My Morning Routine

Chai Tea, Minimalist Makeup & My Favorite Bliss Elixir

5:45am

Mornings are sacred. I think so much of the energy we carry into the day starts with the way we begin. I'm already a sensitive person that really needs some time to wake slowly, organize my thoughts and practice all the self care that I'm constantly preaching so I wake early to make that happen. My husband makes everyone in the house a cup of chai tea. I’m a creature of habit and it's hard to imagine drinking anything else after all these years. This one is strong but so gentle on the stomach. After tea, I light a stick of my favorite incense so the house smells like a Buddhist temple, which is coincidently one of the first things I do when I walk in the doors at NAHLA each morning. I like to set the vibe for the day. 

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6:00am
Once I've got some caffeine in me, I pretty much force myself to dry body brush. Sometimes it can feel like a chore on a busy morning but when I remind myself that the average person sheds on average 5 billion skin cells a day, it feels more like essential maintenance. Plus, it leaves your skin so glowy and energized. Also, for this same reason, I wash my sheets twice a week. Your skin is constantly shedding and hygiene is a huge part of healthy skin.

Then, while my husband (the morning beverages maestro) fires up our new, overly complicated espresso machine that I don't know how to work, I mix up Bio Renewal Corrective Masque in a little ceramic dish. I'm a morning masque devotee - like, I'm religious about masking every single day - essentially cocooning the face in fresh vitamin C each day is one of my biggest beauty secrets. Infused with a 20% Vitamin C infusion that leaves your skin utterly flawless, plump and glowing no matter what your skin type, if you were to ask me one product to start with from NAHLA - this is the product. We've even got the bulk size I keep at home restocked for a limited time at a 25% discount. 

The mask takes about 7 minutes to set and I'll take that time get a jump on work emails or text with my oldest son who lives a few hours up the coast. Then I grab a quick shower and slather myself with Love & The Moon Body Elixir, our vibrant bath and body serum. It's infused with stress protective flower essences, prickly pear seed oil, sultry vanilla bean from this insane little vanilla plot in the jungles of Mexico. I don't know any other way to put it - it makes you feel like a million bucks. 

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6:30am

I'm pretty low maintenance in the morning. I spritz my face with Helios Botanical Repair Mist, press two pumps of Goldenrod Miracle Glow Drops into my skin because ever since I veered into my 40s, my skin cannot get enough amino acids and spilanthes, this wild looking medicinal herb that's been dubbed nature's botox. Then, I'll follow it with a few drops of Fleuressence African Nectar for lightning fast absorption and if I’m not tight for time, I’ll spend a few minutes doing a face massage, lifting the skin against gravity and doing a few compressions around the eyes to alleviate any puffiness. 

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6:35am

My makeup game is minimal because I really do believe the best makeup is a good skincare regimen. Right now, I'm loving Ilia's Serum Foundation in Corsica because it's so lightweight and dewy and follow it with a quick dusting of Alima's powder in Beige 2, buffed and blended with a flat top kabuki brush to get a flawless finish. Then I curl my lashes, which makes you look awake and rested even if you're not. I've always had a hard time with mascara but think I've finally found one that looks great on, is free of toxic ingredients and doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes. I finish with a  little Glow Eye Repair because I love the rosy, youthful sheen it leaves on your lips. 

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6:45am

Breakfast is easily my biggest meal of the day and my egg game is strong. Right now, I'm obsessed with poached eggs whites on a toasted English muffin, smeared with this Artichoke & Garlic Tapenade (pure Italian magic!) and finished with grated Parmesan. Another favorite is Turkish breakfast with poached eggs in a bed of garlicky greek yogurt and greens, topped with brown butter walnuts. I've always been terrible at poaching eggs but these awesome egg poaching cups have helped enormously.