Update Your Morning

Beauty NEWS

Skin Bliss

Encapsulated in convenient break-open capsules, Elemis’ antioxidant-rich facial oils (£69.50, www.elemis.com) help to improve the visible signs of ageing whilst breaking down the accumulation of harmful, skin-clogging toxins. Antioxidant-rich day and night facial oils that nourish while counteracting the damaging effects of daily pollution. Formulated with hydrating Rose Absolute, the morning capsule helps hydrate and soften skin. The evening capsule is infused with soothing Lavender to help repair and protect skin overnight.

Eye Glaze

ICONIC London have introduced the ultimate 2-in-1 crayon (£24, www.iconiclondoninc.com) for creating shimmering, ultra-mesmerising eyes in seconds. Get ready to sparkle with the double-ended eye duo – Glaze Crayon. Packed with metallic pigments and irresistible sparkle, this is a brand-new way to create a smouldering, shimmering eye look in an instant. It’s glossy, gorgeous and seriously GLAM.

Bursting with Flavour

KAYALI Fragrance have added Eden Juicy Apple fragrance (from £55.85, www.feelunique.com) to their lineup. A tempting cocktail of crisp and juicy red apples, sweet berries, and fresh floral notes that will leave you hungry for more. The succulent scent is the ninth fragrance in the KAYALI collection and one that will quench your thirst with its addictive and daring fusion.

Wellbeing in your Hands

Are your hands in need of a little New Year TLC? Then look no further than ESPA's Wellbeing In Your Hands' Handcare Trio. Nourish, cleanse and soothe hard-working hands, nails and cuticles with this Bergamot & Jasmine handcare collection (£39, www.espaskincare.com) Infused with a luxurious blend of pure essential oils, it’s time to enjoy the jewels of nature in the palm of your hands.

Faace launches at Planet Organic

Introducing Faace, the solution to skin that’s been disrupted by life. Faace’s collection of face masks and cleansers include - Period, Tired, Sweaty, Dull, Dirty and Menopause. These say-what-yousee masks are uncomplicated, versatile and results-driven to help you put a name to your current faace. Prices start at £23, available now from www.lookfantastic.com

& www.planetorganic.com.

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Update your Morning Routine

January is a time when most of us set good intentions and one resolution that could make a big difference to how we feel is setting a new morning routine.

The new year offers a great opportunity to review the way you start your day. Mornings can be hectic, and in order to make them run as smoothly as possible, a smart routine can massively improve your productivity and mindset. A morning routine sets the tone for what’s to come, helping us to better control rather than be controlled by our schedules. We can focus more on what is in front of us, where to spend our time, and, ultimately, boost our productivity, if we start each morning fresh.

ARRAN Sense of Scotland (www.arran.com) have shared their tips on how to start your day in the best possible way.

Start with Stillness

Creating a morning meditation practise can be a life-changing experience in the best manner possible. Meditation requires dedication and patience, as slowing down and controlling your thoughts can be surprisingly difficult. Increased awareness aids in emotional balance and enhances general wellbeing. According to studies, mindful meditation may even improve immune function. A morning meditation practise can help you feel more present in your life, increase your appreciation for great situations, and empower you.

Rise and Shine

Most of us use alarm clocks to get us up in the morning, and although they are generally effective, they may not be the best method of awakening in the morning. It may seem hard to believe, but your alarm clock actually promotes unhealthy sleep habits. Sunrise alarm clocks are one approach to cope with the reality that most of us no longer sleep and wake according to our normal sleep patterns. They trick your biological hardware by simulating gradual sunsets at night and gradual sunrises in the morning to help you wake up more naturally.

Showering

With darker mornings and colder weather, it can be difficult to get that much needed get up and go in the AM. Starting the day with an invigorating shower will set you off to a good start. As well as enjoying the revitalising feeling, morning showers, according to scientists, are healthier for you due to some surprising health benefits. Showering in the morning can help to improve blood circulation, decrease stress and increase immunity.

If you are looking to add some extra oomph to your morning shower, why not incorporate some energy-boosting products into your routine, such as the invigorating Glenashdale Bath and Shower Gel from ARRAN Sense of Scotland. Made with the essential oils of grapefruit and green leaf, the vitamin enriched formula and zesty fragrance is sure to awaken your senses and get your morning off to a great start.

