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What used to be my blog Instagram is now my art Instagram, so I would love it if you gave that a follow, if you're interested in seeing upcoming Calligraphy prints before they go up on my store!
The print I designed for the thumbnail of this blog post is currently also on sale ♡
I want to start this post by acknowledging that self care looks different for everyone, and I entirely know that my routine is the 'typical' routine that people think of when they think of self care, but that doesn't mean that it is the right way, or what everyone should do. Some people prefer to do chores, and get things done, (which I love - clear space, clear mind!), but a pamper evening is what I do, and it really helps me relax.
I feel like especially during lockdown, self care is just anything where you take some time for yourself, and do things that bring you maximum joy. That's absolutely what we should all be doing.
So, my pamper evening usually starts with an 'MOT' shower, or an 'executive' shower, there's a few names for this and I love them all, but it's basically a shower where you wash your hair, shave your legs, and use your favourite scented body lotions afterwards. That kind of makeover style shower.
I start my executive showers by shaving my legs, (you can totally skip this part if you're not into shaving - your body, your choice!)
If you're a follower of any beauty influencers like I am, you'll have heard of Estrid. They've really made the rounds through every single one of my favourite Youtubers/Bloggers, but I have to tell you. It isn't just hype. I've been using my Estrid razor for a few weeks now, and I'm in love with it. You can choose your favourite pastel coloured stainless steel handle - I went for the beautiful lilac, but I also have my eye on the pastel pink one too. I love that they're steel so that they feel weighted, and quite luxurious when you're using them, unlike the standard plastic razors which I'm used to, which just slip out of your hands mid-shave. They give me the closest, cleanest shave I've ever had, and they're pretty comparable to a men's razor, as it uses a 5 blade cartridge, so you get a gorgeously close shave, all without the pink tax!
The strips in between the blades are also vegan, and very hydrating as they're encased in cocoa butter, aloe vera & shea butter. It's really the quickest, and most pain-free shave ever.
Their Instagram page also really shows their ethos which mirrors what I said above about shaving being your choice. They're so diverse, inclusive, and uplifting, and I love them. They are a subscription package, which I love because before them, I really would just keep using the same razor head until it died on me, which isn't great. This way, I make sure that a new set of them arrives on my doorstep before that happens. I signed up for the 'every 3 months' package, which works for me because I only shave once a week, and the starter kit comes with two blade heads anyway.
If you do want to buy one, be sure to use 'lucywood', (my favourite Youtuber who convinced me to give in to the hype), at checkout to donate £1 (at no extra cost to you) to the Fawcett Society, the UK's leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women's rights. I just love that.
Anyway, Estrid spiel over! Once my entire body is as smooth as Tennessee Whiskey, I wash my hair. I use the Lee Stafford Coco Loco range for this, as it's gloriously coconut scented, cruelty free, and makes my hair so soft and silky. I've used the range for years and it's never let me down. During my latest pamper evening, I even did a face mask, (pictured below), at the same time that my hair mask was in. Talk about the height of lockdown luxury.
I then paint my nails, light a candle, and watch a comfort show. Right now, that's Gilmore Girls. I usually save my Gilmore Girls rewatch for the Autumn months, but time isn't even real at the moment, so I've been watching it again already.
I've spoken about my love for YR Studio Candles before, but my new favourite scent is their 'Quiet Moments' candle, which is coconut and vanilla scented. It smells good enough to eat, and I'm obsessed.
At the end of my pamper evening, I either cook, or eat, a nice meal depending on whose dinner night it is. I'll talk more about this in a few weeks when my 'things that got me through lockdown 3' post goes up, but recently, I've been loving Zizzi's Instagram, as they're periodically posting some of their own recipes, and I've dedicated most of my recent dinner nights to making them. So far, my favourite of theirs has been the Strozzapreti Pesto Rosso, aka spicy creamy chicken pasta. Delicious.
What does your self care routine include? ♡
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