Last Day of Winter in Galway

It's the last day of winter and Galway is eagerly anticipating all the spring will bring. From Connemara spring lamb to early blossoming flowers. Barna Woods will have carpets of Bluebells and wild garlic and groups of Galway foragers will be spotted reaping the first jewel of the year. Always be careful to only take what you need and just strip the leaves, leave the flower and bulbs for future growth.

Galway is a hive of passionate foodies from those of that like to savour the fabulous menus on offer to the dedicated suppliers such as Gannet Fishmongers

and Sheridans Cheese to the creative chefs that devise a never ending stream of tempting menus.

It is Saturday so I'm wandering around the Galway Market which has been running for centuries beside St Nicholas' Collegiate Church. Many of the surrounding streets are pedestrianisedmaking Galway an ideal city to explore on foot, wandering down medieval lanes and discovering a celebrated local bookstore 'Charlie Byrne's' or tasting the delights of local bakers, Gourmet Tart Company.

The market is open all day on Saturday with a smaller version on Sunday and during the Galway International Arts Festival in July, we are lucky to have it on weekdays too. There is so much planning going on at this time of year and Spring will bring announcements of new events, growing festivals and exciting times.

We hope to welcome you to the g Hotel & Spa during Spring and be sure to check out our Things to Do in Galway section to get a head start on your trip to the 'City of the Tribes'.

Protect yourself from the Winter Weather

The wet and windy winter weather is no friend to our skin. As we are trying hard to keep to our New Year resolutions the cold is creating havoc for our poor skin and hair. Here are some tips for taking care of yourself during the coldest season of the year.

The main effect of cold weather is drier and tighter skin (no surprises here). This means it is important to incorporate more nourishing products into your skincare routine. Starting from the inside out, if you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Eating a healthy diet full of nutrients and vitamins is the best start on keeping your hair and skin looking and feeling healthy. Be careful of fluctuating temperatures and be aware not to overheat your home or office. If the temperature inside is much hotter than outside it can irritate your skin and can cause broken capillaries/redness from the temperature change when you go out. 

The tips below will help with your home skincare routine and our ESPA professionals will be delighted to assist with any queries you may have. Call 091 778460 or email espa@theg.ie.

Hands

The skin on your hands is thinner than on most parts of the body and has fewer oil glands so it is harder to keep your hands moist, especially in winter. Invest in a warm pair of gloves for protection and to keep the skin soft, massage hand moisturiser into your hands both morning and evening, as well as every time you wash your hands. If your hands are extremely dry, apply a more intensive moisturiser such as ESPA Rejuvenating Hand Cream at bedtime and wear light cotton gloves overnight.

Face

Nourish, nourish, nourish. We can't stress enough that during the winter, you have to change your skin care products to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. Nourishment is key and you should consider introducing a high quality Face Treatment Oil or if your skin is broken or irritated consider applying our ESPA Repair & Restore Serum before your moisturiser as this is specifically formulated to help skin that is suffering from colder temperatures and will help build a protective layer against the winter weather.

Make sure you moisturise every morning to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky. Then at night, before going to bed, wash your face to remove make up and pollutants and apply moisturiser to treat your skin while you sleep. A good cleanser to counteract winter redness is the ESPA Nourishing Cleansing Balm as one of the ingredients, Rose Damascena, helps reduce redness whilst the muslin cloth that is supplied with it aids lymphatic drainage. It is a very gentle yet thorough way of cleansing delicate skin.

To ensure your nourishing products have the opportunity to work, you should use a gentle exfoliator each week. However, be careful to avoid areas of redness and irritation. If your skin is particularly irritated, apply our ESPA Skin Saviour (which contains Tamanu and Manuka Oils to soothe and comfort) followed by a lavish application of the Essential Cleansing Mask. It is important not to over exfoliate sensitive skin – try mixing Refining Skin Polish with the (perfectly pH-balanced) Hydrating Cleansing Milk to provide a very gentle but effective exfoliation.

Don't forget to give your lips extra attention during winter. Apply a moisturising lip balm when you are doing the rest of your skin care, make it part of your routine.

Hair & Body

Wear a hat as it will help protect your hair from drying out and also keep you nice and warm. Too much exposure to cold, harsh weather can leave hair brittle and dry making it more susceptible to damage. Wear a scarf when possible to protect the skin on your neck and chest as well.

No more than watching the heat of your house, having a hot shower or bath can cause skin irritation if the weather is cold. It strips the natural moisture out of your skin and hair so turn the temperature down from hot to warm. Both your hair and body will thank you for it! Use a shampoo that is slightly more moisturising than what you use normally, but still good for your hair type. Also, try a hair treatment once or twice a fortnight to help protect your hair.

For your body, regular and gentle exfoliation with ESPA Refining Skin Polish will help sweep away dull cells to reveal skin that glows with health, as well as optimising the effect of your body cream or body oil.

The above simple steps will help to keep you glowing and ready for Spring!

The spa at the g Hotel is designed by world leaders ESPA. Comprising 8 treatment rooms, Thermal suite with vitality pool, crystal steam room, rock sauna, lifestyle showers, ice fountain and tepidariums (heated loungers) as well as a Relaxation Lounge overlooking our rooftop zen garden. ESPA at the g is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. Call our ESPA professionals on 091 778460 or email espa@theg.ie.