May Lindstrom On Winding Down

California based brand founder, May Lindstrom created her eponymous skincare line-up eight years ago after struggling to find formulas that were plant-based and suitable for sensitive skin. Despite having a successful business, two small children and ongoing house renovations, May still manages to find the time to dry brush twice a day, use a face mask and meditate. This week, May reveals how she finds the time to kick back and relax on Sundays…

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On Winding Down With The Kids…

With two small children, a little girl who is seven and a three year old boy, my evening doesn’t start until theirs ends. Generally I try to get them into bed with story time finished by 8pm. Once their bedroom doors are shut, I can start to wind down.

On The Art Of Showering…

My favourite way to relax has always been to have a long hot bath. However, we’re currently renovating our home and don’t have a bath tub, so I’ve had to pay more attention to other ways of winding down and adapt to showering. The most magical trick I’ve learnt is misting The Jasmine Garden in the shower – the fine mist clings to the steam droplets already in the air in your shower, making it feel like you are fully immersed in this incredible sensory experience.

On Embracing Silver Hair…

Around eight years ago I stopped colouring my hair and let it be. I really wanted to embrace what I look like as me rather than getting stuck in the routine of continuously dyeing it. These days it’s about keeping my hair hydrated and well fed. Although as it is waist-length and curly it can break easily, so I could live without my Slip Silk Scrunchies.

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On Body Brushing…

Body brushing is part of my daily routine, but on a Sunday I try to spend longer on it. I’ll body brush with Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Brush before I get into the shower and afterwards on damp skin. It’s a great way to boost your circulation, as well as gently exfoliate and firm your skin.

On Native American Flute Music…

I grew up on Neil Young and he’s still a constant soundtrack. He makes me feel like I’m home, wherever I am, and whatever I’m doing. Lately though, I’ve been listening to lots of Native American flute music before bed. It feels very right in my body, connecting me to our Earth through sound. It has even encouraged me to learn to play this kind of flute this year.

On Minimal Makeup…

I wear very minimal makeup and prefer to focus on hydrating my skin, but there are a couple of products I’ve been using for over a decade. A few dabs of RMS “Un” Cover-Up Concealer and any redness in my complexion is gone. To add a healthy glow and some light to my skin I rely on RMS Living Luminizer. It is the absolute best little product for when you want to look “lit from within” and fake a good night’s sleep.

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On Sunday Indulgences…

On a Sunday, I try to do as much meal prep as possible for the week ahead and generally my diet consists of whole foods and is plant-based. However, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is one of the ways I like to treat myself.

On Meditating…

My weeks can be very chaotic and rushed, so I like to spend Sundays slowing down and re-centering. Learning to listen has been one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned. When you’re not rushing about you can listen to your body, work with it and feed it what it needs. There’s an app on my phone called Insight Timer that holds hundreds of thousands of guided meditations and music, so I’ll listen to something off there. It helps me to slow down and avoid trying to turn Sunday into Monday.

On Facial Massage…

You can never massage too much. My mother is a massage therapist and energy worker and through her I learned just how important your own touch is. It doesn’t matter how gorgeous your products are if you just slap them on in five seconds and go on with your day. I do a blend of The Youth Dew and The Blue Cocoon, always going directly into fully wet skin (skipping a towel) immediately after cleansing. Remember to slow down, breathe and spend this time really feeding and nourishing your skin.

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On Trying New Products…

My skincare routine is predominantly made up of May Lindstrom Skincare. I use a lot of them on my body too, including The Pendulum Potion, which a lot of people don’t realise can be used as a nourishing body oil as well as a cleansing oil. However, I have been trying Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum since last April and it is really quite beautiful.

On Monday Mornings…

I love Mondays and waking up. Gentle stretching helps to get my blood flowing, circulation moving and prepare me for the day ahead. On the days where everything just feels dull and slow, I like to introduce The Problem Solver. This is a warming masque and really wakes up the skin, bringing back life like no other.