Sharing my morning routine
What I reach for before the school run.
I asked Sammy the other night, just for fun, what his desert island products would be. I was already thinking of my five in my head: concealer…lip balm…
Do you know what his response was? Fire.
Touché.
Fine, I’ll bring the SPF.
It would have been impossible to narrow down to five anyway…
I think Sammy’s second choice would have been coffee.
My current morning routine is quite simple. I know I could add a lot more. Broths, superpowders, some chilled eye patches maybe. But dashing around after three little ones, age five and under, there’s not a lot of time.
These are the products I reach for, all before 8.30am.
The small morning rituals that have become second nature.
Vitamins:
Two of these Aime ones on an empty stomach, to help balance hormones and keep my skin clear. With a large glass of water while I make Velzy’s bottle.
Coffee:
An oat magic, made using our Breville Oracle Jet with Market Lane Marimbus espresso roast. A really really good coffee machine.
Beauty:
Currently, Fragonard Savon a l’Huile d'Olive in le shower. From our recent stay at Hôtel du Couvent. Almost all gone, do you have any good body wash recommendations?
A facialist (living skin therapist) shared, maybe eight or nine years ago to only cleanse my face in the evening, so as not to strip the skin of its natural oils. So I skip cleansing in the morning, and do a double cleanse in the evening.
Should I share my PM routine too?
AM three-step skincare is Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops (a new addition, found in a gift bag from the AO, merci MECCA), followed by Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream. Super girly pale pink and purple packaging. Who am I? But strangely, I don’t mind the juicy scent at all. Everything is so neutral sophisticated minimalist sandalwood…it’s nice to mix up your own universe once in a while.
MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen. I’ve put Sammy onto this as well, it’s very good. We’re both late to the SPF as skincare game. But I’m very conscious of it now, even wearing this baseball cap most days in Aus. Those UVs are strong. Lanolips 101 Ointment Multi-Balm Strawberry. Can you tell it’s summer?
The OG Mason Pearson hairbrush (this one). Curaprox ultra soft toothbrush 5460 (our whole family has one, obsessed with the colours).
I was using this serum and this moisturiser day and night since returning to Paris from the US last October, and they are French pharmacy GOLD to repair your skin barrier.
I was searching for a slightly richer moisturiser, and heard really good things about Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream here on Substack. Love the Substack community. Saved the post and bought it, without hesitating.
When it comes to effective skincare, I think consistency is key. Three or four hydrating products that suit your skin type. A routine that you can easily travel with. SPF.
After battling perioral dermatitis on and off for years, above everything, I want to use products that are gentle and don’t disrupt my skin barrier.
Hair:
Let’s pretend it’s hair washing day. Virtue Recovery Shampoo, ORIBE Gold Lust Repair & Restore conditioner. On damp hair, Virtue Correct Healing Oil and Coelho Le Fluide Multi-Moody (the best scent, ah I miss my Paris salon). The best brush for damp hair. I always let my hair completely air dry, and style the day afterwards with my GHD Chronos, and brush out with my Dyson Airwrap. Davines hairspray (this one).
Scent:
Byredo Alto Astral. A signature fragrance.
Style:
I’ll wear relaxed dresses that have some movement for summer. I love this baby blue one and this cream one, both from Australian designers. I’ll wear with this glossy leather handbag.
Or I’ll wear straight leg denim jeans and a SESSEI shirt or oversized tee tucked in with my favourite espresso suede belt. With loafers or these sandals. I can’t remember the last time I wore shorts in summer. Sunglasses, these black oval ones. I always get asked where they are from.
Makeup:
Sammy will be waiting for me with the cubs out the front as I’m putting on makeup. I get 0.3 seconds. This is my no makeup, makeup when I want to wear a little makeup. Warm up the skin, a little blush, set the brows, lips.
First step, Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating mixed with Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator (this shade). Then, a little shake of the VB by AB The Foundation Drops. I wear shade 5 Light. It’s so good!! And you only need a tiny bit. All of the above applied with my fingers.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in custard. Blended with Hourglass Seamless Finish Concealer bush. I have these half empty concealers all over the house/in handbags.
New obsession, Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit, blended with Hourglass Ambient Soft Glow Foundation brush. Maybe a little NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder. Sadly, it’s all smashed from travelling, but it lasts forever. Hourglass Powder brush to apply. Blend, blend, blend, and blend with my favourite Westman Atelier Liquid Blender brush.
Westman Atelier Petite Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in poppet blended up Westman Atelier Blender brush. A little Westman Atelier Petite Lit Up Highlight Stick in Nectar.
Givenchy Prisme Libre 04 with Hourglass Lighting Edit brush. Don’t miss setting under your eyes. Benefit 24 hr Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel (tried a few, I always go back to this one).
Lips, over eyes. Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Iconic Nude pencil with Byredo Lipstick in sand dance (it’s sadly saying unavailable online, but Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk is also a favourite). Blend again with Hourglass Liquid Blender brush. Blend, blend, blend.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist to set.
Jewellery:
My wedding bands, vintage Rolex, Sarah & Sebastian Medusa Twin Ring in 18 Karat White Gold, and these natural diamond huggies. Love the marquise shape, and that they are still subtle enough to wear everyday. Less is always more. I take off all my jewellery the moment I get home, and it’s the last thing I put on before I leave the house.
Brekkie:
I’ll walk to Baker Bleu to pick up an Emmer Tin Loaf and some fruit buns with Velz. Basically hot cross buns, all year round. My current breakfast obsession, I’ve been addicted all summer. And blueberries. I try and steal some before Velzyyyy eats the whole punnet.
I would love to hear your go-to morning essentials/products you cant live without? Especially vitamins. Please share anything that can restore and repair from within.
Good luck to all the preppy’s starting school this week too!
Bisous, Saasha x
Loved this.
Yes please. I heard about skipping morning cleanse too