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The Time-Saving Trick This Editor Uses to Take Her Look From Day to Night

Well+Good Editors

March 15, 2018

In our new Wellness 9 to 5 series, get a glimpse into a day-in-the-life of wellness-obsessed (and super busy) professionals—and all of their healthy, time-saving tips to help you tackle your own day on the job.

Ali Finney
Well+Good senior home and beauty editor

8:15 a.m. Leave for work: My morning starts early so I can get in a four-mile run and be out the door by 8:15 to catch the subway. I don't like spending a ton of time getting ready (I even air-dry my hair), so I rely on a few staples I know I can style a number of ways, like my Allbirds.

I like to support brands that are eco-friendly because it encourages other brands to do the same. On that note, the usual Allbirds you see (on pretty much everyone at W+G HQ) are made of sustainably sourced (and crazy soft) New Zealand merino wool.

One perk of being an editor is you get to try new products before anyone else, though—so mine are the brand new Tree Runners, which are made of eucalyptus tree fiber and are even more environmentally friendly (17 times more, to be exact) than traditional materials, like cotton. As an editor who works with clean beauty, it's cool to see some of the same sustainability practices show up in fashion.

8:45 a.m. Arrive at the office: The first thing I do before I sit down at my desk is mix a teaspoon of The Nue Co debloat powder with a cup of warm water. It makes my stomach feel calm, and is just a nice comforting thing to drink in the morning.

Once I'm at my desk, I pop into my email and return messages that have been waiting from the night before. Then I check the editorial calendar to get a game-plan for the day.

9:30 a.m. Editing articles: My first task is editing and publishing a beauty story followed by a home story. Editing involves ensuring the stories have a wellness context that aligns with the W+G editorial voice.

While I'm editing, I'll switch on the humidifier I keep at my desk to put some moisture back into the air (yes, I actually keep one of these in the office). I have dry skin to begin with, so I even use it in the summer to make sure my skin is properly hydrated.

12:30 p.m. Desk-side meeting: In the afternoon, I have a desk-side (AKA an in-office interview) with a beauty brand rep who fills me in on new product initiatives. These are great because they help spark story ideas and clue me in on emerging trends.

"I want to give women all the info they need to be able to make smart choices for their skin and overall wellness."

I also value the chance to experience these products up close so I can represent them properly to the Well+Good audience. Choosing the right beauty products can be confusing and intimidating, so I think it's really important for me to share the ones that will truly make a difference in people's lives. I want to give women all the info they need to be able to make smart choices for their skin and overall wellness.

2:00 p.m. Lunch break: I like to go outside for lunch to make sure I'm getting an extra dose of fresh air and taking a moment to step away from my work and recenter. My go-to lately has been a kale, quinoa crisps, spicy chicken, apple, and celery salad with basil mint dressing. It's both hot and cold, spicy and refreshing. It’s like poetry in salad form.

3:00 p.m. Time to energize and de-stress: Mid-afternoon, instead of reaching for a snack to keep my energy flowing, I'll add a few drops of a Vitruvi energy blend to my essential oil diffuser. I also keep a makeup brush at my desk that I use as a de-stressing tool. I just brush it on my face if I'm feeling stressed, and the soft touch brings me into a calmer state.

"Small acts spur other small acts, and before you know it you’re living a much healthier life in all aspects."

Teaching yourself to take time for things that are for the betterment of yourself and your mind can be really powerful, especially when we’re all so busy. Small acts spur other small acts, and before you know it you’re living a much healthier life in all aspects.

5:30 p.m. Head out to a beauty event: I often end my days at a beauty event, which is a really fun way to keep up on cool ingredients that are going to be part of larger trends in the wellness sphere.

I don't like lugging a giant bag with me to these events, so I'm big on making sure my outfits will easily transition from office-wear to evening attire without packing a change of clothes. At events you want to look on trend, so I love that my Allbirds are that super light blue everyone is obsessed with right now—and also have a timeless, minimal feel. Plus, what's cooler to pair with trousers than a sneaker?