Founder of Rodial and author, Maria Hatzistefanis chats to us about the efficient Sunday night beauty routine that keeps her on track for the week ahead, including the skincare must-haves and her pre-bedtime wind down…
The Wind Down
What time I start winding down totally depends on the day. I need to connect with our US West Coast team that open when we close and also connect with our US PR, so I am very often on the phone or on WhatsApp until late on in the evening. On a quieter night I will be watching Shark Tank or MasterChef with my family while keeping an eye on emails.
On a Sunday night I like to try different candles all the time as I get bored with one scent quickly and I like the variety. I go from Diptyque to the Malin & Goetz Mojito Candle, which is my current favourite. I love the Today’s Hot Hits playlist on Spotify to discover new tracks and lots of hip hop but equally like to listen to podcasts. My latest favourite is called How I Built this with Guy Raz. I love to sit by the fireplace to have my 10th espresso of the day and check and respond to Instagram comments on my @mrsrodial account. I also make my to-do list on a Sunday night and start shooting emails to my team so they know what’s coming on a Monday morning. Because I only work a day at a time, on a Sunday evening I will review my schedule for Monday and get mentally ready for it. I set my intentions for the next day and also mentally plan my outfit based on where I need to be and what image I want to project. It can be a casual work day or a more dressed up meeting day but planning an outfit always makes me feel confident.
The Routine
Generally I take less time over my skin on a Sunday as I give it a breather from all the makeup from the week before. I have such a busy schedule during the week with appearances and events that require a lot of makeup, so during the weekend, I let my skin breathe without any makeup whatsoever. I love long walks in the country to get my skin oxygenated and I apply the Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic Moisturiser followed by our Rose Gold Serum for that extra shot of moisture.
In the evening I like to double cleanse my skin, starting with the Dragon’s Blood Cleansing Water followed by the Bee Venom Cleansing Balm. Afterwards I use the Pink Diamond Lifting Face Mask and finish off with Dragon’s Blood Velvet Cream for a nourishing overnight moisturiser. I stick to what I know works for my skin but if we launch a new range I like to try out the products myself. It’s hard to pick a favourite product but the Dragon’s Blood Eye Masks are great for reducing darks circles and improve hydration; when I am travelling on long flights I make sure I pack them.
I have a very busy schedule so I’m more of a shower person and use the Cowshed Grumpy Cow Uplifting Bath & Shower Gel. When it is a bath I use This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak to help me relax, which I’ll then follow up with our Bee Venom Body Serum, which really helps nourish my skin in the winter months — I prefer a thick cream for deep moisturising that lasts. If I have time I will use a body brush to help boost circulation. I try to take good care of my body so my routine mostly stays the same from day to day; I have learnt to be an efficient multi-tasker whilst juggling my lifestyle!
If I have photoshoots in the week I will book a blow dry on a Monday morning so my hair is looking good, if it’s a day in the office I will keep my hair low-key. At home I like to use Bumble and bumble products. Their Super Rich Conditioner is great for when my hair has been styled a lot and needs nourishment.
Bedtime
I try to be in bed by 10pm as I’m up early in the morning. I like to get a full eight hours so I feel refreshed but it really depends on my schedule. I meditate using the Headspace app just before I go to bed to help clear my mind, and then I take magnesium and calcium tablets and apply magnesium oil to my wrists as it’s great for relaxing. Then I drink a cup of decaf green tea and either watch an episode of project Runway All Stars where I worked as a mentor this past season, or read a chapter from my book ‘How to be an Overnight Success’. I love to reread some chapters to get myself in the right mindset for the next day. Right before lights out I apply Dragon’s Blood Night Cream mixed with Snake Booster Oil. I also apply the Bee Venom Micro-Sting Patches on my laugh lines and leave them on overnight. Sometimes I sleep with the Dragon’s Blood Eye Masks overnight – the best cure for under eye circles.
Monday Morning
My alarm goes off at 5.45am on a Monday. I like to be up before everyone else is awake. I try to get up straight away as I enjoy having an hour to myself at the beginning of the day. I start my morning with hot water and lemon and an espresso, check my emails and head to the gym for 7.15am. We have a lot of exciting events coming up at the moment, I try to focus on the positives and deal with problems as they come.
