Self-care Diaries: Emma Thatcher, the stylist using self-tan as a pick-me-up

How stylist and influencer Emma Thatcher is spending this time in lockdown

Self-care doesn’t mean you have to be a kundalini yogi, have mastered meditation or achieved nirvana. Even the most minute act done for yourself, from wearing bright lipstick to making yourself a cup of tea, has the power to turn your whole day around. There is no right way to do it. So we’re asking women during this period of isolation to tell us about the joyful moments in their days, be it a beauty product or a Netflix series.

Today’s self-care diary comes from Emma Thatcher, a stylist with the greatest capsule wardrobe you’ve ever seen. Alongside her career as a stylist, she is a busy mum of three, runs her blog Emma Rose Style, curates the most beautiful styling edits on her Instagram and while we’re in lockdown, she’s been working on an Instagram Live series called Jeans & Tea With. Her first episode is with designer Olivia Rubin — definitely check it out.

Here, she shares how she’s spending her lockdown.

Where are you self isolating at the moment?
At home in Surrey with my husband and 3 teenagers.

What is your daily routine consisting of while in quarantine?
My youngest is in year 10 so we’re following his school timetable, which has been good for me as it makes me get up and organised ready to start my day. I sit next to him at the kitchen table doing my emails and creating blog posts so I can make sure he’s staying off his phone!

How are you dressing while working from home?
Loungewear. I’ve always loved good loungewear and comfort is key for me. I create videos and photo content a few times a week so will do my hair and make-up for that and style some outfits but as soon as I’m done it’s back in my joggers! I love Topshop joggers or Free People co-ords.

Topshop pink joggers, €34

Are you working out at home?
I’ve been up and down. I started off strong running 5k a day and doing a few live boxing workouts but now I’m just about managing a 5k walk!

How are you engaging with self-care at the moment?
I’ve really been listening to my body and going with it. Some days I’m super creative and get lots done, somedays I want to watch Netflix and eat chocolate. I’ve been using lots of hair treatments (Olaplex is my favourite) and using a self-tan to make myself feel better —Beauty Pie’s one is good and I’m going to try Bare by Vogue next as heard so many good things about it.

Bare by Vogue Williams, from €15

How are you staying creative?
I’ve been doing Instagram Lives chatting to my favourite faces in fashion, women I admire who have their own brand or influencers I respect. I’ve really enjoyed it so I’ve decided to create a series on IGTV called Jeans & Tea With.

What’s bringing you joy right now?
Spending time with my kids. My daughter is 18 and home from uni and my boys are 17 and 15. Usually, I’d spend a lot of time worrying about them being out late or driving so it’s been lovely having them home and safe and to have precious time that I would never normally have had as they’re going into adulthood. We’ve been playing cards together after dinner and having movie nights. Reading has been a real luxury too, especially on warmer days. I loved Where The Crawdads Sing so much. Me and my daughter really enjoyed watching Normal People too and the Table Manners podcast is one I always look forward to every week.

What’s been your favourite thing to eat while stuck at home?
My husband likes cooking and I don’t so he has taken over mealtimes. My favourite was a ‘Cheese Box of Joy’ delivery from Grape and Fig, they’re an incredible grazing company and have been doing lots of online tutorials so you can create the platters at home. It was dreamy.

What beauty product are you enjoying using the most at this time?
I got a delivery of Newton Wood Bath Salts and have been having long soaks in the bath using the crystals. The perfect pick-me-up.

Photography by @emmarosestyle.

Check out more Self-care Diaries here.

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