A Dancer & Model Shares Her AM & PM Routines
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@YOUSRAMOHSEN
IN THE AM
My morning routine varies day to day. Some are easier than others. On the days which include shoots, rehearsals or on show days, I have to be up at around 6am or 7am and make sure I look as fresh as possible as soon as I get to set. I start my day by drinking a glass of lukewarm water with ginger and honey, then I have my morning coffee. I like to add some cinnamon and cold foam with lactose-free milk. While drinking my coffee, I check my emails and any important messages I may have received. After that, I will have some breakfast, either overnight oats with fruits (berries and bananas) or some Greek yogurt with granola and some fruits on the side.
While I’m having breakfast, I place eyepatches under my eyes. I refrigerate them the night before to maximise the depuffing effect. My favourite ones are the Patchology Serve Chilled Rosé Eye Gels. If my face is still too puffy and I need a more radical solution to this problem, I will fill up a bowl with cold water, add some ice to it and give my face a nice, cold ice bath. I will then use a refrigerated face roller.
I suffer from a hormonal imbalance which can cause breakouts on my face, especially on my cheeks and around my mouth. To balance my hormones and take care of my gut health, I take some supplements after breakfast. I recently came across a French website called Onatera that sells natural remedies. It’s made in France and all the ingredients are 100% natural. I take two capsules of the Skin Balance Acné Hormonale and two of the Magnésium Bisglycinate 300mg.
After breakfast, I make my bed. This is the one step I cannot skip as I feel like tidying up my room and making the bed clears my head and gets me mentally ready for the day. I then take a shower and brush my teeth using my Braun Oral B Electric Toothbrush. I noticed a difference in the cleanliness and whiteness of my teeth after I started using an electric toothbrush.
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As for my beauty routine, the first step is spraying my face with mineral water. I use the Evian Water Spray to remove any debris from the tap water or toothpaste and then I dab off the excess water with a clean towel or tissue paper. The first thing I apply is the SVR B3 Hyaluronic Acid Serum. I let this serum sit and dry on my skin before applying the InnBeauty Project Slushy Serum Moisturizer. Once that’s absorbed, I apply the SVR Sun Secure Pocket Spray in SPF 50. It’s not greasy and it’s efficient. The last step is the Clarins Total Eye Revive cream and I enjoy using this product because it comes with a round metal head applicator. I refrigerate this one to maximise its effects.
I usually do a light glam make-up look for the day ahead. Or, sometimes, I won’t apply any make-up at all if I am shooting, since make-up artists are almost always on set. My make-up routine consists of applying the Hyper Real Serumizer™ by M.A.C Cosmetics followed by the Fenty Beauty We’re Even concealer underneath my eyes and on any areas I want to conceal. I blend two dots of the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand in shade Pillow Talk Medium, followed by two dots of the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in shade Happy using a Beauty Blender. I then apply the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish pressed powder under my eyes to set the make-up. I curl my lashes with an eyelash curler and add mascara to my top lashes and finally, I use the Benefit Cosmetics Transparent 24HR Brow Setter to shape and set my brows in place.
Until a few years ago, I had no idea I had a specific hair type or how to take care of it. I believe that’s because I grew up in a society where getting a professional blowout is the norm. I rarely saw women proudly wearing their curls in daily life. It’s only after I got into The Crazy Horse Cabaret that the senior dancers, who wore their curls both on stage and in daily life, taught me how to wear mine and how to properly take care of them.
Once a week, I like to apply oil to my hair from root to tip and let it sit for about two hours. I use the Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil before thoroughly washing it out. On wash days, I will detangle my hair using Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Fine and Fragile Brush and the Schwarzkopf Gliss Liquid Silk Leave In Hair Conditioner Spray.
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I then hop in the shower and shampoo my hair, using Les Secrets De Loly Perfect Clean Moisturising Shampoo, repeating this step a second time but with my head flipped upside down. I then apply the Pink Paradise Conditioner from the same brand and detangle my hair again, with my head still upside down. Next, I’ll apply the Pink Power Mask that I let sit for a few minutes while I do something else, like a body scrub, for example, before washing this off. Lastly and whilst still upside down, I will brush the Boost Curl Moisturizing Jelly, through my hair and scrunch the water out of my curls. Scrunching is probably the most important part of my hair routine because it locks the moisture into the curls.
