7 Secrets of Wellbeing: Alison Young
We've the greatest respect for Alison Young, who we've gotten to know over the years via our stints on QVC sharing The Beauty Bible series with viewers. A trained beauty therapist (who was Head of Training at Clarins and is said to have worked her facial magic on royalty), she has clocked up thousands of hours on screen. And what she doesn't know about beauty could be written on a spatula, frankly.
Now, to mark Alison setting up her own website – sharing her unbiased beauty advice, at alisonyoungbeauty.com – Beauty Bible thought we'd invite her to share her 'secrets of wellbeing'. And there's definitely something to learn for all of us from how this beauty dynamo stays looking and feeling pretty darned fab.
Fresh air every day is a must. I walk my dogs daily in the country and ride my horses but even if I am in town, I will walk whenever I can. On warm nights I even sleep outside.
I use products that help boost confidence – like go-to clothes that make you feel good, I always reach for dry shampoo to give my hair a bit of volume or my favourite lipstick to brighten the face and give a quick confidence boost if I feel I need it.
I am evangelical about avoiding blue light in the evening. I read a book last thing at night and avoid social media! I also try to break the habit of always having noise; I turn the radio and music off and listen to silence and nature.
If I am having a bad day, I deal with it by cancelling it!! I will stop everything and disappear off to my sanctuary - the bathroom – for a while. I use lots of products and take myself out of my head and just lose myself in some treatments and self-care. I then go to bed early. Your bathroom can be your refuge and sanctuary; usually it's a place your family will let you be alone without wondering why!
I am not really a gym person but I build exercise into my daily life. That means walking my dogs, riding my horses. I walk whenever possible and try not to be too caught in the car/taxi bubble. Walking is a great time to think – and also just to re-connect with life!
I love food - the word 'diet' makes me eat more! So over the years I have trained myself to eat more of the good things – I don’t deprive myself and if I want chocolate I will have it, but I do eat lots of fruit and vegetables. I eat gluten-free which definitely works for me and I take regular supplements: vitamin D, turmeric and iron, which have helped me enormously in terms of energy levels and getting rid of nagging aches and pains.
I do change and rebalance my routine. Working in the beauty industry means I have the luxury of lovely products to try. I certainly love to experiment, but I will often indulge in long, involved routines with great quality products and ingredients; this self-care time is crucial! But we all have busy lives – so even if you just have five minutes, I believe it's a lovely experience to pamper yourself. Take time to enjoy your routine, whatever it is – as it may be the only five minutes you get to yourself all day!!
