Self-care will forever be our favourite hobby but we appreciate that recharging and putting yourself first looks different for everyone. Each week, we'll be asking the celeb lot to share their ideal self-care Sunday routines, the hard-working beauty products they recommend to their friends and which TV show they're currently binging…
This week it's all about Married At First Sight UK star Chanita Stephenson. Sure, she may not have found lasting love on the show, but instead left armed with life-long friendships, exciting brand deals and her very own podcast, The Honesty Box, which she co-hosts with fellow co-star Zoe Clifton. A true winner in our eyes.
Chanita chats exclusively to heat about the whirlwind of leaving the hit Channel 4 show, her skincare favourites and the one game-changing book which changed her entire mindset...
On leaving MAFS
"It's been very, very surreal. It's been a lot to process because before MAFS, I was a children's social worker, my life is very structured and rigid and I knew what I was doing. MAFS did a 360 on my life and then all of a sudden, people knew who I am.
"Now I'm in the public eye, I've had to get very acquainted with social media, which is something I didn't really use before. I would just go out and then post on my stories, and that's it. Whereas now, I will speak to the camera and speak to my followers and supporters. So it's all been really crazy. But it's been nice too, all the people that I've met throughout the show, people I've met after the show and the amazing opportunities that have come since then.
We need to know, did Chanita watch the show back?
"You have to watch it back because you need to know what has been aired because let's face it, there is only a small snippet of everything I went through that makes it to the TV. But oh my gosh, it was painful. It was cringy and it was quite emotional as well, given obviously, my journey throughout it. It kind of takes you back to the moment. So although you've already lived it, you go through all the emotions again. You have to remind yourself that things weren't necessarily how they've been portrayed in the show that night, by the context of things, or, you know, when people got off lightly with how they actually were, so it's reminding yourself of the actual reality of what you experienced."
On self-care
What does a self-care Sunday look like for the reality TV star?
"Self-care is really important to me to really advocate for and for me personally, my self-care Sunday has to involve a nice hot bath. I use the Mio Liquid Yoga Soak, which is just amazing. It makes your body feel good and it's really calming. I have candles and I also put crystals in my bath. I'm quite spiritual so I like to put crystals in there. I would put rose quartz in there because that's meant to help with healing.
"Then some nice food, something that I fancy. Definitely some sweet treats. Chocolate, you can never go wrong with chocolate. I'd say face masks and binge-watching a good show that I'm into. Self-care for me is definitely taking a step back, taking the day as it comes, not really rushing and just taking that time for yourself."
On meditation
"I try and do my meditation which I'm not always good at maintaining, but I find really helps. I'll go on YouTube and I'll search for guided meditations and go with what I fancy that day. I follow a psychic on Instagram @zeetozen and she often sends emails out with meditation in. Then there's Gabby Bernstein [who does] guided meditations and motivational speaking. I need to definitely incorporate more into my daily routine."
On skincare
Are there any skincare products Chanita recommends to all her pals?
"With my skincare, I like a good face wash that's exfoliating, and it sounds weird, but I like to feel like it's scrubbing my skin. I've been using the Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, which I really like.
"I've also been loving the Dr. Organic Guava Brightening Facial Serum and actually, recently become acquainted withKiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment . Literally, I love it. Beforehand, I was slacking with the eye creams and then I found this and it's just amazing. You put it on and straightaway you feel like it's done wonders. As for my face cream, it's really funny, I always recommend Aldi. I use Aldi's Rejuvenate day cream and I absolutely love it. It makes the skin feel amazing and it's really cheap."
On hard-working hair products
"Because I have afro hair, it can be really hard at times to find the right products for my hair type. Products tend to be more advertised for European hair, but I've found that Aveda does amazing hair products, especially their Botanical range.
That's what I was using on MAfS because funnily enough when I was in MAFS, my whole suitcase got lost and [on] the honeymoon so had no clothes and all my makeup and hair stuff is still lost to this day; I lost so much I can't even tell you! I had to restock on Aveda stuff whilst I was there and I would definitely recommend it. It's all-natural hair ingredients, vegan friendly and sustainable.
"So, Aveda products without a doubt and a good hairdresser. You need someone that really knows your hair and what products to use for your hair because again, with afro and textured hair, sometimes I've been to the hairdressers and they're not used to my type of hair."
On make-up dupes
"Definitely, Aldi skincare, because I'm obsessed with it and, you know who does really good mascaras? Primark. They have a Wonder Lash-style one and it's really, really good."
On life-changing books
Chanita credits the best-selling manifestation book, The Secret by Rhonda Byrnefor changing her perspective.
"I read it at a time in my life, quite a few years back when I wasn't in the best place. It was easy to think a bit more negatively, because of the stuff I was going through. I've always been such a grateful person; it's just my nature. But with that, it really reiterated to me the importance of practising gratitude and being mindful of the good things that happen around you even when everything else seems to be falling to pieces. It really does change your perspective."
On The Honesty Box podcast
The Honesty Box podcast is a hilariously honest and unfiltered chat between Chanita and co-star Zoe Clifton where they spill the tea on what really happens during Married At First Sight and their own experiences with appearing on a popular TV show.
"We decided to do the podcast for fun, me and Zoe have got a really good friendship and it's one of the best things that have come out of MAFS for me. We decided to do the podcast because we like to have a laugh and a joke and thought, 'wouldn't it be good for us just to have a bit of fun, whilst also sharing the true side of some of the experiences we've gone through." We're very honest. There's a lot that the public doesn't see or doesn't know what happens within MAFS or even within TV and how it's set up, so we wanted to shed light on that and spill the tea.
"[Zoe's] very outspoken, and just very real, and that's why she's probably the best person that I could do something like that with. And it just so happened but she's one of my best mates. So it all goes hand-in-hand."
On great advice
"I've had a bit of a crappy week, this week, so, one thing that's really resonated with me and is something that I'm trying to make sure that I stick by is, 'don't let external factors alter who you are.' There are many opinions of others around you, but you have to stay very true to yourself, who you are, and how you feel about something.
And also, it's okay to be a little bit selfish sometimes. That's something that's helped me a lot because I always give too much to others and it can sometimes be a detriment to myself. I've had to learn the hard way. So I'd definitely say it's okay to be selfish sometimes and put yourself first!"
Quickfire round:
**
What show are you currently watching?** I've just finished Happy Valley and it was an amazing series.
How do you like your cuppa? I like it strong, I can't stand a milky tea. Strong, some milk and two sugars.
Go-to loungewear brand? Primark, I love their silky pyjamas.
Favourite face mask? There's a family-run clinic in Derby called Neo Elegance. Their gold mask does wonders for my skin.
Go-to takeaway order? You can't go wrong with an Indian.
Favourite candle? I love crystal-related candles and I really like Psychic Sisters candles.