Doing this whole process definitely helps define, separate and add volume to my curls. I will then scrunch some more with a microfibre towel before letting the curls dry in the towel for five minutes and air dry for another five minutes. Next, I use a diffuser to set the curls on a low heat until 80% dry, then medium-to-high heat until my hair is 90% dry. If I have to head out quickly, I will simply spray some water into my hair and scrunch the curls a little to rehydrate and redefine those before diffusing them on medium heat. If I am heading to a set for a shoot, I will just leave my hair as is, wear a cap or a hat until the hairdressers on set can work their magic.
Working out is something that I do almost every day, but exercising is also part of my job. Some rehearsal days start at 10am and end at 6pm, with a one-hour lunch break in between. On a shoot, recording or show day, I’m always very active doing fittings, warming up, posing, performing, and so on. Dancers and performers put a lot of pressure on their bodies and that is why I have learned that the best way to be healthy is to know how and when to rest. On most of my days off, I will rest and allow my body to recover. When I have a few days off in a row, I like to do some yoga and stretching and try my best to take a dance class or train. Since last year, I have been learning how to use aerial straps, so, whenever my schedule allows, I’ll go to a specific studio where I can train for an hour or two.
SHOP THE AM ROUTINE
IN THE PM…
My evening routine is my favourite way to wind down. I will start by cooking dinner as soon as I get home, usually around 7:30pm, to eat as early as possible. I will do so in front of my favourite show (I’m currently watching The Crown on Netflix). Sometimes, I get home very late after a show or a shoot, and in that case, I will order some takeout (I’m a big fan of Japanese food) or just make myself a light snack, like toast.
After eating, I will try to catch up on my emails if I need to. Otherwise, I just head straight to the bathroom to get started with my evening shower and skincare routine. First, I will remove any make-up using cotton pads or a reusable make-up remover washcloth. My favourite micellar water is the Bioderma H20 – I find this one very gentle but very efficient.
Next, I hop in the shower and double cleanse my face with the CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser. On days when I’m wearing heavy stage or shoot make-up, I will exfoliate using the Uriage Gentle Jelly Face Scrub. As I mentioned, I sometimes suffer from hormonal imbalances which can cause breakouts, so a gentle exfoliation won’t damage my skin barrier. I wash my body using a loofah and the Bioderma Atoderm Nourishing Anti irritation Shower Oil an afterwards I’ll pat my face dry using a separate and clean towel before throwing on my favourite bathrobe.
The first thing I do when I am out of the shower is to spray my face with the Evian Facial Spray. I always moisturise my body after each shower and recently started using the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream from Sol de Janeiro – it dries quickly and isn’t sticky at all, plus the scent is addictive.
For my night-time skincare routine, I apply the same SVR B3 Hyaluronic Acid Serum and the InnBeauty Project Slushy Serum Moisturizer. I then proceed with the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum by massaging it onto my face and neck until it is completely absorbed, using a gua sha. I apply The Eye Balm Intense by La Mer using the little tool that comes with it, then if I feel like my skin needs some extra care, I’ll apply a purifying face mask – either La Roche-Posay Effaclar Shine Control Clay Mask or the Origins Out Of Trouble Mask.
Now it’s time to rest. My favourite thing is to lay down with my legs up against the wall – this helps all the blood circulate upwards and it kind of forces me to sit still and not move for a bit. Being very stimulated during the day sometimes leads to my anxiety spiking at night. The journey towards learning how to rest properly wasn’t easy but I’m grateful to have mastered the art.
When I’m ready for sleep, I will either watch a movie or a TV Show, read a book or just scroll on TikTok. I do my best to limit my screen time before bed so I can fall asleep as easily as possible.
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SHOP THE PM ROUTINE
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