Hi guys – how’s everyone feeling? I hope you’re all staying safe, healthy (and sane) during this time ♥
Like I’ve said before, during this difficult time I want to keep Elyse Wellness a place of positivity, and maybe even a little escape from the ever-present news cycle. And what better way than with a little at-home self-care and beauty!
I don’t know about you guys, but “look good, feel good” has ALWAYS applied to me. And while it’s been nice to lounge around in sweats all day (I can’t recommend these Outdoor Voices sweats enough), sometimes I just need to feel cute to feel like myself again.
So I’ve rounded up all my favorite beauty products & regimens that can be done AT HOME – ranging from totally free beauty practices to some splurge-worthy products.
PLUS I asked YOU GUYS on Instagram for your top products & tips – make sure to read all the way to the bottom of the post to see tips from your fellow Elyse Wellness readers!
FOR YOUR BOD
DRY BRUSHING ($10)
Dry brushing is an Ayurvedic practice that is great for stimulating lymphatic drainage and exfoliating the skin – it also wakes you the hell up. It’s basically exactly what it sounds like – brushing your skin dry with a brush. It’s important to always brush towards the heart. I do a mix of small circular motions and large sweeping motions. I like dry brushing in the mornings before the shower, and especially when I’m prepping my skin for some sell tanner(see below). It makes me feel awake, and the lymphatic drainage is great for reducing puffiness and stimulating your body’s natural detoxication system. You can get a dry brush off amazon for under $10!
SELF TANNER ($25)
Even though no one is seeing me in real life right now (quarantine baby), I’ve kept up my self tanning routine. Honestly, I may have even increased it. Something about being tan just makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER. I feel healthier, more like myself, and at least 5 pounds lighter (illogical but I do).
- For a gradual, natural tanner that is also fully #cleanbeauty approved, I LOVE Beauty by Earth ($30 on Amazon). If I want to get pretty dark, I’ll do a coat in the morning, and again before bed. I’ve even written a whole blog post on the stuff, that’s how good it is.
- For an instant, deep dark tan, I’ve been sold on Bondi Sans Ultra Dark Tanning Foam lately. I do 2 coats within 30 minutes, and wait the recommended 6 hours and I am DARK. Its $26 on Amazon, and you can also sometimes find it at Walgreens or CVS!
FOR YOUR FACE
FACIAL MASSAGE / GUA SHA (Free / $10)
Facial massage and gua sha massage are not only super beneficial for the skin – they are crazy RELAXING. When done correctly, both manual facial massage and gua sha massage stimulate lymphatic drainage (aka reduce puffiness and help reduce under-eye bags caused by excess fluid), collagen production, and increase blood flow to the skin.
I notice my skin is immediately smoother, more hydrated (product really sinks in), less puffy, and brighter when doing facial massage and/or gua sha.
This video on manual facial massage is my all-time fav – so many great techniques and SO relaxing. When using a gua sha stone you’ll want to follow the same principles (starting with the neck, moving up and out, being gentle and not pulling the skin, always using moisturizer or a cleansing balm), and can use the stone in different ways for different parts of the face and neck. Once you get the hang of it, you can massage away while watching your favorite show. You can get a gua sha stone on amazon for under $10.
NUFACE (SPLURGE $199)
A NuFace micro-current device is definitely a splurge, but it’s been a great investment in my book. I bought mine in 2017, and though I’m not religious about using it, I love pulling it out when I have time (it takes about 10-20 minutes per session) or when I want my skin to really POP.
The NuFace micro-current is said be “like the gym for your face”. While serums are working topically, micro-current works on stimulating the muscles in your face. It improves facial contour, and gives you a subtle lift and tightening. Apparently Jennifer Aniston is a big micro-current fan, so that’s reason enough for me.
To use the NuFace, you apply a special gel on your face (to conduct the current) and again follow the ‘up and out’ technique, holding in certain places. For an at-home device, it’s powerful. If I only do one side of my face, I’ll be able to visibly see one eyebrow is higher than the other.
FACIAL STEAMING (FREE – $25)
Face masks are the original at-home beauty self-care, but you can take it up a notch by adding some STEAM to your routine. Facial steaming opens your pores, allowing for deeper cleansing and prepping your skin to really take it the benefits of your masks or serums.
For a free option, add some hot water to a large bowl, grab a towel, and *carefully* place your face over the steam under the towel. Again – be careful! Steam can burn just like hot water, so don’t go too hot, and be careful handling hot water.
For an easier option, invest in an amazon facial steamer. I got this one for $40 and I love it! Nothing fancy, but it does the trick.
FACIAL ICING (FREE – $10)
I started icing my face when dealing with my cystic acne, and I’ve been loving it in my routine ever since. Facial icing helps reduce puffiness and topical inflammation, as well as tighten pores. I notice my products and moisturizer sink in deeper after icing my ice.
