Newsletter No.2

After the success of our newsletter launch last week, we decided to bring you another one sooner than planned. This one is all about beauty. We ask hairstylist Neil Moodie how to look after our locks this winter; MIRROR WATER founder Estée Lalonde answers our quick fire questions; and industry experts, from makeup artists to editors, tell us how to get glowing skin despite the cold weather. Before we get started, we’ve got a treat for you. Sari Morein, director of Good Soup Collective, has curated a Spotify playlist for you to listen to while you’re in the bath or doing your morning beauty routine. Listen to our Well Beautiful Playlist here; trust us, it’s worth tuning into.


Well Quick Questions

As we’re talking all things beauty, we called on Estée Lalonde to answer our Well Quick Questions. Estée started sharing videos on YouTube over 10 years ago and has established herself as a much-loved voice of the digital generation. Estée is known for beauty & lifestyle content, and for her own successful bath and skincare brand, MIRROR WATER.

Well Read - a book you’ve enjoyed recently

I have been reading and enjoying Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors. I’ve been in a slight reading rut, so I wanted to choose something that had some buzz around it. It’s an enjoyable, easy read that has kept me choosing my kindle over Netflix before bed, so I have to be grateful. I love New York City, so I love reading books set there, and I particularly enjoy the descriptions and intricacies of New York life that the book delves into and the way Mellors transforms the quotidian into the extraordinary.

Well Worn - an item of clothing you wear again and again

The Damson Madder Gilda Coat. I bought this coat into my outerwear rotation this winter and have found it to be one of my most used pieces of 2023. I love it! It is so chic and effortlessly pairs with pretty much everything. Sometimes I wear it on a dog walk; other times I wear it to head into central. I love versatile clothing that I feel comfortable in. It’s lightweight, but really warm if you wear a jumper underneath, but I could easily see me transitioning to spring dressing with this coat too.

Well Nourished - a recipe or restaurant for a great plate of food

I’m not the greatest cook in the world, and I don’t enjoy it at all, but I can make an amazing creamy pasta if I do say so myself. I recently made a super yummy sausage and leek pasta, which I found via TikTok. I had a minor mishap with the double cream and ended up spilling it all over the kitchen floor, so instead I used parmesan and pasta water to create a silky sauce for the pasta to soak up, and it was lovely! That’s my ‘pro’ tip: always save your pasta water to add back to the pan with a bit of parmesan to create a super easy and lighter cheesy sauce.

Well Beautiful - a hair, makeup, or skincare product that makes you feel good

I love MIRROR WATER’s Solid Balm, ‘Rub’. I might be biassed because it is my brand and my product, after all, but the results speak for themselves. Winter has officially struck, and my cuticles, elbows, and hands definitely show that! I find that Rub has been such a saving grace in these months when the air is drier, colder, and frankly sad. It’s a solid balm with a shea butter base that, when activated with body heat, melts into this luxurious oil that’s completely grease- and fuss-free. It’s fragranced with essential oils that help make you feel grounded, so you can chill while you hydrate.

Well Being - a ritual that has kept its place in your routine

I have always loved baths, which should come as no surprise considering my brand is about self-care and body care with a specific focus on tub time! They are just so tried and true and reliable. I have never regretted a bath, and I stand by that statement. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed or slightly anxious and I have the time, I will have a hot bath and let my worries melt away for a moment. I’m not saying it’s a cure, but it certainly helps me to centre myself and refocus. I love using products like MIRROR WATER Soak Bath Salts and Diptyque Baies Candle to make my baths indulgent and create a lovely atmosphere.

Well Shopped - a second-hand shop for hidden treasures

During my most recent trip to NYC, I stumbled upon Lara Koleji, a vintage store that I had never been to before. Inside, they had some of the most unique and beautiful pieces I have ever seen in a second-hand store! The curation was perfection, and I ended up leaving with the most stunning vintage Bottega Veneta bag that I didn’t know I needed. It is definitely one to visit if you find yourself on the Lower East Side with time to kill.

Well Fit - a workout that works for you

I love-love-love pilates and honestly swear by it! I think some people think it’s easy, but they are seriously misinformed. I have had pilates classes that were harder work than a spin class, but somehow way more enjoyable! I love that it’s the perfect blend of “Ah, I feel zen..." and “Ow, my abs hurt!"

Well Travelled - where is on your wish list

Although I have already been quite a few times, I want to add Paris to my 2024 travel wishlist! What can I say? I just love it! It really is the city of romance and magic! A friend of mine just moved there and got a gorgeous apartment that I must see for myself. I love the vibes, the shopping, the food (of course), and how it lights up at night! Anything feels possible in Paris.

Well Heard - a podcast worth tuning in to

I have been a fan of The Rest is History for a while because it’s brainy, but fun! I recently listened to an episode on sixties fashion and thoroughly enjoyed it. I love history now (I must be getting older). When I was in school, it used to make me fall asleep, but now I find it fascinating to find out why and how things have become what they are. This podcast is a fantastic way to expand your mind without the snooze factor.


