Having a routine in the morning is VERY important to me. It’s probably the most important part of my day.
Let’s rewind 5 or 6 years. Before having Lily, my morning routine was VERY drawn out and luxurious. It was the ridiculous kind of morning where I would sip tea for a solid hour and then make my way to the kitchen to create some sort of elaborate breakfast bowl with just the right amount of protein, complex carbs, & antioxidants…
Blah blah blah… You get the drift. We can all be in agreement that I was the girl we would roll our eyes about.
These days, my life is much different, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have a business to manage and a little Lilygoat to raise. The truth is that with “less time,” I am more productive. I am not busy “being busy.” I am busy being productive. You know what I mean? There’s a difference. (I actually talked about this is in my last blog post)
When I am productive and balanced, I feel the happiest. I owe my success and my happiest days to having a morning routine.
On days when I don’t follow my morning routine, I feel like a bit of a hot mess, and nobody likes Hot Mess Ashley. It’s not a good situation for anyone. Ha!
Let’s talk about what actually makes for a good morning routine..
PS – enter my giveaway with Derma E at the bottom of this post!
A morning routine is any way that you start the day that sets you up for success.
My routine in the morning varies slightly, but generally it involves tea, shower, stretching, skincare, and a smoothie / juice. It’s simple, time efficient, and a (mentally and physically) healthy way to kickstart the day!
Below is my easy to remember guide to set up successful morning routine.
I call this my 5s No Stress Morning Routine Guide.
Sip
- Starting your day with a large glass of water and/or tea.
- I love putting a drop of lemon or orange essential oil in my water glass. It’s very revitalizing.
- I LOVE all kinds of tea, but I would say that organic Jasmine Green Tea by Numi is my quick go-to for the AM. It has a nice & light amount of caffeine, no added preservatives, sweet, and never bitter.
- In this video, I also showed my morning shots. For years I’ve been taking 3 healthy shots as soon as I wake up in the morning. I take Noni 100, Herbal Force Aloe, and a Coconut Water Probiotic. I LOVE these so much!
Stretch
- I highly believe that moving your body in the morning is essential to a great day. Even if you can only set aside 10 minutes for a quick walk or stretching, in return it will give your body energy 100 times greater throughout your day.
- My favorite stretch series is the “Sun Salutation.” It’s an oldie but a goodie, and it awakens the whole system.
Shower
- I don’t feel like I need to explain this one. But what does make for a great shower experience is dry brushing beforehand. It naturally drains the body of toxins and immediately wakes up your body. Highly recommend it.
- Even though I am often working from home, I like to dress “cozy chic,” so that means I’m wearing my Athleta gear. I loooove Athleta clothing. It’s comfortable, stylish, and it’s cute enough to wear while blogging on the couch or meeting a girlfriend for lunch.
Skin
- Begin your day with an easy skincare routine that works for you.
- There is something about having a skincare routine that really makes me feel like I have my life together.
- I like to go for a quick walk in the mornings, so I wash my face with Derma E Hydrating Cleanser (it’s so moisturizing!) and always apply sunscreen. In the past, facial sunscreens have burned my eyes, but I was thrilled to find that Derma E’s did not do that. Also it makes my skin pretty and glowy.
- One thing I ALWAYS do, and you need to do this too, is put sunscreen on the tops of your hands. Our hands age so fast because they are always out in the sun! Think about it. When you’re driving…your hands are almost always in the sun, and our hands show aging very quickly once we hit a certain age.
- After I shower, I do my “full skincare routine” because that’s what I’ll have on my skin for the rest of the day. I use hydrating wipes, radiance toner, and then sage & lavender facial oil.
- My makeup routine is really easy. I apply under eye concealer, mascara, cheek stain, and lipgloss. Even if I am staying home, I apply all of the above. It makes me feel refreshed and productive to look presentable (and not be Hot Mess Ashley).
- Oh and the eye mask I’m wearing in the beginning of the video is a Cooling Gel Bead Eye Mask. I like it because it’s refreshing and deputes your eyes in the morning. It’s also great for circulation and treating headaches.
