I love mornings. And yes, I realise that some of you may not understand this statement at all. I love the feeling of waking up early with a new day ahead, full of promise. Mornings are when I feel most productive. But even I can find it challenging sometimes to leave my comfy bed, which is why I love my morning ritual to help ease me into the day.
Creating the perfect canvas
It’s nearly a week since it happened, but we can still talk about the royal wedding, right? What a beautiful, touching ceremony held on a spectacularly gorgeous day. And while I could spend many more hours talking about everything that happened on 19 May, my connection to the wedding right now is all about skin. Particularly, how amazing the Duchess of Sussex looked in her decidedly no make-up look.
Paying attention to the planets
Invest in your skin today
If you look almost anywhere these days, you’ll find ways to “solve” many skincare issues. Whether you want to lighten pigmentation thanks to too much sun, remove the “11s” between your brows that make you look permanently angry or lift what is falling, there seems to be a product or treatment that can “reverse” the ageing process and / or undo damage you may have inflicted on your skin during the folly of youth.
My self-care story
Recently I wrote about the importance of self-care and since I had so many replies about this topic, I thought I would share what I learned when I found my own personal regime being tested in a way I’m not used to. Because I love a schedule (I’m an upholder afterall) and my life generally allows me to focus on me, carving out time for self-care isn’t usually a problem.
Putting yourself at the top of the list
While yesterday was all about celebrating your beloved, today I’d like to suggest that you put the focus squarely on yourself and reflect on what you are doing to look after you. I’m not talking about one-off treats that make you feel good in the moment (even if I love Donna and Tom's approach), but rather relying upon regular activities that make self-care a priority.
Inspector Gadget at your service
On the list of items that excite me, gadgets give me a special thrill. Whether they are mechanical device or just an ingenious piece of kit, I am a firm believer that gadgets make life easier. I can spend hours drooling over specialty kitchen items or waxing lyrical about my AirPods.
So when you marry gadgetry and skincare, that’s a real bonanza for me. Here are a few gadgets that have made it into my homecare routine.
Feeling 18 again
A few of my favourite things
It’s the time of year where lists recapping the best of the past 12 months are everywhere. And because I love a list, I’ve used this concept to inspire skincare items that I can’t be without. Well, let’s be generous and call them skincare-related, remembering that I believe good skincare is the foundation on which everything else is built.
Hand gestures
In the winter, my hands can become as chapped as my lips. Even though I apply facial serum and moisturiser to my hands on a daily basis (just what’s left on my palms), when the mercury drops and the air gets drier, I need to pay special attention to maintain softness. Particularly as rough hands make for a less than enjoyable treatment for my clients.