Secret diary of a beauty addict: cosmetics for the cold and detox getaways

Greetings from Countess Maslov on these cold days when I recommend taking care of your skin more than ever. For this reason, this week, I am revealing some of the beauty products that will restore luminosity to the skin, both on the face and the rest of the body.

And if what you are looking for are getaways and treatments to pamper yourself, I propose several plans that, believe me, you will not be able to resist. And it is that, no matter how hard we are in January, we all deserve a little while to take care of ourselves and feel good.

Monday bell ringer

I wake up happy with a good mood, Leoncio, my dog ​​with the face of a Kenyan lion, jumps when he sees me and I would even dare to say that he takes some dance steps, Jessica, with two eses, opens the blinds of my bedroom with Friday energy and Hilda, the singer, makes me some 'benedictines' to the rhythm of 'The Whole of The Moon' by The Waterboys. What is happening here? Let's see if I've gotten involved and it's Friday... nooo it's that there's a full moon and everyone is 'disrupted' except me, who's zero lunatic.

And it is that gentlemen, the power of the moon is immense. It moves whole tides, isn't it going to move people's energy? In aesthetics I have used it a lot. They ask me, when is this cream going to take effect? Well, in 28 days, the lunar and cell regeneration cycle that you see coincides. It also influences our beauty rituals. Here are three ways to synchronize your grooming with the lunar calendar for maximum benefits.

Exfoliate your skin during a full moon. This is a time for energetic and physical release, including the removal of accumulated toxins from the skin. On a full moon, spend more time in the shower and give yourself a deep exfoliation (perhaps with a mask or scrub), then apply a moisturizing lotion or oil. It is said that the skin absorbs nutrients more deeply on a full moon. (Removing the top layer of dead skin cells also helps.)

Scrubs? I prefer Silica Gel Scrub from SkinClinic (€19). It is a physical exfoliant intended for dermal renewal of all skin types, except sensitive ones. Due to its hygiene and cleansing properties, it is used as a pre-peeling treatment since it first removes dead cells, improving the results of subsequent treatments. Illuminates, revitalizes and improves the skin, as it favors the penetration of the active ingredients present in the serum and in the cream that is applied later.

And for oils, my favorite is always the NUXE nutritious dry satin oil (€18.50). Ideal for dry skin, this silky, non-greasy oil melts into the skin to provide it with all the nourishing properties of organic sesame oil.

Cut your hair during the waxing moon. It has long been said that cutting hair during certain phases can affect its growth. If you want it to grow faster, cut it off during the waxing moon because that's when its attraction is strongest. Conversely, for slower growth, cut your hair during the waning moon.Where? At Atelier Charo Palomo.

Get your manicure during the waxing moon. Weak nails? Do they break easily? To encourage faster growth and increase your strength, visit the salon for a manicure when the moon is waxing. Once again, the pull of the moon is brutal. Where to go? To Santum, a temple where we can meet familiar faces such as Georgina Rodríguez or Cristina Pedroche.

In contrast to recent seasons, in which nails took center stage due to their striking colors and designs, this year the trends will be focused on solid colors with shades of nude, beige, white, pale pink, in short, simple colors and discreet.

But not only, there will also be room for camel, earth, taupe or grayish brown tones. And, of course, the classics will continue, such as reds, which never go away, just like black (especially in the cold season). Easy to combine, they can be worn both on elegant occasions and on those that want to convey a more casual look.

And as a trend tone for the most daring, without a doubt, mustard yellow. A tone, typical of celebrities, daring, original and that brings an air of modernity to the manicure.

Cold Tuesdays

When the jackdaw flies low…. Well yes! It's fucking cold! And now more than ever is when we have to protect our skin a lot.

The skin suffers with changes in temperature (outside cold bald and inside full heating). Therefore, just as we take care of having a good coat, a pair of gloves and a warm scarf at hand, we have to use the products that best suit the needs of our skin at all times.

In winter, the skin is exposed to more intense weather elements. The cold is the great enemy, without forgetting the wind and heating. All these factors cause dehydration and flaking of the skin, producing dryness and tightness. In short, lack of comfort and in some cases problems that in the long term accelerate skin aging.

To act against these alterations, I recommend using moisturizing products daily throughout the winter. We should not focus exclusively on the face and the most exposed areas, such as hands or lips, but also on the body.

Avoid excessively hot water. It is the most appetizing, both in the shower and when removing make-up, but the water should be warm to prevent temperature fluctuations from causing spider veins due to vasodilation. In addition, a moisturizing product should be applied immediately, as soon as it dries, to fix the water.

