Morning Get Ready With Me ft. Yves Rocher + GIVEAWAY

One of my favourite things to watch are Get Ready With Me videos - catching a glimpse into someone's everyday life has always been fascinating to me. I am pretty much a creature of habit and enjoy having a set routine, although I will switch things up depending on the season, such as the products I use, food I eat and exercise I do. I have shared quite a few Get Ready With Me videos, however they have typically revolved around makeup, so this time around I wanted to film a more comprehensive video where I show you my actual morning routine where I share my breakfast, skincare routine and other rituals I do to get me ready for the day ahead. This post is in partnership with Yves Rocher*, and I'm excited to share what skincare products I have been enjoying from the brand. Keep reading to find out how you can win an Yves Rocher skincare regimen of your own!

Breakfast

As some of you might already, I am plant-based which means I do not eat any animal or animal-derived foods, which has greatly improved my skin ever since I made the switch almost three years ago. I used to consume a lot of meat and dairy and cutting these out of my diet has significantly reduced inflammation in my body, especially in my skin.

Now I don't know about you, but I am always super thirsty when I wake up, so the first thing I do is head to my kitchen and prepare what I call my "morning glory beautifying drink" - a little spin on the plain old lemon water. I will take a large beer mug and fill it halfway with orange juice (with pulp) and then fill it up with filtered water (more on what I use to filter my tap water here). To that, I will add a cap-full of organic apple cider vinegar (this works wonders for digestion) and squeeze in the juice of half of a small lemon (this particular citrus has detoxifying properties such as balancing the pH levels in the body and it also helps clear the skin)! I also take my supplements with my morning drink: I add half a teaspoon of MSM Powder (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) - not only is it great for those who deal with arthritis and joint pain as it reduces inflammation, but it also promotes healthy skin, hair and nails. MSM is actually an organic sulfur compound naturally derived from the rain cycle and has been shown to be an essential nutrient for collagen and keratin production. Mixing it in with a source of vitamin C as I do with orange and lemon juice will provide the best results and also mask the bitter aftertaste. I also take a vegan Vitamin D3 supplement and Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin sublingual tablet with my drink, too.

I am one of those people who needs to have breakfast to get my energy up after waking up, and oatmeal has been a long-time favourite of mine. Oats are high in fiber which translates to not only better digestion but also clearer skin! I've recently been loving apple cinnamon oatmeal, to which I also add a pinch of nutmeg, a splash of maple syrup as well as a sprinkle of chia seeds and coconut shreds for added quality protein, antioxidants, omega 3s and fat. I will typically have a large bowl - I don't count calories but eat intuitively - so if I don't finish it all in one sitting I will save it for later. A wholesome, hearty breakfast is the way to go!

Skincare

As a beauty blogger, I have the opportunity to try quite a bit of makeup and skincare. The most recent skincare to have made its way into my routine is from Yves Rocher and includes products from two of their lines: Sebo Végétal and Sensitive Végétal which are suitable for my combination, sensitive and acne-prone skin. The Sebo Végétal line's key ingredient is Baikal powder which works to mattify the skin by removing excess sebum while tightening pores. It's a great line if you deal with acne as I do. The Sensitive Végétal line is suitable for those who have reactive skin prone to redness. It is enriched with Sigesbeckia leaf which is very gentle and soothing on the skin. This particular line is void of preservatives, perfumes, colourants and mineral oil, making skin less prone to irritation.

In the morning, I will start off by washing my face with either the Sebo Végétal Purifying Cleansing Gel or Sensitive Végétal Soothing Micellar Water 2 in 1. On this filming day, I opted for the cleansing gel: it contains 93% natural ingredients and removes impurities that have built up overnight. It gently lathers and leaves my skin feeling cool and refreshed. I will usually go for the micellar water at night since it works great to remove makeup and tones the skin without causing irritation.

The Sebo Végétal Purifying Scrub and Sebo Végétal Purity Mask I only use twice a week as a skin boost. The former is a gentle exfoliator that works to remove dead skin cells and reveal a more even skin tone while still being non-abrasive, making this product suitable for sensitive, acne-prone skin. The latter I will use right after: this mask is kaolin clay based - one of my absolute favourite detoxifying topical ingredients. I will apply a thin layer on my forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and leave it on for roughly 5 minutes or until almost dry and then give my face a good rinse and pat dry before moving on to the next step.

To moisturize, depending on how my skin is feeling and looking that day, I will reach for either the Sebo Végétal Zero Blemish Gel Cream or the Sensitive Végétal Intense Soothing Concentrate. Since I was dealing with a few breakouts that morning I went for the former. This moisturizer comes in a jar and I love that it targets acne by removing excess oil but does not dry out my skin like many other acne treatments I have tried in the past. The latter comes in an airless pack and is free of irritation-causing ingredients such as parabens and perfume to ensure tolerance for even the most sensitive skin. I will also apply the Sensitive Végétal Targeted Comfort Care - Eyes on my eye contour area. This also has a gel cream texture allowing it to absorb quickly while leaving skin soothed and protected.

Stretching and Meditation

I've been trying to make a habit of taking 10 minutes in the morning for a little quiet time before getting on with my day. I roll out my beautiful new Gaiam premium capri yoga mat (thanks Yves Rocher!) and sit in silence for a couple of minutes to become mindful of my breathing and make anxious thoughts go away. I will then do some light stretches and poses to get the energy flowing throughout my body. I do not "practice" yoga per se, but it is something I am trying to ease myself into so I am taking small steps to get there. I will sometimes listen to a meditation video if I need help focusing, and the guide and/or background music are always super helpful to get me to a conscious state of mind. I've also been watching beginner's yoga videos and attempting some new poses in the last few weeks since attending a yoga class with Yves Rocher. Yoga is not only good for the body and soul, but also for your skin since it increases blood circulation and helps eliminate toxins.

Work

Since I work from home, I find having a dedicated workspace helps me be more productive. I have an entire video where I show you how my office is set up, and not much has changed since then. In the morning, I will check and reply to emails and go through social media which I manage for my employer as well as work on planning and scheduling content for the weeks to come. I will take small breaks throughout the day to eat and let my eyes rest as I can spend upwards of 14 hours a day in front of a screen when combining both my full-time job and time I spend working on my personal blog, YouTube channel and social media. As an introvert, being able to work from home is probably one of the biggest blessings for me, and I truly feel lucky to have a digital nomad work position in a field that I am passionate about.

Giveaway

And now for the giveaway you've been waiting for! One lucky reader of mine will win a 4-step Yves Rocher skincare routine catered to their skin type: combination, oily, acne-prone, sensitive or dry.

The prize includes:

- 1 x 2 in 1 Micellar Water
- 1 x Cleansing Gel
- 1 x Moisturizer
- 1 x Eye Cream

To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter box below. The first few visible entries are mandatory, and more entry options will be unlocked once completed. This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only, age 18+.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do your mornings typically look like?

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*Disclaimer: This post and giveaway have been sponsored by Yves Rocher. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Some affiliate links are provided.