Rebalance Your Mind and Body with Hay’ou

Tags

beauty, body, Chinese, flower, Frankincense, Gua Sha, Hayo'u Mineral Bath, Hayo'u Mineral Shower Wash, Hayo'u Revive Beauty Oil, Hayo'u Revive Body Oil, Hayo'u Scented Candle, Hayo’u, ingredients, lemongrass, lotus, massage, mineral, mineral oil, oil, oils, petrolatum, products, self care, shower, skin, SLES free, SLS free, wash, ylang ylang

Image Source

If you’ve heard of the Hay’ou brand before, it’s more than likely that it’s because you’ve seen their range of luxury quartz beauty tools and bamboo body tappers. However, you might be surprised to learn that the brand also offers other products, such as oils and body washes, all of which work synergistically with their tools to give you an aromatherapy treatment which can rebalance your mind and body. Here are five of our favourites: 

Hayo’u Revive Body Oil

Body oils are an incredible multitasking product which can benefit both body and mind. Hayo’u Revive Body Oil has been created for self-massage purposes and has ingredients which both benefit the skin and have therapeutic properties through fragrance, too. It’s made from iconic Chinese ingredients, such as lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang, which are intensely nourishing and hydrating for your skin.

Hayo’u Mineral Bath 

Bathing is a fantastic way to help to relax your muscles and slow down amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. This potent blend of nutrient-rich rose quartz, Himalayan pink salt and lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang essential oils help you to deeply relax, rescue and replenish. The formulation is naturally paraben, SLS and SLES free, and does not contain mineral oil or petrolatum, giving you added peace of mind. 

Hayo’u Mineral Shower Wash

If you don’t have a bathtub, don’t like baths or simply don’t have the time to soak, you don’t have to forego the benefits of Hayo’u products altogether. Hayo’u Mineral Shower Wash is packed with iconic Chinese ingredients such as lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang, all of which have been used for thousands of years to improve circulation and reduce stress. Rescue and rebalance with this intensely invigorating shower wash and start the day feeling refreshed and energised.

Hayo’u Revive Beauty Oil

While we’re not focusing on gua shas today, this beauty oil from Hayo’u is intended to be used with a gua sha or other beauty tool for facial massage, though it can be used on its own. It also contains lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang, but with slow absorption to protect skin during this powerful massage. Perfect for gua sha, or as a deeply nourishing treat for your skin, in the morning or at bedtime.   

Hayo’u Scented Candle

Nothing says aromatherapy quite like a scented candle, and this one from Hayo’u contains the same fragrance notes as the other products we’ve mentioned above. This allows you to create an environment of peace and tranquillity while using Hayo’u products, knowing that they all complement each other perfectly. The candle, which contains lotus flower, frankincense and ylang ylang, also has lemongrass and will instantly help to reduce stress and anxiety, relax your nervous system and boost your mood. It has an epic burn time of 55 hours, is housed in environmentally friendly plastic-free packaging and contains no mineral oil or petrolatum.

Get Your Best Complexion Ever with These Clay Masks

Tags

Aromatherapy Associates Rose Pink Clay Mask, beauty, Bentonite, bilberry, body, clay, complexion, Decleor Rosemary Black Clay Mask, detoxify, environmental impurities, excess oil, face, hair, impurities, kaolin, lavender, lemon, mask, masks, Medik8 Natural Clay Mask, natural origin, orange, pink, purify, REN Clean Skincare Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask, sebum, skin, skincare, spirulina, sugar cane, This Works Evening Detox Clay Mask

Image Source

A clay mask is without a doubt one of the best ways to help refine and rebalance your skin, regardless of whether it is dull, congested, or oily. Clay masks are beneficial for a wide range of skin conditions and types. They can brighten your skin, absorb toxins and excess oils, hydrate, prevent breakouts, restore the skin’s balance, and regulate sebum production, among other things. It’s a great product to have on hand for a quick fix or a weekly routine, regardless of your skin type. However, since not all clay masks are created equal, it is essential to select a formulation that meets your requirements. Here’s our pick of our best clay masks:

