As a new mom, keeping up with some of my old routines and rituals has never been quite as important. Some might think that I’d say the opposite, that “there’s no time anymore,” but I’ve quickly learned that it’s crucial to make the time. Everyone has their own parenting style and what works for some families, might not work for others. For me, taking out the time to do the things that make me feel good, make me a better wife, a better mother and an overall happier person.
These days, Nate has been going down to sleep at 7:30-8PM and sleeping in 6-7 hour stretches. I’ll usually take that opportunity, at least once a week, to do my at-home, pampering beauty routine. It always involves the following: a hair treatment and deep conditioning mask, a face mask and some serious dry brushing followed by a luxurious body oil. One of my guilty pleasures has always been getting professional mani/pedis, so that’s usually reserved for another time. In these photos, I’m wearing O.P.I. Big Apple Red.
Below is the breakdown of what I do and my favorite products for each:
HAIR
For those of you who’ve been following me for a long time, you might remember that my hair used to be crazy blonde. It was a phase in my twenties and while it started out as something I was into, as the years went on, it got a little out of hand. Basically, it was a blonde base with blonde highlights and what they call a “double process blonde” in the hair world. I woke up one day (probably as a much smarter thirty year old) and decided that it was time to start from scratch. It took me over a year and a half to grow it out. It got to a point where not only was the color not flattering, but it also got severely damaged. I’m telling you, blonderexia is a real thing. During the grow out process, I needed some additional help along the way and the Nexxus New York Salon Care Emergencee Line was one of the main things that I relied on. First and foremost, the main key player was, and continues to be, the Reconstructing Treatment, a high concentration of proteins collagen and elastic and THE BEST at repairing damaged hair. After this treatment, I shampoo out and finish off with their hair masque. I was lucky enough to go into the Nexxus Salon last week and pick up the masque exclusively used at the salon and take it home for personal use. For the masque, some evenings I leave on for thirty minutes and then on some days, I sleep in it. This combination has whipped my hair back into shape and made it healthier than it’s been in a long time.
My routine is as follows:
1. Nexxus Emergencee Rebalancing Shampoo
2. Rinse and apply Nexxus Emergencee Pre Reconstructing Treatment.
3. Rinse out with shampoo.
4. Apply Nexxus Restoring Conditioner. If you want to take it a step further, ring hair out and apply the mask. Leave on for as long as you want. Too much moisture can never be a bad thing! I like to take it even one step further and put on a plastic shower cap and use a little heat to really penetrate the mask in. Or sometimes, I’ll throw my hair in a braid and go about my day or night.
BODY
In the past, I’ve written about the amazing benefits of dry brushing and it’s something I’ll continue to do for the rest of my life. Admittedly, I don’t do it every single day like I should be, but on the days that I do my full beauty routine, I make sure to really incorporate it in. There’s nothing else that leaves you feeling quite as invigorated and any product that you use after, will just melt right in. I like to follow it up with a luxurious body oil. If you have yet to give dry brushing a go, start now! Your skin will thank you.
FACE
No beauty routine is complete without some TLC for the face. I’m all about killing a few birds with one stone, so while the hair treatment is working its magic, I simultaneously do something for the face. I like to switch up what I use, depending on what my face needs that day. Sometimes it’s a dose of moisture, sometimes it’s intense exfoliation and on some days, it’s a combination of both.
My current routine is as follows:
- Wash face with cleanser of choice and a cleansing cloth. Remember, if you’re wearing makeup or sunblock, do a double cleanse. Personally, I stay away from foaming cleansers and prefer something with a creamier consistency like Kate Somerville’s Goat Milk Cleanser.
- Prep face with an exfoliating toner. This really helps whatever you use after, to really do it’s thing. I love Biologique Recherche P50 before using any mask.
- Use your mask of choice. This time around, I used Dr. Hauschka Moisturizing Mask.
And there you have my routine. Anytime I complete a version of the above, I feel like a new person!
34 comments
Cheyanne
Great beauty tips!
-Cheyanne
June 20, 2016http://www.lifeofcheyanne.blogspot.com
The Trendique
You have beautiful hair! <3
xo Vanessa from http://www.TheTrendique.com
June 20, 2016Azu
I feel like I should start dry brushing. Especially right now, since it’s been so hot and dry here in Cali.
Thanks for sharing this! Your hair is gorgeous…and so is your skin <3
xo Azu
http://www.raven-locks.blogspot.com
June 20, 2016Sophie
Bight red is my favourite nail color, really classy and elegant!
June 20, 2016https://www.instagram.com/ofsilkandsatin/
http://www.ofsilkandsatin.com
Monika
Such a lovely post!
Love,
June 20, 2016http://www.thestyleventure.com/2016/06/20/good-vibes/
Kristie
Loving these beauty tips! And red nails are my absolute fave! ?
http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
June 20, 2016http://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com
Jessica
I still want to try dry brushing!
xo Jessica
June 20, 2016My Style Vita
sasa
Stunning! Thank you for sharing:P
Shall We Sasa
June 20, 2016Caitlyn
I started dry brushing, thanks to you! Seriously, it’s magical! I find it very calming too, so I love starting my day with it.
June 20, 2016Nicole sioui
Love these posts♡ like I’ve said in a previous post – you look more sophisticated now that you’ve lost the blonder locks. I totally understand the overly blonde complications!!! I’ve been trying to distance my highlighting appointments in order to reverse the damage and attain a more natural look; not an easy task!
