Mindfulness and meditation are touted as essential tools for improved and enhanced mental wellbeing. But they can be a tricky to master. Krystal Prince, from The Glamour Room, shares an alternative mindfulness exercise that you could incorporate easily into a routine you likely practice every morning.
Life is busy – juggling careers with homelife, raising children, trying to take care of our physical health, eat well and prioritise our mental health. With so much going on, taking care of yourself and looking after your mind and body is really important. When we look after ourselves, our mood is better, our productivity is increased, stress levels are reduced, resilience enhanced – we even have better relationships.
We know all this, and we often have the best intentions, but the reality is that sometimes life becomes so hectic that we don’t really know where to start or find the time. There is so much to think about and lots of plates to keep spinning. We know about the benefits of mindfulness and the need to take time to process our thoughts and feelings but with so much noise, who has the time? So, if there is an opportunity to combine some of these and incorporate mindfulness into everyday life, I’m all in!
When we think about meditation, our mind automatically conjures up thoughts of sitting on the floor cross legged, eyes closed, some instrumental or rhythmic music, and maybe a gong somewhere in the background. Meditation is a great way of clearing or focusing your mind on something to find a state of calm and clarity. We can do this in several ways, from concentrating on a specific object or sensation like our breath, to focusing on being present in the moment.
As a beauty therapist, I know about the importance of skincare and taking care of my body. I have also seen first-hand how much our skin can suffer if we don’t take care of ourselves from within. If I feel stressed or run down, this will always come out in my skin. Self-care is really important to me personally, and I practice my own version of this with my daily make up-meditation ritual. With two toddlers around and running a busy beauty salon, I have had to find a way to make mindfulness work for me. I have been practising this for a few years now and it has really transformed how my day proceeds. I have always loved putting ‘my face on’ so to speak, and it’s become so autonomous that I don’t really need to think about what I’m doing now which makes it the perfect time for me to clear my head and really focus for five minutes.
Try make-up meditation for yourself
I’d love for you to try it too. Here’s my five-step guide:
- Sit down in front of a mirror, bring a cup of coffee with you if you want to and get yourself comfortable. Pop your phone on do not disturb mode too, if you can.
- Pop on some calming music or even your favourite song, or a have a podcast on in the background. I prefer something that uplifts me, makes me happy or even makes me laugh. Choose whatever is right for you.
- Once you’re all set up, take a deep breath and close your eyes for a moment. Focus on your breathing and focus your mind on your thoughts and feelings, without judgement, and allow yourself to be present in the moment. If this doesn’t resonate with you, no problem – skip this step but breathing is everything – it is life after all!
- When you feel ready, open your eyes and start applying your make-up. Take your time and do each section intentionally, while focusing on your breathing and continuing to process your thoughts.
- As you finish doing your make up, take another moment to pause. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Tell yourself some positive affirmations and remind yourself how great you are doing. One last breath in, open your eyes. You’re now ready to embrace the day in a positive way, ready for anything life throws at you and feeling stronger every day.
Meditation and mindfulness don’t have be done in the traditional way, it’s about finding a way that works for you and your lifestyle. For me, being able to combine something I do that is quite autonomous, while taking a moment to gather my thoughts works well with my busy schedule.
For you, make-up might not be relaxing, and you may not enjoy the process of putting it on – perhaps you do not wear make-up and that is perfectly fine. What works for one person may not work for another. Ultimately, it’s about finding your own peace, your own meditative or mindful moments that will be entirely unique to you.
Enjoy being present in these moments and I encourage you to allow some time to set yourself up for a happy, positive life. Making small healthy habits can have a positive impact and giving yourself permission to do something for you is so powerful. Doing this gives me the confidence to know that I am ready to face whatever may come my way.
Featured image: Katrin Bolovtsova
About the author, Krystal Prince
Beauty therapist, businesswoman and self-confessed glam addict – I’m Krystal, owner of the award-winning beauty salon in Chelmsford, Essex, The Glamour Room. I am very passionate and think of myself as an advocate for the beauty industry. I am truly dedicated to my guests with the highest standards of work and this filters through to the core of my business. In my 20+ years, I have perfected the art of beauty, performing a vast range of treatments over the years from head to toe! I am always striving for excellence within the industry; lockdown provided the perfect opportunity for me to study and I am proud to have achieved my teacher training qualification, which has enabled me to pass on my skills and educate new and existing therapists as well as giving me the chance to launch The Glamour Academy – something I had dreamed of for many years.
I also like to write beauty editorials and have had the opportunity to share my passion, writing for various leading beauty and lifestyle magazines! I love sharing my hands-on inside knowledge, tips, and insights about the ever-changing world of beauty.
