The Pre-Winter Beauty Reset

It’s that time of year when you feel kind of ‘meh’, right? I know I’m feeling a little dry and dull and you know what makes me feel better besides binge-watching the first few seasons of Real Housewives of New York while eating chocolate chip bagels!? A big beauty reset. It’s not just your classic ‘everything shower’, it’s more than that. It’s time to call in the pros, indulge in all the self-care, and take the time to feel great again. Here’s what I’m doing right now…

HAIR

It took me ages, but I finally got into regular haircuts. It’s bleak, but before I would go easy years between my ends and ends were just crying out for a piece! I’m going to see now Roxy in The Hair Bros every six months. Their cuts are PRETTY and pretty low-key, but I love that I can go out and look just refreshed rather than anything drastic. I was just in for a trim and I’ll be getting the next one before summer in six months. Except my usual routine bathing and stylingthe only real “cure” i use is the Sisley Hair Regeneration Mask* (ad – gifted), which I think I must have received about four years ago because I remember using it in our old apartment. I’m just about to the end of the tube I’ve decanted into a container because this stuff is GOLD and I want to use every last drop. If my hair is kind of dry, I’ll apply it heavily to my ends, go to bed with it on, and then wash it out when I wash it the next morning. Leaves things feeling *smooth*.

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BODY

Look, there really isn’t a better investment you can make in your body than one Exfoliating Mitt*. Cheap as chips and something that will honestly last you years (I just throw it in the washing machine after a few uses and it’s brand new). Incorporate it as part of your “whatever shower” and you’ll GLOW. I like to use my exfoliating mitt and then shave (I use it Estrid Razors*), then get out of the shower and apply either an oil all over Mirrorwater Smooth Body Oil* – this is my favorite – or the Tan-Luxe Gradual Tanner*, which gives a real subtle tan to the skin. Do one of these sessions once a week (or I like to apply Tan-Luxe every two or three days to maintain a sun-kissed look) and you’ll feel INCREDIBLE. If you feel Really fancy try a lymphatic drainage massage – these are great if you’re feeling a bit bloated. I go to this point in Brighton.

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HANDS AND FEET

Now is the time of year to make one of them Acid Peel Socks* things where your skin practically sheds like a snake to reveal silky smooth legs. It’s so gross, but so rewarding and because we’re now well and truly in socks wearing socks, no one will ever know. I like to do one before winter and one before summer. These REALLY work. Then maintain your hard work with its weekly use Margaret Daabs Foot File* – the absolute BEST on the market – and Beauty Pie’s Footopia Foot Cream* – Really hit it and let it absorb. I’m well and truly committed to the nail salon life now – once you start it’s SO hard to stop! I’ve had my legs done since having Ralph because I couldn’t bend over when I was pregnant! But now I do fingers too – I’m a woman obsession! I go every three weeks for these – so now I do a session that’s just the fingers and then a session that’s the fingers and toes. So if you too are committing to the nail salon life, book your treatments until the new year. If you’re an at-home nail enthusiast, then I really rate doing gel polish at home on your feet – get one Light bulb*, after some kind CND Starter Kit* (I’ve always found this brand pretty easy to make at home) – and you’re good to go. For the fingers I found it kinder on my nails in a pseudo-gel kind of way like this Manicurist*. It lasts a week on me, but it’s super quick to remove and reapply and isn’t that harsh on your nails. Of course the night hand cream is a MUST. I really like it The one from Kiehl’s* – it’s a classic – Mark put me on it! And for a skin oil I get so lazy with them that I have to tempt myself with something fancy to get me to actually use it, so this CHANEL one* works.

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FACE

I’ve entered a new era when it comes to skin care and I think it’s because my skin is going through a major change. I’m drier, more blemish-prone, and it’s forcing me to do a real revamp in my routine, instead of just reusing the same stalwarts I’ve been using for years at this point. If you want the lowdown on everything I use, then read on this Instagram post. But as for the reset, that’s what I’m thinking. It really is a very good time to delve into professional treatments. Some require downtime that’s easier to get into when your social calendar isn’t as full as it was in the summer, and most require you to stay out of the sun, which is pretty easy to do this time of year next year. I just had a CO2 laser resurfacing treatment (I made it here), which helps in skin regeneration. The downtime was about a week, but it significantly reduced the scarring and hyperpigmentation of my spots. I’ve never done anything like this before and I’m honestly amazed at how quickly it works. But if you’re looking for home remedies, then I’d say you need the big 3 – an LED mask (I find the Current body one* the most comfortable to use and the charge lasts a long time – I do this three times a week), a face mask that caters to the specific needs of your skin (seeing that I’m congested, I really like Fresh Umbrian Clay* one) and since it’s winter, it’s a good time to introduce a retinol as well (I use Skin + Me). Use these three things on the reg and you will notice a huge difference.

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