"This is my Friday night party time playlist! Get your dancing shoes on with this mixtape."
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Since entering my teen years, my skin has been problematic largely due to hormonal imbalances. This often means I get regular breakouts mainly on my forehead. A solid skincare routine has helped tremendously with particular skincare concerns. At the moment my skin has been behaving pretty well in comparison to a couple months ago. My evening routine focuses on repair, prevention and renewal.
Over the years I’ve learned that to give my serums with active ingredients a chance to work effectively, it’s important to have a cleanser that’ll simply rids the skin of daily grime without stripping or disrupting the skin’s pH balance. Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser is a simple gel formula that removes sunscreen and excess oil, while protecting the skin’s natural barrier.
Once my skin is dry, I spritz Juicy Mist liberally to quench my skin with hydration. With orange blossom water, aloe juice and sodium hyaluronate the mist soothes, hydrates and plumps my skin. While it’s slightly damp, I apply Indie Lee’s Stem Cell Serum which contains a conditioning blend of hyaluronic acid, echinacea and alpine rose. This helps trap moisture on my skin and promotes better absorption.
At this point my skin is feeling hydrated and smooth. To hold on to that feeling, I combine Dreamy Skin with CDB Miracle Drops to seal in that hydration and create a moisture barrier. The combination of retinyl, burdock root extract and hemp seed oil help reduce breakouts, pigmentation and soothes inflammation. By morning my skin looks calmer and rested.
After 10-20 minutes of absorption, depending on how my skin feels I’ll usually layer it with Dr Sam’s niacinamide-rich moisturiser. It boosts the production of ceramides which help acne-prone skin become compliant to the use of retinoids. As my last step, I roll What Spot over any breakouts. I find this to be a gentler alternative to other breakout treatments. It contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as black seed oil, calendula oil and mandarin to unclog pores, soothe redness and fight off spot-causing bacteria.
I try to customise my evening routine to what my skin needs but the principle ingredients are always hyaluronic acid, retinyl and niacinamide. This ensures my skin is hydrated, soothed and protected against future breakouts.
Written by brand ambassador Ashley.
]]>This week fight off the January blues with Brand Ambassador Fani's curated playlist.
“A little latin groove to take me out of the January blues!”
]]>You’ve heard the health benefits. You’ve seen the glowing limbs contortioned into unimaginable shapes set against dramatic landscapes like art. Hell you’ve even watched the Goat Yoga videos on Youtube!
And you want some of that.
As you prepare to take you first legging clad step into the world of yoga here are the things I wish I’d known when I started Yoga.
In all honesty my first experiences with yoga are not ones I look back on with a fond heart. I was desperate to love this thing I knew was so good fir my mind, body and soul but in reality these first attempts were spent in frustration and self consciousness - my mind was in knots as opposed to my body.
I had placed so much forceful expectation on what I thought yoga was supposed to be like, how I was supposed to be in class and ultimately the way it was supposed magically sort out all my problems, organise my messy head and allow me to levitate through the rest of my life.
Now I see yoga is a journey for life.
Journey for life
When you approach it without an end goal, embracing the dynamic practice days as equal to the nourishing days when you spend your practice lying on your mat moving very little. It’s all the same, it's all contributing to a sense of completeness, a joining of the yin and the yang. It’s all a practice. And it is my passion to convey my personal motto; practice not performance. What physically happens on the mat stays there. The good, the bad and the downright ugly poses.
Every day is different
One day you might be a high flying lizard, the next day you might be a very down dog – and that’s OK! You may actually find you learn more about yourself in the days you really don’t want to be doing yoga – that’s often when we need it most. Take yourself out of the pose you are struggling with and notice if you are holding your breath? Inhale deeply and sigh it out. Are you tensing your tummy? You're cheeks? Your jaw? Let it go. When we struggle we often sub consciously hold tension in other areas of the body making things harder for ourselves. By finding the softness your body learns to relax into postures rather than force and exert itself in them. And just as we have good and bad days in work/relationships/life we have them on the mat too. Just take each day as it comes. Each practice as a learning and don’t be hard on yourself.
