By Neha Hobson In my 30’s, I’ve realised that the secret to cultivating real beauty goes hand-in-hand with self-care and wellness rituals. One of the most loved and widely-shared articles on my website is my piece on Inner Beauty...
By Neha Hobson
In my 30’s, I’ve realised that the secret to cultivating real beauty goes hand-in-hand with self-care and wellness rituals. One of the most loved and widely-shared articles on my website is my piece on Inner Beauty Rituals which outlines my morning routines.
I now want to share with you some of my evening rituals, as well as some of the products that have helped me unwind and beautify myself holistically.
Mind Care
The best way to stop my mind from racing is to bring myself back into the present moment, and intentionally create a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.
After completing my work and household tasks, the first thing I like to do is prepare both my living area and bedroom with my Diffusers from Buckley & Phillips.
With a black, ceramic body, these quiet mist diffusers are also air humidifiers, helping cleanse and add moisture back into the air which is especially useful during winter when my skin and scalp become dry. The cool mist and LED light option instantly create a relaxing ambiance. I usually add in some essential oils such as Lavender or Frankincense. It’s incredible what a difference such a simple ritual can make in changing the mood.
Image from Buckley & Phillips
Soul Care
Aromatherapy of any kind has always been my favourite way to uplift my spirit.
To truly disconnect from my day and from technology, I put my phone away, and light some candles and incense. This helps to cleanse and reset the energy around me.
Whilst I’m a scent aficionado and have many favourite brands of candles and incense, I’ve particularly enjoyed using the SeaBreeze and Pear scents from Simply Soy Candles over the last few months.
Image from Simply Soy Candles
With lead-free cotton wicks, these candles are made from Soy and Coconut wax and have a 50-60 hour burn time. Their classic aesthetic including the black bamboo lid makes them versatile with both my bedroom and living area decor. My favourite element is that these scents are refreshing without being overpowering, so if you prefer your scents to be subtle, these are perfect.
These candles are complimented well by my This Is Incense Collection. The concept behind this collection is about capturing the nostalgia we feel after visiting holiday destinations that ground or transform us in some way. As winter ends and the weather starts to warm up for spring, my senses are gravitating towards Byron Bay. Containing White Cypress, Cedarwood, Patchouli, and Cardamom oils, the keynotes are ethereal, and capture the lightness and freedom one often feels on a summery night. (You can use NEHA15 for 15% off till the end of October).
Image from This Is Incense
Prayer and gratitude are an integral part of my evening ritual. Watching the smoke disappear into the air, imagining all my fears and worries evaporating, and contemplating upon my blessings is a deeply rewarding practice.
Another collection I’ve recently enjoyed to compliment these rituals is from Kinnorth, in particular, the Nakashima Incense Holder and Wisteria Tokyo Kodo Incense which have grounding and relaxing aromas. These artisan, Japanese-styled incense have a smooth, chalk-like consistency and contain natural ingredients, ensuring a clean burn, without excessive smoke. (You can use NEHA10 for 10% off till the end of October).
Image from Kinnorth
Body Care
One of the most important things I learned in 2020 was how disconnected I was from my body and its messages, as many of us tend to be. To consciously slow down and tune into physical sensations means to become aware of our emotions and needs. This is the essence of self-care because our body and its ailments are a storehouse of deeper messages.
Combined with breathwork, I like to simply stretch out my neck, shoulders, and back, either on the carpet or on a yoga mat. Once or twice a week, I’ll also create a special bath for myself.
My bathing ritual involves using the Rose Nurturing Bath Essence from one of my favourite brands, Dr. Hauschka. It contains rose petals, rose flower water, rose essential oil, jojoba, and almond oil. Because I tend to have dry skin especially during winter months, this essence is very hydrating and nourishing. I complement its benefits by using the Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream after my bath.
Image from Neha Hobson Instagram
Personalising this ritual based on your mood or specific needs that day is the best way to ensure you are listening to your body.
I might add dried flowers, magnesium bath salts, put on some instrumental low-fi music, or sip on my favourite herbal tea in the bath.
My favourite teas include Peppermint, Liquorice, and Rose blends, but for an enhanced quality of sleep, I have found the No. 3 Sleeping Beauty Calming Tea from Edible Beauty to be effective.
Designed by a naturopath, this tisane has a subtle taste, and contains Passionflower, Skullcap, Oatseed, Lemon Verbena, Lavender, and Camomile flowers. Besides having digestive and beauty benefits, it is perfect for those evenings where you might find yourself wired or anxious.
Image from Neha Hobson
Skin Care
No evening ritual is complete without the right skincare routine. After having dinner and either watching a show or reading a book, I like to end the night by taking time to cleanse my skin with a warm facial mitt, followed by my skincare routine which involves various tools and products. It only takes about ten minutes, but it is a thoroughly enjoyable ritual because I have customised it to my skin’s unique needs and concerns.
A decongesting face mask such as the Okoko Cosmetiques La Boue De Beaute followed by the Blended Beauty Luxurious Night Serum is one of my favourite combinations on those nights when my skin is feeling congested or needs extra TLC.
Image from Okoko Cosmetiques
With rose petals, patchouli, vitamin C, and various clays, this exfoliating mask leaves my skin deeply cleansed and radiant. The frankincense, bergamot, and ylang-ylang blends in the facial oil are a rich and luxurious blend for thirsty skin and can be likened to the exact kind of product you would experience in a day-spa treatment.
Another nourishing option is the Edible Beauty Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse, which is an award-winning overnight mask you can leave on and sleep. With pink clay, zeolite, and botanical actives such as rose flower, avocado, and sunflower seed oils, this mask guarantees softer, plumper, and more radiant skin upon waking. (You can use NEHA20 for 20% off the entire Edible Beauty skincare and wellness range).
Image from Edible Beauty
Sleep Care
My priority every evening centers around reducing the anxiety and stress that might have accumulated throughout the day, and enhancing the quality of my sleep. I tend to use a variety of methods to achieve both, such as indulging in sleep music, guided meditations, and natural pain-relief oils if required.
I always turn off my internet connection, finding that remaining disconnected from the online world during the last hour of sleeping and the first hour of waking, are the keys to respecting my nervous system and managing my emotions.
In closing, there are endless ways to create evening rituals that suit your temperament and needs, and add nourishment and balance to your day. I’ve recently started investing in vegan silk pillowcases made from eucalyptus, and ethical sleepwear, and loungewear made from bamboo because I realised that these little details largely improve the quality of my sleep, whilst also protecting my skin and hair.
You’ll find ongoing recommendations (and special discount codes) on such products over on my Instagram account.
Please share this piece with loved ones. I felt this topic to be relevant because many of us are still in ongoing lockdowns, using our devices more than ever, and often falling into a rut where we aren’t looking after ourselves even though we are at home more than ever before. Having an intentional evening routine to destress, disconnect, and self-soothe is so important, and the right products can make all of the difference.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share on social media, or forward the link to someone who might benefit from these rituals.
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