Jena's October Edit
This month brings stunning seasonal colors, shorter days, and for many of us, a drop in temperature. For me it’s the perfect excuse to focus on restorative, nourishing skincare and do some wardrobe layering, with rich browns and earthy neutrals.
B E A U T Y
T H E A N T I - A G E I N G R F T R E A T M E N T
If you want firmer, plumper skin, to reduce fine lines and get a sculpted jawline all without going to a salon, then look no further. This Stop VX2 Gold Radio Frequency Device from TriPollar is designed for use at home as a total anti-ageing solution. It works by sending optimal heating (using its 6 frequencies) to your layers of collagen and elastin. It can be used two or three times a week and I noticed a difference after just one session. For an effective routine, you’ll need a couple of other skincare products for before and after, plus a conductor gel. Here’s what I use:
Before: I prepare my face before I use my TriPollar with our holi (bright) resurface glass face mask, because I want to make sure I remove any dead skin cells and have a bright, clear and smooth complexion to get the most out of my session. The lactic acid in holi (bright) is gentle and doesn't irritate like some traditional resurfacing masks. The pure aloe vera gel and cucumber soothe any irritations or redness, and the 100% French silk peptides stimulate the production of elastin and collagen. Don’t forget you can also use this before a night out (apply for the usual 15 minutes, then wash off), or as an overnight mask for a more intense result.
During: For the conductor gel, I’d recommend the Hydrating B5 Gel from SkinCeuticals. It’s a premium anti-ageing serum formulated to boost skin hydration and help with skin tissue repair. Recommended by dermatologists, it contains 0.5% hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to provide extra hydration and help bind moisture to the skin.
After: The best thing for my skin after I've used the TriPollar is a boost of essential nutrients, antioxidants, and hydration, which I get by applying a few drops of holi (oil) ageless face serum. The calcium ketogluconate plumps fine lines and helps restore elasticity for a sculpted, lifted look. The Japanese rice bran oil (vitamins B and E) combined with the rosehip oil (vitamins A and C) provides antioxidant protection, and the combination of omega 9 and essential fatty acids hydrates brilliantly, leaving my skin with a gorgeous glow.
T H E L I P S T I C K
I like a matte lip and always look for one that won't dry my lips out. Huda Beauty has created silky smooth lipsticks with high pigmentation which last and last - and keep my lips hydrated. So this Power Bullet Matte Lipstick is perfect - it glides on to give full coverage and the mini size means it’ll fit perfectly into a tiny bag for the evening!
W A R D R O B E
T H E D R E S S
With its collections coveted by A-listers and supermodels, fashion house Mirror Palais designs each item in New York to ensure that fair wages and craftsmanship in the garment district get the recognition they deserve. This Mirror Palais slip dress is cut in my current favorite style - short, elegant and shaped. The underwired bodice makes for a flattering fit and the cute cut-out at the back is a nice little detail. The color is perfect for this season.
T H E J A C K E T
No, you cannot have too many leather jackets… but this YSL bomber in particular has caught my eye this season. Crafted from the softest leather, it is so versatile. It gives a super chic casual look with bike shorts, sneakers and a cap on dress down days, then I can switch it up for elegant evenings, draping it over my shoulders with a cute dress.
T H E S H O E
Also from the Saint Laurent stable this season is the Newton Pump with pointed toe and stiletto heel. Halfway between summer and winter, it has a mesh and satin upper, and is so comfy.
T H E S O C K
I love these satin touch opaque socks from Wolford. They sit just below the knee and add a touch of style to any mini and heels combo.
T H E S U N G L A S S E S
I have been wearing these Prada oval sunglasses all through September, at home and on my vacation, so I just had to share them with you. The classic design will look great with any outfit and take you nicely into the coming months of autumnal sunshine.
H E A L T H & W E L L B E I N G
T H E S U P P L E M E N T
Glutathione is an organic compound produced by the liver which helps our bodies to detoxify, repair damaged cells, lower inflammation and ward off heart disease, dementia and neurological diseases. We wrote about it here. That’s why Glutaryl’s Transdermal Antioxidant Spray is such a savior. It’s a really powerful and effective way of delivering high doses of highly absorbable glutathione, using groundbreaking technology. It’s so easy to use - just apply four spritzes, rub it in for 90 seconds and leave on for 45 minutes.
E X E R C I S E
It’s all too easy to become a little less active this time of year, but it’s so important to keep getting out to that workout class, gym or pool even if it’s a little cooler outside, or darker in the evenings.
One of my favorite ways to make sure I get a little exercise each day is to get my steps in. It’s something we can all do - at weekends you can explore a new city, at lunchtimes go for a walk in the neighborhood, or take the stairs instead of an elevator whenever you can. Not only will you be upping your cardio-vascular health, your legs will be in great shape too.
For increased muscle tone, these chic Bala Bangles ankle weights provide additional resistance, and will increase your strength and endurance. They’re great for walks, for wall pilates workouts at home or studio sessions. The colors are fabulous too.
G R A T I T U D E
Practicing gratitude can really improve your wellbeing. It is a form of self care that boosts our mental health, helps us feel more positive and can give us space to appreciate or perform small acts of kindness. Our recent blog post explains why it works and how we benefit and gives some great pointers for how to get started if this is new to you. Make sure you treat yourself to a cute journal - like this luxurious A5 leather diary from Aspinal of London - which also happens to be the perfect size for taking to your favorite cafe.
S L E E P I N G N E X T T O Y O U R D O G
Spending time with Federico always brings on a feeling of enhanced wellbeing - because interacting with our fur babies releases those mood-boosting endorphins that bring us pleasure and happiness, and it helps to reduce stress.
But did you know that sleeping with our dogs can bring even more benefits? 56% of dog owners say they sleep next to their dogs. 35% of children share their bed with a pet, too. Once thought of as a no-no there are now many scientifically backed reasons for snuggling down together for the night. Apart from the obvious ones like making us feel less lonely, strengthening the bond with our pet, or making us feel more secure, there are some bodily changes that occur as a result of being close to them, which benefit both our physical and mental health.
Sleeping with our dogs actually increases our sleep efficiency - in fact research has found that when dogs are lying with their owners, their heartbeats sync up with ours. As for us humans, we increase our flow of the hormone oxytocin which has a positive impact on how deeply we sleep, and because we feel less anxious, we relax more and this can help to reduce insomnia too. It’s also great for lowering our blood pressure, which helps us to unwind and drift off more easily. Your dog will experience similar benefits and sleep well too, loving the warmth and security this brings.
Love, Jena x