The glow-slow lowdown

Forget tools and over-hyped ingredients – it’s time that will deliver your biggest beauty boost, says Rosie Green

Post-New Year’s Day we enter that blissful time of year when the mantelpiece is empty of invitations. With the last bits of glitter removed and the high heels retired, most of us take to the sofa with impunity.

It’s a chance to take stock of the deleterious effects those boozy late nights have had on our skin, hair and nails. I suggest using the seasonal lull to try a few rejuvenating ‘slow’ beauty treatments – rituals that unashamedly take time. Why? They yield results. Try a facial massage to boost circulation and glow. Or leave a hair mask on for hours to fully do its thing. Use static sofa time to rub balms into cuticles and unctuous creams on to feet. I even keep an array of ointments on the coffee table for easy access so I can beautify as I slob.

Here’s how I counter the festive excess and get glowing for the year ahead.

Hands

No question, winter has a drying effect on them. And all those sparkling gel polishes definitely impact nail health. To counter this, I like the gloves that come saturated with hydrating ingredients (Seoulista Rosy Hands Instant Manicure, €6.50, boots.ie). I also apply cuticle oil while watching TV: L’Occitane Shea Nail & Cuticle Oil (€16, loccitane.com) is great, but almond oil also works nicely.

Body

Most of the year I struggle to even apply moisturiser, but right now I have time to indulge. This means body brushing, then exfoliating in the shower with a scrub, which I like to put on dry skin before rinsing off. Try Aveeno Skin Renewal Wash Off Gentle Body Scrub (€6.99, inishpharmacy. com), then layer on oil, followed by a moisturiser. Do this for a week and I promise the result will be transformative.

Hair

Time plus heat makes hair masks extra effective. To get the best results from one, comb it through (I like Manta brushes for this) then cover with a shower cap to supercharge absorption. You can even leave on all day while in the house or overnight ( just make sure to protect your pillow with a towel).

Face

Sheet masks work for me – Garnier Moisture Bomb masks (€4.49, boots.ie) are affordable and effective – but those with dry skin might want to consider loading on Drunk Elephant Wonderwild Miracle Butter (€39.68, spacenk.com). I’ll also use a multitasking balm such as Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (€29.75, boots.ie) on lips, lashes and brows.

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Guerlain Double R Radiance & Repair Mask (€88.80, houseoffraser.ie). Not cheap, but my dry-haired tester, who has tried many masks for me, says it’s the best.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum (€73, bobbibrown. co.uk). Apply prior to moisturiser for an instant glow and lasting beauty boost.