Mindfull

I usually use skincare to help me relax after a super stressful school day or to cheer me up if I need a little pick-me-up, and the feeling of having cleansed skin is always a plus! If I really want to go all-out and be a little extra, there are a few added steps I take to set the scene. Let’s do this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1: Skincare Time!

 

I absolutely adore Lush, and as a person who is allergic to literally everything—especially anything that is way too artificially scented—I feel safe using Lush’s products because all their products are handmade, and they use fresh and natural ingredients. I tend to like their soothing products which contain honey, lavender, and vanilla, but they have soo many products with a variety of distinct scents and ingredients. I totally recommend checking out their website to find the perfect products for you and your skin type!

 

Before putting on a face mask, I always cleanse my skin, even if I'm not wearing makeup. Washing my face allows the mask to adhere with more ease and also preps the skin to reap all the amazing benefits of the mask. You can exfoliate too, but I wouldn't if the mask your putting on has exfoliating properties, like one of my favorite face masks from Lush, the "Mask of Magnaminty."

 

The "Mask of Magnaminty" is super refreshing and helps cleanse the skin of any impurities. This mask is cooling and can be rather tingly because of the peppermint. "Mask of Magnaminty" can also be a tad drying so I would only use this once a week or even once every 10 days, but it totally depends on your skin type!

 

Another mask I really love is "Bunny Moon," a Jelly facemask from Lush. This mask smells absolutely amazing since it contains chamomile, honey, and vanilla, which all combine to create a calming and moisturizing effect on the skin. I think this mask would be perfect for those who have super dry skin. This face mask is also really fun to play with because it jiggles like Jell-O!

 

After you've had your face mask on for the allotted time, it's time to rinse! I like to finish rinsing my face off with cold water to sort of "calm" the skin after applying a ton of products. I finish everything off with my favorite toner from Lush, "Breath of Fresh Air," which is a soothing "sea water" spray/toner. Masks can be drying so you may need to add moisture back into the skin to keep its balance, so don't forget to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Creating the perfect setting!

 

This next step may seem a tad extra, but I just happen to care about these details, so feel free to skip this if you're not into it!

 

I care *a lot* about lighting, and I am a *very* firm believer in the power fairy lights or twinkly lights. For some reason, my fairy lights make me feel happy and at peace. My lights are remote controlled and can be dimmed, so after turning off all the lights, I turn on my warm white fairy lights (I bought mine from Amazon) to their dimmest setting. I also turn on my mini salt rock lamp that changes colors. On my TV or laptop, I'll put on "Thunderstorm Sounds" or "Virtual Fireplace" via YouTube to really amp up the ambiance of my room. I also sometimes light a scented candle and pray the fragrance doesn’t irritate me too much! #AllergicToEverything

 

Please feel free to make your setting fit who you are and what you prefer. If you want no lights, then go for it! You can play your favorite music, or find a playlist on Spotify that is used for meditation. You could even do a face mask in the great outdoors! How awesome would that be?!?!

 

Step 3: Breathe.

 

The third and final step is to breathe. This is simply a moment for you to relax and take a break from the overwhelming chaos that invades your life every day. Taking a moment to "breathe" may seem trivial, but sometimes it can be helpful to pay attention to something we always do subconsciously. Once a professor noted how deeply I sighed as I sat down at my desk, and after that class, I became very conscious of how much I sighed every day! My stress was negatively affecting my breathing, and I was doing it without realizing. When attempting to do deep breathing exercises, I personally like to inhale as much air as possible, hold it in for five seconds, and slowly exhale all the air from your lungs. My PE teacher once told me to do this in high school, to slow my heart rate down quicker (if I remember correctly), and I never forgot their advice.

 

And, finally, you're done! Easy-peasy right? *Backs away slowly*

 

On a more serious note, and just to be super clear, people who prescribe face masks, scented candles, or aromatherapy as necessary steps for "self-care" may have their hearts in the right place, but a face mask alone won't be a cure for something more serious. If something is severely affecting you, please talk to someone you trust, and maybe speak to a professional about what you are feeling.

 

While I prefer to "de-stress" with a face mask and an episode of The Office, everyone is different and whatever works to make you feel at peace is valid. I see self-care as a means to assess how you are feeling and what you need in any given moment. It can be skincare, coloring in a coloring app, or playing a video game. These acts are merely about taking a moment to show yourself some love.

 

Wishing you all the peace you need and deserve,

 

Julia xoxo