For Vintner’s Daughter founder April Gargiulo Sunday nights are as much about family time as they are about beauty routines. We caught up with the beauty entrepreneur and former winemaker for a glimpse inside her routine, which features tried and tested products and tools as well as the inside scoop on her plant-based brand that she credits with saving her problem skin. Read on to find out more…
The Wind Down
After I put my kids to bed around 7:30-8pm, my routine begins. My beauty routine is minimal because I believe you can do more with less. My idea of self-care isn’t sitting in a bathroom for 45 minutes, it’s spending time with my family, meditation, taking a walk, reading a book or enjoying a cup of tea. We listen to Otis Redding, The Commodores and Etta James a lot on Sundays; I love music and don’t know that I could narrow it down to one genre. I don’t tend to plan anything out for the week ahead, only when I cannot sleep. For some reason, thinking about what I am going to wear calms my mind, but I generally feel content on a Sunday night.
The Routine
I do the same thing almost every day, although I’m constantly trying out new cleansers. I cleanse with a gentle cleanser like Tata Harper’s Regenerating Cleanser and finish with cleansing cloths like Oskia’s all cotton ones. I apply our Active Treatment Essence (coming soon to Space NK) and then I apply Active Botanical Serum. I do NuFace every night and some red LED light almost every night too. On Sundays I probably spend a bit more time with a face massager. I love Sarah Chapman Skinesis’ Facialift tool which also helps with my TMJ [temporomandibular joint syndrome] and I spend a bit longer on face massages after applying Active Botanical Serum too. There are micro-circulatory components in the formula that a face massage can amplify to create an even brighter complexion. During the day I add a SPF and Susanne Kaufmann is one that I like.
My goal with my routine is to have maximum results in minimal time. I also want to know that I am putting the very finest, non-toxic ingredients on my skin. Our products were formulated to deliver more results, but with less steps. I was tired of playing chemist in my bathroom and constantly being reactive to skin issues.
When used one after the other, they deliver complete nutrition, deep hydration, multi-correctional moisture and the most tried and true plant actives. I don’t have to play the skincare guessing game anymore. They have perfectly calibrated percentages of the best plant boosters… In these two steps, I know my skin is receiving everything it needs to be its most balanced, healthy, resilient and youthful. I grew up with acne-prone, oily skin. Today it is balanced and even toned. I 100% credit our products with that miracle.
[On a Sunday night] I shower. I use Malin + Goetz’s Bergamot Body Wash and Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser, followed by Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter and Malin + Goetz Eucalyptus Deodorant. Sometimes I foam roll which I love and I use a dry brush like the one from Aromatherapy Associates. I do not have a set schedule for washing my hair and I have a very low maintenance hair care program. I use Christophe Robin Delicate Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner and I always air dry my hair.
Bedtime
I try to get into bed at 9pm. I read books mostly, but sometimes it’s magazines. The last three things I use before lights out are my Nu Face, some red LED light and my Slip Silk Pillowcase. I also use a beautiful handmade eye mask from a friend of mine, Elizabeth Few, who uses fresh botanicals to dye her silks. I love licorice tea before bed. I turn out the lights around 11pm. I’m a sporadic sleeper but need between 8-9 hours.
My alarm is set for 6am on a Monday morning. I generally feel excited for the week ahead, but always wishing I could sleep for longer. I’m a snoozer. I aspire to be someone who can just jump out of bed. The first things I do are hug my family, make tea and make toast.
