The best thing about Easter are the empty streets and the stillness of the world. I’m glad my favorite cafe next door is still open.
Another ‘best thing’ about Easter is yoga. Petri Räisänen and Juha Javanainen’s Easter Ashtanga intensive has become something of an Easter tradition for me; this is my fifth year in a row. I love Rööperin aamujooga (Rööperi morning yoga) and have no intention of switching studios, but intensive courses like this always provide a nice boost to the regular practice. The energy you get in a studio with several dozen yogis in working in rows – windows dripping with condensation due to the almost tropical heat, sweat pouring down your back – is way beyond anything one gets in one’s day-to-day practice. It’s everything I want from my Easter.
After a hot shower following today’s practice, I wrapped myself in the hotel-style robe that I was sent by Balmuir (and in which I could gladly spend the whole Easter), spritzed my face with White Tea Facial Mist from Neal’s Yard Remedies, and finally slathered on the Frankincense Firming Facial Mask.
I don’t know how I’ve managed to overlook this mask (well, with five hundred products, I suppose one is bound to overlook something) – just reading the ingredients list made me fall in love with it. The secret to the mask is its remarkably high concentration of hyaluronic acids, which bind moisture to the skin and smooth out fine lines. Algae extracts work in much the same way, and are also rich in antioxidants; tripeptides boost collagen production. Other ingredients include brightening and balancing turmeric, soothing marigold, repairing gotu cola, as well as brightening and toning frankincense oil. As the mask does not form a tight film on the skin the way most gel masks do, I even applied some under my eyes.
The White Tea mist is floral therapy in a bottle; besides a wide range of essential oils, soothing marigold, and antioxidant-rich white tea, it also contains Bach’s floral drops. The small bottle fits nicely into a handbag, refreshes the face and mind during the day, and makes an excellent travel partner.
In Finland, the products are (somewhat surprisingly) only available at Sokos department stores, so make sure to go and boost their sales of Neal’s Yard’s products, too!
I wish you all a beautiful and lovely Easter, my darlings; next week we have tutorials for the Zuii spring makeup looks, as well as some gentle skin potions from across the pond.
Robe gifted through the blog
Photos Katja Kokko
Translation Katja Nikula