Just show up
Your presence is enough. Everything great in this world was developed piece by piece, bit by bit, from great architecture or cakes on the great British Bake Off, each stage contributes to its final wonder. From a 10 minute round of sun salutations to a deeply indulgent hour and half exploration on the mat it’s all contributing to improving your balance, strength and flexibility equally.
It goes beyond the mat
With practice you start develop compassion towards yourself.
On a scientific level you are actively reducing stress hormones and tension in the body, which helps you let go of little grudges and annoyances – the things that don’t serve you. It really does make you a nicer person! So spend your time trying to induce that feeling of carefree kindness in others – smile at people, ask them if they are having a good day, offer a genuine compliment. You never know, it might just help someone realise that there is so much more than the bad day they may be having. If you extend your practice into the philosophy you gauge a deeper understanding of our intricate connect to nature and our duty to look after the planet by making conscious and ethical choices.
It's not all about the physical
While the physical practice or Asana initially attracts students to Yoga the mental benefits by far outweigh this for me. To balance and enhance the movement we also need the stillness. Creating your own inner place of calm you can escape to whenever you need is empowering. Stillness and breathing can work in both restorative and energising ways. Savasana or relaxation at the end of class can feel weird at first but allow yourself to melt into it, pretending you are the only one in the room. Let your body go. Let you mind go. The feeling is beyond words.
Different bodies, different limbs, different lives
Yoga is for everybody and every body. There is on such thing as a "text book" yogi, we all have different length limbs, proportions and lives. Instead of worrying about not being able to touch your toes, focus on the areas you are feeling the stretch.
Then notice perhaps why you are feeling it – do you love to run? Play football? Maybe you enjoyed an extra long dog walk on the weekend. These hobbies or life pleasures make you who you are. Instead of feeling flat that your body may be tight feel elated that yoga is now serving to compliment the things you enjoy.
Take a deep inhale and sigh it out. Breathe. You are exactly where you are supposed to be right now. Welcome to the beginning of your journey.
Written by yogi and brand ambassador, Kat.
]]>"My playlist is all about beating the January blues and kickstarting the year. There's a mix of some classic disco and funk tracks, as well as some new releases, all of which make me want to dance like an idiot. For those looking for something a little different, listen to Super Human by Kojey Radical to hear some beautiful spoken word from Michaela Coel".
Artwork by Claude Knight.
]]>Working full time and trying to be a functioning adult can be exhausting, which is why my evening routine is so important. I love coming back to my humble flat after a long day at work to unwind and recharge in preparation for the next day, allowing myself to put any stresses to one side. For those curious or keen to adopt new tips and tricks, here’s a rundown of my evening routine.
1. Get into something comfy
After I’ve been sitting at my desk all day wearing jeans and a bra (so uncomfortable), switching into something more comfortable is the sign of the start of my evening routine. It’s nothing glamorous; I’m usually donning my scruffy jogging bottoms and an oversized hoodie, topped off by some fluffy bed socks, but I instantly start to feel more relaxed.
2. Removing my makeup
It’s essential for me that my face feels cleansed and moisturised before I head to bed, which is why using Night Shift is perfect. The oil gently exfoliates my skin, effortlessly melts my makeup off and smells amazing as it’s massaged in. Using a warm muslin cloth – which actually comes with Night Shift – I then wipe away the remnants of the day, taking extra care around my eye area as this skin is super sensitive for me.
3. Moisturise me!
Night Shift leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth, but I like to add an extra bit of moisture to see me through the night. My go-to product for this is Dreamy Skin which is packed with essential fatty acids and a dose of retinyl. I apply around 3-4 drops of this and make sure that it’s fully absorbed into my skin before doing anything else. In the morning, my skin feels juicy and nourished, arming me with the confidence to tackle the day.
4. Stop the spot
My skin can be amazing one second and throwing a teenage tantrum the next. I experience hormonal acne predominantly on my chin which can really knock my confidence at times. However, What Spot comes flying in to the rescue! This little pocket rocket contains everything you need to calm down a blemish overnight without using harsh chemicals too! I simply roll it over my problem areas a few times and leave it be. Once this is done, I’m ready for bed and a restful night’s sleep.
Written by brand ambassador, Claude.
