☆ Do this to avoid botox

Hey lovely,

Jasmine here, back with your Monday Wellness Dose.

Friends, when I tell you I've been feeling the shedding of the Year of the Snake to my core recently. Admittedly, I'm not all that spiritual but this month has felt significant - I've just moved into my first home, turn 30 this week (!!) and... drumroll... finally handed in my notice at my 9-5. It's entirely petrifying but as my good friend reminded me this week after telling her the news - I was born to do this (aka build something of my own). Even scarier is that according to ChatGPT, late this year is my Saturn return, so no doubt it's going to be a ride. Either way, thank you so much for being here, for tuning in each week & for telling your friends about The Wellness Dose. It honestly means the world & this couldn’t happen without you. 

In other news, I'm not sure whether it's the craziness of moving but my face seems to have realised I'm turning 30 all of a sudden? I've been avoiding Botox for a good year now (I don't seem to react all that well to it), but the temptation to book an appointment this week was strong. Call me shallow (it is) but the fact that I see myself more on camera now filming for Daily Rituals really hasn't helped. 

Anyways, in a last-ditch attempt to soften things a little, I've switched up my routine and I’ve noticed a difference already, so I thought I'd share what I'm trying in case you too are on a Botox-free journey:

What I'm testing:

• Microneedling: I had my first session about 2 weeks ago. Whilst I noticed an immediate glow within a few days, everyone tells me I need at least 3 sessions 4-6 weeks apart to really notice a difference in texture, so I'll report back. I've also just bought an at-home "stamp" to use every few weeks since it's hard to get an appointment with my facialist.

• Peptides: Nope, not the black market type!! I plan to start rotating this raved-about topical liquid peptide serum into my routine. & I've brought back the good old Tretinoin too - I'll use it 2x a week.

• Devices: I already red light most days, but my Medicube Age R-Booster Pro and NuFace have entirely dropped out of my routine so I'm committing to 10 minutes a day again, likely whilst I'm watching Bridgerton… 

• Gut health: More kefir, kimchi and my new favourite addition to boost my gut microbiome.

• New eye mask: I recently switched to an "eye pillow" mask as apparently it's better for your lashes, but I'm convinced it's messing with my eleven lines at night so I've switched back to a good old silk blackout mask.

• Face taping: It doesn't work miracles but for someone who is clearly a biiig frowner mid-dream, it helps a little.

• More copper: My Healf Zone test kindly told me I was lacking so I've started taking these as copper supports collagen & elastin production.

• Collagen: I've got more consistent with my daily bone broth again - this one is my go-to as it's a powder that tastes sort of like chicken soup with gravy?

Any other tips welcome, but for now, let's get into it.🤍

Your quick hits to be hotter, healthier & wealthier → 

★ HOT

• Is this the OG protein bar? (Instagram)

• Not much beats a steaming hot shower after a busy day - and now you can turn it into an at-home spa thanks to this new Breathe Shower Mist. Packed with eucalyptus, lavender and peppermint, prepare to feel your airways open & your body ground with each deep breath. Ever wondered how turning routines into rituals actually gives life more purpose? Read this. (Aromatherapy Associates)

★ HEALTHY

• Nothing says girls' night like a mat Pilates class followed by cozying up to watch Mamma Mia for a singalong. Plus, singing activates your vagus nerve, which in turn reduces stress - so make sure to belt those classics. (CLIQ)

• 5 places the cool girls are travelling to in 2026 (Instagram). 

• Your February journal prompts to unleash creativity & momentum. (Substack)

★ WEALTHY 

• Fancy getting up to $1m in investment for your start-up? Same. The Pitch by J.P. Morgan and Deel just launched & takes just 2 minutes to apply. (Deel)

• Everyone is using ChatGPT. Here’s 5 underrated AI tools that'll change the game for your productivity. (Apple Podcasts)

The best stories & updates that caught our eye this week → 

• 🌱 Not your average wellness girly: Not even close, actually. Anyone who's ever suffered with their gut health will be familiar with Symprove* - the UK's most popular probiotic brand of its kind. And for good reason too - thanks to its water-based formula, it's been clinically proven to reach your gut alive (unlike most), so the good bacteria can actually do good. What many don't know is that the brand was created by humble farmer Barry Smith over 40 years ago. Turns out, he was onto something with the unique natural probiotic formula created to help his much-loved cows. Fast forward 16 years and plenty of clinical research later, Barry proved its positive impact on us humans too & founded Symprove. So, if you ever needed a reminder that your best ideas come from being surrounded by nature - let Barry be it. And if you've not yet got yourself entirely hooked on Symprove like the Daily Rituals team thanks to it’s gut-loving benefits - use code DAILYRITUALS50 for 50% off your first 3 months today.

• 🚴‍♀️ Is cycling the new Pilates? Not quite (that's strength training), but turns out women are one of the fastest-growing segments of new cyclists. The barrier to entry? Safety, and let's not forget, the amount of kit you need to get going. One brand hoping to help is Minimis - their new Minimis Flow sunglasses combine a running watch & cycling computer into (slightly chunky) Oakley-looking glasses. Thanks to the built-in heads-up display, with the glasses on, there's no need to check your phone for your route, glance at your watch for your HR, or faff around with your Spotify playlist - simply tune into your ride (or run, if that's your vibe). Currently crowdfunding, their launch is coming later this year. Until then, if you're planning to dip your toes into cycling, this is our favourite gear - female-founded, made in Portugal and they host plenty of IRL community events too for newbies and seasoned pros alike.

• 💆‍♀️ The new "IT" body part: We're not talking "hole" serums - yup, that's a thing now. "Scalp serum" searches are up 77% YoY, and the affluent amongst us have all suddenly added a new appointment to the lineup: the trichologist. It seems the penny's dropped: we give our facial skin plenty of TLC, yet leave our scalp to fend for itself. Well, that's possibly because we don't actually need scalp treatments, according to some dermatologists at least (unless you've got a skin condition or you're experiencing hair loss, you're probably good). That said, for those of us not blessed with luscious long locks, try this derm-approved stem cell density + repair serum for less shedding and more growth. For irritated scalps, it has to be this one. And for the fine-haired girlies who don't want to have to wash each time you serum (sigh), try this lightweight favourite.

• 🧬 Oh Bryan: Often hitting the press for his wild PR moves in the longevity space, Bryan Johnson's latest offering is our least favourite yet - $1m per year for access to his live-forever experts and protocols. Despite his extremes, he's often been commended for kindly becoming a human guinea pig so the rest of us don't have to. But at $1m per year? It implies longevity firmly remains a billionaire-only club (unless you DIY-it yourself). In case you're tempted to sign up, read this new research analysis first - turns out genetics may account for 50%+ of longevity variance after 80. Translation: your inherited genes likely matter more than Bryan's hyperbaric oxygen therapy as you reach old age. Getting there disease-free? For most, that’s thanks to your healthy habits in early and mid-life - sleep, exercise, whole-food eating, community, sunlight. Did we just save you $1m?

★ Also caught our eye: 66 of the best spas opening in Europe this year, Oura might be launching smart glasses, the Ministry of Sound just dropped a vibey Hyrox-alternative, adidas’ answer to NikeSkims, this cajun maple chicken recipe is a must for your weekly line up & we’re still obsessed with this viral cashmere top for over athleisure. ★

See you next Monday! xo