sweating or warm baths for glow, and a priority on circulation and drainage over excessive product layering NET-A-PORTER. Media profiles summarize her approach and the results she gets for clients like Zendaya, which has boosted visibility for these techniques among beauty professionals and celebrities alike Times Now NET-A-PORTER.
The mechanics: how and why massage + heat works
- Circulation and oxygenation: Massage increases local blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin and promoting a natural, rosy flush that photographs as radiance.
- Lymphatic drainage: Gentle strokes directed toward lymph nodes help reduce fluid retention and puffiness, particularly under the eyes and along the jawline. This is a structural change rather than a color adjustment, which is why the results can appear more “real” on camera.
- Muscle tone and tension relief: Massaging the masseter (the jaw-closing muscle) reduces clenching-related hypertrophy and softens a square jaw appearance over time; it also relieves facial tension that can make skin look tired.
- Heat-assisted permeability: Short-term heat exposure (steam or warm bath) encourages circulation and increases the skin’s temporary permeability, making light moisturizers more effective and enhancing the immediate glow without aggressive exfoliation or high-concentration actives NET-A-PORTER.
These mechanisms make the ritual more than a cosmetic trick; it’s a set of biological effects that contribute to sustained improvements when done correctly.
The signature moves: step-by-step
Below is a practical, stylized version of the Zendaya hack adapted from Joomee Song’s public guidance and common practices among celebrity skin pros NET-A-PORTER Times Now.
Prepare: Clean skin and warm environment
- Begin with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup and surface oils. Use lukewarm water to avoid vasoconstriction that can mask results.
- Optional: a 5–10 minute warm bath or facial steam to soften skin and open superficial vessels, increasing the effectiveness of massage NET-A-PORTER.
Hydrate topically with slip
- Apply a lightweight facial oil or hydrating serum to provide glide. The product should be non-comedogenic if you’re breakout-prone; the goal is slip, not heavy occlusion.
Jawline and masseter work (5–7 minutes)
- Using the fleshy pads of your fingers, perform downward sweeping motions from the cheekbones toward the jawline, then from the angle of the jaw toward the neck to encourage drainage.
- Focus along the masseter by placing fingers at the back of the jaw and gently kneading in small circles to release tension and reduce puffiness over time NET-A-PORTER.
- Repeat 8–12 times on each side with gentle pressure; the goal is circulation, not pain.
Lymphatic sweep (3–5 minutes)
- With flat hands, lightly stroke from under the eyes down the cheek and toward the ears, then from the jaw to the collarbone, always moving toward major lymph nodes.
- Use feather-light pressure for under-eye work to avoid stretching delicate skin.
Sculpt and lift (2–4 minutes)
- Pinch-lift small sections of the cheek using thumb and index finger to stimulate micro-circulation and a mild lifting sensation. Alternate with upward strokes along the cheek hill.
Finish with cooling and SPF
- After massage, rinse with lukewarm water and finish with a cooling splash or a chilled gua sha (optional) to close the transiently dilated vessels.
- Apply a light moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen if you’ll be exposed to daylight; protection preserves the long-term benefits of the ritual.
This sequence can be condensed into a 10–15 minute express version or expanded for a 20–30 minute pre-event ritual depending on schedule and goals.
Tools that enhance the hack (and which to avoid)
- Helpful: gua sha stones, ceramic or jade rollers, and flat palm tools that distribute pressure evenly and extend the massage motion without dragging the skin. These tools facilitate lymphatic directionality and reduce friction.
- Optional: percussion devices with very low intensity designed for facial use (use cautiously and under expert guidance).
- Avoid: aggressive suction devices and high-frequency tools unless administered by a licensed professional; these can exacerbate capillary fragility and are unnecessary for the primary goals of drainage and tone.
Celebrities often use a combination of hands and simple tools to preserve skin integrity while amplifying the visual results.
Why celebrities, not just fans, are adopting the hack
- Time efficiency: The ritual offers a fast, visible take that fits busy travel and shoot schedules because it requires only short dedicated blocks of time.
- Noninvasive preparation: Compared to injectables and in-office treatments, massage plus heat reduces reliance on invasive interventions between events.
- Photo optimization: The structural changes — reduced puffiness, clearer jaw definition, and an immediate “glow” — translate well in photos and on video without heavy editing.
- Empowerment: Celebrities can take control of their pre-appearance prep without scheduling professional appointments, allowing for last-minute touch-ups that still look natural.
Several outlets and profiles have documented stylistic trends where A-listers emphasize massage and drainage in their backstage routines, citing aesthetician recommendations and in-venue prepping protocols Times Now NET-A-PORTER.
Science, safety, and setting expectations
While massage and lymphatic techniques have real benefits, they’re not miracle cures. It’s important to be realistic and cautious.
