HOW I PREPARED FOR MY BIRTHDAY

Birthdays have always been a big deal for me.

I love getting dressed up, planning something special with my favourite people and creating memories.

But if I’m honest, the lead up can be a little chaotic behind the scenes.

While it might look like I have everything perfectly planned, the reality usually involves a lot of preparation.

Here’s exactly how I prepped for my birthday this year...

Skin Prep

As a skincare junkie, my routine is always pretty regimented both at home and with professional treatments.

Leading up to my birthday, I made sure to discontinue using my tretinoin about a week beforehand and booked my routine microneedling session with Imogen (@radiancebyimogen).

This time we did her 'Radiance Signature Glow with Polynucleotides' (regenerative molecules derived from DNA that work by helping the skin repair itself at a cellular level), which honestly felt like the ultimate birthday prep facial.

The treatment includes: double cleansing, ozone steam, extractions, hydrofacial, an enzyme peel, dermaplaning, microneedling, LED mask therapy, a face mask, cold hammer massage and oxygen infusion — basically everything your skin could possibly need in one treatment.

A few weeks before my birthday I’d been experiencing some breakouts, which I had mostly managed to calm down at home.

But this facial (especially the extractions) really helped clear everything out properly and get my skin back on track so everything could start healing.

By the time my birthday came around my skin felt smooth, clear and glowing.

At-Home Face Masks

Alongside my regular facials, I’m also a huge fan of doing at-home face masks, especially in the weeks leading up to an event when I want my skin looking its best.

One of my favourites is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. Quick disclaimer — this one is definitely for skincare veterans because it is very strong. But if your skin tolerates it, the glow it gives the next day is honestly crazy.

It’s amazing for smoothing texture, brightening the skin and giving that fresh, glassy look.

Another mask I love is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, which is brilliant when I feel a breakout coming on.

It helps draw out impurities, calm inflammation and dry out active spots without completely stripping the skin.

And then of course… my sheet mask obsession.

I absolutely love sheet masks because they’re such an easy way to give your skin a hydration boost before an event or night out.

I actually have a monthly Sonagi (@soniagi_masks) sheet mask subscription, which I love because it means I always have fresh masks ready whenever my skin needs a little extra TLC.

If you want to try them, I do have a discount code you can use:

sonagi.co.uk/chloemykel

Discount Code: CHLOEMYKEL

You’ll get 20% off your entire order when you enter the code at checkout.

Weight Training & Steps for Hormone Balance

Over the last month or so I’ve switched up my workout routine slightly. Instead of focusing heavily on reformer Pilates, I’ve been prioritising weight training and daily steps.

My current split looks like:

• 3 weight training sessions per week

• 1 reformer Pilates session as a bonus

• 10,000 steps every single day (non-negotiable)

I also finish most gym sessions with about 10 minutes on the StairMaster for that extra burn.

These days I definitely prefer steady-state workouts over intense cardio. They feel much more gentle on my body and leave me feeling energised rather than exhausted.

The older I get the more I realise how important building skeletal muscle is — not just for aesthetics but for metabolic health, fat burning, strength and overall wellbeing.

Dry Brushing, Sauna & Steam

One routine I’ve stayed really consistent with recently is dry brushing followed by the sauna and steam room after my workouts.

Dry brushing helps stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage while gently exfoliating the skin. I find it makes my skin feel smoother and helps reduce that sluggish, puffy feeling.

Following that with the sauna and steam room is honestly one of my favourite parts of my gym routine.

It helps relax the muscles, improve circulation, promote sweating (which supports detoxification) and reduce stress levels. I always leave feeling lighter, clearer and completely reset.

Prioritising Sleep

Good quality sleep has become increasingly important to me as I’ve gotten older.

When I know I’m heading into a period where there might be more late nights, events and busy days, I try to make a conscious effort to get my full eight hours of undisturbed sleep beforehand.

This isn’t always the easiest thing when you live with a partner who works late nights and night shifts, but when my sleep is good everything else improves — my mood, my skin, my energy levels and my ability to deal with stress.

Birthday Nails

A fresh birthday set is absolutely non-negotiable!

