Singer and actor Olly Alexander's Favourite Things
'Oh my gosh. I mean, you should see my bag when I go on tour. Like, the majority of the space is taken up by skincare and cosmetics. I recently took an at one of those LED masks on tour with me. You know, I've tried the Gua Sha, I've tried facial massage, and those are all well and good – but the LED mask really helps me to de-puff.
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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
5 weekend rituals to follow to defeat ageing
Elevate your weekend skincare with five powerful rituals designed to nourish and rejuvenate. Incorporate facial massages with oils, DIY masks, and dry brushing for radiant skin. Prioritize scalp and foot care, alongside unplugging, meditating, and prioritizing sleep to combat stress and promote a youthful glow from the inside out. In today's fast-paced world, our skin often bears the brunt of stress, pollution, and lack of proper self-care. And while daily skincare routines do their job, weekends present a golden opportunity to go deeper - to nourish, repair, and truly reset. By embracing these five powerful weekend rituals, you can slow down the clock and glow from the inside out. Start with a face massage using facial oils or Gua Sha A weekend facial massage is like a mini spa at home. It helps stimulate lymphatic drainage, improve blood circulation, and boost collagen production - all of which contribute to firmer, younger-looking skin. Use antioxidant-rich facial oils like rosehip, marula, or squalane to glide your fingers or tools effortlessly across your face. Want to go the extra mile? Incorporate a Gua Sha or jade roller into your ritual. These tools not only help sculpt your face and reduce puffiness, but they also encourage deeper product penetration. Spend 10–15 minutes gently massaging your face in upward strokes, especially around the jawline, cheeks, and under the eyes. Over time, this weekly ritual can soften fine lines and improve skin elasticity. Indulge in a DIY face and hair mask combo Weekends are perfect for those 30–40 minutes of masking that we often skip during the week. For your skin, opt for masks with anti-ageing ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide. A DIY mix of honey, yoghurt, and turmeric can brighten dull skin and soothe inflammation, key factors in slowing ageing. Simultaneously, give your hair some love. Apply a deep-conditioning mask made with coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and a few drops of rosemary or peppermint essential oil to stimulate growth and restore moisture. Massage into the scalp and cover with a warm towel for maximum absorption. As your skin and hair soak in goodness, use the downtime to relax with a calming tea or read something inspirational. Beauty is holistic, and this moment of pause matters just as much as the products you apply. Dry brush and detox with a warm bath D brushing is a centuries-old Ayurvedic ritual that boosts circulation, exfoliates dead skin, and supports lymphatic drainage. Using a natural bristle brush, stroke your skin in upward motion starting from the feet and moving toward the heart. Just 5–7 minutes before your bath can make a huge difference in improving skin tone and texture. Follow this with a warm detox bath. Add Epsom salts, a few drops of lavender or geranium essential oil, and some baking soda to the water. Not only will this relax sore muscles and promote better sleep, but it also helps your body eliminate toxins—something that plays a direct role in how youthful your skin appears. Soak for 20–25 minutes, then moisturise with a nourishing body oil or lotion while your skin is still slightly damp. Prioritise scalp and foot care Ageing doesn't just show up on your face, it starts with neglect in areas we often forget, like the scalp and feet. Healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp, and a weekend scalp detox is the perfect fix. Use a clarifying shampoo or scalp scrub to remove product buildup and dead skin cells. Follow with a nourishing oil like amla or castor oil for regeneration. Your feet, meanwhile, carry you all week, so give them the ritual they deserve. Soak them in warm water with Himalayan salt and lemon, then scrub gently with a pumice stone. Apply a thick layer of moisturising foot cream or ghee and wear cotton socks overnight. Consistent foot care boosts circulation and can even promote better sleep, an underrated anti-ageing hero. Unplug, meditate, and sleep in All the serums in the world won't work if your nervous system is on