Winter Haircare

Because winter doesn't end at Christmas, Neil Moodie, founder of consciously designed salon Neil Moodie Studio, has put together his top ways to weather winter hair damage over the cold season.

Photo: Jon Gorrigan

Retain moisture. Masks are often overlooked, but applying them once a week helps to give your hair back what it needs. Make sure the mask is combed all the way through your hair and wrap your hair in a hot towel or even cling film and leave on your hair for a good 20 minutes. This will keep the heat in and open the cuticle of your hair more so the ingredients of the mask can penetrate the hair shaft better. You'll notice a huge difference in the condition of your hair afterwards. Pureology has a great Hydrate or Strength Cure Superfood Mask. You can also try a steam treatment, this will open the cuticle layers before a deep conditioning treatment. We offer them in the Neil Moodie Studio

Sleep like a princess. Buy a silk pillowcase to help reduce breakage as you sleep. It's also good for your skin and is widely thought to reduce wrinkles - so a double whammy there. 

Humidity is sometimes good for hair. We've all seen the famous Friends episode with Monica's humidity hair disaster. However, during the winter, it's a good idea to keep a humidifier indoors. This can maintain hair moisture levels and mitigate static issues commonly encountered during winter's dry conditions caused by indoor heating. It could also be good for your houseplants - again, another double whammy!

Eat well. It seems basic, but of course, what we put into our bodies has an effect on everything, and our hair is no exception. Make sure to stock up on fish for Omega fatty acids, vitamins B12, iron and protein. Increase your intake of dark leafy greens for vitamins A and C. Eat pulses and legumes for added iron, zinc and biotin. 

Handle with care. Think about how you're treating your hair in the winter months. Combining your hair is good and helps to distribute natural oils, but try using a wider-toothed comb to avoid unnecessary breakage. 

Don't overdo it. Try to limit washing your hair to 2-3 times a week and use a sulphate-free shampoo to avoid further drying out your strands. Over-washing can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage, as can using hot water. Opt for lukewarm water when washing your hair to help maintain its moisture.

Limit heat styling. Hot styling tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can further dry out your hair, so try to limit their use during the winter months. When you do use heat styling tools, always use a heat protectant spray to minimise damage.

Oil treatments. Incorporate oil treatments into your hair care routine to provide an extra boost of moisture. Coconut oil, argan oil, and olive oil are great options to help nourish and hydrate your hair. Simply apply the oil to your hair, focusing on the ends, and leave it on for a few hours or overnight before shampooing as usual.

Trim split ends. Winter weather can lead to split ends and breakage, so regular trims are important to keep your hair looking healthy. Trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks will help prevent split ends from travelling up the hair shaft and causing further damage.

Finally, we asked Neil what to do if you’re really concerned about hair shedding or thinning. Winter hair loss is cyclical, depending on the season. It's mainly brought on by the dry air outside, which dehydrates the scalp. If your hair is thinning, there can be many reasons why, but it's important to know that winter hair shedding is not unusual. 

Massaging your hair and scalp with oils is great for giving your scalp essential vitamins and fatty acids to help keep the cold from attacking your hair. If you're really worried about your hair loss, then the best thing to do is visit a trichologist. One of the best in the UK is Philip Kingsley. They will analyse your hair and scalp microscopically and really be able to tell you the causes of your hair loss, should it not be a seasonal thing.


Well Advised

For our first beauty newsletter, we asked industry experts how to achieve glowing skin despite the cold weather. Here are all the tips from those in the know.

Lisa Oxenham - Beauty Director, Marie Claire

‘I use Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream multiple times a day - especially in the winter as it’s such a nourishing and protecting product.’

Charlotte Connolly - Facialist & Resident at Liberty

Votary’s Super Glow Mask is one of my favourite products to use when my skin needs a glow boost. This lightweight 100 percent natural plant oil based mask delivers luminosity to the skin thanks to its natural BHA Salicylic Acid which exfoliates whilst feeding the skin with avocado and peach oils. I leave mine on for a good 30-40mins in the depths of winter to really appreciate these beautiful ingredients and let this little wonder product do its magic. Remove with a warm cloth before applying serums and moisturisers and oils.’

Lou Dartford - Makeup Artist & Green Beauty Specialist

‘I love a cream blush teamed with a cream highlighter to brighten up a winter complexion. They both add instant radiance and help to nourish skin which can often be drier in the colder season.’

Victoria Los - Beauty Brand Manager & TikToker

‘The Saie Super Glowy Gel in warm golden bronze is my go-to for bringing a bit of life to winter skin. The lightweight glowy formula offers an immediate all-over bronze and is easily applied under makeup, mixed in with your favorite moisturiser or foundation, or perfectly suitable to wear all on its own.’

Madeleine Spencer - Beauty & Wellness Editor, Evening Standard

‘Ease off bronzer and instead lean into wearing blush. Blush fakes glow far better than bronzer, and applying a little to the apple of your cheeks will give you the look of serious health from within. Also, make sure your routine contains some PHAs - they gently exfoliate, hydrate, and help out the skin barrier and can be used daily.’


We hope you have enjoyed our newsletter. Cam & Kate x

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