By 
Are you a get-up-and-go-er, bounding out of bed raring to face the day? Or a fan of one more snooze, refusing to rouse until the very last moment? Once awake, a foamy shower might set you up for the day, or perhaps it’s some girl-power music that gives you a boost.
Whatever your morning rituals, the way you wake up can make all the difference for the hours ahead. We asked three ELLE women to tell us how they start the day...
Adrienne LDN, wellness professional
‘For me, mornings are all about the “power hour”. A couple of years ago I made the choice to wake up at 5.30am to give myself an extra hour to start my day in the way I want to. It allows me 60 minutes to focus on me, whether that’s jogging, stretching or doing breathwork.
‘I’m not good at sitting still, so movement is my meditation. I find the rhythm of running is cathartic and lifts my mood, whether I want to de-stress or feel energised. Even when travelling, I’m up early to see the area before anyone is awake. Running past the Berlin Wall or the Eiffel Tower at 6am is just magical.
‘I avoid social media in the morning because it can become all-consuming, but I am a podcast junkie. As I run, I listen to inspirational podcasts like How I Built This to get my brain in gear as well as my body. When I get home, I’ll put on some energising music that I can sing along to, like the Spice Girls. I’ll have a shower and splash my face with cold water for a refreshing boost. I love using natural oils for a quick facial, too. By that time, my son is awake and I’m ready to give him my full attention.
‘With a busy schedule and a young son, it’s important to create time for myself to recharge. Waking up early means I’ve reclaimed my own time and have a more indulgent start to the day. It’s a game-changer.’
Jennifer George, ELLE Beauty Editor
‘I basically refuse to get up before 7am, unless I’m travelling. I go to bed around midnight so any earlier means serious eye bags. An old-school alarm clock wakes us as my husband and I went digital-free in the bedroom a couple of years ago; scrolling mindlessly through your phone first and last thing is never going to be good for you.
‘Once I’ve dragged myself out from under the duvet (usually after two, maybe three, OK, four snoozes) I switch on Radio 4, down a glass of water and my husband’s leftover coffee and do a very quick dry body brush to help my skin glow from head to toe. Then I hop in the shower – I like it inhumanely hot – and lather up with Imperial Leather Foamburst Body Wash, which has an invigorating scent. Even though I’ve got a lot of hair, I wash it every day as I don’t feel properly clean without full submersion.
‘I check my emails while I brush my teeth (multitasking means more minutes in bed). The skincare starts at my dressing table: toner to rehydrate, antioxidant serum, hydrating serum, mist, SPF. ALWAYS SPF. I take the most time on this – I’m a skincare junkie.
‘I don’t wear a ton of make-up as in an airless office it will just slip off, so it’s usually a tinted moisturiser base, concealer where it’s needed, and a dusting of bronzer. Brushed-up brows, a slick of mascara and some lip balm finish off my daily look. On a good day I’ll blow-dry my hair to perfection using an electric hot brush which – no joke – has changed my life. On a day when I’ve hit snooze eight times, I scrunch in a bit of curl cream to weigh down the frizz and hope for the best. A slather of body moisturiser, spritz of scent and hair perfume (believe me, it’s a thing) and I’m good to go.’
Liv Little, founder of gal-dem
‘My mornings are pretty simple. I enjoy my sleep so aim to get eight hours every night and wake up feeling rested. I set my alarm for 7.30am, less than an hour before I need to leave the house. My routine is now a slick operation.
‘On most days, I’ll shower, shave my head and moisturise my body with natural skincare products that my girlfriend makes. Neal’s Yard Remedies makes great natural and organic creams that are gentle enough for the sensitive skin on my face. I’ve also started taking vitamin D drops to boost strength in my bones. Otherwise, I don’t follow a traditional beauty regime and rarely wear make-up, but it’s vital that my skin feels nourished before I start the day.
‘Once I’m dressed, I’m out the door. Breakfast can wait until I’m in the office; I rarely eat at home. I usually have fruit and a croissant at my desk to fuel me up.
‘Running a business can be hectic, so the Calm app helps to ground me and clear my mind, even if I only listen to it for five minutes before I get to the office. I work hard and struggle to maintain a regular routine, but it’s important to take the time to pamper myself. I’m trying to schedule more self-love into my day, whether that’s by going for a swim first thing or jogging once a week to get some headspace. It’s something I’m working on.’
Boost your morning with Imperial Leather Foamburst