Aromatherapy Associates Rose Pink Clay Mask

This mask from Aromatherapy Associates is made from French pink clay which is rich in minerals and has a restorative and nourishing effect on your  hair, face and body. It’s combined with hydrating sweet almond oil and shea butter, to enrich and uplift the senses while giving your chosen treatment area a deeply conditioning treat. The product is made from entirely vegan ingredients and contains no SLS, giving you the confidence that you’re using something which is 100% beneficial. 

Decleor Rosemary Black Clay Mask

From pink clay to black clay! This mask from Decleor is a 98% natural origin clay face mask enriched with rosemary essential oil, salicylic acid and black clay to reduce imperfections and purify the skin with no dehydrating effects. Use it just once or twice a week for ten minutes at a time and your skin will feel cleaner, have fewer blackheads and sebum will be more balanced. Perfect for teenage or hormonal skin which is prone to blemishes. 

Medik8 Natural Clay Mask

This mask from Medik8 is made from bentonite and kaolin clay and will gently detox the skin to promote a clear, radiant complexion. Unlike many other clay masks which feel heavy on the skin and difficult to apply, this mask has a whipped consistency which feels light, refreshing and easy to use. As well as a blend of clays, this mask contains extracts of cranberry to enhance skin texture and luminosity, while vitamin E locks in moisture for optimal hydration. 

This Works Evening Detox Clay Mask

If you work or live in a busy town or city, then you’re probably aware of the havoc that daily pollution can play with your complexion. This mask from This Works is created using detoxifying malachite and kaolin clay – the kaolin  absorbs excess oil and environmental impurities to purify the skin while malachite helps to detoxify and protect against environmental aggressors and pollution. Finally, the mask contains a blend of five natural botanicals including bilberry, sugar cane, orange and lemon which rapidly exfoliate by increasing cell turnover. 

REN Clean Skincare Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask

One of the main benefits of using clay to create masks is that it absorbs the excess sebum from your skin – perfect if you suffer from an oil imbalance. This detox mask from REN Clean Skincare is a thick clay mask for combination skin, that works to minimise the appearance of pores, removing excess sebum and fighting congestion, without drying the skin out. As well as kaolin clay, the formula offers spirulina extract which is deeply nourishing for the skin and lavender oil to help refresh your complexion. 

Haircare for Over 50’s (or Anyone With Grey Hair!)

Tags

age, ageing, antioxidants, beauty, breakage, cream, Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir, GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray, grey, grey hair, hair, hair colour, heat, moisture, Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream, Nine Yards On Track Repair Shampoo, Olaplex, Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo, Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum, over 50, shampoo, silver, silver hair, style, styling, sulphate-free, white hair

Photo by cottonbro studio

Over the last decade, grey hair has become more fashionable than ever before. It started with younger women who weren’t naturally grey heading to the salon to have their locks dyed grey. Then the naturally silver among us started to realise that they had what all of these women were paying hundreds of pounds for and started to embrace their natural colour. 

Then lockdown happened, meaning no-one could go to the hairdresser, and so, many women realised that allowing their natural sparkle to grow through was a lot less stressful than trying to colour their hair at home, and BOOM: the silver revolution was in full swing! 

It’s worth noting that grey hair goes through more than just a change of pigment and requires dedicated care to keep it looking its best, which is why we’ve put together a guide to haircare for the over 50’s – or indeed anyone of any age who’s already putting their best foot forward when it comes to grey hair:

Use a Mild Shampoo

As we age, our hair can often feel thinner and be more prone to breakage, so using a mild shampoo is essential. Nine Yards On Track Repair Shampoo is a strengthening shampoo with a mild sulphate free cleansing base, which also adds moisture to the hair without weighing it down. Also, it’s not just dyed hair which can benefit from toning; Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo is a sulphate-free, highly concentrated formula thats allows for customizable toning and gives great results on grey hair. 