For a free version, just grab an ice cube and a wash cloth and go to town!
For an affordable amazon version, grab an ice roller ($14) and keep it in the fridge! I love the ease of this, and the ice cold metal feels AMAZING (especially if you wake up a littleee hungover).
SERIOUS SERUMS (SPLURGE $$)
I finally caved and bought the SkinCeuticals C E Ferlic serum that I had been eyeing forever based on SO many recommendations. So far I’ve been completely obsessed – my skin feels immediately brighter after each use. I also bought the SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier – it’s been good, but not sold it was worth the cost yet – stay tuned.
FOR YOUR HAIR
COCONUT OIL / TJ’s COCONUT OIL MASK
Many of you have probably tried a coconut oil hair mask – it’s cheap and it definitely moisturizes your hair. But for my my super fine hair, pure coconut oil can be too thick and hard to wash out. This super affordable ($4!) Shea Butter & Coconut Oil hair mask from Trader Joe’s is the perfect alternative. A little goes a longg way in adding a ton of moisture to my hair.
OLAPLEX No 3 ($28)
While most hair masks are focused on adding moisture to hair, Olaplex’s No 3 treatment works on a deeper level to repair and strengthen the bond of the hair. Olaplex is applied to damp hair, and shampooed out after, making it perfect to leave in your hair while working from home all day (as long as you don’t have to video conference). I like to do this every 1-2 weeks.
BRIOGIEO DON’T DESPAIR REPAIR MASK ($36)
This Briogieo damage repair hair mask is one of my favorites for adding a ton of moisture to my hair. While it’s still not cheap, I’ve found it works just as well as some of the Kerastase masks I’ve tried which run $60+.
AIR DRYING (FREE)
Since none of us have anywhere to be, now is the perfect time to give your hair a BREAK. No salon color, and also no reason to put heat on your hair daily (though I do like adding some curls every once and a while to feel cute).
FOR YOUR SOUL
ESSENTIAL OILS & CANDLES ($15 – $150)
With all this time at home, doing little things to make your space feel a little nicer & more relaxing can have a huge impact on your mood. I love my essential oil diffuser for diffusing bright lemony & cirtus-y blends in the morning & relaxing lavender blends in the evening. Saje Wellness & Vitruvi both make high-quality essential oils and gorgeous diffusers. And I’ve had my favorite candle burning pretty much constantly.
EPSOM SALT BATHS / CBD BATH BOMBS ($5 – $12)
I’ve always loved a bath, but adding epsom salts or a CBD bath bomb is the best way to really take it up a notch. Epsom salts are super affordable, and you can grab them at your local drugstore, or on amazon. Epsom salts contain magnesium – a super important nutrient involved in over 250 biochemical reactions in the body – that also plays a major role in the nervous system and helps you feel relaxed. I add about a cup to my baths. If you’re into CBD – CBD bath bombs are beyond relaxing.
FANCY MUGS ($5, $25)
Since going out for coffee is no longer a thing, purchasing coffee mugs that bring me joy each time I use them has been the best investment. I’ve also been using them pretty much all day for sipping on mint & ginger tea post my morning bulletproof coffee.
TIPS FROM ELYSE WELLNESS READERS
I put out a poll on Instagram for your favorite at-home beauty practices & products and man did you guys deliver! Here’s a round of your top tips! I’m definitely going to be trying a lot of these when the Sephora Spring sales starts next week!
BODY
- Dry brushing before the shower – @raychelmarie
- Self-tanning – @dallaswellnessdiary
SKINCARE
- High-frequency machine – @taylorgoudeymakeup
- Thayer’s Witch Hazel line – @thefatfueledgirl
- Bio-Oil for acne scars – @kelseymstout
- Ole Henriksen’s Glow Facial – @sheglowsandflows
- Beauty Counter’s Overnight Face Peel – @em_menkin
- P50 Lotion – @sarah___camille
- Cocokind face masks – @moniqueratto
- Fresh, Tatcha, Jan Marini face masks – @mascarajunkie
- Ice rolling – @rightfootcreative
- Drunk Elephant Baby Facial – @chelseakabalin
- Gua Sha for lymphatic drainage – @danielakuzmanovic
HAIR
- Keeping heat off hair so it’s healthy when quarantine lifts – @sarah.elizabeth.lifestyle
- Kopari Coconut Melt for deep conditioner – @courtneyblairrr
- Castor Oil hair treatment – @shelbyshay07
- Coconut Oil hair mask – @kotagoes
- Olaplex shampoo & conditioner – @sarah___camille
- IGK Antisocial hair mask – @chelseakabalin
SOUL
- Cute lounge clothes – @dallaswellnessdiary
- Bath bombs / long baths
- Essential oils & epsom salt baths – @soul_love_peace
- Shaving, doing hair & makeup to feel like myself
