From Tisserand Aromatherapy The Body Wash to Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hand Gel Cream, we share calming beauty rituals to relieve tension over New Year
If your tension levels are sky high, here's your round-the-clock stress-busting beauty regime for 2019
ARE the daily struggles of modern life getting you down? You’re not the only one.
In fact, 42% of UK women say they are overly stressed, a situation that can wreak havoc with our bodies.
“When we are stressed, we release the hormone cortisol, causing our muscles to tighten, our breathing to quicken and our blood pressure to rise,” explains life coach Sarah Jones.
However, scheduling in small pampering rituals throughout the day could seriously help to reduce tension. Intrigued? Here’s your round-the-clock stress-busting beauty regime.
The morning rush hour
A few changes to your morning shower can help prep for a full-on day. “Smelling certain essential oils can lower your heart rate and deepen breathing to make you feel calmer. Traditionally wood, flower and citrus oils work to combat tension,” explains Jo Kellett, essential oil expert at Tisserand Aromatherapy.
For an invigorating morning wake-up, try a floral/wood blend, such as Tisserand Aromatherapy The Body Wash Neroli And Sandalwood, £9.95. Alternatively, hair carries fragrance for much longer than skin, so using a shampoo that contains lifting citrus and wood scents, like Rituals The Ritual Of Happy Buddha Shampoo, £9.50, will release soothing bursts of scent all day.
Even simply changing your hairbrush can help. “Massage releases endorphins, which are our feel-good hormones,” says Sarah. Using a low-tension brush like The Manta, £25, which moulds to your head, will not only stimulate hair growth but soothe your mood.
Finally, spending an extra five minutes on your make-up could benefit you in more ways than you think.
“From nail art to make-up, creativity is a great way to relax,” says Sarah. When you’re short on time, getting creative can be as easy as experimenting with a foolproof eyeshadow collection. We like Zoeva Spice of Your Life Palette, £17.50.
- Tisserand Aromatherapy The Body Wash Neroli And Sandalwood, £9.95 from Tisserand —
- Rituals The Ritual Of Happy Buddha Shampoo, £9.50 from Rituals —
- The Manta, £25 from Manta Hair —
- Zoeva Spice of Your Life Palette, £17.50 from Zoeva —
Working 9 to 5
With meetings and deadlines, it’s understandable that many of us feel most on edge at work, so it’s a good idea to keep some stress heroes al desko.
“A simple massage with hand cream takes just a couple of minutes and will make you feel calmer,” says Johnson & Johnson skin expert Rebecca Bennett. A gel formula like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hand Gel Cream, £5.49, is super-refreshing.
When you’re tight on time, a facial mist works wonders. Marie Reynolds London Hydr8 Misting Veil, £27.99, uses oat silk, hyaluronic acid and aloe to hydrate, soothe and refresh.
If the aroma of your shower gel wears off mid-afternoon, invest in a top-up option.
Try an invigorating citrus-based perfume like Huda Beauty Kayali Citrus 08, £84 for 100ml EDP, a mist of This Works Stress Check Hair Elixir, £25, or the Aromatherapy Associates For Liberty London Clear Mind Roller Ball, £18, on wrists, and take a moment to breathe it in.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hand Gel Cream, £5.49 from Look Fantastic —
- Marie Reynolds London Hydr8 Misting Veil, £27.99 from Marie Reynolds —
- Huda Beauty Kayali Citrus 08, £84 for 100ml EDP from Cult Beauty —
- This Works Stress Check Hair Elixir, £25 from SpaceNK —
- Aromatherapy Associates For Liberty London Clear Mind Roller Ball, £18 from Liberty London —
Your evening downtime
After a long day, removing make-up can feel like a chore, so try switching up your products to create a calming ritual.
“Muscles and lymph nodes are surrounded by connective tissue called fascia, which is easily dehydrated when we’re stressed. Facial massage not only greatly reduces tension, but also hydrates the fascia,” says Marie Reynolds, skin expert and founder of Marie Reynolds London.
Massage your skin with an essential-oil-infused cleanser, such as Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, £16, which reduces anxiety and stress while dissolving dirt.
And give your skin some nourishment with a facial oil. Neal’s Yard Remedies Orange Flower Facial Oil, £26, replenishes natural moisture levels and delivers a calming scent.
- Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil, £16 from Kiehl's —
- Neal’s Yard Remedies Orange Flower Facial Oil, £26 from Neal's Yard —
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Can’t get no sleep?
With 90% of Brits naming sleep problems as the No.1 trigger for stress, it’s important you’ve got your sleep routine nailed.
If you can find a spare hour before bedtime, running a bath will have many benefits. “Having a warm bath reduces cortisol release and boosts endorphins,” says Alexis Granite, Kiehl’s Since 1851 consulting dermatologist.
For extra relaxation, add a scoop of calming bath salts. Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Multi Mineral Bath Salts, £38, contain 13 essential oils that work to get you sleep-ready. And while you’re chilling right out, why not multitask by smoothing on a luxurious face mask?
Simple Kind To Skin De-Stress Sheet Mask, £2.99, contains skin-loving vitamins to help brighten stressed-out complexions.
Finish your evening routine by treating your body to rich hydration in the form of Lush Sleepy Body Lotion, £15.95.
Its calming lavender flower will have you drifting off into a peaceful, stress-free slumber in no time.
- Neom Perfect Night’s Sleep Multi Mineral Bath Salts, £38 from Neom Organics —
- Simple Kind To Skin De-Stress Sheet Mask, £2.99 from Boots —
- Lush Sleepy Body Lotion, £15.95 from Lush —
Sources: Forth With Life, Headspace
Stockists: Aromatherapy Associates (), Huda Beauty (), Kiehl’s Since 1851 (), Lush (), Manta (), Marie Reynolds London (), Neal’s Yard Remedies (), Neom (), Neutrogena (), Rituals (), Simple (), This Works (), Tisserand Aromatherapy (), Zoeva ().