Post Festive Season Detox Afternoon
7 steps to feeling (and looking!) like a fresh new you.
As the festive season of Christmas and New Years comes to a close — oh, what fun it is to ride! — I can't help but feel a little off track when it comes to embracing a new, healthy year.
From pigging out on Christmas leftovers to a fabulous night of celebrating on New Years Eve to days spent lazing on the beach with friends, the last few weeks have been nothing short of amazing (and exactly what I needed after a very busy end to 2017!). And this, my dear friends, is exactly why I don't even think about starting my New Years Resolutions until next month, but more on that later.
For now though, our 'normal' lives are resuming as the family catch-ups become less and we make our way back to our desks, to our jobs, to everyday routine. And you know what? I'm kind of excited for it to begin and to make this year the best it can possibly be, 'cause I treated myself to a detox afternoon and it the perfect way to clear my mind and body for the year ahead.
This is the time you take out your notepads and pens, ladies and gentlemen, because I'm about to share with you my very own ultimate detox session that is both easy and enjoyable (no juice cleanses here!).
1. Put down your phone. C'mon guys, how hard can it be? (I actually checked my phone as soon as I typed this - yikes!) There's no doubting that our phones have become an extension of ourselves, but every once in a while I need to disconnect from the world, and reconnect with myself and the people around me. You might be surprised by the effectiveness of doing just this and how refreshed you feel after an evening away from the technology that rules our lives.
2. Do a workout. Not even kidding. This is a not-to-be-missed step in a detox session, even if 'work out more' isn't on your New Years Resolution list. Put on your most chic activewear (I'm loving this fab set right now!), go outside, do yoga, go for a jog, a walk, a hop or a skip. Whatever it is, just make sure you get moving. And don't forget to hydrate - warm lemon water is an all round favourite. Working your muscles, stretching your body and breathing in fresh air is the best way to clear your mind.
My current go-to fitness threads? P.E Nation for über cool 90s style attitude, Adidas Originals 'cause it's a classic and Seafolly Activewear for the prints.
3. Cleanse your body. Now for the fun part. Run yourself a steamy bath, add a sprinkle of the divine Santorini Skin Aegean Pink Crystal Sea Soak, light a scented candle, close your eyes and soak away the magnificent indulgences of the festive season. Finish your bath with the Elysian Sea Scrub, also from Santorini Skin, which not only works to improve circulation, but also nourish, revealing silky soft, glowing skin.
4. Cleanse your face. If you're anything like me, the festive season plays havoc on your skin, so it's time to fish out your favourite masks and pamper that face of yours. Right now, my go-to is the brilliant Ole Henriksen Hygge HydraClay Detox Mask, which calms, purifies and replenishes the skin. The L'Oreal PureClay Detoxifying and Brightening Charcoal Mask and The Body Shop Himalayan Purifying Glow Mask never go astray either.
5. Hydrate. Ultimately, the goal here is to wake up glowing the next morning, and you'll achieve just that with a night cream so sensational it'll feel like magic. The aptly named Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream has been a much-loved addition to my beauty shelf over the last few months. It's a very rich formula, so you only need to massage the teeniest smudge of product onto your skin, but you'll wake up with the most radiant, plumped skin. Since this is all about detoxifying, then I really must give an affectionate shout-out to the Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Night Oil-Free Detoxifying Gel-Balm, which is an all-in-one antioxidant, moisturiser and revitaliser.
6. Meditate. Sit down on a pillow on the floor, load your go-to guided meditation app (Headspace, Calm and The Mindfulness App are excellent free newbie options), close your eyes and relax your way into guided meditation, whether it's for a few minutes or fifteen. Meditation is a proven way to reduce stress and anxiety, better your focus and improve sleep. Oh, and it makes you feel incredible.
7. An early bedtime. I'm usually in bed most nights before 9:30PM, but that most certainly has not been the case over the holidays. There are so many benefits for sleeping early, like giving your body enough time to recover, rest and rejuvenate so you can continue to enjoy high functionality (apparently it's not just coffee that does that? 😳). So, to aid yourself getting back into good sleeping habits, enjoy a mug of the delicious T2 Sleep Tight lemonbalm brew or the Detox Herbal Tea while you read a book before eyelids fall heavy.
Now, don't be surprised if you wake-up in the morning feeling like a brand new, sparkling you (inside and out!), ready for all the exciting possibilities of the year ahead.
I'm wearing: NBD sequin dress and bodysuit, and Raye zip-up boots from Revolve.
Photography by Sharleen King.