This year I went for a pink pearl French manicure to match my theme: “My Super Sweet Sixteen x2.” 

Since I turned 32, I thought it was a cute little nod to one of my favourite shows from back in the day.

I loved how soft, glossy and feminine they looked, and they matched my outfit perfectly.

Lashes

As a very consistent lash extension girlie (infills every two weeks minimum), getting a fresh set before my birthday was of course essential.

I normally go for a cat-eye Russian set that isn’t overly heavy, but for my birthday I decided to go slightly thicker — mainly because I knew there would be a lot of photos.

And I loved them! They were full, fluffy and perfect for evening glam.

For my next infill though, I’ll probably go back to my usual thickness for a slightly softer everyday look...

Hair Prep

I’ve been really consistent with my hair care routine recently and my hair feels like it’s growing well and staying in great condition.

One thing I swear by is regular trims every eight weeks. I genuinely feel like keeping the ends fresh helps maintain healthy growth.

Before my birthday I went to my girl Chloe (@hairbychloem_) for a trim. We also cut in some extra layers at the front which I’m loving.

She styled it into soft curls and pinned them so they would set better, which made such a difference.

Buying New Make-Up

You knew this one was coming! Of course, no birthday prep would be complete without treating myself to a few new make-up bits.

Since the vibe this year was pink and pearly, I wanted products that would tie everything together.

I picked up a couple of gorgeous pieces from the Fenty Wattabrat collection — the Gloss Bomb and the infamous highlighter, both in the shade Wattabrat.

And I lovedddd them.

The highlighter is absolutely stunning and will definitely be staying firmly in my usual rotation because I do love a pink cheek. It gives that perfect luminous glow without looking chunky or glittery.

The gloss is such a cute cool-toned pink shade, and it pulled the whole look together beautifully. It’s definitely one I’ll reach for again the next time I do an all-pink make-up look.

I also picked up my favourite (you’re probably sick of hearing about them) Morphe Signature Lip Pencil in Girl Talk, a cool-toned mauvey pink shade that went perfectly with all the other elements of my make-up.

Sometimes the smallest make-up additions make the biggest difference to the final look, and these were the perfect finishing touches for my birthday glam!

Nutrition to Reduce Inflammation

Day to day I generally eat fairly well, focusing on whole foods and balancing protein, fats and fibre in my meals.

I don’t avoid carbs completely, but I do try to eat them in moderation and focus on complex carbs where possible.

However, my downfall is definitely my sweet treats. I have a serious sweet tooth and if I go too crazy on sugar I definitely feel it in my body.

Since my birthday period usually involves a lot of indulgence — dinners out, desserts, birthday cake (which I shamelessly eat most of myself), and a fair amount of alcohol — I try to be extra mindful in the weeks beforehand.

I’m not a big drinker in general, maybe a few drinks a month when I’m out for dinner or meeting a friend. But before events where I want to feel my best, I usually cut alcohol out completely in preparation for the indulgence to come.

I also drink plenty of peppermint, ginger and green teas, which I find really help with bloating and digestion.

Mental Boundaries Before Big Events

Despite doing something for my birthday every year, the lead up can actually feel pretty overwhelming.

Even though it might look like I have everything figured out, the reality behind the scenes can be a little chaotic.

It’s not uncommon for me to have 56 meltdowns, 78 tantrums and about 12 outfit malfunctions in the days leading up to the event.

I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself for everything to be perfect — the outfit, the venue, the photos, the vibe.

But the truth is, the most important thing isn’t perfection. It’s celebrating another year of life, being surrounded by the people I love and allowing myself to actually enjoy the moment.

Something I’m reminding myself more and more is that life flows more effortlessly when you let go a little and focus on having fun rather than trying to control every tiny detail.

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At the end of the day, all of this prep isn’t really about everything being perfect, it’s about feeling like the best, most confident version of myself.

Birthdays are such a beautiful reminder to celebrate how far you’ve come, the people who love you and the life you’re continuing to build.

And when the night finally comes, all that really matters is being surrounded by the people I love, having a laugh and soaking up another year of life....