Meet the non-invasive method that rebalances from the inside out.
From the pursuit of glass skin to global intrigue around snail mucin, Korean beauty has always been a step ahead of the algorithm, shaping not only trends but entire categories of skincare. Yet while K-beauty is celebrated for its futuristic formulations and recent innovations, arguably its true backbone lies in the ingredients, routines and techniques that have been tried and tested for decades. Long before viral cult staples became a ‘thing’, Korean skincare was rooted in an ethos of balance and holistic care, principles that continue to influence modern routines.
Among these longstanding techniques is Golki, a traditional facial massage method that has endured quietly in the background of Korean beauty culture. Translating to ‘bone energy’, Golki is a form of massage that focuses on improving circulation, promoting lymphatic drainage, stimulating the body’s healing process and having a natural lifting effect.
In the words of Iris Maglanoc, “Golki is a South Korean bone-setting technique designed to create a more symmetrical face by subtly shifting the facial bones within their natural mobility.”
Having placed second in the 2024 World Face Matrix Competition – an event where beauty experts go head-to-head to transform a model’s face in five minutes using methods like Golki – Iris is a master of techniques, from Golki and Seikei massage to myofascial release and mesotherapy.
When I ask why Iris chose to learn Golki, she explains that it stood out to her “because of its structural impact on facial shape and symmetry.” Yet before she had even laid a hand on my face, Iris spent 30 minutes working through my back.
Within seconds of arriving for my appointment, she was using a Japanese body driver tool by Corefit to work out deep tension in my back that has built up through the years as a result of poor posture. The inventor of this tool trained Iris a year ago, with her telling me that she aims to learn at least three new techniques a year to add to her wealth of knowledge.
After working her magic on one side, my shoulder was sitting lower and more relaxed, my neck seemed longer and my brows were lifted. If you’re not convinced, you only need to look at my mid point photo to see the difference between my shoulders alone. Can you guess which side she’d finished with?
“You can’t set bones without everything else being in place,” Iris explains, with the Golki portion of my bespoke facial being at the very end of our session and just one element of her tailored approach.
“The muscles, ligaments, back, shoulders, and neck are all interconnected with the structures of the face. When there’s chronic tension, everything is pulled down and out of balance. By releasing that tension and improving circulation, the face is free to lift, balance, and realign,” Iris explains.
Golki is a non-invasive Korean ‘bone setting’ massage that aims to sculpt and balance the face by working with the body’s natural movements. Applying pressure to bones and deep tissues to release tension, stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, these actions help reduce puffiness and create a more lifted appearance.
