Realizing Yourself Through Ritual
It’s that time of the year when parties, events, and dinners start to fill the schedule, demanding you look your best and be energetically sound. Almost appropriately, the business of the season often prevents us from taking the time we need to fully realize our best selves. Our beauty rituals and self-care practices play huge roles in our confidence and overall moods.
Ultimately, if you’ve taken the time to put loving energy into yourself, then it becomes so much easier to put that same energy into friends and loved ones. Taking a soothing shower, putting on your favorite luxury lipstick, or spritzing a new scent can make any occasion that much more special. By adding a little something new (even if it’s just one product), you can shift your vibe from “everyday” to “elevated.” Not only will you feel the difference, others will notice the extra attention you afforded yourself. Here are some quick ideas and product recommendations to inspire you to spend more time on you:
NÉCESSAIRE – The Body Ritual
One great way to start a beauty ritual is by taking care of the body. A soaking bath, or a steamy (or cold) shower, helps you to consciously drop into your form and to be more present. Nécessaire’s The Body Ritual is a kit complete with everything you need to exfoliate, cleanse, replenish, and moisturize a tired and tense physique. The invigorating Eucalyptus Body Scrub and Body Wash awakens the senses with aromatic essential oils while smoothing the skin. The Body Exfoliator contains bamboo charcoal to gently remove dead skin, as well as a gentle blend of Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids to polish, refine, and leave the skin soft and silky. Next, the Body Wash deeply cleanses and contains Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3 that helps with all sorts of concerns like overall texture, resiliency, tone, and a damaged skin barrier. It sports a gentle lather that’s sulfate-free and will never leave your skin dry or itchy.
Once you’ve washed, are out of the water, and are still wet, you can apply the Body Serum to add an extra dose of hydration powered by Hyaluronic Acid. Lastly, the Body Lotion seals in all of those good-for-you ingredients and infuses the derma with even more essential vitamins, omegas, and fatty acids which nourish and soothe. Another note: both of the hydrators’ fragrance-free formulas won’t alter the scent of your perfume, and will even help it to last exponentially longer. After using all of these precious products, your entire being will be renewed and ready for wherever you’re headed.
Available: Necessaire – $40
FARMACY BEAUTY – The Mighties
Start your makeup routine by prepping the skin and taking time to soften, brighten, and smooth with hydration. This kit from Farmacy Beauty has everything you need for an at-home spa facial. Start by using their award-winning Green Clean balm cleanser, which melts away any makeup, dead skin cells, and cleans the pores with Moringa and Papaya enzymes. Then, treat yourself to a sensorial experience with Honey Potion. This mask warms when activated, and intensely moisturizes to leave your complexion looking beautiful and bright. Prep the skin with the Honey Drop lightweight moisturizer to boost hydration with its Hyaluronic Acid and Cupuaçu butter beads that activate when massaged into the skin. I recommend doing just that: take the time to massage the product into the skin, so you boost circulation and glow. Lastly, it comes with Sleep Tight, a firming and renewing night balm that contains a powerful, plant-based retinol alternative that encourages cell turnover and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. All in all, this set has a full routine for you to try and help you to really connect with your skin; not to mention you’ll look absolutely glowing.
Available: Farmacy Beauty – $30
PAT MCGRATH LABS – MTHRSHP MEGA: Celestial Odyssey
Pat McGrath – Dame Pat McGrath – is a living legend. She is responsible for the artistry in some of the world’s most iconic fashion and beauty images. Her extensive career (and endless requests from her droves of MUA devotees) ultimately led her to design her own brand. With every bit of care and attention to detail, she crafts innovative products never-before-seen on the market.
When it comes to the eyeshadow category, her pigments inspire, and insist that they be worn. Each individual eyeshadow in every single palette represents its own unique formula. Her latest launch, MTHRSHP MEGA: Celestial Odyssey, is a collection of 18 swatch-worthy shades in rosy neutral tones and other worldly hues. This palette is perfect for adding a bit of “extra” to your everyday makeup. Think of every one of these eyeshadows as a beautiful piece of jewelry that you can use to accessorize your eyes. Try applying one of the more vibrant shadows to the lid, or even the lower lash line, for an isolated pop of color. It will surely lift your spirits and instill fun and fantasy to your look. Or, you might try blending and diffusing multiple brights together to create a gorgeous watercolor effect. All in all, this palette is worth way more than its price, because it represents the epitome of glamour.
Available: Pat McGrath – $78
VELOUR LASHES – Luxe Faux Mink Lashes
A little flirt never hurts, right? There’s no easier way to draw attention to the eyes than by batting and fluttering your lashes. Once seen as too much makeup, these days false lashes are accepted as a perfect way to enhance the eyes for photos and festivities. Velour Lashes offers one of the largest assortments of options to choose from, with the most comfortable band you’ll ever wear. For a sultrier effect, try a side swept style like #nofilter. To open the eye, use a more rounded shape like Whispie on the Rocks. No worries about the word “mink” in the moniker: these lashes are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, so you can look gorgeous with a guiltless conscience. They’re even reusable for up to 20+ uses if cleaned and properly cared for, making them a pretty sound investment. They’re fast and simple to apply, especially if you use their quick drying, brush-on glue formula. False lashes instantly lift any look and are sure to get you noticed at your next big party.
Velour Beauty – $26
YSL BEAUTY – Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick
In the makeup industry, there’s a little something we like to call “Purse Pride” It translates to the gratification you get when you pull a beautiful tube of lipstick out of your bag to touch up, and instantly, all of your friends are jealous. YSL has always been a go-to brand for the ultimate luxury lip accessory. From the gorgeous packaging, to the refined textures, and lastly, all of the ultra-rich and vibrant colors, there’s sure to be a lavish lip option for any occasion.
This year I’ve been obsessed with flower-petal matte finishes like The Rouge Pur Couture Slim Matte Lipstick. This stunning, long-wearing, and highly pigmented slim-stick feels so comfortable on the lips and never leaves them dry or textured. Its innovative diamond (♦️) shape makes it easy to contour the lips, and provides the control necessary to create precise lines. The densely pigmented shades provide full color with one swipe, and they never crack or bleed. Lastly, the thin gold and black tube fits perfectly into any clutch, leaving no excuse for you to not carry it. So, if you want to feel like the envy of all by including a touch of allure and true opulence to your affair, this is the lip for you.
Available: YSL Beauty – $39
GUCCI
Scent is deeply connected to memory. That’s a fact. Donning a fragrance for special moments can help connect you to that place and time forever. It can also evoke an attitude and emotion that enhances your beauty that much more. Gucci’s latest rendition of their Flora franchise – Gorgeous Gardenia, Eau de Parfum – will delicately lace you with a veil of softly sugared florals. Opening the scent with bursts of life and vitality are Italian Mandarin and red berries. White Gardenia, Jasmine Absolute, and Frangipani Flower build out the heart of the fragrance, adding a gentle femininity. Lastly, to ground and balance the scent experience, notes of patchouli and brown sugar infuse the base with a subtle sweetness.
Ironically, the perfume’s namesake White Gardenia has long been used in elixirs and magic potions, which makes this scent especially charming and mysterious. To invoke that power as you spray, try setting an intention, like remembering to smile or to have a good time. That way, every time you smell the scent, you’ll be reminded of what you promised yourself to do. Finally, its powder pink flaçon will make you want to pull it off your vanity, and the iconic Gucci Flora patterned label will inspire whimsy and romance. All of this makes Gorgeous Gardenia an excellent choice to add to your fragrance wardrobe, and to layer over that little black dress.
Available: Gucci – $138
