New year for me is all about self-care. It may be a term that gets thrown around a lot, but the truth is, I find there’s a lot of pressure that comes with resolutions. In the end, all I really want is to be kinder to myself, both mentally and physically. After a month of pure indulgence, I like to treat myself to exactly what I need: love. When it comes to your beauty regime, there are plenty of ways we can give ourselves a little TLC that don’t require too much effort. Our diaries are almost certainly less jam-packed, so on the evenings where I would have been rushing around to see friends or do last minute shopping, I have a think about what new skincare gems I would like to introduce, vitamins I may start taking, products I would like to try.
Taking time to treat ourselves is essential for our well-being, and with the sun virtually disappearing by 4 p.m., now is the ideal time to hunker down in the evenings after work, whether you’re lighting a candle, running a bath or taking 10 for a face mask. That being said, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create solace in your own home.
One of my favourite beauty brands, Beauty Pie, caters to my expensive taste on a budget. If you’re not already familiar with the brand, then allow me to introduce you to the concept. Beauty Pie is a beauty buyers’ club that gives you access to premium products direct from the best suppliers and factories. By purchasing the products directly from the factory, the middlemen retail markups are cut and the savings are passed directly on to you. Essentially, you’re getting premium products at a fraction of their typical prices. If you’re not ready to commit to a membership, however, you can still buy the products at full price to try them out first. If you’re looking to treat yourself during this time of catching up (and I really do urge you to), then below are the products I’d recommend to reset and rewind this winter. PS. You can use code BEAUTY50 to get 50% off your first order or for non Beauty Pie members.
Member price is £20. The first port of call in relaxing is setting the scene. Lighting a candle at the end of a busy day is my way of winding down. If you’re working from home, scenting the room can help signal that your day is done, especially if you tend to work in the same room where you relax. This one smells so luxe and is perfect for this time of year. It smells of red fruits, which unfurl into rose, pink peppercorn and artemisia while cinnamon, clove, cashmere, wood and patchouli make it beautifully grounding. It’s also made in Grasse, aka the perfume capital of the world, so you know you’re getting a high-quality candle. It’s the ideal accompaniment to your Netflix binge-watch or having friends over with a glass of wine.
Member price is £16. If you gathered beauty editors together and asked them what their all-time favourite body scrub is, it’s highly likely they’ll mention this one. It’s so indulgent, and with 475 grams of product, this big tub will last you a while. You might be wondering why a body scrub could be so hyped up, but it’s both the zesty scent and the texture that everyone loves. It’s sugar based, which delivers a sufficient exfoliation without being aggressive, and because it’s suspended in apricot and evening primrose oils, it leaves a moisturising, silky sheen on the skin after buffing away dead skin.
Member price is £8. We’re all guilty of neglecting our feet this time of the year. Cramming them into winter boots all season means they’re often forgotten about in our routines. If you’ll be wearing your party heels soon, then get yourself a tube of this foot cream. The mint provides cooling relief to tired soles while shea butter and urea nourish cracked heels. It also helps to remove dead skin thanks to cactus enzymes. The great thing about it is that it doesn’t take hours to sink into your skin. Simply apply each evening and watch as your feet are transformed.
Member price is £15. You might be accustomed to taking a daily vitamin, but if your sleep is poor, your muscles ache or you feel a bit out of sorts, then I’d recommend you try magnesium supplements, which have been formulated with a nutritionist. Magnesium is one of the most underrated minerals considering that it aids in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium helps reduce the stress hormone cortisol, aids sleep, helps our bodies convert energy and helps reduce fatigue. The five-star reviews also speak volumes.
Member price is £7. If you can only spare 10 minutes in your busy schedule, then make your treat of choice a face mask. This one is ideal for party-makeup prep or hangovers. It floods the skin with moisture to hydrate, plump dehydrated skin and leave your complexion glowing. Their compact size makes them ideal if you’re travelling or on the go, and you can also buy them in a pack of five.
Member price is £12.50 While I’m good at applying retinol to my skin, I’ve neglected my hands. Like our faces, our hands are one of the most exposed areas of our skin, so they take the brunt of environmental and UV damage from the sun. This can mean they’re often subjected to lines and pigmentation more quickly. Wearing an SPF is your go-to for preventing damage, but if you want to treat existing lines and pigmentation, then retinol is your best bet. Having it in a convenient hand cream is a quick way to apply it, and this one is also so nourishing for the cold weather.
Member price is £62.50 If you’re not immediately slipping into comfy pyjamas at your earliest convenience in the evenings, then you’re missing a trick. There’s nothing I love more than a luxe pair of pyjamas, and I’d quite like to invest in these after reading in the reviews that they’re so good they often sell out. The oversized shape and relaxed silhouette make them both comfy and chic, and the trousers have a drawstring tie for a tailored fit. All that’s left to decide is whether to go for this grey colour with white piping or the white pair with black detailing.
