It’s officially that time of the year when five minutes of extra snooze is worth its weight in gold, and by that, I mean nothing more than the semester finale: exam season.
Girls, we understand that five minutes of skincare is not what the doctor ordered after one of those awful December days, but hear me out! Here are three easy things you can do for a proper wind-down and a beautiful night’s sleep! Just three simple steps and including one of them in your routine makes it much more satisfying to wrap yourself up in that blanket burrito.
- Massage, Massage, Massage!
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I think a rather interesting development during exam season is how your body locks down like a military base when the real stress hits. Joints are stiff, the back of your neck hurts from sitting on a swivel chair, etc.
During this time, fragrant escapes into lavender fields or deep skin stimulation are revered.
Here are two of my favourite massage items that deliver the wow; I think I’m actually seeing stars feeling right before you slip into actual dreamland.
Massage Bars
LUSH makes the most incredible little Massage Bars ($13) that melt into a balm when rubbed between your hands. The key trick, however, is to massage around your ears, shoulders and feet before bed! Their entire range smells completely divine, but I’m partial to lavender, so their sleepy bar is the way to go — good night!
Scalp Massage Tool
There seem to be thousands of these everywhere you go, and for good reason! Snap one up, or simply rely on the best massage tools at your disposal… your fingers! However, nothing hits the spot quite right like this clever little GRO Scalp Massager ($18). It’s like a spa massage, only at home!
- The Beauty Bowl
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If a night skincare routine is simply too much to get through, a simple and effective trick is to put all the necessities into a little bowl or trinket dish right on your nightstand! I have a little hand cream, some lip treatment and a claw clip in mine!
The rule is simple, not too deeply thought-out (because that is so blasé)! Think of what products feel the best for you and go with them! Be sure to include products that smell fantastic or have the power to lull you into a deep slumber (lavender, cedarwood or chamomile).
Hand cream
Known for its silky gourmand formula, almond hand creams, like the Almond Delicious Hands from L’Occitane ($27), are some of my favourite notes for a little touch of luxury! It’s all about slowing down and coming to appreciate the little whiffs and scents that make life that much more spectacular.
Lip Treatment
Especially because exams have the habit of taking place in the depths of winter, I despise waking up with cracked lips because I always feel like I should have my best foot forward in the exam hall. Keep a small lip product, like the Huda Beauty Silk Balm ($21), for a soft pout every morning!
- An Entry a Day Keeps the Spiralling Away
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There is no point in doing wellness before bed if you still store wrinkle-worthy traumas in your body. A two-minute entry into a journal to document the most significant part of your day is helpful to look back on in a few years, and stress — much like soap brows — never looked good on anyone, anyway.
Let the thoughts from your mind flow organically in whatever bizarre fashion they come out! Write about your first experience with a boy or anything else important to you because a bit of silliness is the best mood-setter for a clear and healthy mind.
Give the Beige Double Ring Lined Notebook from MUJI ($3) a try; it’s my personal favourite notebook supplier. Simple, chic, and so many size options!