- Safety: Use light-to-moderate pressure and avoid aggressive pinching around the thin under-eye skin. If you have active skin conditions (rosacea, severe acne, dermatitis) consult a dermatologist before aggressive massage or steam exposure.
- Frequency: For tone and tension relief, 3–5 sessions per week can yield visible improvements; daily express sessions can maintain short-term results. Long-term structural change (e.g., meaningful masseter reduction) requires months.
- Limits: Massage improves circulation and drainage but won’t eliminate deep volume loss or structural sagging that requires medical interventions. It complements, rather than replaces, professional dermatologic care.
By pairing the hack with sensible self-care and clinical oversight when needed, you can avoid pitfalls and get sustained benefits.
Celebrity adaptations and backstage rituals
On set or in dressing rooms, celebrities use condensed versions of the method: a 5–7 minute jawline sweep, a gua sha pass, and a quick cooling compress before lights. Makeup artists often request clients arrive with minimal topical oils so that application is controlled; some pros integrate a short massage into their makeup prep to improve product sit and reduce the need for heavy concealing layers. Industry sources point to this integration as a reason the hack is becoming standard backstage procedure for red-carpet and magazine shoots NET-A-PORTER.
At-home plan: a 14-day Zendaya-inspired protocol
Week 1 — Foundation (Days 1–7)
- Daily: 5-minute morning express ritual (hydration splash, jawline sweep, lymphatic stroke).
- Twice: 10–15 minute evening session with fuller massage and warm bath or steam beforehand (if tolerated) NET-A-PORTER.
Week 2 — Consolidation (Days 8–14)
- Daily: Continue morning express ritual.
- Thrice: Longer evening session with gua sha and focused masseter release.
- Check-in: Photograph from consistent lighting to monitor changes in puffiness and jawline softness.
Adjust frequency if skin shows signs of irritation. The goal is cumulative circulation and tension reduction, not aggressive manipulation.
Product pairings and what professionals actually use
Professionals emphasize slip and hydration over fancy labeling. Lightweight facial oils containing antioxidants (vitamin E, squalane) or hydrating serums (hyaluronic acid-based, at low concentrations) provide glide and support barrier function. Heavy occlusive balms are less useful for massage and can impede drainage. Celebrities’ backstage kits typically include a travel-sized hydrating oil, a gentle cleanser, a gua sha, SPF, and cooling masks or pads for rapid depuffing NET-A-PORTER Times Now.
Real-world results and testimonials
Public-facing interviews and dermatologist-aesthetician profiles note that consistent facial massage reduces temporary puffiness and softens jaw tension within weeks, with more pronounced structural changes developing over months with persistent work and complementary oral health and sleep hygiene measures NET-A-PORTER. Beauty editors who have tried Song’s techniques report immediate visual differences in photographs, validating why stylists advise these methods before shoots and events Times Now NET-A-PORTER.
Criticisms and cautious voices
Skeptics warn against oversimplifying outcomes: massage is not a substitute for clinical treatments when conditions require them, and DIY application without anatomical knowledge may risk irritation if done improperly. Additionally, some commentators caution against monetizing the technique into a product-heavy regimen—its power lies in movement and directionality, not in buying a dozen specialty solutions.
How to integrate the hack sustainably
- Make it part of a larger skin-health routine: prioritize sleep, hydration, sun protection, and professional check-ups.
- Use massage and heat as prep rather than primary therapy for chronic issues.
- Educate yourself on lymphatic directionality and avoid harsh, rapid motions.
- Combine with professional care when considering deeper structural changes or if you have medical skin issues.
Sustainability ensures you reap benefits without damage or overreach.
The cultural takeaway: why Zendaya’s beauty approach resonates
Zendaya’s popularity amplifies the method, but the cultural appeal goes deeper: the hack is approachable, non-performative, and emphasizes care over concealment. In a landscape saturated with instant-filtered perfection, a technique that foregrounds circulation, rest, and functional prep feels modern and authentic. It’s performative enough for cameras yet humane enough for daily life — a balance that celebrities and audiences value.
Final notes and an at-a-glance routine
- Quick express routine (5–7 minutes): cleanse, apply light oil, 3–5 jawline sweeps per side, lymphatic cheek-to-neck strokes, rinse, and SPF.
- Pre-event ritual (15–25 minutes): warm bath or steam, full jaw and masseter massage, gua sha crafting, cooling compress, light hydrating serum, and sunscreen or makeup primer.
- Frequency: daily express maintenance with 3–4 extended sessions weekly for cumulative results.
Zendaya’s beauty hack is less a secret potion and more a disciplined practice: consistency, proper technique, and respect for skin health. Celebrities are pleading for it because it delivers a camera-ready effect without theatrical intervention, and because it maps onto an idea that resonates broadly — beauty that is prepared, not manufactured.
Sources: NET-A-PORTER Times Now
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