Smoothie
- It’s not a surprise that I would include smoothies in a morning routine. For our busy lives, smoothies are the best way to fill up with fruits and veggies on the go. I want everyone to eat a gigantic salad for lunch and greens with every meal, but it’s just not going to happen for everyone. What can happen for everyone is a “blended salad” aka smoothie. They taste better, they are fast, and nutritious. Aim for 1 per day and you’ll see immediate results in the way you look and feel.
I hope this guide is helpful if you are ready to implement your own routine.
*GIVEAWAY TIME*
I have partnered with Derma E to gift you a $25 gift card + a box of morning routine products.
It’s easy to win:
- Follow @dermae and @missashleydiana on Instagram.
- Comment below and tell me YOUR morning routine essentials and which Derma E product are you most excited to try!
- That’s all!
- Winner will be chosen on Friday 2/9 (date has been extended) and will be contacted here in the comments. So check back to see if you’ve won!
48 comments
I love following your routines! I feel like since I started following you a few years ago, my life has slowly but surely become more and more organized! Ive finally started doing a skin care routine (not a good one, but at least I try!) I try to drink more smoothies, and incorporating little things to make my day better! I just got one of your eye masks and I’m going to start putting it the fridge (I definitely thought it was supposed to be in the freezer and I was wondering HOW you could bear to keep it on your face!! It was a struggle!!) thanks for being such an inspiration!! I talk about you like a fan girl to all of my friends!! 🙂
Hi Kimmy! Omg you’re so sweet! That’s so great you’re incorporating more and more healthy routines into your life. I am happy to hear that. Oh and yes, the mask if the mask has cloth on the back then they can go in the freezer, otherwise it would be too cold. I’m glad you’re liking it! Hugs from Vegas! ????????????????
Ashley you are the best. I have learnt apt and got inspiration seriously.
I’m excited to try the anti-wrinkle line! Right now my morning routine consists of a matcha latte, chia pudding & yoga with my cats. ????
Aww I love your morning routine! I used to do matcha, and I was just telling Alex that I want to start my matcha back again. I love it so much! Hugs from Vegas, Ashley. ⭐️????????
This is so hard!!! I’m by far most excited for the skin brush. It looks like it would be exfoliating as well and soft skin is everything. The oil you mentioned with lavender in it sounds nice, lavender is my favorite essential oil! I really want to try the sunscreen! Like you, my face usually burns when I use sunscreen and I’m fair skinned/blue eyed and living in the sunshine state LOL
Oops! I forgot to mention my morning routine in my first post! I shower at night so my morning routine involves a skin care, light grooming (I’m a nurse so I usually keep it basic and just clean looking), and also a shakeology smoothie! As for what I’m most excited to try… This is so hard!!! I’m by far most excited for the skin brush. It looks like it would be exfoliating as well and soft skin is everything. The oil you mentioned with lavender in it sounds nice, lavender is my favorite essential oil! I really want to try the sunscreen! Like you, my face usually burns when I use sunscreen and I’m fair skinned/blue eyed and living in the sunshine state LOL
Hi,
I Just Switch to a more natural morning routine and this are the first products I found at the store. I think my skin is still trying to get use to the cleanser and mosturizer. I’m excited that you mention the sunscreen. Others sunscreens have burned my eyes. I can’t wait to try it. My morning routine: Go to the gym for an hr, I make my protein shake and I drink coffee although I’m trying to switch to tea now. Then I get my meals ready and head to work.
Pick me pick me ????♀️ 🙂
Hi Ashley! I use all natural stuff at home for beauty products, however I haven’t tried Dermae, and I would love to try the dermae E face cleanse. When I wake up in the morning I have my coffee but importantly I have my green smoothie with my breakfast. I try to find time to do some yoga before I leave the house, it leave me feeling very refreshed. I tend to wash my face in the shower to save time and then when I get out I add moisturizer before I put my make up on. I love seeing your post! I started a health blog myself and it’s very time consuming but I really enjoy it,
Great routine! What are the 3 things u drank from the fridge?