Members price £44. Anti-ageing has never been easier, this Biologic Peptide Moisturiser, Youthbomb, does exactly as it says on the tin. It’s super rich, so a little goes a long way, and used alongside a Vitamin C and Beauty Pie’s Super Retinol Cream, it will leave you with plumper, dewier and brighter skin–taking years off your face without any invasive treatments. Count me in!
Members price £27. So you’ve heard of a fitness bootcamp, but what about a bootcamp for your hair? One that requires much less exercise and just as rewarding, if you’ve been hammering the hairspray and overusing the straighteners over the festive period, then your hair is probably crying out for these three cleansing treatments. Start with the Detox Shampoo to boost shine, build strength with the Post-Conditioner Elastic-Repair Treatment and if you want to add heat, don’t forget the Coconut Water Heat Shield Spray.
Member price is £20. I didn’t think an eye mask could make such a difference to both my sleep and skin, but somehow it’s boosted both. It blocks out light, helps me to drift off more quickly while protecting the delicate skin around my eyes. I’ve even noticed that the lines that were beginning to form around my eyes have softened since wearing one. Beauty Pie’s is made of mulberry silk and comes in this very chic deep-red shade. It’s perfect as a birthday present, but you should also keep one for yourself.
Member price is £26. A scented body cream is the ultimate post-bathing treat, and this one smells divine. Think cocoa and clary sage entwined with mint and lemon, which dry down to sandalwood and vanilla. It almost smells good enough to eat, and it also comes in the form of a fragrance and a candle. It’ll leave your skin velvety soft and hydrated.
Member price is £28. Self-care doesn’t stop at skincare. Fragrance is one of my favourite ways to lift my mood, and this time of year, I’m always drawn to fig fragrances. This one is far from sickly. Think fig wood mingled with radiant gardenia and frangipani. It’s wearable for both daytime and evening. Plus, how expensive-looking is this bottle?
Member price £15.50When it comes to easy gifting, there’s nothing better than a cleansing balm. Melting away all makeup and dirt, it’s a must-have every beauty shelf should have, and feels so luxurious to use. Good for all skin types but particularly ideal for anyone that needs extra hydration, it’ll work Perfect for winteJust so luxurious to use, and with the way they melt away all makeup and dirt it’s a must-have every beauty shelf should have.
Member price is £69. If you’re looking for a bigger “treat yourself” purchase, then you can’t go wrong with this beautiful makeup set. Curated in collaboration with Pati Dubroff (the makeup artist to Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Olsen and Cindy Crawford, FYI), this set has everything you need for a full makeup look and comes housed in a luxe velvet case with a gold zip. Inside, you get a universally flattering red lipstick, an eye-shadow quad, an eye-shadow brush, a highlighter, a kohl pencil and a mascara.
Members price £22. The beginning of a new year is as good a time as ever to start taking more vitamins and minerals. You know about magnesium (see above), and you’ve probably heard of the wonders of live bacteria. May I introduce SuperGut, which delivers 12 species of vegan-friendly bacteria including to your gut to help your digestive system, helping to boost your immune system and help inflammations and other digestive problems.
Members price £40. It’s no secret that wearing SPF is essential all year round. This 2-in-1 sunscreen and primer 3-pack is the easiest way to ensure you always have one on-the-go. Be it to keep in your gym bag for lunch time work-outs or you just want to keep one in your carry-on, this hydrating SPF can be with you wherever you go.
Members price £16. Any beauty-lover can appreciate a clear case as it makes finding that specific lip liner shade just a little easier. Made with vegan leather and coming in three different colours (purple and orange as well as this bold green), what I love most is that you won’t need to decant your makeup into a disposable plastic bag in airport security.
Members price £17. In these colder months, your skin can take a hit and feel dried out. An eye serum of all eye serums, this exceptionally hydrating Triple Hyaluronic Acid Elixir helps skin appear firmer, and visibly reduces the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet (win-win). It’s a great all-round solution, and the results speak for themselves.
Member price £90I’ve long relied on makeup brushes as a back-up gift as, I think, anyone who wears makeup can appreciate a beautiful new quality brush. Where choosing the perfect colour lipstick or eye palette for someone else is a bit tricky, a brush is universal. But a whole set? That’s really luxurious. From contouring to concealing, to just looking pretty on your dressing table, this set has you covered.
Member price is £69. If a smoky eye is more your thing, then you’ll like this makeup kit, which has everything you need inside. You get an eye-shadow quad of cool-toned greys and charcoals, a universally flattering brown lip crayon, a highlighter, an eyeliner (plus an eye brush) and a mascara to complete the look.
