Ooops, it’s been over 2 weeks since my last post. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you would have noticed that one of my resolutions for this year was to try and post more frequently, but I have metaphorically put two fingers up to that and said no I’m actually going to enjoy having a little break, and boy did I revel in it. So that’s where this is all going to start, the importance of being able to say no, be selfish and make some time for yourself. This particular thought jumped at me as I was delayed on the central line for 30 minutes, in this time I worked out that without delays I spend 6 hours of my week on a train – 6 hours! So by the time I get home, I barely have enough time to eat dinner, let alone relax. So I took it upon myself to design the ultimate pamper routine, long enough to leave you feeling like your old self, but not so long that you’ll pay for it the next day!
Step 1 – Cleansing & Mask
Once getting home from work there is nothing I love more than taking off all my make up and cleansing my face, I’m sure we’ve all heard about that delightful toxic smog floating around London, and I do not need that on my face. I use my trusty Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser to remove all the make up on my face, and buff it in with my Magnitone. I normally do this twice just to be double sure everything is gone, and then take a make up wipe (my favourites here) to remove any stubborn mascara. Next up the lovely people at Beauty Masks sent me a couple of their sheet masks*. I received the charcoal and apple, with the latter being my favourite. I keep them in the fridge and they are super soothing once all of your make up has been taken off, just a small tip from me to you, if you have these, they come with a lot of excess product, squeeze this off so it isn’t too messy and make your own masks – ala here.
Step 2 – Bubble Bath & Candles
With my face mask still on, I then choose my favourite bath bomb and start to run my bath. I’ve actually taken to adding bath oil into the mix, I have probably fallen victim to the placebo effect, but any bath oil with lavender in it really helps me drift off – something that is extremely important when you are waking up every day at 5:30. I also light a few candles, I’m making my way through this Yankee one at the moment, I got this as a secret santa present from Zoe last year, and it smells so good!
Step 3 – Netflix & Nails
It is then on to the wonder that is Netflix. I’m currently watching Mad Men and I completely obsessed! It is great night time watching, and I am pretty good at telling myself I only have time for one episode before it is time to turn off – Pretty Little Liars on the other hand… I also find this the perfect time to pay a little attention to my nails. I can’t stand chipped nail varnish so I normally leave my nails naked with the exception of a protector, as I’m trying to grow them after years of falsies.
Step 4 – Tan
My little luxury that I always reward myself with is topping up my tan, as mentioned in previous posts, I am frightfully pale. I hate to live up to the Essex stereotype of a tan loving bint, but I can’t get enough of it, and I think I’ve worked out the perfect routine to ensure a golden glow and avoid looking like a satsuma. I’m currently trialling this instant self tan mousse by St Moriz, it’s an okay formula, but nothing to write home about.
Step 5 – Pj’s & Bed
My final step takes me into bed, I choose my favourite pair of pjs and spritz my covers with some pillow spray again, it probably is all in my head, but I feel like I get a deeper sleep when I use this and off to the land of nod I go. I’ve also taken to wearing my Misfit Shine to bed, it is basically a fancy pedometer but also tracks how much sleep I’m getting – super clever!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my quick pamper routine, and let me know what you do to unwind or if you have any products you could recommend to me.
Courtney x
Love that Yankee candle pic
Thanks! 🙂
Its no wonder you have so much sleep, you’re super relaxed by bed time 🙂 xx
Alison At Home!
Haha I’ve got to maintain my 8 hours somehow! You might need more than nice candles and some pillow spray to get yours with little miss Kaci!
Yankee candles are the one!
Sooo beaut! I have you to thank for that one 🙂
Okay, now I just want to do all those things, sounds so relaxing and perfect. Wish I had some products I could recomment, but I don’t.. Hey, if you know any good self tanners please let me know, I’m currently so pale it’s almost scary to look at :’)
I’ve always loved St Tropez luxury dry oil, but if you can’t get to grips with that, then go for a gradual moisturiser like Dove Summer Glow – that’s never let me down! 🙂 xx