Ann's Favorite Self Care Rituals Right Now

Everyone needs a little extra pampering these days, that's why I am excited to share my current top 3 favorite self care rituals that you can do at home. Each one offers a solution to what I see as some of our current challenges- and each product I am mentioning happens to be available at an affordable price point.

Let's get started!

Self Care Ritual #3- The Facial Roller.

What it is: Facial rollers are most commonly used to enhance blood circulation, which in turn helps products absorb into the skin. They also help reduce puffiness, and promote lymphatic drainage when used to gently massage the delicate skin on your face and neck.

Why it makes the cut: For me, it's mostly about how nice this ritual feels. The stone is always naturally cool which feels especially soothing under the eyes. I once read that facial rollers are a hangover helper, and I was pleasantly surprised to find this to be true! Whenever I have a few drinks and wakeup the next morning feeling less than 100%- I spend a minute with my Rose Quartz roller and I end up feeling more alert and the tension I am holding in my head goes away.

Where you can find it: A lot of places! I bought mine from Kim and Ono. Sephora and Ulta are other great options.

Self Care Ritual #2- Body Brushing

What it is: Using a medium-firm body brush in a circular motion starting from your feet towards your heart, and then from your hands to your heart, you will find that you can dry brush your entire body in just 2-3 minutes. It is best to use your body brush right before you get in the shower and then use your favorite body lotion or oil after showering.

Why it makes the cut: Body brushing is easy to work into your daily routine, and makes your skin look visibly smoother and retain the moisture of your lotion, but that's just at the surface level. Body brushing helps stimulate circulation (I swear I can feel this happening), which in turn helps with vein issues, lymphatic drainage, and keeping you regular. That's a big return on only 2 minutes a day!

Where you can find it: A lot of places! I've purchased mine from Sephora.

Self Care Ritual #1: Aveeno Repairing Cica Oat and Shea Butter Hand Mask

What it is: These hand moisturizing gloves intensely hydrate skin leaving it visibly soft and smooth.

Enriched with shea butter and prebiotic oat in a formula to restore essential moisture to extra-dry skin. You can even use your phone while wearing the gloves- although I'd recommend disconnecting.

Why it's my current top choice: Like most people, my hands have really taken a beating this past year. They look visibly dryer, and to be totally honest- older. Lately, I've been using this mask every Friday night while I watch a 60min television show (instructions say 10min- but I like to keep it on longer).

The visible results and lasting moisture (I still apply a regular lotion about 3x a day like I did before discovering this mask) are definitely worth it!

Where to find it: Target or Amazon

Enjoy!

This is how we do the Polar Vortex

When the ladies of Lauren Ashley studios and Millennium Moments Studio asked us if we were interested in participating in a boudoir shoot in January, of course my answer was YES!! Coincidentally, this turned out to be the Monday morning right after a weekend long snow storm and newly frigid temperatures, but you wouldn't know it by looking at these HOT photos!

Seeing how amazing and beautiful these turned out, has me considering a shoot like this for myself- just because.

Scroll on to see just a handful of our favorites!

Check out the rest of the talented crew responsible for bringing this project together;

Models (in order of appearance):

Viviana V

Anna Victoria

Chloe Capture

Photography: Lauren Ashley Studios

Photography; Millennium Moments Studio

Hotel: Viceroy Chicago

Stationery: Stationery for Lovers

Lingerie: Shop Alexandra Jo

Lingerie: Adore me

Robes: Flutter dress

Footwear: House of Elliot Boudoir

Keratin Q and A

Keratin treatments are one of my favorite services to provide in salon (seeing and feeling the results is quite gratifying) and they also happen to be surrounded with a lot of misconceptions! My goal here is to answer some of the common questions and leave you feeling informed- and with a better idea if a Keratin treatment may be right for you!

Q. Do I need a keratin treatment/would I like one?

A. If you have naturally wavy to curly hair and would like your hair to be less frizzy and faster to style with better styling results, you will probably love a Keratin treatment! The lovely lady pictured here would be a great candidate for a keratin treatment.

Q. Does a Keratin treatment make my hair straight?

A. No, a Keratin treatment will loosen your curl/wave pattern a bit. Where you will notice the big difference is in reduction of frizz (whether worn natural or blown out), and also drastically reduced styling time. For example, I know someone with thick hair that takes an hour and 10 minutes to blow dry and smooth with a flat iron. With a keratin treatment, we can blowout her hair in 45minutes and there's no need for a flat iron. That's a difference of 25 minutes each time.

Q. How do Keratin treatments work?

A. Simply put, Keratin protein is deposited into the hair shaft and sealed in with heat. Compared to a relaxer which breaks down the structure of the hair to change the curl pattern, the Keratin treatment works more like a super deep conditioning treatment.

Q. How long does the treatment last?

A. Unlike a relaxer, Keratin treatments gradually fade away over time. 3-5 months for the full Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment, and 6-8 weeks for the Keratin Express Blowout. This means that you don't have to deal with a harsh grow-out line. Also, if you choose to not continue treatments, you will not be doomed to an awkward phase.

I am always happy to answer your specific questions regarding Keratin treatments! Feel free to message me directly if you think of something I haven't covered here.

Ann