Women Empowered: Jess Elle King
Jess is a fashion, health and lifestyle blogger based in London. Part of the Midsize Style and Body Confidence movement, (and a certified skincare enthusiast) Jess is your girl for all things feel good and fashion.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My bladder mostly! If it wasn’t for that, I could stay snuggled up in bed for hours on end. But, on a serious note, I have a lot of goals and plans that I want to put in place this year, and you don’t get anywhere by staying in one place! I’ve got a constant to-do list to tackle and I’m really motivated to make 2020 my best year yet.
What gets you through tougher moments in the day?
I am, by nature, quite an anxious person but I think taking a minute to reflect and rationalise always works best for me. I can get myself worked up into a state of panic if I’m not careful, but usually applying a bit of logic helps me see that things aren’t as bad as my brain makes out. Once I’m feeling calmer and more level-headed, it’s much easier to get on with my day. That, and a quick phone call with my boyfriend or bestie usually makes me feel miles better.
Do you have a motivational mantra? What is it and when do you use it?
I have a few! But I think the ones that really stick with me are ‘fake it til you make it’ and ‘your dreams never work unless you do’. I tend to use them when I’m feeling out of my depth or if I’m about to take a big leap outside of my comfort zone. They give me the quick boost of confidence and bravery that I need!
You’re a busy woman - how do you make sure you find time for self care?
I think it’s really important to make sure I carve out some time in my schedule for self care – if I don’t set aside dedicated time it can be so easy to keep putting it off until I’m feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes all you need is 15 minutes to relax and it will make all the difference, and who doesn’t have 15 minutes to focus on themselves!?
What is your top self-care advice for busy women, like you?
Look for quick fixes or something you can do whilst multi-tasking! If you’re going through a particularly busy period in your life, there’s nothing stopping you from popping on a face mask while you’re getting some work done for a deadline. Stay on top of your skincare routine, even if it’s a really stripped back version of what you usually do. Also, using at home services rather than going to salons can be a real time-saver if you’re in desperate need of a massage or manicure – they do all the travelling so you don’t have to.
How does beauty factor in to your self-care?
Beauty can play a huge part in my self-care. Although I am comfortable enough in my own skin that I don’t feel the need to wear make-up all the time, sometimes it makes me feel like I’ve got my life together and like I’m ready to take on the day!
What are your beauty routine non-negotiables?
Creams! Be it a hand cream, a face cream or a body cream, you can guarantee that I use them like they’re going out of fashion. I like to feel like I’m taking care of myself and creams win on the ‘minimum effort, maximum results’ front for me. I also like to make sure I keep my nails and eyebrows looking good at all times!
What does your morning skincare routine look like?
I’m probably the furthest away that you can get from being a morning person, so I never have much time between getting out of bed and leaving the house. My morning skincare routine is a fairly quick one; I wash my face in the shower and then follow it up with a cleanser (usually a micellar water) and a retinol toner. Then all I use is a bit of moisturiser as a base for my make up. No fuss, and gives me that extra 15 minutes in bed that I always need. My evening routine more than makes up for this and that’s when I get all fancy!
How does your make-up routine affect the way you feel?
I never used to be particularly interested in make-up and always kept it to the bare minimum, but these days I really love being able to use it as a way to express myself. I can change it up every day depending on my mood (and my outfit!) and the possibilities are endless for me. And even on the days where I don’t feel particularly confident, I think having a strong make-up look can help with my whole ‘fake it til you make it’ mantra.
Which body-care products do you turn to in order to transform the way you feel?
If I’m going through a time where I’m not feeling like the best version of myself and need something to perk me up, I always fake tan! My preferred one is the Medium Tanning Water from Isle of Paradise – it gives me a really gorgeous glow without being too orange or obvious. I don’t know what it is, but a fresh layer of fake tan makes me feel like I’m ready to take on the world! That, and a really luxurious body cream like the Crabtree & Evelyn Velvet Body Melt.
Do any particular make up items help to boost your self esteem, make you feel more confident or give you a feeling of being more powerful?
If I’m going for a powerful ‘I Mean Business’ look, I always turn to eyeshadow. There’s something about a smoky eye that instantly uplifts any look for me. My favourite palette to use is Origin from Beauty Bay’s Colour Theory range – it comes with 7 ‘looks’ where all of the colours, from the base to your highlight, have been made to compliment each other. It means I can create a killer look without even having to think about it. If I’m looking to go all-out, winged liner and some fluffy eyelashes make me feel sassy every single time.
How do you treat yourself?
The older I get, the more I realise the importance of looking after myself and investing in quality products, and if that means splashing a little extra cash then so be it. I recently treated myself to a few Olaplex products because my hair is in need of some major TLC. For my next big purchase, I want to try out some Kiehl’s products, especially the Midnight Recovery Concentrate. And if I’m looking to treat myself on a smaller budget, something as simple as taking myself out for a trip to the cinema or for a nice lunch always does the trick.
What is your top tip for boosting self confidence?
Turning the music up and dancing around in my undies! It’s a great way for me to shake off any unwanted stress and tension and my body always feels better once I’ve got it moving. Also, wearing really nice underwear when I’ve got an important meeting or date. Even if nobody but you is going to see it, sexy lingerie really does make you feel like an unstoppable queen.
How does the way you look affect the way you feel?
Although it shouldn’t really matter, I always feel miles better when I put some time and effort into my appearance. If I feel like I’m taking care of myself it makes a difference to the way I carry myself through life. That being said, I’ve grown to be really comfortable in my skin and I’m more than happy to swan about fresh-faced and in a really basic outfit. Beauty really does come from within and if I make the people around me happy, it doesn’t matter what I look like.
How do you unwind at the end of the day?
It always depends what kind of day it’s been! If it’s been physically demanding then I’ll disappear to the bathroom and my boyfriend won’t see me for hours. I go for the full works; bubble bath, candles, fancy scrubs and creams. If the day has been mentally challenging, you can find me curled up on the sofa watching something lighthearted on Netflix. Laughing is so good for the soul!