Coffee, Skincare Routines, & My [Maybe Unpopular?] Cold Plunge Opinion 👀
Ask Kate Anything #9
Hello, my friend!
Happy… Monday?
I’m popping in with a spontaneous edition of Ask Kate Anything because there miiiight be some time-sensitive info you won’t want to miss ;)
Don’t worry, I’ll still be in your inbox this Wednesday— this is simply a BONUS issue ◡̈ Enjoy!
If you’re unfamiliar, Ask Kate Anything is a bi-monthly segment where I sit down and answer anonymous questions from my paid subscribers, and today we’re getting into…
How I would describe myself in 3 words.
A typical coffee order for me (prepare to be… bored 🤣)
My current skincare routine (pssst: sharing a 25% off code that is active for today & tomorrow only— the biggest discount of the year!)
My hot take on cold plunges…
The top trait I look for in a friend!
What a perfect [yet realistic] Sunday looks like for me
What “work/life balance” and childcare will look like will look as a mother of three (THREE — gosh, it still feels wiiiiild to say that)
My stance on screentime for kiddos
Let’s dive in!
💬 “If you could only use 3 words, how would you describe yourself?”
Lighthearted yet disciplined.
☕️ "What’s your go-to coffee order? Both your everyday pick and your ‘treat yourself’ splurge?"
Speaking as an ex-barista, this is an incredibly boring answer, but it’s honestly a cup of plain dark roast or an americano.
I know, I know— eye roll.
But I genuinely love the taste of plain coffee, okay!
That said, a few times per week, I’ll mix it up with some added collagen, a drizzle of maple syrup, some adaptogens for focus, and a splash or organic whole milk if I’m feeling crazy.
But normally? Just black!
That said, if I am in the mood for a fancy drink, my favorite is a *salted* caramel latte.
A caramel latte on its own? Kind of average. But with some flaky sea salt sprinkled on top? Unbelievable. Just trust me.
🧖🏻♀️ “Okay, your skin is GLOWING lately, woman! Any changes to your skincare routine? Any tips?!”
First off, thank you! That is so kind. I really do feel good about the state of my skin lately, and I’m happy to share.
Again, it’s a bit boring. But it’s honest. 🤣
I’m a big believer that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, which is why I’ve had basically the same skincare routine for probably the past 5ish years.
Do a double cleanse— oil cleanse & then follow with the soapy bar. Oil cleansing seemed sooo weird to me at first, but I will never go back. It has changed the game for my skin!
Do a spritz of clarifying spray— this is incredible for dark spots or acne-prone skin. Made with aloe vera, witch hazel, and green tea extract, this all-natural mist has worked wonders for me.
A couple of pumps of plumping serum— my holy grail for clean-ingredient anti-aging! Packed with plant-based bakuchiol, this is a gentle yet powerful retinol alternative!
Gua Sha: while my skin is still saturated with the serum I’ll use my gua sha tool for lymphatic drainage, contouring my jawline, and promoting collagen production.
Finish with antioxidant balm all over my face (okay, this is a relatively new addition, but that’s because it’s a newer product — I used to use the baby balm here but I have been LOVING this new balm that has astaxanthin— one of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature.)
Weekly Face Mask: Once per week I will also do a TLC moment with one of their 3 classic face masks (or their new coffee face mask) and I am… obsessed. They make my skin so “awake” and plump!
I know in the skincare industry it’s trendy to try out different products and all these different things, but when I find something that works I stick with it. ✌️
This is not a very popular thing to do in the #influencer world. But instead of telling you about a ~hOt NeW ProDucT~ every other day or saying that you need 938098432 different products, I’d rather just share a few, straight-forward, quality items that work, ya know?
And now you can try ‘em yourself— for 25% off (their biggest discount of the year!) for today and tomorrow only with my affiliate code KATE25.
(Also, in case you’re wondering— this *is* a bigger discount than their upcoming Black Friday sale ◡̈ Not sponsored, of course, but just genuinely love these products. Drop a comment with any questions— I’m here to help!)
✨ While my general skincare routine hasn’t changed in half a decade, there are a few *extras* I’ve added over the years that I really believe in:
It starts on the inside! Prioritizing hydration, especially with electrolytes and minerals, tons of collagen, and eating a lot of healthy fats & protein!
Lately I’ve been supplementing with NAD for skin health and I genuinely think that’s helped! My skin just looks… brighter?
I take Vitamin C regularly which is a great antioxidant for skin from the inside out!
I finally invested in a red light mask. I use it every other day or so, and I’ve actually seen a difference…. how annoying, right? (Tip: I meditate while wearing it for a double dose of self-care!)
🌊 What are your thoughts and health opinions on cold plunges? I’ve seen pros and cons and would love your input!
Ahhhh, yes. The biohacking trend of the moment— cold plunges.
I have a lot of thoughts, so I’ll do a higher level overview of pros and cons.
A RAPID-FIRE LIST OF PROS (AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM!):
Eases inflammation: Cold exposure can help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after workouts. (Bleakley & Davison, 2010)
Lifts your mood: It’s been linked to increased norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that can ease symptoms of depression and sharpen mental focus. (Shevchuk, 2008)
Strengthens immunity: Studies suggest cold therapy boosts white blood cell production, which can help your immune system stay strong! (Kramer et al., 2003)
Boosts heart health: Regular exposure to cold has been shown to improve circulation and vascular function— AKA, great for your cardiovascular system. (Tipton et al., 2017)
Improves sleep: By cooling your core body temperature, cold therapy can promote deeper, more restful sleep. Get those ZZZZZs, baby! (Leeder et al., 2019)
Supports metabolism: Cold exposure activates brown fat, which burns calories to generate heat and may help with metabolism and weight management. (Van Marken Lichtenbelt et al., 2009)
Builds resilience: And finally, it can help you learn to stay calm in cold temps which can help your body adapt to stress—a skill that can carry over into everyday life! (Freund et al., 2013)
But despite all those benefits, I’ll admit—I don’t opt to cold plunge very often myself … 👀 (gasp!).
While it can be great for some, I don’t think it’s the best fit for everyone (including me!). Here’s who might want to sit this wellness trend out...