Bookworm Cottage Style

Aside from finally meeting our sweet baby, the thing I’m most looking forward to about not being pregnant anymore is having autonomy over my body again. (Choosing to EFF over BF is also a form of self care that I think will be a good fit for our family’s needs.) I cannot even begin to imagine how sleep deprived and haggard I will feel when baby arrives. Wrinkles and bad hair days will be the least of my concerns as a 35-year-old first time mom, and of course are not real problems that need fixing. I will probably be too enamored with baby to look in the mirror anyway. And yet…  if there were ever a time to invest in some self care and splurge on a few products to give me a boost of body confidence, this life transition seems as good a time as any. Here’s what’s on the wishlist:

1. CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2 ($469) // I am not interested in injectables at this stage in my life but I am curious about less invasive at-home options, namely red light masks. You aren’t supposed to use red light masks if you’re pregnant (or breastfeeding, if you choose to go that route) so I think this will be my big treat to myself after baby is born. I’ve been doing lots of research and this is the model that I’m leaning towards because of the high number of LEDs (236) and inclusion of deep near-infrared wavelengths (1072nm).  
2. Jolie Filtered Showerhead ($165) // Will I have any time to apply serums or use red light masks when I’m caring for a newborn? Probably not much. But at some point during the newborn haze, I know I’m going to step into a shower, even if it’s not quite daily. I’ve seen lots of influencers rave about the hair and skin benefits of a filtered showerhead, and my hairstylist is a fan of them as well, especially in a town like ours with old pipes and very hard water. A whole house filtration system would probably be a wise investment one day down the road, but in the meantime, I’d love to give this a try. On a related note, I also registered for this Kinder Filter for baby’s bathroom.
3. Three Ships Skin Hero Bakuchiol + Calendula Bio-Retinol Serum ($37) // My skincare routine is outrageously minimal. Moisturize + SPF in the morning, cleanse + moisturize in the evening. That’s it. I think I’m finally ready for some sort of serum for fine lines, and since I’m a newbie and am drawn to more natural options, I’d prefer to start with a natural retinol alternative like bakuchiol before considering a true retinol. (Retinol is also off limits during pregnancy.) There are SO many options but this Three Ships serum seems to have great reviews and is really reasonably priced. The Kinship Dreamwave 2% Bio-Retinoid Complex Overnight Serum ($48) was also a contender. For something a little more heavy duty, I’m also intrigued by the True Botanicals Phyto Retinol Anti-Aging Sleep Serum ($90) and the Maya Chia The Straight A ($125) but I’m not quite ready to spend that much and instead want to to try a cheaper option first. I haven’t purchased yet but will probably pick up a bottle closer to my due date.
4. Seven Haircare Satara Opti Shampoo ($32) // So many of my mom friends talk about struggling with postpartum hair loss. I’ve heard that during pregnancy your scalp sheds less (making it look fuller) but that after baby is born you lose all of the hair you would have lost during pregnancy, making for some stark thinning. I don’t actually know if that’s true or not, and to be honest my pregnancy hair is horrible (so frizzy and coarse, not at all shiny or full). But regardless, I want to be prepared. One of my mom friends was recommended this shampoo by her hairstylist and she is happy with it so far. So I think I might pick up a bottle to stock my shower with in advance of my due date. UPDATE: After making this collage, another mom friend passed along a few unused bottles of Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner, so I think I may start with that for postpartum haircare.
5. Fisher’s Finery 19 Momme 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ($40) // I know I won’t be getting much beauty rest with a newborn, so I’d better make it count. My hair has been so frizzy and unruly during pregnancy and supposedly silk pillowcases can help with that. This brand looks like it has good reviews and I like the envelope style closure. 
6. Kate McLeod Bath Pebbles in Eucalyptus ($38) // Some women miss wine and sushi during pregnancy. But for me, what I miss the most is taking a long, piping hot bath. Between the exhaustion of my first trimester, the cold Boston winter during my second trimester, and the aches and pains that are starting to crop up as I enter my third trimester, I cannot wait until it is safe to take a soak. I first saw these bath pebbles recommended by Grace Atwood and as a bath enthusiast I think this will be just the little luxury to celebrate my return to the tub.
7. Pedicure + Massage // When I’m healed enough to venture out of the house, I will absolutely be booking a Dazzle Dry pedicure (at Gloss, for locals) and a 90-minute massage (from Casey at Repair & Revive). After taking care of a baby around the clock, I cannot imagine how peaceful it will feel to let these talented ladies take care of me in return.