Sephora Picks for the Ultimate Self-Care

Self-care is an essential practice these days and all days, but did you know you can combine your self-care practice and pleasure practice into a supercharged- self-love-pleasure extravaganza? Dame just helped Sephora launch their sexual wellness category and we couldn't be more proud. So, let's talk about how to make your self-care practice even more pleasurable with some of our favorite Sephora picks. As a beauty connoisseur, there’s nothing that nourishes my heart more than a good face mask or the ritual of doing my skincare routine, but as a pleasure activist and Dame employee, I also know the immense power and vibrance that comes from some time with my Aer or Kip. Over the years I have found little ways to converge these categories of self-love into one blissful intersection. To combine these practices is self-love infused with glamour, luxury, and unapologetic indulgence, and that’s something everyone deserves in 2022.

Mask and vibe

One of my very favorite sexy self-care rituals is this. I can’t believe I’m sharing this with the world, but we are not gatekeeping in 2022. This ritual hurts no one and generates vast amounts of good energy in the ether (I believe, not scientifically proven). Next time you pop on a face mask after the shower, use this duration of mask time for a vibe sesh! (or a hand sesh if vibes aren’t you’re masturbation preference) Whether it’s with a clay pore purifying mask or a hydrating sheet mask, you will maximize this relaxation time by adding an orgasm into the mix. Your skin will glow like never before. Post-shower is a great time anyway for masking as the steamy environment softens the skin making it supple and open for treatment. I would recommend cleansing pre-shower or in the shower, just make sure the water you use to rinse your face with isn’t scalding hot. Post-shower is also a great time for self-pleasure as you’re already in your birthday suit, duh. For those reasons, the “mask and vibe” is a clear match made in heaven. Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.

A few pro tips to enhance this experience:

• When it’s time for your mask to come off and you’re in your post-O relaxed state, do a facial massage. You can just use your hands or a tool like a gua-sha to keep the circulation train moving. Facial massage has lots of benefits like draining toxins from the face, adding a bit of sculpt and lift to the face and it’s another opportunity to get in touch with yourself, down to the tiny, underlooked muscles in your face.
• If you need some erotic motivation, but your eyesight is compromised from whatever mask you’ve chosen or if you’ve gone old school and popped some cucumbers over your eyes, go for some audio porn! Sites like Dipsea or Try Quinn paint scenarios to let your mind wander and your body respond.

Pay Your Lips Some Mind

Whether you’re with a partner or not getting your lip skincare in check can almost guarantee an uptick of sensual, self-love feels. However, if you do have a partnered experience on the horizon, going into it with ultra-silky lips might give you a fiery boost. I recommend a simple lip scrub like Bite Agave Vegan Lip Scrub. Grab a pea size amount apply to lips and scrub in a circular motion and/or rub your lips back and forth. Wipe away with a wash club and apply a super nourishing lip balm like Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask or Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm and you’re good to go. Do NOT just throw on a chapstick. We are going for luxury here, people.

Lotion Meditation

Everyone should be lotioning head to toe after each and every shower and if you’re not you must begin today. Promise? The skin is our largest organ and we must treat it with the care it deserves. Since you are or will soon be engaging in a daily lotioning sesh (or however often you shower), this is another opportunity to capitalize on your time. Instead of rushing through your whole body, slapping on lotion like it’s a chore, take this opportunity to tune into each and every part of you. Move slowly and tenderly from arm to chest to each and every toe. How much love can you show yourself in this seemingly simple act of moisturizing? Bonus points for setting the mood for yourself by dimming the lights, putting on a song that makes time feel slow, and getting a candle or incense going with a scent that brings you delight. Try Almond Smoothing and Beautifying Milk Concentrate or Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream

Makeup your self-care rules.

If there’s one thing I know to be true about the power of makeup (I’ve been a makeup artist for 10+ years) is that it can pull personalities out of you that you didn’t know existed. Even the simplest of beauty routines can inspire feelings of confidence, sexiness, capability, beauty, love even. Take some time to do your makeup for you and only you. Whether it's a no-makeup makeup look or an ultra-dramatic smokey eye with an equally punchy lip, put on a look that makes you feel something good. Take pleasure in the process itself. If the look puts you in the mood, get some fire, fresh nudes for your collection. If you’re really feeling yourself engage with some mirror play while your self-pleasure. Admire your work and your beauty and see how your pleasure practice and self-love evolves. Punchy Lip Recs: Nars Matte Lipstick Pencil in Magenta, Charlotte Tillbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Night Crimson Smokey Eye Rec: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow in Plum