Skincare routines are having a moment again as lockdowns and further restrictions loom this 2020 Holiday Season.  People want ways to self-care as this world continues to feel a little crazy and skincare continues this year to provide small moments that return us to feelings of normalcy. 

 There was this recent article in Vox that explained the contradictory feelings that we’ve all been having when it comes to beauty.  On the one hand, people are not keen to return to the state of affairs in March when we all had COVID-hair, our roots were showing, our sweatpants were grimy and we didn’t have access to our regular beauty services like facials or manicures.  At the same time, people are feeling guilty about getting their usual services done because they are considered ‘cosmetic’ and therefore superficial.  Plus people want to feel like they are being safe and responsible while supporting their local businesses.  There is no easy answer as people continue to do their best to navigate these unprecedented times.

 What seems to be universally felt though, with the holiday season approaching, everyone wants a little sparkle and delight.  That may not mean the usual cocktail dresses and Christmas parties but people still want to feel put together.  I’m picturing an elevated Après-Ski type of look that’s cozy while still relaxed. Holidays are part ritual and nostalgia but there is a mental portion to them too.  We always talk about the Holiday spirit and this year it’s going to have to be a choice that people make to lighten their mood.  It’s about finding ways to feel festive since we won’t have our usual travel, time with friends, family and Mall Santas to help.

 So how does skincare fit in the picture? How does it help with the mental re-framing of getting into the Holiday spirit? On a practical note, how do you gift it to your loved ones and add a couple of products to your own routine?

 Start with Pretty.

 Even if your loved one isn’t taking shelfies of her line up of skincare products, we’re all looking for something that right away just looks and feels luxurious.  Skincare is the new jewellery.  Before you even open the bottle, people just want something that sparkles.  You want a little glimmer of gold, the feel of something weighty in your hand, all wrapped up in a cute little carton.  Our Calm in the Evening and our Intensive Soothing Serum from our Natrèceutique line are the prettiest of the bunch. They are also incredibly gift-able since really anyone can use them and they are good for all skin types.  They are rich and hydrating and perfect for these cold winter days. 

Kick up the Intensity.

Let’s say your skincare enthusiast is not into nice- they’re looking for something a little more intense in terms of correction. People are taking advantage of their time indoors to amp up their exfoliation.  Our Exfoliant Reveal with 8% Glycolic Acid is a simple but incredibly effective way to chemically shed the dead layer of your skin. We recommend applying a thin layer at night before bed and then washing off the next morning.  You can use your finger tips or favourite cleansing device to remove the build-up of dead skin that should just rub off.  If you are really keen to go full tilt for maximum exfoliation then we recommend alternating with a correction retinol-like product like our Retin+Erase (not available in Canada) or our Bakuchiol Building Blocks.  Both feature a novel form of Vitamin A that are akin to retinol but gentle even at their full concentrations of 1% Active Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) (Retin+Erase) and 2% Bakuchiol (Bakuchiol Building Blocks) respectively.  There might be a brief acclimation period for your skin to adjust to the new level of potency but most should be able to tolerate it nicely.  As a final weekly step, you can include a physical type of exfoliant to ‘polish’ the skin and just take your results to the next level.  We do not have any physical type of exfoliant in our lines but I’ve been loving the one by Evolve.  It smells like chocolate and I often reserve it for my special Sunday bath.  If you are going to be stepping up your exfoliation routine then you do need to be generous with extra hydration.  Your skin will be ‘thirsty’ so to speak and also primed to absorb anti-oxidants and other beneficial ingredients so layer them on with your serum and traditional moisturizer. I love our Nu-Shroom Hydrafill Serum and then our H20 Hydration on top.

Protect your Investment

 Our sunscreens are not exactly like your every-day drug store find.  Our expertise is in making high concentrations of minerals look and feel good on the skin. We also like to build in a little luxury when we can.  Our wait-listed Ava Isa Sun-è-Serum Drops SPF 35 is probably our most gift-able option as it’s as pretty as it’s protective so it feels a little extra special.  It’s another pretty little glass packaging and while it’s not all about looks- it has that special something that does make it exciting to give and receive. 

 Gifting in the Digital Age

 With all of us shopping more online this year, I’ve been looking for ways to make it fun and to hear from loved ones about what is tickling their fancy.  I came across this fun way to create Holiday wish lists called the Giftful app.  Have you heard of it? It’s so fun to curate your own lists- all of a sudden you feel like a New York Times Lifestyle Guru. You can share it with your loved ones and get theirs in return. I’ve made my own that you can check out to see how it works and to showcase some of my favourite Canadian brands and retailers with one or two Parisian picks for a little added flair. You can also check out their categories for Gifts for Her, Gifts For Him, Gifts for Kids and Gifts for Technology.  Very inspiring, and very much a time suck.  Don’t worry, I’m not expecting any gifts in the mail but if you want to let my husband know ☺️…click here to see a few of my favourite things.

 In short, find your own moments of delight this year.  We’ve all been through the ringer- some much more than others.  A little levity to make the season bright is a-ok. 

 From our family to yours-Sara