HYGGE (if you say “hoo-ga” in your most Danish accent, you’re just about there) is probably most closely defined as “the art of being/creating/living “cosy” but I’m not Danish, although even the Danes seem to find it tricky to pin it down to just one word in English. Who cares, though. It’s the best and only way to get through winter unless you have friends with a yacht in St. Bart’s, have a beach villa waiting for you in Morocco or live on the highest peak of a mountain so the sun gets through more often.
Something to know: HYGGE (I didn’t realise this till I started reading more about it) is specifically Danish and not Scandinavian.
It’s all about community, connection, closeness, snuggling up, getting together with friends for a simple supper, lounging on cushy cushions and velvety sofas in your thickest sheepskin slippers and well worn cashmere PJs…it’s big bowls of hearty soup around a wooden kitchen table, it’s brisk walks on a winter beach in sturdy boots, it’s twinkling lights in your bedroom, it’s a crackling fire and a glass of something fortifying, it’s…celebrating the every day, but in the most magical way. Hygge can be summery, too – elderflower cocktails on the terrace, gathering driftwood at the beach on long, sunny days, picnics in your VW campervan – but it’s autumn and cosy-up season. so let’s forget about summer (Australia/NZ, we’re jealous!!) and dive into all things velvety and the lifestyle that revolves around candles, instead.
Cosy, comforting and good for the soul – like one big group hygge hoo-ga.
Burt’s Bees iconic Hand Salve branding (very hygge)
I thought I’d compile a Hygge Beauty Shortlist (and Playlist so if you want to listen, there are 61 tracks on my Spotify list called HYGGE WEEKEND HERE) so please share YOUR hygge beauty, food, home or fashion hygge-iest picks at the bottom of the page under comments, if you like…what would yours be?
Aromatherapy Associates, a gold-flecked Kevyn Aucoin lip gloss, Nuxe’s Reve de Miel Lip Balm would definitely be up there among mine. (AA’s velvety rose body lotion is hygge-to-the-hilt) And eucalyptus and pine baths by candlelight. Candles (a bit like loungewear PJs and tartan throws) are the ultimate hygge accessory. The Danes burn lots of candles – every night, apparently!!
Guess what I’m reading at the moment (like half of my friends?!) The Little Book of Hygge. If you’re in the mood for a cosy week night read, it’s rather lovely.
Wiking…Viking (!)
The Danish way to live well (no Danish pastry overloading)
Hygge is huge this autumn. Happy Hygge-ing.
Snow Skincare
Keeping cosy and an Ugg boot for the chihuaha
Ice Nails
Snow season shimmer sticks
Top L (Oysho) Bottom R (faux sheepskin gilet from Asos)
Nuxe’s lip balm is the bomb, if you love a hint of sugar grapefrui…Clarins lip balms are sheer enough to remain understated, pretty enough to get noticed
Ski chalet bath oil, Calming Cococon Cream from M. Picaut (Swedish Beauty Awards Best Brand Winner), one of the best hand creams – Barefoot’s SOS – for hands that hate cold weather, and the cutest Gardener’s carrot soap at Crabtree & Evelyn (there’s a tomato one too – love!)
Hygge Weekend Hair Heroes
That glorious moment at the end of the day – bath, hit pillow, sleep!
And it’s wouldn’t be hygge without these two, one of my favourite winter candles, Christmas Wish by NEOM (mandarin, cinnamon and tonka bean – I’m not normally a fan of cinnamon/orange candles but NEOM’s blend is a much more original, authentic twist on that theme) and Aromatherapy Associates’ wondrous stars, here’s one of them.
Look out for Part 2 of our HYGGE BEAUTY GUIDE, we asked some of our Scandinavian beauty friends for their hygge-iest, most comforting AW16 beauty essentials – see what they singled out, next week!
Live in the Light & Spread the Joy
Big Hygge
You might like…?
THE BEAUTY SHORTLIST HYGGE WEEKEND PLAYLIST
Listen HERE on Spotify
Adam Levine, James Arthur, Bob Marley, Adele, Khai, Matt Simons, Marvin Gaye, Lianne La Havas, Michael Kiwanuka (61 tracks in all, just the soundtrack to get stuck in to The Little Book of Hygge with!)