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 ask 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 Stef Williams (AKA Stef Fit), the PT, influencer and entrepreneur who’s built a fitness empire amongst her hugely successful lifestyle app WeGlow, and luxury active brand SEFI, with the first two drops selling out in under 24 hours.
When Stef isn’t working on her booming businesses, you can find her creating content and streaming live workouts for her 2.2 million Instagram followers and YouTube channel which has over 100,000 subscribers.
Stef talks exclusively to heat about her skincare saviours, wellness wonders, and the beauty buys she can’t be without…
On self-care
So, what does the ultimate self-care Sunday look like for Stef?
"Running multiple businesses means that I can’t always dedicate a full Sunday to self-care. Instead, I try to do little and often, especially when I need a midweek pick-me-up.
"I love an everything shower, which involves a body scrub, shave, hair mask and hair wash. I switch between the Tropic Body Smooth refreshing polish scrub and the Elemis Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow Body Scrub. I’m obsessed with Kérastase or Redken hair products, and my husband and I both use the Cowshed Active Bath & Shower Gel. I’ve recently started an Estrid subscription which makes me feel like I’m properly adulting. I always make sure to apply my body oil while my skin is still wet as it absorbs so much better which enables you to use less product. The Elemis Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend is my go-to, and the Tropic Whipped Body Velvet cream which turns into an oil once it touches your skin."
On skincare
"I love vitamin C. The Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oilis a staple in my skincare routine, and I also use the FaceGym Face Coach oil which I pair with my Multisculpt GuaSha tool which is great for depuffing and facial sculpting.
"The Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster which is fab for giving you that glow. Most nights, I’ll also use the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. You can’t go wrong with Carmex for keeping those lips smooth, and since Christmas, I’ve also started using the Rhode Glazing Milk. I swear by it for the perfect makeup base."
On movement...
Stef doesn't want to see women falling into unsustainable diet and exercise plans - but instead wants them to take a holistic approach to fitness and health, with a varied range of movement...
"I believe that movement should be enjoyable. When we launched WeGlow, it was so important to me to have a diverse range of movement on the app in order to prevent burnout. It’s impossible to strength train every day – you need to allow your body rest, with yoga and breathwork in between those more intense workouts."
"I’m also a Pilates instructor as well as a regular PT, so I love to mix up my workouts between weight training, Pilates and running. I’ll train six to seven days a week, which may seem like a lot, but because it’s low-impact movement, I'm enable to stay consistent and not suffer from burnout. Sometimes I might only be able to fit a ten-minute core session into my day, but a little bit of movement is better than no movement at all – it really adds up. On the days where I do lower intensity workouts, I’ll make sure to do ten to fifteen thousand steps."
"It's so important to set yourself goals that aren’t based on weight loss or aesthetics. Rather than just training your core for the sake of having abs, focus on the other benefits such as better posture and injury prevention. Pilates teaches you alignment, so even when I’m sat at my desk doing work, or even waiting in line for a coffee, I make a conscious effort to engage my core. It’s the small things you do outside of your workouts that make the massive difference."
On makeup must-haves
Before becoming an influencer, Stef previously had a career as a MUA and we're obsessed with her soft, natural and super glowy looks.
"Since I was nineteen, I’ve always used the Mac Face and Body Foundation. It’s super lightweight, buildable, and gives you a nice amount of coverage whilst keeping skin looking like skin. For a flush of colour on my cheeks, I love the Armani Luminous Silk Glow Blush. I usually prefer cream products to powder products as they blend more seamlessly. On my brows, I find that the REFY brow tint is really great for holding them in place.
"A trick I like to do is use a makeup brush to contour my face with fake tan; it’s great for extra sculpting or in preparation for those days when you don’t want to wear makeup. I switch between the Loving Tan Bronzing Mousse, and the St Tropez Bronzing Mousse and Purity Face Mist. The mist is also really good for setting my makeup.
"I grew up reading lots of Bobbi Brown’s books – I love her mantra of how beauty is universal and the key is to highlight your positives instead of trying to hide your imperfections."
On morning routines
"I’d love to be a wholesome, gratitude girly who journals every morning, but being dyslexic, I prefer to visualise my goals or practice gratitude in my mind throughout the day. I make sure to stay off my phone and hydrate straight away as soon as I wake up. I use the HumantraHydration Hack electrolytes daily – the elderberry flavour is incredible. I follow this with a cup of matcha and then head off to the gym to train fasted. Two times a week, I like to do a fifteen-minute sauna and ice session post-gym. It really helps my skin and prevents breakouts."
On managing mental health...
"It’s so important to surround yourself with positive people. I like to call them ‘radiators’ – people who are warm and are there when you need to chat about anything that’s worrying you. I’m really lucky with my job is really rewarding and helping other women become the best versions of themselves gives me a strong sense of purpose. It's extremely fulfilling and I always remind myself of that during stressful periods. That being said, I've learned that it's ok to set boundaries when necessary; not everything is urgent and people can wait an extra day if your well-being is at stake. I always believe that getting an early night is the best solution. Staying up late doom-scrolling or binging TV is pointless when you could be sleeping."
On sleep rituals
"I noticed when the World Cup was playing in the background that the sound of rugby really helps to send me to sleep. I think it’s just the white noise that soothes and blocks out any racing thoughts. I got my husband to play the Wales vs. Fiji game every night before bed for a while! It’s the same with the sound of tennis. I actually went to Wimbledon one year and fell asleep to the repetitive sound of the racket hitting the ball. What can I say, I’m just a sleepy girl."
Quickfire round:
Show you're currently binging? Bridgerton. It’s one of those shows where you can do stuff in the background while watching it.
Go-to cuppa? I don’t drink tea, but I love a cup of Clearspring matcha whizzed up in my Nutribullet with some Rude Health Almond Milk.
Go-to loungewear brand? SEFI of course. The Timeless collection is my go-to everyday gym set. There’s something for everyone and the neutral colours go with everything.
Everyday perfume? I wear Creed Royal Princess.
Favourite takeaway? I love a takeaway fish and chips from Fishers in Fulham. We also like to get a takeaway pizza every week from Bellillo on Munster Road. Honestly, I’ve been to Italy and the Bellillo pizzas are better. My go-to pizza is the Marinara – it’s traditionally Italian without any cheese. I try not to use the word ‘treat’ as I never restrict myself of any food groups if I’m craving them. It’s all about balance.
Favourite facemask? I’m more of an eye mask sort of girl, but I do like the Ole Henrikson Dewtopia Acid Flash Facial Mask occasionally.
Favourite candle? I love anything Jo Malone or Diptyque do some amazing candles.