The cold indirectly causes an increase in the dryness of the skin. The horny layer that protects us from temperature changes weakens and requires greater care. It's time to replace light moisturizers with more creamy and nourishing textures.

Hands and lips safe: Do not neglect them as it is very important to hydrate, protect and nourish them more than ever. The hands and lips are the first areas of the body that anticipate winter through cracks, flaking and uncomfortable sensations.

Time to redensify the skin: yes, the cold thins the horny layer of the skin because we lose cells more easily.

Time to combat redness and sensitivity: if you have a tendency, it's the worst time of the year. Sudden changes in temperature and cold weaken the horny layer and increase the sensitivity of the skin, which becomes red and flaky. Add calming cosmetics to your beauty routine.

Protect yourself from the sun: it's so warm it's not scary, but it's still just as bad.

Winter 'closet bottom' for the January slope

Yves Rocher Anti-Pollution Daily Strengthening Serum (€41.50): oxygenates the skin and protects it against the harmful effects of pollution . Thanks to the Tetraselmis microalgae and the Brittany Nasturtium, the skin is strengthened, healthy and luminous.

Yves Rocher Calendula Pur Smoothing Make-up Remover Milk (€7.95): with a nourishing action, it gently removes make-up from the skin, leaving it comfortable and smooth. It is formulated with Bio calendula. Ideal for mature skin.

Densifying Day Treatment SPF 20 Vegetal Serum by Yves Rocher (€33.50): protected from UVA/UVB rays, the skin becomes denser and gradually acquires firmness while wrinkles are attenuated.

Yves Rocher Pur Arnica Extreme Conditions Balm (€7.70): enriched with shea butter, it provides your hands with an intensive repairing treatment to protect them from cold and other external aggressions. Arnica speeds up skin recovery.

Yves Rocher Soothing Foam Mask (€9.95): Formulated with Bio wild chamomile, it calms the feeling of discomfort and leaves the skin soft, comforted and safe from redness. Specially created for the most sensitive and dry skin, its light foam texture is a delight.

Shea lip balm by Yves Rocher (€2.95): this lip balm with a creamy texture provides beauty, nutrition and sensoriality in a natural way through a selection of plants with vegetable waxes and shea butter with ultra-nourishing action .

Wednesday of stumbles in Lavapiés

Everything is falling apart... there are no calls, no dinners or 'na de na'. I go back to the Ritz Mandarin Oriental on odd Wednesdays with Aunt Mimi and Mom. Mimi comes 'arrebolá' from El Puerto de Santa María and tells me that she can't take it anymore with 'the ash' of Fidela, my maid from Ferrol, and it makes my head like a hype. I don't want to know anything about her... she left me stranded when I needed her the most and I don't forget that. I am delighted with the Jessica tandem, with two S's, and Hilda, the singer.

He tells us that everyone wants to rent a house in Vistahermosa this summer and that at first it amused him but now the usual Sevillians flee El Puerto in August, renting their houses to the people of Madrid at enormous prices.

Mom continues with her tea and her pastries, let her hit you and I have a lot of fun seeing who is more of the marquise of the two sisters.

I go walking through El Retiro in a melancholic way and call Bosco Vega Sicilia to see if he offers me a fun plan. We go by motorcycle through Lavapiés and he insists that he wants a foot massage because he "has them bothered by ski boots." I think and realize that nowadays there are more and more Chinese places where they do wonderful massages in multipurpose chairs that almost always end in me fainting.

It's not the first time I've talked about feet... and it's just that, how hard is it to keep them perfect! I understand that I am a maniac with hands and feet, but don't you think that they say a lot about a person? What is the use of having great hair, taking care of your face and body in great detail and pampering if we then forget about our feet? It's like dressing impeccably and wearing dirty shoes.

You haven't thought a thousand times when you get home. "Puff what a pain!!!" Even more: have you not wanted more than anything in the world to be able to take off your shoes in the middle of anywhere to free yourself from those tormenting heels?

And yet how flattering they are! In addition to highlighting femininity, they provide a slimmer figure. But sometimes, there is no choice but to give them up because your feet simply can't take them!

I have the solution to reduce centimeters from the heel or simply allow us to wear flat shoes.