]]>It’s no secret that January can be stressful and challenging. Self-care is important all year round but during this time it’s important to allow yourself to relax and recenter amongst the madness. Discover how our brand ambassadors practise self-care and navigate a dull January:
Brand Amassador Claude:
“During winter I try to say “no” to things more often. We’re often told to say ‘yes’ to things as much as possible, and while this can lead to exciting doors being opened, it isn’t always beneficial when you’re trying to stay well. Thanks to dark nights and nippy temperatures, sometimes all we want to do is scurry off home from work and retreat to our beds (usually armed with snacks and a new Netflix series) – and there’s no shame in that! If you’re really not feeling that event, or don’t fancy hanging outside a rammed pub in sub-zero temperatures, saying ‘no’ can feel so good. Listen to your body and don’t try to stretch yourself too thinly!”
Brand Ambassador Fani:
“Taking some moments for myself on a busy day is so important, particularly now that's it's freezing cold and dark. To make sure my body and mind are in sync and work well during winter, I try and meditate daily, usually before bed but I'm making an effort to do that in the morning instead, to extend the good vibes through the day. Working out (gym or workout class or even an at-home YouTube video) helps me so much and gives me the energy I need. I try to have a cosy space, light up loads of candles and take baths to relax me. The last thing I've been doing lately that puts me in a good mood, is taking 15-30 minutes each morning to read my book with my cup of coffee. As soon as that's done I get to work, feeling more calm and positive.”
Brand Ambassador Agata:
“Winter and the darkness it brings always make me super moody so I need to remember to give myself a break during the weekend. On Saturdays and Sundays I love to listen to a good playlist, take a long bath and put on a face mask. For my cold season tiredness a well balanced plant based diet has been of great help. Also if I’m feeling very stressed or melancholic CBD is my saviour. The Miracle Drops are my favourite source!”
Brand Ambassador Baz:
“Winter in London means cold and very dry air. I need to wrap a wooly scarf around my face to prevent as much exposure to the air as possible to stop my skin from drying out (and also forming icicles on my nose). As someone who previously had oily skin, I’ve always been very iffy about facial oils however the Good Skin oil-serum has been such a godsend product to protect my skin from drying out in the air as I walk to university in the mornings, whilst also giving a lovely morning and lively looking glow. Awaiting my return is CBD Miracle Drops. I apply two to three drops before going to bed to ensure I wake with baby soft skin.”
]]>Brand ambassador and DJ Stephanie shares her favourite songs for your NYE party. Get into the rhythm with these bangers.
It all started with Dreamy Skin - which I must have repurchased like 7 or 8 times now! Shortly before I was introduced to Dreamy Skin, I had removed the contraceptive implant which caused me lot of hormonal break outs. That had massive impact on my confidence and general perception of self. The immediate effect on my skin was mind-blowing and since then I have been purchasing Disciple products.
My main skincare routine is in the evening (as someone who works in gym, my face gets in close contact with a lot of dirt and sweat). I remove my make up and then continue washing my face with Clean Slate. I go in for a final cleanse with Night Shift oil cleanser - my second favourite product! This helps me to unwind, I love the smell. I then finish my routine with Dreamy Skin and Firm Face Gua Sha. Before my period my skin gets little bit more inflamed, so I use What Spot around this time, and I absolutely love using Balancing Mist in the summer.
BEFORE
AFTER
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Feel empowered with Baz's curated playlist of female anthems. From Beyonce to K-POP artists this is your Friday night playlist.
]]>You might be sick of hearing it, but I honestly cannot believe that 2019 almost over. This year has been a real rollercoaster of emotions and I’ve experienced some amazing highs, and some pretty rough lows. I’ve realised that taking care of myself – both mentally and physically – is a priority, and working out how to do that has been a focus of mine over the last 12 months. My efforts are being doubled during the winter months and, if you’re anything like me, you sometimes need to be reminded that looking after yourself is essential, so here’s an insight into my winter wellness routine.
1. Say ‘no’ to things more often
We’re often told to say ‘yes’ to things as much as possible, and while this can lead to exciting doors being opened, it isn’t always beneficial when you’re trying to stay well. Thanks to dark nights and nippy temperatures, sometimes all we want to do is scurry off home from work and retreat to our beds (usually armed with snacks and a new Netflix series) – and there’s no shame in that! If you’re really not feeling that event, or don’t fancy hanging outside a rammed pub in sub-zero temperatures, saying ‘no’ can feel so good. Listen to your body and don’t try to stretch yourself too thinly!
