I am so happy we are in the month of June. These long summer days are glorious and I can’t believe how much winter darkness we Brits have to endure throughout the year. It’s not ok! My Editor’s Notes this month heavily focuses on the great outdoors… so from my summer skin-soothing hero to the SPF that’s stolen my loyalty, here’s what to Buy, DIY & Try in the world of wellness right now.
Dr Sam’s Flawless Gossamer Tint SPF 50
I truly believe that you need to find the right SPF that works for your routine and skin type and once you do, you’ll never go back. I’m 29, very close to the big 3.0 and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to protect my skin. My rosacea-prone complexion needs a good daily SPF and I am totally converted to Dr Sam’s Flawless Gossamer Tint SPF 50. In my humble opinion, a physical block (i.e. mineral SPF) is far superior to a chemical SPF and is much better for sensitive skin, which is why I love this one. I also don’t wear much makeup so having a slight tint means I basically just whack this on in the morning and I’m pretty set for the day. If you have dry or dehydrated skin, please please try this. It makes your skin so dewy and it does a great job of evening out skin tone. I buy this on repeat and I’m happy to never use another facial SPF ever again!
A tried and tested haircare combo I really rate is Athletia’s Scalp Care Duo which is designed for sensitive scalps. Can you tell everything is sensitive about me haha. Skin? Yep. Scalp? Yep! I am prone to flakiness and irritation so I need something that’s going to really give a thorough clean without stripping natural oils WHILST soothing and hydrating the scalp. A pretty hard thing to find given most clarifying shampoos can be very drying and many “hydrating” hair treatments just cause more build-up. Athletia has created a perfect solution to this by formulating a gentle shampoo that lifts buildup from the skin without being too harsh and a scalp treatment which I run through my entire scalp through to the ends that leaves my hair so silky and nourished.
Breakfast I’m Loving: Cold Cacao Oats
Something I whipped up one morning on a whim has turned into a full-blown food hyper fixation that I can’t stop eating! I am not usually a massive breakfast person but I’ve always understood the importance of starting the day well. So for me to say I wake up every morning wanting this exact breakfast is a huge statement. My morning appetite takes a little while to develop and I am way too slow and sleepy to cook anything. Listen, I’m not a morning person ok! Here’s what I do… I pour some fine oats into a bowl, add a teaspoon of cacao powder and a generous sprinkle of flaxseed. After combining together I pour in some milk (use whatever milk you like, I tolerate dairy very well so my choice is always organic whole milk) mix together, you want it on the looser side rather than claggy and thick. I then take a teaspoon of good quality runny honey and mix well. That goes in the fridge for 20 minutes while I enjoy my English breakfast tea and then I dig in. I like that it’s cold but it doesn’t have the consistency of “overnight oats” which is too heavy and thick for me personally. It’s a looser consistency that basically tastes like the chocolate milk that’s left over from your favourite childhood cereal. Yet this is much more nutritious and has a tonne of fibre which helps with…you know! Granted the protein is lacking here but I am always conscious of making sure my lunch and dinner is focused on that more so.
Swapping HIIT For HIW
With the weather FINALLY starting to come up with the goods, I am finding myself walking a lot more during my day as it’s just such a pleasure to get outside and take a break from the screen. I love my HIIT workouts but I am also loving the more slow and steady cardio that comes from a good power walk. Not only is steady-state cardio great for your physical health, but it also provides an ideal opportunity to clear your head and recharge your mind. I’m all for a tough workout every now and then because sometimes you just really need a good sweat, but as women, we need to be conscious of not overdoing the tough workouts which, if done in excess can cause more stress on the body and alter our hormonal state. Good strength training and daily walks are what I’m focusing on at the moment and I’m definitely feeling good from that.
Ayurma Spa at Four Seasons Maldives Landaa Giraavaru
My recent trip to the Maldives reminded me of the wonders of Ayurveda and how sometimes we need to be open to alternative wellness practices that are guided by tradition and the natural world. Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has a breathtaking spa called Ayurma and they have the most incredible practitioners that are so knowledgeable and experienced in Ayurvedic wellness practices. From ayurvedic doctors, naturopaths and yoga teachers, the team lead guests on immersive therapies and journeys to help them reconnect to their well-being and find harmony and I got to have a small taster of that during my magical stay. Whether it’s improving digestion, releasing stagnant energy, boosting mental clarity or being guided on the best dietary choices for your dosha, I feel inspired to seek out more ayurvedic-inspired wellness therapies and treatments now that I’m home to combat those moments when I feel slightly off-kilter.
Skin-Soothing Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a must-have ingredient for the hot summer months and I recently witnessed the amazing healing and calming properties of it. Don’t judge me but I did get quite red on day one of my Maldivian holiday a few months ago and I was very upset and mad at myself that I let that happen. One thing I did learn is that the Maldivian sun is really like nowhere else being so close to the equator. You have to be SO careful. I learnt that lesson the hard way so you don’t have to but there was a tub of aloe vera in our room that got topped up each day and let me tell you it really saved my skin. That and cold compresses meant I walked away relatively unscathed but I know it wouldn’t have been the same story had I not done both those things. After I learnt that lesson, I was very careful from then on to re-apply my SPF 50 regularly, particularly after swimming. Don’t even bother packing SPF 30, it’s not enough out there. I also started using aloe vera on my face to combat any pink skin thereafter and being so sensitive, I thought I might pay the price of doing that with bad breakouts and a rosacea flare but I kid you not, my skin never looked better on holiday. Even when I came home I was shocked at how calm and clear my skin was. I really like Dr Organic Aloe Vera Gel.
words by Molly Jennings
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