Have You Heard Of Well-Beauty? A Beauty Trend Combining Healing And Intention
Well-Beauty is a new beauty trend that marries the healing benefits of skincare and wellness
Love makeup, skincare, and all things beauty? Also love wellness rituals and self-care trends? Now, you can get the best of both world with "Well-Beauty", a new beauty trend that sees the healing benefits of skincare and body care rituals.
Remember, caring for yourself is crucial in times of stress. And sometimes, a simple beauty ritual can help. It doesn't have to be costly or take place in an expensive, luxury spa. You'll be surprised you can create lovely treatments straight from your very own kitchen.
Salts and scrubs have seen a surge in popularity since we started self-isolating. Perhaps the trend has revealed something we've been missing all along? "Often we buy beauty gifts for others yet we actually need them ourselves," says Kellie Collis, founder of Salt by Hendrix, an Australian brand that's bringing some joy and intention to the bathtub.
With more time on our hands, taking care of ourselves has come to the fore and we're paying closer attention to what our bodies really need. "When you do things that are rushed, you don't think about how your skin feels," says Kellie. "But when you're setting aside time to yourself, you notice the dry patches, the sensitive spots and you're able to appreciate those moments more."
Yet for all the loveliness, self-care is not a cure-all. "There's also mental health, which is really, really serious for some people and we would never want to minimise that. But at the same time it's nice to think we can lighten someone's days," says Kellie. Here are some ideas for creating your own haven at home.
Arrange scented candles for soft lighting and a lovely scent in one.
Play relaxing music from a portable speaker or wear noise-cancelling ear buds and listen to a podcast or meditation app in peace and quiet.
Bring a book or magazine to read and a cool drink in case you get too warm. Cucumber and mint water is popular in spas because it also cleanses the palate. Roll up a small towel to rest your head on, unless you have a special bath pillow.
You could put a sheet mask next to the bath and lay it over your face once you hop in, or slather a traditional face mask on beforehand. Make sure it's not a mud mask that tightens too much. A hydrating mask will be more relaxing.
Bath oils are ideal when your skin is dry and scaly. Muscle and floral bath soaks are soothing with their salts and sensory with their petals, herbs etc. Of course, bubble baths are always fun.
If you do have dry skin, soak for at least 10 minutes to soften your skin (and relax!) before beginning to scrub. You can use a microfibre mitt on its own for a light polish, or slather on a dedicated body scrub for deeper exfoliation.
Nothing says spa like a fluffy towel, robe and slippers. Remember to dab dry, so any oils used stay on the skin for prolonged hydration and nourishment.
Your skin absorbs some moisture from the bath, but once you hop out, you need to seal it in with moisturiser or it will soon evaporate, leaving you dry again.
Resist the urge to jump back into the fray – you wouldn't at a spa. Instead, retire to a quiet room with your cucumber mint water to ease yourself back into the world.
Text: Bauer Syndication