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Raise of hands for anyone out there who misses being pampered. Nothing appealed to my sensibilities more than weekend trips to the spa — steam rooms filled with the soothing scent of essential oils, masseuses tenderly kneading the stress away, and cucumber water (!!) While trips to the spa may be out of our reach during these tough times, there is no reason the pampering has to stop.
And why is it that we spend so much time worried about optimizing our routines for maximum productivity and not maximum pleasure? Where are the TED talks on that? If this year has taught me anything it’s that you can improve any experience by slowing down and savoring it. Elevating your routine doesn’t have to be expensive either. There are plenty of items out there under $100 that can make a big difference in your daily routine. Keep reading to find out what they are and where you can snag them.
Marvis — Jasmin Mint Toothpaste ($10.50)
You have to brush your teeth every day so why not make it something to look forward to? Some mornings the only thing that gets me out of bed is Jasmin flavored toothpaste and the thought of iced coffee. This luxury paste whitens and protects teeth, freshens breath, and helps prevent tooth decay, tartar, and plaque. Imported from Florence, Italy nothing says “they have taste” like a chic tube of Marvis toothpaste on your countertop.
Comrad — Compression Socks ($38)
As we transition into winter nothing is as comforting as a nice pair of socks. Sure, there are dollar store fuzzy sock options, but this year I want to focus on buying quality items that last a long time. These super-soft compression socks trap heat, prevent odor, wick sweat, energize the body while standing and sitting, reduce swelling and fatigue, and decrease end of day soreness. Bold claims? Comrad has a risk free 30-day guarantee to make sure you're moving and grooving thanks to increased circulation.
APOTHEKE — Charcoal Liquid Soap ($22)
Singing happy birthday over the sink gets old quick when you find yourself stress-washing your hands every five minutes. Which is exactly why you need to throw a luxury soap into the mix. Soothing notes of sandalwood and smokey amber work together to transport your mind somewhere far away… somewhere much further than your childhood bedroom. Additionally, Apotheke’s soap blends are made with aloe vera, essential oils, and natural botanicals to both cleanse and hydrate. Goodbye dry hands! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Byredo — Hand Cream Gypsy Water ($43)
Another dry hand perpetrator…. hand sanitizer! My once cherub-soft hands have taken a real hit this year, and to protect myself, I’ve made an active effort to apply hand cream twice a day. Unlike other sticky hand lotions that you want to rinse off immediately, this upscale cream has a velvety texture that melts into the skin. Byredo is known for its it-girl scents, and this hydrating hand cream delivers at a fraction of the cost of their perfume. Now as you cruise through the grocery store, everyone will wonder who in aisle four is doused in the smoky yet sweet scent of Gypsy Water. A celebrity perhaps? It’s hard to tell under the mask.
Necessaire — The Body Wash Eucalyptus ($25)
Some people tie fresh eucalyptus to their showerheads and other lazier people (me) use eucalyptus-scented body wash. Tomatoe tomato. Founded by Glossier alumni, Necessaire’s multi-vitamin cleanser is pH optimized and designed for sensitive skin. This refreshing wash is vegan, cruelty-free, and comes in chic recyclable packaging. Formulated without parabens and sulfates, this product leans on mild plant-derived surfactants to gently cleanse the skin without stripping it or leaving residue.
Look Optic — Blue Light Reading Glasses ($78)
Apple loves to tell me my screen time without giving me any advice on how to break the cycle or prevent computer vision syndrome. These blue light reading glasses are lightweight, prescription quality, and offer patented retinashield protection. Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice on style either, as Look Optic has so many great colorful frames to choose from. Nothing like a stylish pair of frames in the morning zoom meeting to give off a false sense of intelligence.
Vitruvi — Still Aromatherapy Roll-On Oil ($32)
Aromatherapy has a slew of benefits including the ability to indulge your senses into a state of conscious stillness. Slowing down nowadays is more important than ever, for if you don’t make time for it you may find yourself in routine states of panic. Fragrant rose, smoky frankincense, and Egyptian geranium work perfectly together to calm the mind down. Free of synthetic fragrances, I keep this handy roll-on in my purse at all hours of the day. “BRB I gotta roll,” you say as you apply Still to your pressure points.
Slip — Silk Sleep Mask ($50)
There are two camps of people — those who fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow and those who need white noise, pillow spray, pitch darkness, and a weighted blanket. Sadly, I’m in the latter camp which makes falling asleep somewhat of a chore. However, a good silk sleep mask makes a world of a difference. If I could only pack 5 items with me when headed to a deserted island for an ABC reality show this sleep mask would rank at the top of the list. It blocks out all the light in your room (or island), and feels soft on the eyes. While somewhat of a splurge compared to satin, Slip uses the highest grade mulberry silk so that the skin can breathe. Recommended by Dermatologists, sleeping on silk hydrates the delicate skin around your eyes and helps to prevent wrinkles.
Feals — 600 MG CBD ($74.95)
Constantly being on edge isn’t good for the body which is why there’s no time like the present to become an avid CBD user. If you are new to CBD, it is one of over 113 active compounds found in the hemp plant called cannabinoids. Non-psychoactive, CBD works to naturally reduce anxiety, pain, and sleep issues. Feals full-spectrum CBD tinctures are the most effective way to take CBD, as it’s most rapidly absorbed when dropped underneath the tongue. There’s no weird aftertaste, fuzzy haze, or icky ingredients used making it a product I feel confident taking regularly. Fealing good, living better amiright?
Parachute Home — Cloud Cotton Robe ($99)
And the pièce de résistance to living like royalty in your own home is to own a quality bathrobe. I’m fully convinced that this is the only outfit one should be sporting during quarantine. Made with 100 percent premium long-staple Turkish cotton and woven into a fluffy 2-ply gauze, you’ll never want to take it off.
Preview image: @brookandpeony
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