overdrive. Chronic stress accelerates ageing, so weekends should be your sanctuary for deep relaxation and mental reset. Start your Saturday or Sunday morning with 10 minutes of guided meditation, breathwork, or yoga nidra to lower cortisol levels. Also, let yourself sleep in. A solid 8-9 hours of sleep is when your skin regenerates, your hormones rebalance, and your body heals. Invest in a silk pillowcase and sleep with your hair tied in a loose braid to prevent breakage and sleep lines on your face. And don't forget to hydrate from within. Start your day with warm water infused with lemon and a few tulsi or mint leaves. It gently detoxifies your system and gets your skin off to a fresh, glowing start. Ageing is inevitable, but how you age is in your hands, literally. These five weekend rituals aren't just feel-good add-ons; they are deeply nourishing habits that support your body, calm your mind, and let your natural beauty shine. When practiced regularly, they become your invisible armour against dullness, sagging, and fatigue, leaving you feeling not just younger, but more radiant and alive. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Tatler Asia
7 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Global glow-up: 7 ancient Asian beauty secrets that conquered the world
2. Gua Sha (China) Above Gua Sha is one of the most popular Asian beauty secrets currently. (Photo: Karly Vancuylenberg / Unsplash) What TikTok calls the 'jawline sculptor' was once a traditional Chinese healing therapy known as 刮痧 (Gua Sha), used to promote blood circulation, release muscle tension and realign stagnant qi. The original practice involved firm, even aggressive scraping of the body to heal internal illnesses. On the face, it evolved into a gentler ritual for lifting and revitalising tired skin. Now, it's a darling of clean beauty brands like Mount Lai and Herbivore Botanicals, both of which offer pastel-hued stone tools with Instagram-ready aesthetics. Even Chanel launched its own sleek Gua Sha tool as part of its No 1 de Chanel line, proving that even the French can't resist an ancient Chinese lift. 3. Turmeric (South Asia) Above Turmeric has been used in a pre-wedding body mask to brighten the bride's complexion. (Photo: Tamanna Rumee / Unsplash) In India, turmeric (haldi) isn't just a spice—it's sacred. For thousands of years, it's been used in ubtan, a pre-wedding body mask made from turmeric, chickpea flour, milk and rosewater to brighten the bride's complexion and ward off evil spirits. In Ayurveda and Unani medicine, turmeric's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory powers made it a topical cure-all for everything from acne to dark spots. Modern beauty giants have bottled this ancient wisdom in everything from Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energising Radiance Masque to Sunday Riley's CEO Glow Oil with turmeric and vitamin C. South Asian-founded brands like Fable & Mane and Ranavat have also reclaimed these Asian beauty secrets with luxe packaging and cultural reverence. 4. Double cleansing (Korea) Above Double cleansing is rooted in Korea's centuries-old life purification rituals. (Photo: KoolShooters / Pexels) Double cleansing wasn't invented by beauty bloggers or even modern Korean skin care. The process is rooted in Korea's centuries-old saenghwal sugan or life purification rituals. The belief? True beauty starts with deep, respectful cleansing—first with oil to break down makeup and sebum, then with a gentle water-based cleanser to remove residue. The modern 10-step K-beauty routine—heavily inspired by this practice—took the world by storm in the 2010s, thanks to brands like Banila Co (famous for Clean It Zero balm) and Sulwhasoo, whose cleansing oils feel like a facial in a bottle. Western brands quickly adapted: Clinique, Tatcha and Elemis now offer cleansing duos inspired by this Korean art of face-washing. 