Last week, my husband walked in on me going to town on my legs with a massage roller. Shockingly, the run-in didn’t elicit an eye roll—all I got was a puzzled eyebrow raise and an “excuse me.” I guess he’s been with me long enough—and has walked in on me using tons of weird products and tools—to know not to ask questions and just support me in my neverending quest to find products that make me feel my best. I often turn to things like makeup and skincare to find balance and pleasure during stressful periods of my life. Some people might turn to baking or true-crime documentaries. Even podcasts! I’m not here to judge, just to snoop around to see how other people practice self-care during weird times.
That’s exactly why I tapped THE/THIRTY’s managing editor and wellness pro Sarah Yang and the very stylish and beauty-obsessed content creator Valeria Lipovetsky to share their perspectives on what self-care really means to them and the rituals they’ve started doing over the last year. Turns out the new Victoria’s Secret Natural Beauty Body Care collection—which is inspired by nature and comes in four different scents plus benefits—is the pick-me-up neither of them knew they needed. From exfoliating scrubs to creamy washes, here are the products they turn to when they need some R&R.
“Self-care means something different to me depending on my mood and needs. Sometimes it’s a date night with my husband; sometimes it’s a bath, face mask, and reading (without children interrupting!); and other times it’s the deeper, long-term work of mindfulness. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve made a more conscious effort to be kind to myself and listen to my needs day-to-day.”
“Lately, I’ve been taking extra care of myself and leaning into my feminine energy! It’s the most peaceful feeling to take a bath with candles, music, and a bunch of indulgent products. I usually kick off my routine with this creamy body wash, which is everything you need in one: moisturizes with shea butter as you cleanse and smells amazing.”
“I can be hesitant about trying new scrubs because they can be abrasive, but I didn’t find that with this rich sugar scrub. It feels like the perfect amount of exfoliation. It uses walnut shell powder and makes your skin feel fresh and clean without overdoing it.”
“I tend to use this lotion at the end of my bath or shower routine. It’s lightweight, leaves my skin super soft, and when I rub it in slowly, it really brings a bit of that spa experience into my home.”
“My favorite way to use the mist lately has been to spray it around my room when I get home from work and just need a few minutes alone. Sometimes I’ll turn on a meditation, other times I’ll just sit in silence, but the lavender and vanilla scent relaxes me.”
“Self-care was always important to me, but it’s become especially important during the pandemic. We’ve all had to deal with stress, some more so than others, and I think one of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned during the past year is how important it is to take care of your mental health. Because many things were put on hold or canceled, life has seemed a bit slower, and I think that’s really forced a lot of us to sit with and face our feelings without any distractions. I’ve learned to honor my feelings and not be so hard on myself. I’ve really tried to make my winding-down, de-stressing routine a priority, especially when I feel burned out.”
“The cream wash is so soothing and calming on the skin. Shower or bath time can be a nice form of self-care, so I really try to clear my mind during it and use that moment to unwind. The refreshing scent helps me do that!”
“I like to exfoliate at least once a week, so I normally incorporate the exfoliating scrub into one of my shower times. I apply it slowly, so I’m really able to exfoliate those dead skin cells off. My skin always feels extra soft and smooth when I get out of the shower!”
“My skin can get really dry, so I’m always applying lotion. I like to use this one right after I take a bath or shower when my skin is still wet to lock in the moisture. I make it a point to apply it slowly because it’s way more relaxing and feels more like a spa experience. I also feel really refreshed when I use it throughout the day, especially when my skin is feeling extra dry. The texture is creamy but not too heavy or greasy.”
“I love using the fragrance mist around my house, on my pillows, or even on my throw blankets. It feels like a nice little refreshing treat!”
Stressed? This coconut milk and rose scented lotion will do the trick. This calming fragrance duo will not only calm you down, but the creamy, hydrating formula will also keep your skin looking and feeling soft and smooth.
The body wash that moisturizes and cleanses skin at the same time.
This rich sugar scrub gently exfoliates skin, leaving it looking and feeling soft and smooth.
For a quick and easy afternoon pick-me-up, spritz this on to calm your senses.
When you’re feeling off-balance, this pomegranate and lotus scented lotion will help you feel rejuvenated. Infused with shea butter and coconut oil, the formula offers serious moisture, and the subtle scent will linger all day.
A creamy shea-butter-infused body wash that’ll hydrate your skin in just one wash.
This exfoliating scrub is made with walnut shell powder and will slough away dead skin cells without irritation.
Boost your spirits by spraying this on yourself or around your home.
