How to spring clean your life
express yourself
THE BEAUTY EDIT
As the weather warms up, it’s the ideal time to spring clean your skincare and beauty routine
Skincare saviours
“Skin tends to dry out over winter, so think about rehydrating,” says facialist Chelsee Lewis (chelseelewis.co.uk).
Choose products that contain hyaluronic acid to plump and vitamin C to brighten.
“In the warmer weather choose light textures – gels work better than heavy creams for most skin types,” she adds.
Tress to impress
There’s no need to go for a dramatic restyle – a few small tweaks can transform your look.
“Ask for a slightly shorter version of your current style,” says Paul Windle, founder of Windle & Moodie (windleandmoodie.com). “This creates lift and adds depth and movement.”
Or why not embrace your natural texture?
“Give the heat tools a rest,” says Paul. “Too much styling can make the hair look solid, which is ageing.”
Nailed it
“Spring manicures are a breath of fresh air after the dark shades of the winter season,” says Imarni Ashman, founder of Imarni Nails (imarninails.com).
“It’s finally time for yellows, greens and pretty nail art.”
Gently buff the surface of the nail until smooth.
If nails are brittle after winter, apply Jessica Phenomen
Oil, £9.50 (tsbeautyshop.co.uk) daily until the texture starts to improve.
Then, for a show-stopping sunshine yellow, apply two coats of Nails Inc polish in Seven Dials, £15 (nailsinc.com).
Body boosters
“Switching to shower gels that contain shea butter and enriching oils can prevent skin from looking dull,” says Dr Pauline Hili, Founder of Nourish London (nourishskinrange.com). “Apply a body cream that contains active ingredients such as vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and omega oils every night to kick-start collagen production and firm skin,” she adds. “Using products that contain citrus oil can help with cellulite and your overall skin texture.”
WARDROBE DETOX
Deputy fashion editor RIVKIE BAUM explains how to sort out your wardrobe in five easy steps
Sort, separate, stash
Keeping out-of-season looks in your wardrobe creates clutter and means you won’t be able to see what you can actually wear. So start by taking everything out and separating it into two seasonal piles.
Pack away anything wintery or Christmas-related, including heavy chunky knits.The remaining pile should contain layering pieces including summer dresses, cotton items, soft separates and leather jackets.
As a bonus, you are bound to rediscover some long-forgotten favourites as you sort.
Closet cleanse
Moths love nothing more than munching on your favourite woollens. So take advantage of having an empty wardrobe to give it a full clean and vacuum.
Spray the inside with moth repellent, such as Natural Anti-moth Linen
Spray, £22
(totalward robecare.co.uk).
Alternatively make your own by filling small cotton bags with dry herbs, for example mint or rosemary, or soak cotton balls in scented oils like eucalyptus, cedar wood or lavender. Place them in the corners of your cupboard and replace every couple of months.
Pack away your winter wardrobe – larger items can be stored in vacuum-pack bags to save space.
The try on
For the next part you will need a full-length mirror.
Go through your remaining spring/summer pile and try everything on. Put any items that need to be dry cleaned, repaired or altered to one side. This needs to be taken care of before they can be put away. Get rid of anything worn or bobbled.
Go through your shoes to check if any need to be re-soled or re-heeled.
If you have clothes that no longer fit, forget slimming back into them and instead start a third pile of clothes to be donated to charity, sold on eBay or stored away in a memory box if they have sentimental value.
If you’re a different size next season, treat yourself to something new. Everything in your wardrobe should work for you right now so don’t hold on to clothes that don’t fit.
Pack sentimental clothes away with acid-free tissue paper in an air-tight storage box alongside a photo of you in the outfit. This is a great way to declutter without tossing out memories.
Be your own style inspiration
Now that your wardrobe has been fully cleansed have a try on session and style up some new ways to wear old favourites. Take pictures of your outfits to help inspire you on those days when you feel like you have nothing to wear. This is the best way to discover what you actually need for spring/ summer. Then, start a shopping list so you only purchase what is needed and maximise what you already own. HOBBIES WITH BENEFITS Spring is the perfect time to try something new – so why not choose an activity that will boost your mood too?
Sing it to win it
Whether you belt out Whitney
Houston in the car or join a local choir, singing is the ultimate feel-good pastime.
“Singing is an aerobic activity that draws more oxygen into the bloodstream and releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones in the brain,” says life coach Dr Sally Ann Law (sallyannlaw-lifecoach.co.uk).
This means blasting out your favourite song can have a positive effect on mood as well as relieving stress and anxiety.
Help another human
Doing something to help other people will give you a sense of accomplishment and worth.
“Too often we are focused on what is lacking in our lives and in ourselves.Volunteering and helping others switches this perspective,” says psychologist Honey LangcasterJames (honeylangcaster-james.com).
It boosts self-esteem as it makes you feel of value to society and reminds you what you have to offer.
“Volunteering is also great for making friends and feeling part of something, if you get involved with a charity for example,” says Honey.
“It can help you to focus outwardly rather than on your own issues and problems.”
The art of the matter
The wellbeing benefits of nurturing your artistic side are well known.
“Colouring in, knitting and craft activities encourage mindfulness,” says Honey.
“We spend much of our time looking at screens and abstract things, so using your hands and feeling the fabric or yarn is very therapeutic.
“As well as this, expressing your feelings and experiences in an artistic way can also help you to process difficult emotions and communicate when words don’t come easily to you.”
Dream a little dream
New research from Travel Republic has revealed that UK adults spend 780 hours a year daydreaming. But with so many benefits, there is no reason to stop.
“Daydreaming is psychologically beneficial because it often allows us to return to happy memories or provides visions of possibility, which make us feel hopeful,” says Emma Kenny,TV psychologist (ekenny.co.uk).
“Dreaming of the beach and knowing that you work so you can go on holiday gives reason to your work day.”
So next time you find yourself drifting off to sunnier climes at your desk, keep going.
LOOKING FOR LOVE
Professional matchmaker LARA ASPREY knows how to help even the most discerning singletons find romance
Bin your “must have…” list
People come up with endless lists of traits and qualities they think they need in a partner in order to be happy. However this narrows the pool of
on a date. So when people do arrange to meet up, they start to think this is their last chance to find happiness.
However putting too much pressure on the date can stop you enjoying it and cloud your decision making. Instead, take a deep breath and go and have some fun.
Beware Dutch courage
Drinking too much on a date is always a bad idea, especially if it’s a first date. People tend to get nervous and often they’ll have a glass of wine while they’re getting ready to take the edge off.
Then, a bottle of wine later, they’re staggering home with their date and might end up doing or saying more than they wanted to. Instead, know your limits.Try not to drink before the date and don’t have more than a few glasses of wine on the date itself.
Live in the moment
A lot of the time when people are on a date they aren’t really present. They’re so conscious about how they look and how they’re coming across, that they’re not really listening to what the other person is saying.
But it’s important to try to live in the moment. Make eye contact, really listen to what the other person is saying and ask insightful questions.
Keep it to 90 minutes
Don’t stick around too long on a first date. It shouldn’t last longer than about 90 minutes.
That way, you leave the other person wanting more.When you’re getting to know someone, it’s like they’re a sudoku puzzle. It’s only fun when you’re figuring out the puzzle, then you put the paper aside.
You want your date to work hard at getting to know you, otherwise you will be put in the rubbish bin, so to speak.