June 20, 2016BrooklynBlonde
Thank you so much! It was a hard transition, but so happy I went through it. xoxo
June 20, 2016Leigh
Do you now have balayage highlights? If so, do you find that less damaging?
June 26, 2016Marina
I love your blog, But I would like to be honest, seeing these “sponsored” posts have kind of thrown me off.
June 20, 2016Its one thing where the item that is being talked about is honestly reviewed by the blogger, but it is another thing when the item is talked about as if its your long time use/fav product that you truly recommend because you’ve been loving it for years (months).
It just feels like these posts are forced and all for the purpose of advertising. Which is fine but personally it makes me feel as though all of the products you recommend aren’t really your personal preferred products.
I’m sorry for putting my 2 cents in but I’ve noticed this more and more on your blog and its a bit disappointing. It just doesnt feel as genuine as before.
I love checking your blog for your fashion but I feel less compelled to look at your blog lately for these reasons.
Nicole Sioui
I believe that fashion and beauty go hand-in-hand and the blog has a harmonious blend of both. I’ve enthusiastically tried several of Helena’s beauty recommendations and have been pleasantly satisfied. Helena would not push products she did not like herself – and she does not hesitate to mention pros and cons. I have complete trust in her input.
June 20, 2016Helena
Hi Marina,
No need to apologize for putting in your 2 cents – I love to hear it all, positive and negative! I totally get how it can be off-putting to see sponsored posts on a blog, but I can wholeheartedly assure you that I’m very selective with what brands and companies I choose to partner with these days. I personally don’t think I have that many sponsored posts, but if I do, it’s companies and products I 100% believe in. I’ve actually been using Nexxus products, particularly the Emergencee, for a long, long time so I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to work with them.
Hope you continue you reading!
June 20, 2016vera
Great post!
Blonde in Cashmere
June 20, 2016Marylane
Great tips. I love your fair and smooth skin. No wonder why you have a beautiful skin is because of your daily routine. I will also try a few of these tips. We almost have the same routine but with different products. I will give it a try.
Cheers,
June 21, 2016Marylane
http://styletomystreet.com
Diana
Love this, I need to try the dry brushing!
June 21, 2016|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
Lindsey
Great beauty and hair tips! Thanks for sharing!
stay styled,
Lindsey
IG: stay_styled
June 21, 2016BLOG: http://staystyledblog.com/
Felicia Veltz
I really wanna try dry brushing! Thanks for writing your review and recommendations about it!
simplyherfav.com
June 21, 2016Shannon Berkeley
I’ve been following your blog for awhile, and your tips on proper skincare and products have been invaluable. I’m wondering – how does your skincare routine change when you travel? Do you have favorite travel size products? Do you make your own travel size items with your favorite products? Does your routine simplify or change at all? I’ll be traveling extensively at the end of the summer, not settling too long in any one place, and am trying to figure out what the best options/routine would be while I’m abroad. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
June 21, 2016Helena
Hi Shannon,
Thank you! I’m so happy to hear that!
As far as traveling, after stupidly traveling with some of my full sized containers on many of my trips, I knew I needed to find a better solution so my suitcase wouldn’t weigh 60+ lbs! I ended up going to The Container Store and purchased a bunch of little toiletry bottles and tubes. Now, I still bring my usual products, but in a much smarter way. My routine PROBABLY should simplify when i travel, but since i know what works and keeps my skin happy, I actually enjoy the process! Even if it’s a bit too long at times.
Hope this helps!
xoxo,
June 22, 2016Helena
Shannon Berkeley
Thanks for much for the reply – really appreciate it! Hope you had a nice holiday weekend!
Best xo
July 5, 2016Katie
Thank you for sharing these beauty tips! I love your approach of making time to take care of yourself while caring for your family. That’s the exact same outlook I hope to adopt when I’m a mom.
June 22, 2016Fiona
Your hair is so pretty in those pictures 🙂 Love also the color!
June 22, 2016xx Fiona THEDASHINGRIDER.com
agen jamkho
cream face whitening goods
June 22, 2016burkerabe
So Amazing beauty Tips.
June 24, 2016Kamari Kids
Love these posts…thanks for all the tips
June 24, 2016Fashion and frappes
Thanks very much for this! I think this post was quite awaited!
June 26, 2016Hannah Dobson
Have you tried any of the other lines from Nexxus? For some reason Amazon won’t ship the emergencee conditioner to Australia!
July 13, 2016Nicole Sioui
Helena, Can you please explain why the toner before the mask? I use it after the mask – thinking it would eliminate any residue from the mask? Am I doing it wrong 🙁 I’m off sick today and plan on applying a mask tonight in the ” hope” I’ll look more refreshed tomorrow. lol
August 8, 2016Marifat
Hi, Helena, I have been following your blog since a long time now and getting great tips about skincare from you. I am a new mom and during my pregnancy i developed pigmentation on my face and now they are not going away. I was wondering if you have faced such problem or not and whether you know how to get rid of it.
October 2, 2016PAOLA MARTINEZ
hi i love your blog, what do you use for your lashes? they are so long and beautiful
February 7, 2017Marcia
Thank you for sharing these beauty tips with us. Kisses !!!
February 12, 2017