April flew by. I visited London, Cairo and Paris. Cairo was a magical and transformative experience full of magnetic energy, but I needed to harmonise that with some downtime. Paris is the one city in the world where I always have the best sleep! So this month I’m sharing some tips I use to ensure that work and life really do balance, and I’m including some of my must-haves that I use every day whether I’m home or away. 

H A I R   &   B E A U T Y

F A C E: First up, it’s essential that I can maintain a great skincare regime wherever I am. Travelling across time zones and dealing with changes in temperature can play havoc with my complexion and circadian rhythm. That’s why I absolutely swear by my holi (trinity), a skincare system I can rely on wherever I go. It really cuts through the noise of a drawn-out skincare routine, as it’s just three essentials that will exfoliate, protect, soothe, and nourish my skin - holi (water), holi (c) and holi (oil). It comes in a handy travel size too so you don't have to leave home without it. Here’s a quick demo I made to show you how easy it is to use them.

I’m also really loving La Pommade by Herve Herau. You just need a small amount morning or night that you apply over your regular skincare to get an extra boost of intensive hydration. Herau’s aim has been to create products that heal skin and make it shine, and this gentle, balm-in-oil product, which has been formulated with a blend of maritime pine oil, brazil nut oil and sweet almond oil, is suitable for all skin types. 

O R A L   H E A L T H: Since we launched last year, I’ve been using our holi (pearly) whites probiotic whitening toothpaste as I love how well it deep cleans and refreshes. I formulated it using a blend of Manuka honey (clinically studied for its ability to strengthen teeth and gums); pearl powder and N-HA for whitening; probiotic strain Lactobacillus Salivarius; and a blend of gum-soothing essential oils - clove, peppermint, and cinnamon for a refreshing minty taste. Warning - it keeps selling out so make sure to stock up if you love it as much as we do.

S I L K Y   O V E R N I G H T   M A G I C: This is another item you can pack for travels, but you should definitely have these around your home. A Slip silk pillowcase will change your life - literally overnight, benefiting your hair and your skin. Said to be the beauty secret of dermatologists, beauty experts and celebrity hair stylists, here’s how owning one will deliver the goods:

For Your Hair: You’ll notice there’s a lot less friction and breakage - silk glides over hair more easily than cotton, so no more bed head. That smooth surface helps avoid the tugging and pulling that can lead to split ends, frizz, and broken strands, especially if you have curly or textured hair. It also helps to preserve your styling - you’ll discover that curls, straightened styles and blowouts all last longer with a silk pillowcase as it helps reduce overnight flattening and frizz. And that reduction in friction will leave you with fewer knots in the morning, minimized tangles, and less damage.

For Your Skin: A cotton pillowcase can crease skin overnight, especially if you’re a side or front sleeper. Silk, on the other hand, causes less creasing and wrinkling as it allows skin to glide, helping prevent those "sleep lines" that contribute to wrinkles over time. As a fabric, silk is also really gentle on sensitive skin - it’s naturally  hypoallergenic and non-irritating, and ideal for acne-prone, dry, or reactive skin types. You’ll also notice your skin retains moisture better overnight. Silk absorbs less moisture than cotton, helping your skin stay hydrated and allowing your overnight skincare products to stay on your face, not end up on your pillow.

W E L L B E I N G

Boost your Bedtime: Talking of sleep, here are some tips I’ve learned along the way that really work for me. You have to be strict with yourself, but it’s worth it: 

• No wifi after 8pm - fewer distractions will help your brain to wind down earlier and the calmness will aid a better quality sleep.

• Be in bed by 10pm - this will ensure you get a minimum of seven hours’ sleep, although eight is great.

• Always sleep with your phone on airplane mode. This stops your phone from transmitting and receiving signals and cuts down EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation exposure. Silencing incoming calls will give you more peace, and you can still use the alarm function. If you usually charge your phone overnight, your charger may still emit EMF so consider placing it away from your bed.

• Wake up at 5:30am and don’t press snooze!

Supplements: If you need a helping hand to wind down in the evening and want to experience a deeper, more restorative sleep and regenerate your skin overnight, then our calm (beauty) spermidine and taurine supplement is for you. I formulated this elixir with potent concentrations of the highest quality, clinically trialed vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, so that it fosters ageless beauty and restores a base level of calm, to regulate the body’s stress response and reset our circadian rhythms.

Sweedies Sleep Rings are another great way to experience calm and get a better sleep. Hemp-infused, this fruit snack is boosted with GABA and magnesium for full-body relaxation and a deep sleep. Sense your mind calming down as you unwind, feel more present and fall asleep worry-free.

I’ve been on and off Astragalus for ten years, using it when I need to calm down, and it’s also amazing for hair growth. It's a flowering herbal plant where the root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It’s an immune booster with anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects and is also used to treat allergies, fatigue and the common cold. My favorite brand is Nature’s Sunshine - they’ve been in the business for over 50 years and are big on sustainability and responsible sourcing .

Walk that walk: Although it’s important to get my sleep back on track, I also make sure I balance it with some physical activity. Promise yourself some daily exercise and do it! Paris may be the one place in the world where I get the best sleep, but it’s also a city that I love exploring on foot, and it’s easy to get my steps in as I walk around my favorite arrondissements. 

C O M F O R T   F O O D

I always visit my old ‘friend’, Caviar Kaspia, when I’m in Paris. I’ve been going for years and it’s not just the food or the decor but the wonderful welcome every visit and the fact that very little changes. There’s something about the timeless simplicity of a baked potato served with sour cream and chives, a side order of blinis and their duet of caviar on ice.

T H E   J O Y   O F   J O U R N A L I N G

I always encourage this at the start of a new year, so this is a timely reminder from me to you to keep on journaling. Need a nudge? Write down the answers to these questions every day:

• What do I feel today? 

• How do I want my day to go? 

• What might be challenging or difficult? 

• Why did the universe give me this challenge? 

• How can I choose to react to this challenge?

You also need to write down your dreams and what you wish to manifest throughout the day, month, and year. Do it every day so you can look back and see how much has come true.

T H E   D R E S S

My favorite dress this month has to be this gorgeous Isabella dress in buttercup, from Annie’s Ibiza. Handmade from satin, the cut is so flattering and the color is just so joyful. And look at the detail - so much craftsmanship has gone into this -- the hand embroidery at the neckline and the lace at the neck and hem really add a special touch. I wore this in Paris with the Tina sandals - details below - and will be wearing these again over the summer months.

T H E   S H O E

This gold Tina105 sandal from Amina Muaddi is the perfect complement to the buttercup dress or any other evening outfit. I love the fairytale quality of her designs. With a background in styling for Vogue Italy, and GQ in New York, she decided to specialise in footwear design and learnt her craft working with artisans and suppliers in Italy's historical shoe-making district. These adorable lace up style sandals are made in Italy from Nappa leather, and are decorated with cute crystal drops.

Have a wonderful month - follow those dreams, and take great care of you!

Love, Jena x