Add Moisture

Naturally grey hair is coarser and more dehydrated than pre-greying hair, which means that it needs a good moisture treatment to keep it looking sleek and smooth. Evolve Organic Beauty Nourishing Hair Elixir has been formulated with a 100% natural replacement to silicon leaving hair incredibly soft, light and moisturised.  Rich in antioxidants, it protects hair from environmental damages and helps regain lost moisture.

Use Protective Products

Believe it or not, your existing  hair doesn’t actually turn grey – your hair follicles produce less colour as they age, so when hair goes through its natural cycle of dying and being regenerated, it’s more likely to grow in as grey. These new hairs will need to be protected if you want your mane to look healthy. Pollution damages our hair everyday, leaving it dull, lifeless, difficult to style and ultimately resulting in broken bonds. Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is packed with antioxidants to neutralise free radicals, act as a shield against pollution, guard the hair from breakage and protect against heat styling.

Avoid Hairspray 

As we mentioned above, grey hair is also coarser and dryer, so try to cut back on hairspray where you can – the alcohol in hairspray can dry your hair out with repeated use, and the polymers that keep your hair in place can make your hair look even more dull. Instead, opt for something like Nine Yards Hair Down Anti Frizz Cream, which is a smoothing anti-frizz cream that calms flyaway hair and helps to keep the hair straight. It contains argan and sun flower seed extract to provide a lightweight conditioning cream with a natural shine.

Style With Care

Once we go naturally grey, many women find that they want to take more care than ever in styling their hair so that they maintain a youthful, put-together appearance. However, grey hair can be prone to damage and brassiness if you use too many heated tools on it. GHD Bodyguard-Heat Protect Spray provides an invisible barrier against everyday heat damage on damp or dry hair. Containing the unique ghd heat protection system, this spray can be layered with other styling products to create the result you desire.

How to Give Yourself a Mini At-Home Facial

Tags

Aromatherapy Associates Rose Triple Exfoliator, beauty, camomile, candle, clean, cleanse, cleanser, Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover, essential oils, face, facial, geranium, home, lavender, mask, massage, Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask, mood, nourishing, oils, palmerosa, pamper, rose, senses, sheet mask, skin, Skin Abode Contour Pro Face Massager, Spa, This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle, treatment

Photo by Sora Shimazaki

While we’d obviously advocate for taking yourself off to a salon and having a professional facial, we’re well aware that time doesn’t always allow. However, even if you don’t have time for an appointment, there’s no reason that your skin should go neglected, which is why we’ve put together a guide to how to give yourself a mini facial at home, and which products you could use to make it almost as good as that spa-day experience!

Set the Mood

One thing that you’ll notice if you attend spas or beauty salons on a regular basis is that the mood is set the moment you walk in, thanks to certain smells and lighting. Soft is best, and candles are a great way to achieve both of these things. This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle is a luxurious, hand-blended candle, enriched with pure essential oils of lavender and camomile. The soft, flattering light of this long-burning candle, together with its therapeutic fragrance, combine to help soothe senses and increase inner peace.

Cleanse Your Skin

When giving yourself an at-home facial, you want to use the best products you can to replicate that spa experience, and using gentle cleansers is a must. Decleor Bi-phase Caring Cleanser and Makeup Remover is a new cleanser powered by the best scientific blend of virgin botanical oils and floral water to help cleanse and nourish the skin whilst removing all traces of make up, giving you the perfect clean base on which to work. 

Exfoliate

Next, we’d recommend a gentle exfoliation treatment, such as Aromatherapy Associates Rose Triple Exfoliator, which not only exfoliates your skin but also smells incredible, adding to the feelings of luxury. Blended from warm rose, geranium and palmarosa, this exfoliator draws from three types of softly smoothing botanical microspheres, with natural bamboo, corn cob granules and biodegradable rose water infused jojoba, to enrich and uplift the senses.