2. Get plenty of sleep
I’m a self-confessed night owl and find it quite hard to switch off at night, which ultimately stops my body and mind from fully switching off. This inevitably leads to a groggy start to the day with the snooze button being hit at least five times before I finally leave my bed. I’ve learnt that dedicating time to a proper evening routine helps me to relax and get into a better headspace for sleeping. I love to come home and take my makeup off using Night Shift and a muslin cloth as it leaves my face feeling clean and moisturised, something which is key when looking after dried out, winter skin. I then take my time and massage 3-4 drops of Dreamy Skin into my skin to add even more moisture. After these two simple steps, I feel pampered, nourished and ready to bunker down for a good night’s sleep!
3. Stay hydrated
Although the golden days of summer may be a distant memory, it’s still super important to get enough fluids throughout the day! With icy winds and plenty of boozy affairs, our skin can easily dry out during the winter and lose its natural glow. I try to make sure that I drink at least two litres of water a day and focus on keeping my lips protected with a nourishing balm such as this one from Burt’s Bees. Before leaving the house, I also spritz a decent amount of Juicy Mist onto my face and neck which is amazing at retaining the moisture in my skin. I tend to take it out with me in my work bag too, just in case my skin needs rejuvenating before drinks!
4. Treat yo’self!
Yes, Christmas shopping is meant to be for other people, but you’ve got to treat yourself every now and then. I love being cosy and melt at a brand new pair of fluffy bed socks, so throwing a few little presents for myself into my basket when shopping feels great and helps to make my evening routines even more enjoyable.
Written by Claude, Disciple Brand Ambassador.
]]>But with the seasonal change can come of change in mood and mindset. Personally the past few weeks I have felt like a baby bird unable to find a branch to land on, consistently flitting from one to the next – unsettled. A flighty mind unable to concentrate and pursue one purposeful passion, leaving itself open to anxiety, overwhelm and the negative traits of Vata.
In Ayurveda the dosha of Vata rules over winter. Vata qualities are cold, light, dry, fast-moving and changeable. We see this in the rapid colour spectrum the leaves work their way through, we feel this on our skin as we move through brisk mornings and sweltering central heating. There is change in the world, there is change in our bodies, there is change in our minds. But just as nature so often provides us with both the ailment and the antidote, this harvest season brings us an abundance of grounding earthy foods of the earth to nourish and grant Vata roots, to help it find its branch to settle on. Warming foods and spices such as ginger, sweet potatoes, carrots and cinnamon are perfect to soothe Vata’s flighty ways. If you find you are drawn to these tastes it is likely you have an inclination to high Vata; negative symptoms of which can be prone to anxiety, insecurity, indecision and periods of high energy met quickly by burn out. When we learn to balance our Vata we unleash its true magic – wide eyed creativity and inspired action.
My favourite pose for the winter months is tree pose for the sense of balance and connection with the natural world it grants me.
Start by spreading your toes until your foot resembles a Monster Munch Crisp (you’ll never look at your foot the same way again!). Each toe is your root, constantly adapting as your weight shifts, to secure you to the earth. This is not necessarily a static pose, the toes constantly work in micro movements to keep you balanced.
Ground down into the right foot, engage your right thigh. This is your stable base, your tree trunk.
Lift the left leg and settle your sole on your upper, lower leg or rest it by your ankle, but never on your knee.
Allow the knee the draw backward to allow the hips to square to the front of room.
Lengthen down through the tail bone (imagine you have a big tail!) Zip up from the belly button, find your focus a little ahead of your and allow the face and eyes to soften. Lift your heart and inhale all nature’s wonder little tree.
Just as individuality makes the forest beautiful, you can be any kind of tree you wish by playing with arm movement … Willow, Oak, Christmas .. the possibilities are endless.
Written by Kat, Disciple Brand Ambassador
]]>Brand ambassador and yogi Kat's meditation playlist to help you feel relaxed and zen.