5. Sandalwood and saffron (India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia) Above Saffron, a luxurious spice, is also a potent skincare ingredient. (Photo: Mohammad Amiri / Unsplash) Used in temple rituals and royal baths, sandalwood and saffron were considered spiritual and sensual. They were meant to cool the skin, awaken the senses and illuminate the face. In Ayurvedic medicine, sandalwood paste was applied to soothe acne, while saffron was believed to enhance natural glow and even skin tone. Luxury South Asian brands like Forest Essentials and Kama Ayurveda now sell heritage-rich products such as saffron night creams and sandalwood toners in gold-accented packaging. Globally, saffron made a splash in Tatcha's Silk Canvas Primer, while Dior Prestige has played with saffron in rare, limited-edition lines. It's proof that no ingredient is too sacred to seduce the West. See more: 7 impactful beauty brands owned by Asian women you should know 6. Coconut oil (Philippines, India, Sri Lanka) Above Coconut oil moisturises, strengthens, detangles and even offers mild UV protection. (Photo: Tijana Drndarski / Unsplash) Coconut oil doesn't seem like one of those mysterious Asian beauty secrets, but it is for other countries. In the Philippines, virgin coconut oil (VCO) has long been used for hilot massages, postnatal healing and hair treatments. In South Asia, it's at the core of champi, the art of hair oiling, famously endorsed by Indian grandmothers and Bollywood beauty queens. It moisturises, strengthens, detangles and even offers mild UV protection. Global brands like Ouai, Briogeo and Drunk Elephant have all released coconut-oil-based treatments, while The Body Shop built an entire range around it. Meanwhile, Filipino-owned Cocobody and The Tropical Shop export VCO-based balms and butters, championing homegrown wellness on the world stage. 7. Snail mucin (Korea) Above Snail mucin helps repair skin barriers and diminish fine lines. (Photo: Kirk Ding via Unsplash) It's not as old as other Asian beauty secrets, but it's worth noting: the use of snail secretion began in Korea and Chile as early as the 1960s, when farmers noticed their skin healed faster after handling snails. Korean beauty labs turned this into a skincare revolution. Rich in glycoproteins and hyaluronic acid, snail mucin helps repair skin barriers and diminish fine lines. COSRX's Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is now a holy grail product worldwide, and even luxury players like Allies of Skin and Missha have joined the slimy-but-stunning party.
Vogue
19-05-2025
- Vogue
How to Care For Hijabi Hair
As a woman who wears a hijab, taking care of my hair has always felt like a sacred act of self-love. There's something special about pouring into an aspect of your beauty that few people see—but there's also a practical aspect to it, too. It can be easy to convince yourself that because your hair is kept private, it requires less effort. Why spend time beautifying a part of you that is often hidden? Aside from the fact that you deserve to see yourself in your full beauty, covered hair requires more attention because it can be prone to breakage, thinning, and even traction alopecia if not cared for properly. Here are some ways you can keep your hair lush, healthy, and nourished underneath your hijab, according to experts. Scalp Massages Gua Sha massages have taken over our social media feeds. And while it might be easy to discount this as just another wellness trend that's soon to disappear, this one is backed by science and tradition. It's also particularly important for hijabis. According to Meriem Mahrez, a certified Trichology Hair Practitioner and founder of You Are Your Home Hijab Haircare, hours of wearing a hijab can restrict airflow and circulation to your scalp. This, in turn, deprives follicles of the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive. If you're noticing that your hair looks thinner, is experiencing breakage, or has lost its shine, this is your sign to start massaging your scalp as part of your morning and evening routines. Even a few extra minutes a day can help counter any stagnation and help increase blood flow. Using your fingers or a Gua Sha scalp comb, slowly work through your scalp in circular motions. For added benefits, add a few drops of your favourite hair oil before massaging. Weekly exfoliation treatments They weren't kidding when they said healthy hair begins at the scalp. Exfoliating your scalp weekly (or bi-weekly) not only helps remove product buildup, but it also improves texture, shine, encourages hair growth, and stimulates hair follicles. Opt for a gentle exfoliator to start. The charcoal helps absorb excess oil and minimizes congestion along the scalp, while the blend of coconut, peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oils helps bring in moisturizer and anti-inflammatory properties. Quality products (including your hijab) The fabric of your hijab and under pieces can actually have a pretty significant impact on your hair health. According to Meriem, friction from certain hijab fabrics can roughen the hair shaft, while heat-trapping materials cause buildup, inflammation, and even ingrown hairs—all of which silently impact overall hair health.