Hi Ashley you really inspire me to be a better person, I’d really like to try something for derma e maybe a facial sunscreen or hydrating serum
Hey Miss Lipstick and Berry ????✨????
My morning routine is waking up 2 hours early before I have to leave for work . Drink my mason jar of warm water . Go downstairs and do my T25 workout for the day. Then, Shower! I really am looking for a new shampoo, excited to try Derma E’s! After shower- smoothie for breakfast! My go to lately is spinach, banana
, cucumber, and celery! Put on my eyeliner and blush ! Then put on my scrubs and grab my pre-prepped lunch and two 48 oz bottles of
H2O —and out the door!
Hiii Ashley! I have to have a routine also i get all messed up when I dont. The main part of my morning has to start with tea and then my face and hair. Starting this week ive also started trying to throw in a small 10 minute workout (warm-up) alnost to my morning. I would love to try a moisturizer from derma-e. I feel like i break out from everything i try to maybe this will do the trick.
You? A hot mess?! I don’t believe it!! My morning routine, hmmm… I’d say the most consistent thing I do EVERY morning is turn on my Pandora and have a dance party in the kitchen, or sometimes even the living room, with my little pup Bella. I know it sounds silly but getting up, turning on my favorite jams and taking a few minutes to dance around, sing at the top of my lungs and let loose really gears me up for any day! Definitely gets the energy juices flowing! I do drink the occasional cup of coffee(or two or three) but have been trying to get away from that since I seem to be a psycho ball of energy naturally! Can’t you tell from my novel? As far as skin care, I really lack in that department since I have struggled with sensitive skin my WHOLE life. I am always very nervous to try easyily accessible “cheap” stuff fearing it may cause me to break out. Usually warm water and scrubbing is as good as it gets! Let me just say also, I am thankful for dry shampoo because I don’t have to wash my lions mane and style it daily! As far as these gorgeous products go, if I am the giveaway winner, I would love to try the daily cleansing wipes and under eye brightening cream (apologies if they are not the “technical” name for those!) PS. I thank you for ALL you do for everyone and espically myself both on your daily posts and the infinint influence Program. Very blessed to stubmle upon your IG months ago!????
Hi! My morning routine is so hectic. You inspire me to do more for my own health in the morning. I plan on starting to incorporate more natural products into my life. I just bought some oils and I am starting slow to switch over. My favorite thing that I want to try is the face mud masks.
I would love to try the hydrating cleanser and radiance toner! I have really sensitive skin and finding products that help is difficult. I’ve also been struggling with dry skin. I don’t have any morning skincare routine as of now so I would love to start one.
Hi Ashley! You are absolutely RADIANT so sharing your morning routine has me so excited. I’m still a student so my routine has fo change based on the time of year (and based on my budget, haha) – one thing I can never skip out on is breakfast, currently Alpen Muesli with cashew milk and dried dates. I am stoked for that sunscreen – I never realized how important it was to get that on your face and I agree, absolutely tough to find one that doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy and heavy!
Smoothies have been my go to lately! I love these tips. Showering and skin care are also definitely musts. Not only do showers wake me up but I have time to think about my daily goals too. Skin care is something I’ve really had to work on since I’m not getting any longer. Love this post Ashley!
Mornings are so hard for me. I wish I had an answer routine like all these beautiful women but i don’t. I usually roll out of bed fix breakfast for my son and husband. Which is usually eggs with avocado or oatmeal. Then I get my son dressed, kiss my husband off to work. If my one year allows me I’ll talk a shower. If not it’s just an easy skin routine and brush teeth. I would love to try the hydrating cleanser.
Side note: I love watching yours and Alex instagram stories y’all are so cute and motivating.
Hi Ashley! My morning routine involves taking a shower, doing full body lotion everywhere but my face, then I like to add my facial moisturizer and skinerals glow serum. I then drink a full glass of water and take my dogs on a walk before making breakfast! 🙂
I would love to try the hydrating cleanser!
I can’t wait to try the hydrating cleanser. My skin is sooo parched right now…ughhhh ready for spring!!!???????????? I start my morning with a huge glass of lemon water and a little meditation before my 1 y/o wakes up, then…COFFEEEEE!!!
