Words by Ateh Jewel
3 Minute Read
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When it comes to the seasons, I think spring has to be my absolute favourite.
The sun starts to shine again, the days become that little bit longer and Mother Nature comes alive with her bright colours bursting all around. With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to start shedding both layers of clothing, and your dull, dry, winter skin.
I’m a total creature of comfort who loves to hibernate during winter, and I often fall into the habit of out of sight, out of mind when it comes to dry skin staying hidden under tights and jumpers! I love the feeling of renewal from head to toe that my springtime routine brings and wanted to share that sensation with you all, so here are a few things to make you feel fresh and glowing for the new season ahead.
1. Exfoliate: Let’s leave winter behind…
Warmer spring weather inevitably means that more of our skin will be on show. When it comes to achieving glowing and hydrated skin, exfoliation is going to be your best friend. Personally, I don’t like a super scratchy scrub on my body as my skin can be quite sensitive, but I still want to feel the results of a good scrub!
One of my all-time favourites is REN, Clean Skincare Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish, £40. The heady rose fragrance transports you to a Riad in Marrakesh, and the super fine polish removes dead skin to reveal baby soft, glowing skin without being too harsh.
Body brushing is another great way to help exfoliate the skin. Always brush upwards towards the heart to help with circulation and to boost lymphatic drainage. This Sephora, Collection Dry Body Brush, £11.99 is great value. Depending on how much time you have, you can use it a few times a week. Body brushing really is a great step to add into your springtime routine.
2. Moisturise: Gimme, gimme, gimme more moisture!
With the cold weather, central heating and layers of clothes that come with winter, your skin can become rough and very dehydrated, which is not the look we want to be giving off this spring! I love using body oils on my skin every day, as it’s so mindful and relaxing to anoint your skin.
Do some box-breathing (breathe in for 4, hold for 4 and breath out for 4…repeat) and just take some time to look after yourself. Enriched with Olive Oil from Italy, The Body Shop Moringa Dry Body Oil, £16 is delicious. This body oil has 98% natural origin, vegan ingredients, which won’t leave you feeling greasy, but will leave you feeling relaxed and smelling beautiful. What’s not to love?!
Another fantastic body oil is the Clarins, Relax Treatment Oil, £43. It’s a cult classic and one of my personal favourite body oils, as not only does it soothe dry skin but it also soothes frazzled nerves with its pure plant extracts of Geranium, Petit Grain, Camomile and Basil… yum! It’s also great to use post-exercise, to revive tired muscles.
The key reason for choosing an oil to rehydrate the skin is because whilst you are putting that all-important moisture back in, you are also giving your skin a healthy glow that will look radiant in the spring sunshine.
3. Nourish: Glow, baby, glow!
To get that healthy glow from top to toe, I think facial serums and vitamin C are the secret when it comes to helping with brightness, fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. At a great price point, help beat winter dull skin with the Boots Vitamin C PRO Brightening Booster Serum, £6. You can use this serum daily, followed by your favourite moisturiser and SPF. It promises to help brighten skin in just 7 days which is must after the cold, dark months we’ve all just been through.
Another serum I love is the Biossance, Squalane + Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, £49. This serum contains 10% vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant to help brighten the skin and minimise the look of hyperpigmentation. White Shiitake and Squalane are also packed in this lightweight serum which helps the skin feel hydrated and soft.
4. Brighten: Pops of colour are back!
There’s nothing more glorious than fun colour on your nails to make you feel full of the joys of spring! After months of dark nails, ease your way into to a serious Spring colour explosion with this fun kit from Nails Inc. Glazing Over Nail Polish Duo, £15. With a gorgeous lilac shade that shifts to blue, and a soft pink which shifts to gold, it’s the perfect combination to get you back in the swing of things.
Barry M, Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sour Candy, £3.99, is a long-lasting formula that offers a gel-like finish at an affordable price. For spring, I love this happy blue shade. It reminds me of optimistic bright blue skies and pops on all skin tones.
5. Warm: Become newly sun-kissed
After no sunshine for months on end, we could all use a little bit of a sun-kissed look. Until the sun has actually returned, we may need to cheat a little bit…
Votary, Hyaluronic Self-tan Drops, £35 are basically sunshine in a bottle. They give a gentle, buildable glow to all skin tones easily, by mixing just a few drops with your serum. Calendula and DHA help gives the skin a sun-kissed, streak-free glow, while Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera and Glycerin, help skin look radiant and hydrated. Tick, Tick, Tick!
Alternatively, try the Avon, Skin So Soft Enhance & Glow Airbrush Tanning Spray, £4.50 for an even and sun-kissed glow. It’s a super, lightweight spray, infused with Jojoba Oil and Velvet Flower extract, that leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated.
So, let’s all glow from head to toe this spring, and enjoy every ray of sunshine that is to come.
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Ateh Jewel
Beauty Columnist, Award-winning Journalist and Diversity Advocate
@atehjewel
