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Feeling a little dull? Lost that sparkle in your eye? We live in a fast-paced world where stress can get the better of us, sleep is not a priority, we’re stuck in air-conned offices or exposed to harsh sunny rays and all of that can cause us to lose that ethereal radiance from within. Check out these simple ways you can wake up with an island holiday glow.

1. Sip on a mug of warm lemon water

There’s a reason so many health-conscious celebs choose to wake up in the morning by drinking a mug of warm lemon water – it’s amazing for skin, energy and digestion! Hydration is super important for our circulation and skin elasticity, so any extra water you can sneak into your day is going to do great things for your bod. While lemon juice is acidic, when it gets into your digestive system, it actually has the opposite effect and is alkalising. This helps ensure our tummies don’t secrete too much or too little hydrochloric acid (which is what happens when we eat so we can break down food) and in turn, makes digestion a treat. Happy guts = happy skin! It’s a great little habit to get into to refresh your body in the morning, and perhaps replace any habits that could be exacerbating any dullness in your mind or body (I’m looking at you, coffee).

How: Just squeeze half a lemon into a mug, fill halfway with cold water, then the rest with boiling water.

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2. Get some antioxidants in for breakfast

Smoothies are not only easy to digest, but they’re great to get some fresh, green goodness in before you’ve even left the house. For a summery combo full of antioxidants and hydrating veg, try this green smoothie recipe:

♥ 1 Lebanese cucumber
♥ Big handful of spinach
♥ 1 cup frozen blueberries
♥ Half a lemon.

For an extra fresh hit, add a few mint leaves and for a creamy texture and a dose of healthy skin-loving essential fatty acids, add half an avocado.

How: Simply blitz, pour and drink! If you find you get hungry if you just have a smoothie for breakfast, try chewing on a small handful of raw nuts before your smoothie. The chewing action prepares your stomach to digest your smoothie slowly, and the fats and fibre from the nuts will help keep you satiated.

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3. Get those fats in

It was the scam of the last century and we’re still getting over the hangover of being told fat makes us fat – avoid at all cost! The truth is, healthy fats are literally essential for our bodies to function optimally, but more importantly (right?), for our skin to ooze radiance.

Our cell walls are made of fats (as are our hormones, which can influence skin breakouts amongst other things if we don’t look after them), so it’s important to keep our bodies happy with a regular fat intake.

How: Try to work any of these foods into your daily diet: raw nuts, avocado, olive oil, raw seeds, eggs, coconut oil/milk/cream/flakes.

♥ Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask – $120

4. Treat your skin to a natural, nourishing mask and moisturiser

Topical treatments are the cherry on the cake when it comes to your skin. Clear, glowing complexions are built from good lifestyle and diet choices, but skincare adds a little extra somethin’ somethin’. We love brands that are completely natural with amazing active ingredients designed to completely nourish your skin.

How: Once or twice a week, use a gentle cleanser to wash your face, pat dry and slather on a face mask rich in glow-inducing ingredients (we love Sodashi’s Brightening Marine Mineral Mask because it’s packed with revitalising phytonutrients and detoxifying marine minerals). Leave on as directed, rinse and follow up with a rich and creamy moisturiser (Mukti Organics makes a fantastic Marigold Hydrating Crème which my skin just DRINKS UP!).

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5. Fall asleep before 11pm

In the sleep world, 11pm is the golden hour after which the magic happens. Those who fall asleep before 11pm tend to have more restful, restorative sleeps than those who fall asleep after 11pm. Plus, the earlier hours of the night are typically when we have deeper, restorative non-REM sleep and shifts to lighter, dream-filled REM sleep as the night wears on (and this shift occurs during the night regardless of when we go to sleep because #circadianrhythms). Hitting the hay early means more deep sleep and a fresher face in the morning thanks to the opportunity you’ve given your body to repair and refresh itself.

How: Dim the lights or go tech-free at least an hour before bed to stimulate melatonin production and wriggle into bed when you start getting sleepy. Oh, and leave your phone on the other side of the room (your Insta feed will still be there in the morning).

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6. Lavender is not just for old ladies

If you struggle to get to sleep, particularly with an active mind, try brain dumping your thoughts into a cute journal and then spritzing some lavender essential oil on your pillow. Lavender is amazing for de-stressing and cueing our bodies to relax and unwind. Plus, it smells amazing! It’s like a lullaby for our brains and when we’re not wired, we get a deeper sleep. Goodbye under-eye bags!

How: Grab a mini spray bottle from the travel section in your local chemist and fill with water or rose water with a few drops of lavender essential oil. Keep next to your bed and mist liberally before you hop into bed.

♥ Go-To Skincare Face Case – $65

7. Cotton on to a silk pillowcase

They’ve been on the health and beauty radar a lot recently, but silk pillowcases do really stand up to the hype. If you’re one who suffers from pillowcase wrinkles (“crease-face”) in the mornings, you’ll love resting your head on silk case. The natural fabric is gentle on your face, shifting with your skin rather than causing friction and wrinkle marks. It’s breathable, which also means it’s less likely to harbour bacteria that can cause or aggravate acne, and won’t absorb skincare like cotton, allowing your skin to reap the most benefit from your products. Added bonus for those of us in the messy-bun-to-bed club – silk pillowcases have a lot more slip and less friction than cotton, so your hair won’t pull or tangle as much as you sleep.

How: There are lots of brands to choose from these days, but be sure to buy a 100% natural silk pillowcase. Our pick is the Go-To Skincare Face Case which is all kinds of cute, and the perfect gift!

Try these tips today and let us know how you go!

What are your favourite tips for glowing skin ASAP? Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear from you!

Be well,

Gemma & Annette

xoxo