The festive season’s a time for unrestrained merriment: long overdue catch-ups with friends, indulgent dinners, cocktail after cocktail, Christmas markets, we could go on. While there’s something magical about this time of year, it comes hand-in-hand with a tightly packed schedule and very little ‘me’ time.
With evenings and weekends booked up for the foreseeable, we started looking for the illusive moment to indulge in a spot of self-care and that’s when spotted a reoccurring window of opportunity in our diaries: first thing in the morning.
Currently we press snooze a few times before rushing through our morning routine – shower, cereal, make-up – and dashing for the door. But what if we rose a little earlier, slowed it all down, and intentionally dedicated that time to self-care?
Imogen Coles, the curator behind One Slow Sunday, applies this philosophy to everyday life, creating little moments throughout the week that capture a leisurely Sunday feeling. We asked Imogen for her top five tips for a mid-week, pre-work pampering routine.
7am Rituals:
Morning Beauty Routine
One Slow Sunday shows us the key to pre-work pampering
Words by Leanne Mascoll Wheaton
1. Resist the Urge to Press Snooze
“I know it sounds counterintuitive but skip the snooze button and get up when your alarm goes off. Maybe even set it for half an hour earlier than usual? Rather than making you feel more well-rested, snoozing can actually make you feel more tired. Use your former snooze time to maximise pampering and relaxation – slip into your fluffiest robe, socks and slippers and eat your breakfast in bed. Not a breakfast person? Head straight to the bathroom for pre-work pampering.”
2. Switch Showers for Baths
“A quick, refreshing shower is the go-to in busy morning routines. They’re quick, functional and the perfect solution when you’re in a race against the clock. But with the extra minutes gained by not hitting the snooze button, run a bath instead. Load it with bath-enhancing products of your choice: pour in bath salts, throw in a medicinal (but indulgent) bath bomb, fill it with cloud-like bubbles. Whatever you choose, just make it indulgent and your body will thank you.”
3. Create the Perfect Ambience
“Darker mornings might make it trickier to get out of bed, but they provide a great base for crafting a cosy environment. Whether you’re in the bedroom or the bathroom, switch ceiling lights and lamps for candles to create a soft and soothing atmosphere. Select a scented candle to complement what your body needs at that moment – zesty citrus blends for energy, lavender and floral notes for relaxation, woody scents for escapism., spiced fusions for a nod to the season’s festivities”.
“I know it sounds counterintuitive but skip the snooze button and get up when your alarm goes off. Maybe even set it for half an hour earlier than usual? Rather than making you feel more well-rested, snoozing can actually make you feel more tired. Use your former snooze time to maximise pampering and relaxation – slip into your fluffiest robe, socks and slippers and eat your breakfast in bed. Not a breakfast person? Head straight to the bathroom for pre-work pampering.”
2. Switch Showers for Baths
“A quick, refreshing shower is the go-to in busy morning routines. They’re quick, functional and the perfect solution when you’re in a race against the clock. But with the extra minutes gained by not hitting the snooze button, run a bath instead. Load it with bath-enhancing products of your choice: pour in bath salts, throw in a medicinal (but indulgent) bath bomb, fill it with cloud-like bubbles. Whatever you choose, just make it indulgent and your body will thank you.”
3. Create the Perfect Ambience
“Darker mornings might make it trickier to get out of bed, but they provide a great base for crafting a cosy environment. Whether you’re in the bedroom or the bathroom, switch ceiling lights and lamps for candles to create a soft and soothing atmosphere. Select a scented candle to complement what your body needs at that moment – zesty citrus blends for energy, lavender and floral notes for relaxation, woody scents for escapism., spiced fusions for a nod to the season’s festivities”.
4. Use Quick Beauty Tricks
“Look for masks, exfoliants, and other skin nourishers that multi-task, plus take a fraction of the time of traditional products while still packing a punch. Sheet masks are great for a morning pick me up as the application time is completely cut. Oil-infused soaps and washes are another favourite of mine aid skin moisturisation across the entire body, and they smell divine. Once you’re out of the bath, massage in a nourishing moisturiser from head to toe while your skin is damp to lock in all the goodness.”
5. Set Up a Make Up Station
“In a tiny compact on the train, in the wing mirror of the car, in the camera on our phones, we’re all guilty of doing our make up on the run from time to time. But taking the time to sit down and apply your skincare and makeup in front of a mirror can help set you up for the day ahead. It creates a calming headspace and a physical point in my routine where I can really focus on me – massaging my skin, jade rolling, and really considering the makeup look I want to create for the day. Finish with a dab of perfume behind each ear – heaven!”
“Look for masks, exfoliants, and other skin nourishers that multi-task, plus take a fraction of the time of traditional products while still packing a punch. Sheet masks are great for a morning pick me up as the application time is completely cut. Oil-infused soaps and washes are another favourite of mine aid skin moisturisation across the entire body, and they smell divine. Once you’re out of the bath, massage in a nourishing moisturiser from head to toe while your skin is damp to lock in all the goodness.”
5. Set Up a Make Up Station
“In a tiny compact on the train, in the wing mirror of the car, in the camera on our phones, we’re all guilty of doing our make up on the run from time to time. But taking the time to sit down and apply your skincare and makeup in front of a mirror can help set you up for the day ahead. It creates a calming headspace and a physical point in my routine where I can really focus on me – massaging my skin, jade rolling, and really considering the makeup look I want to create for the day. Finish with a dab of perfume behind each ear – heaven!”