Use a Mask

Once you’ve got rid of any dirt and dead skin cells, your face is primed and ready for a deeper treatment, courtesy of a mask. Obviously, there are all sorts of masks out there for all different skin types, but we’re huge fans of Medik8 Ultimate Recovery Bio-Cellulose Mask. It is enriched with detoxifying minerals and deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid to help cool, restore and comfort even the most sensitive of skin types, giving you a super gentle wash of hydration. 

Give Yourself a Massage

Once you’ve given your mask time to work, we’d suggest some self-massage, courtesy of the Skin Abode Contour Pro Face Massager. It provides the perfect deep-tissue massage for your face to help banish those sagging jowls, lift your drooping browline and chisel those cheekbones. After taking off your sheet mask, leave the remaining serum on your face and use this massager to really work it into your skin. 

Fighting Back Against the Mask-Related Acne

Tags

acne, acne treatment, anti ageing, anti wrinkle, antioxidants, azelaic acid, beauty, blemish, clarifying, clear skin, COVID, cruelty free, dermalogica, Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash, Elemis S.O.S. Emergency Cream, face, face mask, facial, flawless skin, glowing skin, glycolic acid, healing, intensive, lockdown, make up, mask, masks, Murad, Murad Outsmart Blemish Clarifying Treatment, natural skincare, pigmentation, plant extracts, Salicylic Acid, skin, skin goals, skin problems, skincare, skincare routine, skincare treatments

Photo by Pille R. Priske on Unsplash

Whether you’re someone who is still fastidiously wearing masks when out and about or you’ve given up now that restrictions have been relaxed, there are still a lot of people battling the effects that masks had on their skin. Mask-related acne became such an issue during lockdown that it was given its own portmanteau – mas-cne! Some postulated that the spots were caused by re-wearing cloth masks without washing them between uses, while others felt it was simply an effect of your skin being less able to breathe under a mask. Either way, dealing with mas-cne requires a certain set of products – here are five of the best:

Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash

One of the most effective ways to deal with acne is by using a cleanser with targeted ingredients, like this one from Dermalogica. It contains natural extracts of balm mint, eucalyptus and tea tree help eliminate breakout-causing bacteria and congestion as menthol and camphor help cool inflammation. It sloughs away excess oils and dead skin cells which block pores and contribute to acne and helps to prevent future breakouts. 

Murad Outsmart Blemish Clarifying Treatment

This gel serum from Murad contains a Penta-Acid Technology comprised of salicylic, lysophosphatidic, hydroxydecanoic, sebacic and glycolic acids which combine to clear skin of blemish-causing bacteria, oiliness and blackheads while minimising dryness and irritation. It can be applied directly to blemishes and is clinically proven to visibly reduce blemishes within 7 days. 

Elemis S.O.S. Emergency Cream

This intensive, healing moisturiser from Elemis is designed to give sensitised, weathered skin a deep infusion of moisture and contains myrrh essential oil, which has regenerating, anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties, making it invaluable in products which help relieve acne. Added lavender oil helps to enhance healing and can also help to reduce the chance of scarring. 

Medik8 Blemish SOS

This rapid action treatment gel from Murad is designed to be applied directly to blemishes and remains invisible once applied, unlike some spot treatments which leave an unsightly film. It’s enriched with azelaic acid to fight blemish-causing bacteria and dioic acid to help control oil production within the skin and can be used under make up or on its own for fast-acting, spot-busting powers. 

Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion

Bioglycolic Bioclear Lotion is a multi-purpose product from Jan Marini which contains glycolic, salicylic and azelaic acid and is designed to treat not just acne, but also pigmentation, rosacea and fine lines and wrinkles. As well as utilising the three acids which are amazing for the skin, the lotion is packed with antioxidants and natural plant extracts which repair and refine the complexion for softer, smoother, more luminous and hydrated looking skin.