We’ve heard many reports of friends feeling panicked over the last couple of weeks, as the world opens up again. Panic attacks aren’t that unusual – but they are horrid. Remind yourself that what you’re feeling is a normal bodily function, happening at the wrong time – and it’s not going to hurt you. You’re not going crazy – and it will be over soon. But if it keeps happening, you might want to consider dialling down the caffeine as a first step – limit your intake of coffee, tea, cola and chocolate and see if that helps.
Footbaths feel great, if you’re doing a home pedicure. (Our favourite is to add a few drops of jojoba or almond oil to the water, along with a drop or two of favourite essential oils – peppermint is great for tired feet, or frankincense for a meditative, wind-down vibe.) However, if you soak your feet for longer than 25 minutes or so, skin can start to become waterlogged and loose, making the rest of your pedicure (especially buffing) difficult.
Research is increasingly showing that multi-tasking may not be the most efficient way to get stuff done. Try doing one thing at a time, giving it your full focus. (We like to tick items one by one off a ‘To Do’ list – Kikki.K is a favourite source of stationery.)
Love this philosophy we heard lately: spend money on two things where comfort is key and you’ll be glad you did: sheets and shoes.
Applying fake tan? Wait a while after showering, as warm skin can absorb colour unevenly. (The exception: St.Tropez’s in-shower self-tanner, which is designed for just that.)
If you're a keen tennis player, choose your sunscreen carefully. Gel sunscreens are absorbed quickly, which is not only a plus if you're in a hurry – they don't leave a sticky or greasy residue, which is handy if you're wielding a racket.
If you DO find yourself on a plane right now – restrictions permitting – decant some skin essence into a small, security-friendly spray bottle. They tend to be infused with moisturising and humectant ingredients, which will attract further moisture to the skin. A much more complexion-friendly mid-air spritz than plain water.
Many of us are trying to wash our hair less. But if ends are looking a bit frazzled (as tends to happen after a few days), rub a little leave-in conditioner between your hands, and work your fingers through the ends.
Blemishes happen anywhere – even on your back – when overactive oil glands get clogged up with dead skin cells and sebum. The good news is that Epsom salts can help clear them: the magnesium sulphate compound is not only anti-inflammatory, but works on the skin’s pH to fight breakout-causing bacteria.
We’ve lived through very negative times, for the past 15 months. To help regain your positivity, come up with three affirmations that you can repeat morning, lunchtime and evening to help get you back on track to a brighter, more positive future. Affirmations help by opening us up to the potential of a thought we’d like to manifest.
If you’re doing facial yoga or a facial workout, smooth on a layer of oil over face, neck and décolletage, to avoid pulling or tugging the skin.
If you feel your eyes are too wide-set, avoid applying too much make-up to the outer corners; it simply emphasises the width. (Though personally, we LONG for wider-set eyes…!)
Take a leaf out of professional manicurists’ book and turn a polish bottle upside down or roll from side to side rather than shaking it, which can result in bubbles.
Got facial beauty products that didn't work out? Scrubs, masks, serums, creams? Just relegate to your body, and give it some well-deserved extra TLC. You can afford to be super-generous since otherwise these products would be headed for the bin...
Did you know that alcohol can affect how good your self-tanner looks? It dries out skin, which can result in a more uneven finish.
To lengthen and lift lashes, try the ‘Push and Pull’ trick from Pat McGrath: ‘Swipe the wand from the base of the lash, zigzagging the formula back and forth through the lashes.’
It’s bronzer season! Hurrah! But using brown make-up tones alone can look flat and muddy. Adding a little peachy pink to the centre of the cheeks is the prettiest complement to sepia tones.
Most of us now carry around a small size of hand sanitiser in our handbags/totes. But to counteract the drying effect, do also carry a small, portable tube of hand cream – many are now available in 30ml sizes (sometimes smaller), and are teeny enough not to weigh you down. (We’re big fans of both Cath Kidston and Heathcote & Ivory small-scale hand creams.)
Headed back to the office…? (FINALLY!) You may notice that hair’s picking up static, since many hard-wearing carpets are made from nylon. Switch to a moisture-boosting haircare duo (many of the ingredients found in these are anti-static), try a frizz-proofing spray – and in an emergency, add a tiny dab of hand cream to palms and skim over flyaways.
Nose stuffy from hay fever? Take a eucalyptus-scented bath: eucalyptus and warm water have decongestant properties that help open the sinus pathways.’ (This resinous essential oil also has antibacterial and antiviral properties.)