Despite being CEO of high performance skincare brand RéVive, Elana Drell Szyfer prioritises a relaxing bath and walks with her dog as much as an efficacious skincare routine. Here, we take a look at her Sunday regime and find out which product in her arsenal makes her look like she’s had a weekly facial…
The Wind Down
The weekends are a precious time, and never seem long enough. On Sunday night we eat dinner together as a family. We always talk about what’s happening in the week ahead – who’s traveling, who has a test, or a field trip, or a performance. About a year ago, we got a dog. He’s a handful. On Sunday, he gets a few long walks – which also give me and my husband and whichever daughter or group of daughters who choose to come with us, the opportunity to catch up on conversation and take a leisurely walk and enjoy the outdoors – we live in the park. After dinner there are a flurry of end of weekend activities, both for myself and my children.
The Routine
My skincare regimen is pretty full. I have worked across all of the beauty categories in my career, skincare, fragrance, body care, hair care and of course colour cosmetics. Frankly I love them all, but my first category was skincare and it’s the one that I’ve spent the most time working in. The day always starts with cleansing and sometimes, toning. Sometimes I will use an exfoliator. My normal routine after that is at least one serum (sometimes two), an eye serum (a new addition for me), an eye cream, and a daily moisturiser with an SPF. I definitely simplify on the weekends though, and also change up the routine. I happen to love an Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen and I might just wear that all over (including around the eyes) and follow with our RéVive Soleil Superiéur SPF50 as my moisturiser.
Night times are more simple – and truth be told, I feel accomplished if I get my make up off before I get into bed. I like the ease of an oil cleanser or balm at night. Eve Lom makes a great balm cleanser and I love it with the muslin cloth. The RéVive Moisturising Renewal Cream is our first and bestselling product, if you only use one thing at night – it’s a must. If I remember I also put on our RéVive Fermetif Neck Renewal Cream SPF 15, another bestseller and a real first to market product which launched almost 20 years ago.
On the weekend, I multi-task with my masks and tend to use a clay mask on my nose and chin (our RéVive Masque de Glaise) an eye mask around my eyes and our volumising mask on forehead and cheeks (RéVive Masque de Volume). I’ll leave on for about 10-15 minutes and voila – it will look like I’ve had a proper facial. If I really have some extra time, I will do our 2-step Glycolic Renewal Kit first – and then follow with the rest. I leave the glycolic gel on for about 10 minutes – but I know people who leave it on much longer and swear by it.
I recently cut my hair into a short bob. I am constantly changing my hair – growing it out and then cutting it short, layering it, coloring it, etc. A dear friend recently introduced me to Rossano Ferretti. I go to his salon in NY (he has one in London too) Rossano has created a line for hair with skincare ingredients – and it’s all natural. I use the Volumising Shampoo, the Grandioso Volumising Conditioner and the Brilliante Protective and Shining Oil. His fragrances are amazing, and your hair feels amazing after using the products. If I’m going out and I need a “hold” I love the Ouai Medium Hairspray – not your grandmother’s hairspray, if you know what I mean – looks natural and you can still touch your hair.
One important Sunday ritual is a bath – sometimes it can be in the am, after the gym, or in the afternoon. When I work out two days in a row soaking in very warm helps me recover and also is the ultimate moment to relax my mind. My bath ritual varies – sometimes I like to use salts in the bath – other times oils. I love This Works Deep Sleep Bath Soak. The lavender scent transports me. Adding candles makes the mood that much more enjoyable and relaxing – I’m partial to the This Works Deep Sleep Heavenly Candle. As much as I obsess over my facial skincare – I don’t stress too much on body care. I prefer oils to lotions and generally use the This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle on my legs. If I wear a sleeveless blouse, I’ll use it on my arms as well.
Bedtime
My husband and I are obsessed with the show Billions, so whatever we are doing, we stop at 10 pm and watch it together. Sometimes it’s so compelling that I can’t go to sleep afterwards, so I need to read a little before I go to sleep. A little spray of This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray helps! I wish I could tell you that I meditated daily, but I don’t. I do though from time to time and I use the meditation app, HeadSpace. I have a silk eye mask that I take on planes to help me sleep and to calm and relax the eye area. If I travel overnight and have to go to work the next day, there is no substitute for an eye mask. I’ve just started taking some supplements – for hair, skin and nails and also some probiotics. I try to stay away from sugar and soda and drink lots of water. However, I also drink a lot of black coffee. And let’s not forget a great glass of wine – white, rose and champagne are my favourites.
Monday Morning
I used to be able to sleep well and for short periods of time. Now I require more sleep, and I often wake up a few times during the night. On Mondays, I get out of bed pretty quickly and start the day – but by Wednesday, I’m pressing “snooze” on my alarm a few times before I get out of bed…