Hydrate Yourself

Drinking water first thing in the morning is a great way to start the day and provides many health benefits. It's good for your skin, metabolism, and energy levels to stay hydrated. There are even more advantages to drinking water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach including providing a boost in energy, a clearer complexion and a great way to flush out toxins built up in your system. Drinking a pint of water first thing in the morning will help you notice and appreciate positive changes in your body.

Plan Ahead

One of the most effective things you can do to start your day on the right foot is to set a plan the night before. It doesn't have to be a minute-by-minute schedule, but it should outline the primary tasks or goals you want to achieve the following day — as well as how you want to spend the first few hours.

As we only have a limited amount of willpower and decision-making skill each day, creating a review of your day and planning out an essential to-do list is extremely beneficial. Making too many decisions first thing in the morning will slow you down and exhaust your brain for the remainder of the day. You'll have more energy and time to enjoy the most productive morning possible if you can eliminate decision-making from your mornings.

No Scrolling!

How many of us have been guilty of grabbing for our phones as soon as we wake up? It's so tempting to check your emails, look through social media, and see what's new. Our phones, while they can help us be more productive and improve the quality of our lives, they can also be a big source of distraction and stress, particularly when we check them first thing in the morning. Your creative brain is most attuned when you first wake up in the morning, so take use of this time to create the conditions you want in your life. Train your brain to accept less stimulating — but more helpful — activities such as exercising, spending time with family, listening to a podcast or even mindfully making a cup of coffee.

Midlife Madness

As you read the title I imagine that at first you thought I was talking about the uncertainty the pandemic has brought us and while I acknowledge that this uncertainty is part of the big picture it seems lots of other uncertainties have started to creep into my life.

There are the obvious pandemic related uncertainties like when is a party actually a party, not a business meeting and when is socialising with friends something that is necessary!!!! In my book always – human connections are what keeps us all going and we have all seen the negative impact on mental health of not having those connections. Then there are things like holidays I used to love booking holidays, and actually going on them but honestly the lists, the tests the whole blooming uncertainty, the fact you could be turned away almost at the gate just puts me off altogether.

But there are other uncertainties – I’m not sure if it is the world that is changing or me. Like when do we call someone old? I know age is a relative concept and I remember when I was a teen, thirty seemed old then I when I was 30, 50 seemed old and so it goes. But nowadays I read that 50s are the new 30s and you are as old as you feel. Am I old or is joint aching and declining senses part of a new middle age?

All I can say is that I am noticing certain signs –first Saga seem to contact me way too regularly –there is absolutely nothing I want from them …yet! I don’t even know how they got my name and address, but if my perception is that they work with older folk then someone somewhere seems to be defining me as old – maybe I am, it feels all sorts of defining lines are becoming blurred. at home – well, yes obviously, but it feels very different and I have an entire wardrobe of clothes I almost never wear because it feels a bit beyond me to dress very smartly to sit in my study (converted bedroom) and of course at my time of life – however that might be defined, comfort is a priority especially when at home. I’m not even sure we’ll ever go back to how things were and maybe some of us wouldn’t want to – or maybe we would? AARRGGHH.

Then there are the much simpler uncertainties like will I be able to open the bottle of wine, jar of olives packet of cheese? Simple tasks that seem to be getting harder. Or even will I be able to get down that escalator safely or even the stairs in the house - varifocals and darkness aren’t a good combo I have discovered when it comes to going downstairs. They are not brilliant for driving in the dark either – despite paying a fortune for antireflective lenses!

The phrase that we never know what the future holds has certainly held true over recent years and perhaps we are all learning to live with greater degrees of uncertainty or maybe the uncertainty has always been there but we’ve not acknowledged it as much. I can say quite honestly that I’m not a fan – I’m a person who loves a plan and I’m not doing well with all of this.

But I don’t see my wish for greater degrees of certainty coming true anytime soon. So, I’ll have to hang on to the things that I know are certain- I’ll get older not younger, travelling is likely to be more complicated, plans may be cancelled at short notice, I’m probably more rather than less likely to fall over or be injured by the contents of some package that was proving so impossible to open! Now there’s a few cheerful thoughts.