Foot problems have an influence not only on an aesthetic level, but cause mechanical alterations and ailments in the back, in the front and plantar region, in the heel, in the ankles, knees, waist, hips, and a long etc

Until now, insoles somewhat covered the deficiencies of flat feet, cavus feet, claw toes, bunions... Currently, Dr. María José Barba tells us about a really effective system to solve these ailments. It is a novel alternative to insoles that correct the footprint through implants, and can also help us grow several centimeters if we wish.

These implants carried out by Dr. Barba are an element designed to improve plantar support and even increase height from 2 to 4 centimeters if desired, without the need to enter the operating room or endure discomfort treatments...

Because being taller is not always a whim, nor an aesthetic issue.

Dr. María José Barba explains to me that this result is achieved: "Injecting Macrolane in the heel or where it is needed, a long-lasting material (from 12 to 18 months), or Bioalcamid, when effects are desired permanent”, great relief is achieved in alterations such as flat feet, cavus, claw toes, calluses, calcaneal spurs, bunions and partridge eyes, relaxing muscle tension, avoiding friction and unpleasant symptoms and significantly improving physical appearance and not hurting the spine

The technique used in either case is the same. It begins with an injection of local anesthesia and then the implant.

Sometimes, says Dr. Barba, it takes several heel-thickening sessions to "grow up." Only approximately 30 min are required for each one and absolute rest is not required afterwards. Although it is necessary to take care of the implant for 7-10 days to avoid displacements and the prescribed treatment of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs must be taken

And you can't tell? It is not noticeable that the heel pad implant is inserted, in the metatarsals, sole of the foot, etc., neither by touch nor when walking. Only there is no pain anymore. Its price ranges between 1,000 and 3,000 euros.

Thursday on the run

Today I decided to take the day for myself and be alone with myself and my 'tourism'. And that's what I'm going to do, take my car without pulling Raphael and the road and blanket towards Brihuega, our Provence in Guadalajara.

89 kilometers from Madrid, Brihuega is a small town in Guadalajara known as 'the Garden of La Alcarria' that has a large number of spring water sources, large parks, beautiful gardens and majestic lavender fields. A town of Celtiberian origin that hides the charms of one of the most beautiful municipalities in Castilla la Mancha, declared a National Historic-Artistic Site. His heritage leaves no one indifferent.

There is a little hotel there called Niwa that is quite a discovery and that offers four getaways where you can enjoy an authentic pampering cure, oriental massages and detox treatments for a few hours, a day or several, in a unique environment. Getaways designed to work not only the exterior, but also the interior, helping you eliminate stress and excesses that appear in your body and skin, and setting some essential guidelines to take home and enjoy a new year of plenitude and balance.

I choose the 'Lavender Experience' pack, a mini-getaway with a spa, massage and breakfast or snack for lovers of oriental massages and the queen of aromatics, which makes me levitate with pleasure.

The powers of aromatherapy based on the essential oils of lavender, lavender and lavandin promote relaxation of the whole body (muscles, tendons and joints), reducing aches and pains and relieving physical and mental stress, besides being a powerful detoxifier for the lymphatic system. Deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin of the face and body and is especially indicated for times when an express anti-stress cure is necessary.

90-minute spa circuit + 60-minute Lavender Aromatic Pindas Massage + healthy breakfast (if you go in the morning) or snack with lavender lemonade and homemade cake (if you prefer to go in the afternoon) for €95, all including.

I return to Madrid listening to my new indie discovery on my Spotify: Xoel López and the song that I can't get out of my head: 'La espina de la flor en tu costado'.

Countess Friday

Today I am going to do things like a countess, that's why I inherited the title, to enjoy these typical things that captivate me, and I'm going to the Four Seasons Hotel to enjoy with him quartz treatment. An exclusive facial and body treatment by the prestigious British brand 111Skin. They have named it Rose Quartz Restorative.

The exclusive Rose Quartz is a facial massage that incorporates the traditional Chinese technique of guasha using natural rose quartz stones. The therapist uses the rose quartz to glide and roll firmly along the jawline, under and along the cheekbones and forehead to move lymphatic stagnation and release muscle tension. This technique gives my skin a radiant glow, improves elasticity, cell regeneration, and hydration after the facial.

This treatment has allowed me to relax and delve into my parasympathetic nervous system. It is particularly beneficial for improving circulation, the release of toxins and fascia, as well as improved natural hydration.

And finally? An always necessary back massage that has been designed to relieve muscle load in the lower and upper back, which is where stress usually accumulates and we adopt a posture that is detrimental to health. All this for 295 euros.

I go to the pool to swim and with my bathrobe and a tea with lemon I go out to the terrace with Madrid at my feet.

Be good and very happy