BEAUTY
Hygge is sweeping the globe – and a candlelit bathroom near you. Embrace the focus on cosiness and ‘me’ time and give your beauty regime a Nordic overhaul, says Anita Quade
At home or the spa, it’s time to add hygge to your pampering routine.
If hygge — as we’ve learned — means ditching distractions and slowing down, there’s no reason we can’t apply that to our beauty and pampering routines, too. According to Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of The Little Book of Hygge, the obsession with getting cosy and making time for yourself is one of the reasons why Denmark ranks at the top of the list of the world’s happiest countries. That sounds like a recipe for an at-home spa night if ever there was one. So this weekend, unplug from your digital devices and try these simple rituals.
AT-HOME PAMPERING
This trend is all about creating a cosy space and surrounding yourself with things you love, including family and friends. Start by creating your own DIY beauty regime, which is perfect for a solo Saturday night in, or use it as a chance to gather your friends for a pamper session.
SET THE MOOD
Denmark burns more candles than any other country (really!) and nothing ignites a cosy mood more than flickering candles. Go for an invigorating scent such as Jo Malone’s Lime Basil and Mandarin, or one of our winter favourites, the classic Diptyque Figuier – it embraces the warmth of fig wood. With the mood set, it’s now time to pamper yourself and winter means you need to amp up your skincare regime – so go from head to toe. Run a warm bath filled with Epsom salts; these are absorbed through the skin and treat anything from bloating to tension, thanks to their ability to boost magnesium levels. It’s no wonder it’s a favourite with stars such as Victoria Beckham and Gwyneth Paltrow; Dr Teal’s lavender or eucalyptus-oil-scented bagfuls can be found at Safestway in Dubai. If you have an unscented salt, add a few drops of Neom Tranquillity Bath & Shower Oil or some lavender oil for the ultimate calming effect.
A DIY night in means it’s time to multitask – so start with a dry body brush to banish dead skin cells. This quick and easy technique will get your skin ready to soak in moisturiser.
Look after your locks while you lie back and get zen. No need for expensive treatments – try a pantry staple such as organic coconut oil. Simply massage into the scalp and ends and wrap in a shower cap or small towel for 30 minutes. For a salonworthy mask at home, try Maria Dowling Hair and Scalp Clay (available at the salon on Al Mina Road in Dubai). ‘When both the scalp and hair follicles are properly cleansed, nourished and cared for, they give way to healthy growth and hair that recovers its vitality and beauty,’ Maria says. ‘It’s made up of a zen-like mix of clay and pure oils and rebalances with a heady mix of peppermint, jojoba and lemongrass.’
Take advantage of soft supple skin, and lock in the moisture with a slathering of your favourite moisturiser – we love the delicious
holiday scent of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, or use the supermodel favourite Kiehl’s Creme de Corps moisturiser for a shiny sheen. It’s little wonder 1.5 bottles of this ultra-rich formula are sold around the globe per minute.
While soaking, literary favourites such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s or The Great Gatsby are optional… or just dim the lights and zone out (don’t forget those candles!).
Home stores are investing heavily in this trend, so it’s easy to find a cosy blanket to snuggle up. Check out Zara Home for luxurious mohair throws. Our tip is slather rich moisturiser on your feet – try The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion – and lock in the moisture with cotton socks overnight to wake up with petal-soft feet.
Girly flicks are de rigueur – The Notebook anyone? And let’s face it, everyone looks great with a healthy glow, so if you are enjoying a night in, fake it and indulge in a little instant bronzer to cheat your way to a Hawaiian glow. We love Shiseido’s Brilliant Bronze Quick Self-Tanning Gel.
When it comes to bedtime, invest in a Spasilk satin pillow (available on Amazon), which can do wonders for your hair and skin. It prevents hair frizzing and helps keep sleep lines and wrinkles at bay. Plus, you will feel like royalty while you nap.
MAKE YOUR OWN FACE MASKS
Another way to embrace the hygge trend is by spending an afternoon at home, concocting your own face masks. Winter can play havoc with skin, so creating your own personalised face mask is the perfect way to pamper yourself and best of all, most of the ingredients should be in your pantry. Here are some fresh face masks to try:
Avocados are known for being rich in fatty acids plus vitamins A and E, which soothe skin. Get an instant glow with this simple recipe: Mash one ripe avocado into a pulp, add a tablespoon of honey and make a paste. Apply to skin and leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
If you have oily skin, then try a banana face mask. Bananas are rich in powerful antioxidants and have even been called Mother Nature’s Botox. Mash a ripe banana to
Run a bath filled with EPSOM SALTS; these are ABSORBED through the skin and treat anything from bloating to tension, thanks to their ability to boost MAGNESIUM levels
a pulp and mix with the juice of half a lemon, smooth on face and leave on 15 minutes.
Egg whites have been used on skin since ancient times and can be the ideal skinbrightening treatment. This recipe uses turmeric, which offers additional brightening dark-spot-fading. Whisk up one egg white and a teaspoon of orange juice until light and frothy, sprinkle in a teaspoon of turmeric powder, apply for 15 minutes, then apply moisturiser, such as a few drops of rosehip oil.