STYLE

Buh-bye, 2020. Enjoy what's left of it by masking and moisturizing alllll day long.

image: @zeromakeupofficial

After stressing since basically January, you deserve to unwind. So clear your calendar and start your weekend off right with a little Me Time. Follow our plan and you'll feel the chill vibes by lunch (promise!).

10 AM

First, put your phone away

The #1 rule of a solid self-care day? Ditch your phone. There's no need to doom-scroll through your feeds. Turn on "Do Not Disturb" and shove it in a drawer. You'll be glad you did.

10:05 AM

Light a cozy candle

image: @annaliseewood

Call it aromatherapy if you need to, but you don't actually need an excuse to breathe in the scents of peppermint, hot chocolate and evergreen. Here's what we're loving...

All hail the holiday scent MVP: Bath and Body Works Flannel 3-Wick Candle, $25, bathandbodyworks.com

The Wakeheart Healing Crystal Candle ($36, wakeheart.com) smells like walking through a pine forest and wards off negativity.

The DW Home Peppermint Bark Candle ($12, dwhome.com) smells like your fave Starbucks order. Yum!

10:15 AM

Do a workout while wearing a hair mask

image: @yoga.by.angie

Slow yoga meets its mask. Davines The Restless Circle ($10, davines.com) hydrates, prevents breakage and is meant to be worn while you're doing other stuff. Apply it to your mane and down dog away. You'll have silky-smooth strands by savasana.

11:30 AM 

Run a bath and listen to a guided meditation

image: @thatrebeccarose

There is nothing better than sitting in a swirling pool of scented bubbles and listening to the soothing voice behind your favorite meditation app (we love Headspace). Pop in a bath bomb (try a lavender-infused Snow Fox Skin Care Sleepy Neptune Bath Treatment Ball, $12, snowfoxskincare.com), turn on the faucet, then let your mind drift off to, well, nowhere.

11:45 AM

Scrub your skin

image: @sdara.skincare

Run the shower for a quick post-bath rinse and do a skin detox while you're in there. You're more likely to get dry and flaky in the winter, so gently buff away dead skin cells (focus on your neck down) with the help of a scrub like Olay Body Exfoliating Powder Kiwi & Adzuki Seed ($11, walmart.com) or an exfoliating mitt like Face Halo Body ($22, facehalo.com). Just make sure to moisturize after, OK?

12 PM

Get the softest feet of your life with an oddly satisfying peel

Step into the cult classic Baby Foot Original Exfoliating Foot Peel ($25, amazon.com) for your smoothest heels ever. It uses fruit acids to penetrate the dead, rough skin on your feet. After a week or so, you'll notice your skin peeling. After two weeks, your feet will be totally soft. Is 14 days too long to wait for the best pedicure of your life? No, no it is not (and, trust, winter is the best time to do this since your feet basically look like shedding snakes).

1 PM

Slather your nails in cuticle oil

Hands dried out from all the washing (thanks, quarantine)? Keep your nails happy by applying an ultra-nourishing cuticle oil daily. Celeb nail artist Mazz Hanna's oil is a splurge, but its amethyst rollerball gives you some soothing crystal energy along with a fresher-looking mani ($29, mazzhanna.com).

1:15 PM

Chill out with a soothing sheet mask

image: @peonyandhoney

Winter skin needs TLC, so an infused mask is the way to go. Look for these derm-approved ingredients to calm your complexion...

Aloe vera: Aloe's antioxidant properties help protect skin from environmental aggressors and boost hydration. TRY: TonyMoly I'm Real Aloe Mask Sheet Moisturizing, $4, ulta.com.

Cica: A savior for sensitive, acne-prone skin, this herb helps tone down redness. TRY: CosRx Cica Calming True Sheet Mask, $6, cosrx.com.

Colloidal oatmeal: This super soothing ingredient is fantastic at calming things down when your skin is feeling irritated. TRY: St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal Sheet Mask, $2, drugstores.

1:30 PM

Hydrate your lips

Your lips are probably feeling the wrath of the chilly air outside, so give them a boost. A pout-shaped mask is just too adorable—and the Sephora Shea Lip Mask ($3, sephora.com) is packed with shea butter.

1:35 PM

Bring on the glitter

OK, so wearing makeup could well be the exact opposite of what you want to do on a solo self-care day, but hear us out: There are studies that actually prove humans are naturally attracted to glitter because it reminds us of water (a resource we need to live, obvi). Meaning by wearing glitter, you can instantly boost your mood. If you don't feel like applying a sparkly shadow or lip, wear it on your nails or even try a shimmery body lotion like Jergens Brilliance Skin Illuminating Moisturizer ($10, drugstores). You'll be glowing inside *and* out.

1:40 PM and on

Do what makes you happy

image: @soshyadelstein

Think about what else you need to feel calm and collected. Writing in your journal? Changing into your comfiest PJs and taking a nap? Creating a dream board for next year? The day is yours, so embrace it (in your fluffiest slippers, ofc).

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our December/January 2021 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

by Erin Reimel | 12/24/2020