My routine consist of getting my oldest out to school and then I get myself ready along with my 1 year old, I make a fruit smoothie or a protein shake and share with my little one. Other than that I put on a facial moisturizer and that’s it but I want to take care of my whole body! My shower is taken at night before bed so it’s one less then thing to worry about in the morning.
I also start my day with hydrating, yoga and a smoothie or smoothie bowl! I’m also in Vegas and love your Instagram!! Keep up the awesome work ????
My morning routine is to use ice cold water (no soap) then I rub an ice cube on my face and under eyes. Then I apply my vitamin c serum , 100 percent pure coffee under eye cream , grape seed oil and 100 percent pure facial dry skin moisturizer with spf. That’s it. Simple. I keep it simple. And my skin has never looked better. I drink a lot of water and have fruit smoothies daily , and what I put in my body reflects on my skin. Easy peasy !!!????????????????????????
Its so bad but I don’t have a morning routine ???? but I have been doing research and trying to establish what products would be good for me. I am excited to try the hydrating clay mask and the acne scrub!
I have been following you since ages and I try out all your skincare routines that you post about. You’re seriously amazing and everything you write about works so well. I also use a turmeric and charcoal home made mask and it sounds brilliant. I am now really wanting to try out your bling ice face pack and you genuinely look stunning in it. My dark circles are getting so bad due to the pressure and uni so I’m hoping it helps me out. I would also love to try out the hydrating lotion from Dermae since my skin gets really dry and flaky in the cold, if you could do a post on something hydrating it would be great. I use coconut oil but it does not smell very pleasant to go out with it. Love you and your little family heaps xx
????❤️️
Hi Ashley! I’m terrible about getting up early enough to have a productive morning before work but I always wash my face with a mild cleanser, use a glycolic acid toner, collagen boosting under eye cream and collagen face cream with spf. I normally don’t wear makeup during the week and I feel like the longer I go without using makeup, the healthier my skin looks!
Hi Ashley,
My morning starts with a tea pot and french press. While waiting for the water I stretch. Ever since pre natal yoga with my second child. It is a morning must! By then then I’m soaking my coffee making my oldest his lunch to take to school. Then more me time with my coffee in hand. I’m off to mosturise amd brush my mane. Lol! I can’t wait to try dermaE sunscreen! Baby suncreens is the only thing to not makey face oily
Routine consist of getting up, showering, washing my face in the shower, finishing my skin care when I get out, get ready, get my shakes and snacks ready for the day and head out the door.
I love getting to sip a cup of tea in the morning! Even if it’s just for a minute, great ideas though!
I prep food for the day, play with my dog, shower and put on sunscreen and moisturizer. Therefore I’m most looking forward to the dermae moisturizer!
I’ve been starting my mornings off with your ice water suggestion (woah! What a wake up!!) it does help get rid of puffiness really fast. I also picked up the Even Tone cleanser (thanks for the recommendation) which I’m liking so far. Next is finding a good serum (I’m really liking Derma-E products- the Very Clear Acne Cleanser is what I use at night).
Excited/interested in the radiance toner and the serum!
I can’t wait to try these products! I’ve been using like the drug store products my whilelike and now that I’m older I can see how they don’t really do the trick! So I’m re-learning everything and it’s all such an adventure! My skin is changing and so is my life! These products would definitely help me with my skin care and I can’t wait to try them because LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU SUGGEST IS AMAZING!!!! ????????????????????????
You’re skin looks amazing..so amazing that I’d probably try anything you told me to! I currently use a facial scrub with tea tree oil for breakouts because ever since I had my daughter (she’s 18 months) I keep breaking out ????. My life is busy and chaotic as a pediatric emergency room nurse in Las Vegas and I’m always on the go, whether it’s work or chasing my daughter! I am really going to try to set up a morning routine because I think it would make me feel better! Thanks for all the inspiration ❤️
Hi Crystal! You’ve won the giveaway! I am excited for you to try the products!
