The Glow & The Slow
The Glow
I’ve never been one to keep up with the Joneses or jump on something simply because everyone else is doing it. I have to be genuinely interested first - which may explain why I’m usually so late to the party!
Back in the day, when everyone was watching Friends and talking about Ross and Rachel - will they or won’t they (again) - I completely ignored it. About a year later, I happened upon a repeat episode and thought, Ahhh, now I get what all the fuss is about.
It was the same with the first season of 24 and that final episode… By the time I became obsessed with Jack Bauer (and how many times he shouted ‘"Goddamnit!”), it had already been discussed to death and everyone else was well into Season Three!
And now, Weleda.
Pronounced Veh-lee-dah, Weleda was founded in 1921 by an Austrian philosopher, a Dutch physician and a German pharmacist, who all shared an interest in bringing nature and medicine together. The company is now 105 years old, so it’s fair to say I am very late to this particular party!
I had a client who I now think of having “Weleda skin,” after noticing how my own skin has changed since using the products. Her skin glows. She recommended Skin Food to me years ago and gave me a dollop to try but the cream felt far too thick for my skin. I was also using other products in my studio at the time, so it didn’t feel right for me to use it.
Then another client introduced me to the lighter version of Skin Food, errr, called Skin Food Light (!). Hmm, it still felt too thick, so I discounted it. Again.
Whenever I visit my sister in Dublin - or she visits me - we use each other’s lotions and potions so that neither of us has to fill our airport security see-through bags to bursting point. On the first morning of one particular trip to Dublin, I was in her shower when I spotted Weleda’s Skin Food Nourishing Cleansing Balm sitting on the shelf. Ah, I’m gonna try that!
Wowee!
The smell was lush, the texture gorgeous and using it felt like having a little spa treatment in the shower. As soon as I returned to the UK, I bought a tube.
I happily finished it off, had my hysterectomy and then bought another - only to discover that I’d completely gone off the scent. It suddenly seemed far too strong for my newly sensitive nostrils! Thankfully, during a later trip to Dublin, my sense of smell appeared to have settled down. My sister was still buying it, so I tried it and fell in love with it all over again and I’ve been buying it ever since
I am now a fully-fledged convert and I finally have “Weleda skin.”
I start with the cleanse, followed by Pomegranate Firming Eye Cream and Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Contouring Face Serum. I then spritz on the Skin Food Hydrating Face Mist and give it a moment to settle before applying Pomegranate Firming Face Cream and, finally, Altruist Face Fluid SPF 50. At night, I follow the same routine but without the SPF, obvs.
Weleda also makes an SPF 30 that has a subtle glow to it but I prefer using the Skin Food Glow Booster Drops before applying my Altruist. That combination sits more comfortably on my skin, and the Altruist offers the higher SPF protection.
I can also recommend the Skin Food Super Serum, Blue Gentian & Edelweiss Face Cream (the latter being my favourite range of Weleda products) and Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion. The body lotion was a real surprise: I have extremely itchy lower legs that I have to slather something on them straight out of the shower and this little beauty is so moisturising and leaves my skin everso soft. It smells fabulous too.
Over the past year, the company seems to have upped its game. Its website and products feel fresher and more modern, without losing that distinctive Weleda feel.
There is also a regular “£5 Friday” offer - when a different selection of products is reduced to a fiver. Needless to say, I have been stocking up on my favourite Blue Gentian & Edelweiss serum.
Very late to the party but I appear to be making up for lost time.
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A little note: This isn’t a sponsored post. I bought all the products mentioned myself and there are no affiliate links - I’ve simply become a bit of a Weleda obsessive.
The Slow
I spoke about this last week but I want to write about it again. Something has shifted this week.
As you know, I recently found out that ironing is my kryptonite. But I have since discovered what my superpower is, so back down on the mat I go!
Every Saturday - well, if I don't forget that is while cleaning the house for potential buyers - I attend a Zoom yoga class hosted by Your Notts Health and it’s delivered by a fab instructor who is so insightful and wise that its just pure joy to do. I also do a mindfulness session on Tuesdays, and on Fridays, Strength & Conditioning with them.
As you know, after my Beyond Van Gogh yoga experience, I had the best rest and sleep of my life. My fibro-flare had subsided as well so after ‘getting through’ Friday’s class successfully without having to tell the host I couldn’t do any more, I knew I’d be OK for the yoga session the next morning. And I was.
There were no Van Gogh paintings unfolding above me, no almond blossom and no petals floating down from the ceiling - just me, at home in my dining room, following a yoga class from my laptop. Yet afterwards, I felt bloody marvellous. It set me up for the entire day and that night, I slept really well again. Ironic. By slowing down, breathing and stretching properly, it gave me the energy to complete my day at my own pace. Also - wait for it - I have been ironing again, albeit only 5 garments at a time but this system is working for me.
Yoga, it turns out, is my superpower. So excuse me while Obi and I compare downward dogs. Spoiler: his is better.