Here you can keep up with the DISCIPLE tribe. From skincare regimes, to creative collaborations – this is a platform for inspiration, creativity and community.
Meet our ambassadors:
Fani, Saru, Alienor, Baz, Kat, Ashley, Agata, Braid and Elizabeth.
]]>At Disciple HQ we're a democracy and everyone gets a go on the decks. This week it's over to our new brand ambassador Fani with her Friday night playlist.
]]>In many ways this post would be better written at the end of the year, when I hope to have my life ‘more together.’ But then again, what would that even look like? Is it just a myth that happiness is something we achieve when everything in our life finally looks the way we’ve been thinking it should? A stable home, a good (read: outwardly impressive) job, maybe a relationship?
You see, my situation is this: I live in London but am currently between tenancies, reticent to rush into another contract before I’ve really decided what I want. Without a fixed abode, major parts of your life become more fluid – it makes you question what really makes you happy. Should I move to the vegan haven of Hackney or find peace in Putney? Perhaps I should just move back to Amsterdam, where I lived for 6 months and found the most happiness I’ve ever experienced? How happy does my job make me? Maybe I should satiate my millennial desires for a sabbatical 3 years into my career and escape to Bali for a couple of months, a real ‘Eat Pray Love’ moment.
In many ways I’ve felt like pulling out that vital piece in the game of Jenga has led to other things falling apart. As a long-standing fan of self-deprecating humour (something I have actually worked hard to quash, but that’s for another blog post), it’s been incredibly easy to weave a ‘lol my life is a mess’ narrative. But the reality is, I would have been creating such an image for others, because as stressful as the situation is, it’s also incredibly exciting – I have the opportunity to re-build something that is even more fulfilling than before. It’s forcing me to take control of my own happiness, which is, after all, a consequence of focussed and consistent effort rather than happenstance.
And while I have no doubt that I will eventually manifest what I want, or need, it’s resisting that temptation to believe that I need to wait for certain things to fall into place to be happy. Rather than looking to ‘fix’ the big things, I have found that I can derive a lot of energy from the small moments of my day, namely, when I’m choosing those moments in alignment with my values. This, of course, requires a certain level of self-reflection, because you first need to understand what is really important to you. For me, being able to minimise the negative impact my lifestyle has on the environment gives me a lot of confidence.
To take a small example, even my morning coffee routine can make me feel more connected, with myself, the earth and others. If not making coffee at home, I’ll walk the extra minute to go to an independent café rather than a chain, I’ll take my reusable cup rather than taking a disposable one (and set a rule that I’ll deny myself the coffee if I’ve forgotten the cup), and I’ll make conversation with the barista even if I don’t feel like it. Whilst this might sound forced, it’s a bit like those ‘symbiotic’ relationships I recall learning in GCSE biology (how is that 10 years ago?!); it may require more energy from you, but you also get a lot more from it. I remember and remind myself what I really believe in, rather than feeling swept up in the morning commute and the self-indulgent rhetoric of being too busy or stressed. Similarly, switching to zero-waste shopping (having succumbed to the desire to invest in a few large ‘Instagrammable’ Kilner jars – definitely not necessary, old peanut butter jars work just fine) has made me feel quite empowered. Even my skincare routine, which is now all vegan, cruelty-free and significantly less plastic-heavy than before (thanks in large to my discovery of Disciple) is a twice-daily reminder of what’s important to me. Using products that I know promote my own values, led by a strong female team, makes me feel like I’m doing more than a simple morning routine – I’m championing what I believe in.
Unsurprisingly, I’m not the first to have reflected on this – Mahatma Ghandi famously stated that ‘Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony’, and academics have labelled the discomfort that arises from the disjuncture between your beliefs and behaviours as ‘cognitive dissonance’. Whilst my inner nerd could wax lyrical about the psychology of cognitive dissonance, it suffices to say this; in pursuing activities and purchases that support my values I feel more confident and more secure. I have a greater sense of self, and a greater awareness of where happiness for me really resides. I’ll focus on these micro-moments, and the big life shifts may just look after themselves. Watch this space.
]]>We all know that skincare is really important - but what other actions can you take to prevent premature ageing? Watch to find out.
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