I agree 100% on the importance of morning routine! I always feel slightly off if I cannot do it. Mine is something similar.
A- oral care including tongue scraping
B- 32 oz lemon water
C- 20-32 oz celery juice ( yup, just celery!) it’s helped transform my gut which suffers from SIBO.
D- stretching but I don’t always have time or I woke up too late to do before work
E- shower & skin care
D- tea time! Yerba mate.
I have been wanting to try Derma E skin care products! I would love to finally clear my adult acne which makes me feel pretty ashamed.
I am most excited to try the facial toner as I am currently using hydrogen peroxide due to budget. 🙂
Thank you for offering this!
Wake up and drink water (i dont drink tea or coffee). Eat breakfast and get my daughter dressed and ready for the day. I normally dont shower until her morning nap so we can spend some time together and then moisterize and done! I dont wear makeup or do my hair so its fairly simple! ????
I would love to try the microdermabrasion scrub!
Totally didn’t know derma e had a sunscreen …. I mean why wouldn’t they I guess.. lol but I’m so going to try it!
My morning essentials are a face massage and sunscreen!! Oh and obviously a giant green smoothie!!????????????
Morning rountines hmm I wish I had time to do more, a stretch is a must then lemon and hot water before waking my children for school while they try drag themselves up, I wash my face but I only use water as I haven’t found anything that suits my skin for a while and moisturise with a essential oil moisturiser my sister to sends from Australia. Would love to try any of the Dermae E products for something new that will revitalise my skin.
Oh love the podcast especially the end I think all mothers can relate to post baby emotions and pouchie tummies.
The best skin care I could recommend is eating healthy, sleeping on time and drinking enough water. I love all your post so Ashley and your skin care is so natural and easy although it so really hard to do it everyday being a mum. I once bought a Dermae cream for my daughters as her skin is really dry and I can swear by it. I have not tried the entire range but I would love to try it out with my daughter especially since she admires and everything you use and do. She is now after me to buy your eye mask but I am just glad that you’re such a positive influence in her life. Thank you so much.
-Mahafrine
Hello Ashley! My morning routine essentials are:
● Stretching 10 min
● Brushing my teeth
● Washing my face with a natural coconut soap
● Then Serum Chronos line from Natura first for my face
● Finally I apply a face primer by Natura as well (I love the texture in my face ❤️)
I would love to try the Radiant Glow and the Purifying Line by Derma E ????????
Great blog Ashley, thank you for being an inspiration! ????????
Hi Ashley! Love your post! I also feel my best when I get in my routine. I recently just started incorporating dry brushing into my morning routine and it is so invigorating!i like to drink chai or black tea, Cuddle with my animals , and fill out my Abraham-Hicks worksheet for the day ( I just started it this month and it is so cool!) My favorite Dermae products are the vitamin C moisturizer and the anti-wrinkle cleanser. AND i bought that cool gel pink mask, I love that it has Velcro so I can live my life!
I struggle with the idea that you would ever be a hot mess! I love this – especially the idea of having a smoothie. MMMM. I will definitely check out the lavender and sage facial oil! <3
Ashley, You had me at essential oil in your water and Tea. Love to start my mornings like that! I’ve been wanting to try dry brushing for a while. So going to get one now.
“I’m the girl people would roll their eyes about” HAHA! Love the self-awareness. I would say the same thing about myself a few years ago. 🙂 Morning routines are so important and I completely agree that they support a healthy and balanced life.
I’d love to know what dry brush you recommend? I love Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea by Stash. Yum. My morning routine has been in an adjustment stage since starting a blog and a new job. Hoping to have it narrowed back down here very soon.
Hey girl! I don’t have a particular dry brush that I like, although I try to find one with softer bristles. xo!
Nice article, Ashley. Drinking water with lemon is the first thing I do when I wake up. It’s such a simple yet effective thing to include into your morning routine (my team wrote a an article about them: https://zenkit.com/en/blog/5-productivity-hacks-to-sneak-into-your-morning-routine/). Also, thanks for the sunscreen on hands tip! Will start to implement that. 🙂