A caring face massage can smooth away some of this tension, leaving us looking (and feeling) more at ease and relaxed. Offer to take your partner`s hair off the face with a headband, as it will inevitably get a little oily around the hairline during the massage. Be careful not to use too much oil on the face or one can find it difficult to massage specific areas without slipping. Encourage your partner to close his or her eyes, so as to focus on your touch. Also, it can be disconcerting to have someone staring up at you, especially as a novice.

1. Begin by stroking up each side of the jaw-line to the forehead. Repeat four or five times.

2. Slowly stroke the forehead rhythmically with the flat of your hand from just above the brows to the hairline.

3. Starting at the centre hairline slide your thumbs out to the side, applying gentle pressure.

4. Move down the forehead slightly and repeat. Continue this outward stroking pressure until you reach the eyebrows.

5. Now place the heel of each hand on the centre forehead and slide out to the sides. Repeat three times.

6. Place the first two fingers of each hand on the temples and circle gently for a minute or two, applying a little pressure.

7. All the above movements help to relieve a headache. Try lavender oil for your massage, as it can ward off a headache if used in time.

8. Place your thumbs on your partner`s inner eyebrows and slide out to the sides. Repeat three times.

9. With your index finger and thumb gently pull along the brow bone. Repeat three times.

10. Stroke gently over the eyelids with your ring fingers, from the inner to the outer corners. Repeat three times.

11. Alternately stroke down the nose with your thumbs, and gently rub round the nose tip and nostrils. Be careful not to press hard on the nostrils.

12. Stroke the cheeks across the cheekbones and gradually work down the face to the chin.

13. Make little circular movements across the top lip. When you reach the corner of the mouth lift slightly and repeat.

14. Make pinching movements out along the jaw line and up towards the ears.

15. Rub the earlobes between your fingers and thumb, and gently pinch all around the outer ear. Most people love this.

16. Sweep your hands up the neck and on to the cheeks. Hold and then repeat.

17. Finish by stroking the forehead, getting lighter and lighter until you bring your hands off.