SELF- CARE AND BEAUTY
It’s a bitter irony that at the very time of year when we are being seen the most, we feel like we look our worst. The cold weather and harsh heating dries out skin, leaving it pasty and dull, and as summer’s salads and raw dishes give way to stodgier meals, we notice the impact of our changing habits on our skin. On top of this, as the weather gets colder, I know I’m less likely to maintain little rituals like body-brushing before a shower, or elaborate cleansing regimes at night, as time under the duvet becomes more tempting.
But December doesn’t need to mean dull skin and lapsed grooming rituals. “I always tell clients that the start of December is a crucial time for your skin, because all our habits have shifted,” says facialist Sophie Carbonari, who works at Glow Bar London. “Because it’s colder, our eating habits have changed, and we drink less water, plus we have the impact of extreme temperatures and central heating.” Now is the time to tweak your skincare regime, and ideally book a couple of treatments.
“December is a great time to book a peel, not January, because the sun is down and it will get rid of skin cells before Christmas,” says Carbonari. “I also recommend a glycolic toner every day, rather than a harsh physical exfoliator, and a face mask twice a week.”
If, like me, you struggle to find the time for regular facials, there is good news for DIY beauty junkies. There’s been a surge of interest lately in jade rollers and facial massage tools that work on the fascial layer of the skin to improve muscle tone and smooth wrinkles. I love my Hayo’u Method Beauty Restorer Lite (hayoumethod.com; £35) which I use for a minute a day in front of Netflix, and which really makes a difference to my skin, reducing any puffiness and boosting circulation.
One final tip for grooming and self-care in December: when possible, make self-care part of your social life, rather than something that takes you away from it. The UK is starting to catch up with its Scandinavian neighbours and saunas are rapidly catching on as a social activity. In London, Banya Spa ( gobanya.co.uk) offers the traditional Russian spa experience, while the beautiful Glow Bar ( glowbarldn.com) has infa-red saunas for two, and a sumptuous juice bar upstairs. Neither costs more than an evening in the pub, so perhaps skip the drinks and plan a date less ordinary.