My Morning Routine: How I Dry Brush (and Treat My Skin)

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Blair Armstrong

my morning routine

How I Dry Brush (and Treat My Skin)

Blair Armstrong | founder of Gilded Body

If you’re curious about dry brushing or skeptical about the hype (total-body glow! wide-awake energy!), the skin-smoothing, tone-evening, mood-boosting benefits are real—and transformative, according to Blair Armstrong. “I’m obsessed. I do it every morning to feel more centered,” says the Atlanta-based founder of Gilded Body, a skin-care company that makes what might be the world’s most gorgeous (it’s made of marble) dry brush.

“It helps clear my head before the day gets going and allows me to pour back into myself when I’m stretched thin,” continues Armstrong, who left a career as a dermatology PA to create her company. “I love art, marble, and neoclassical sculpture—my dream vacation is to travel to some incredible museum, not to go to the beach.” Armstrong drew on all her inspirations to design the brush. “I wanted to make something beautiful and elevated that people won’t put away and forget about but actually look forward to using. The brush lasts—you can send it back to us and we’ll refurbish the bristles.”


  1. Gilded Body Body Brush

    Gilded Body
    Body Brush
    goop, $88

    SHOP NOW

An early riser, Armstrong bounds out of bed to dry brush. Then she turns her attention to her skin—a toner made with flowers and two exfoliating secret weapons are the key to her glow—before delving into the day and work.

6 a.m.: I get out of bed, drink water and a small cup of coffee, and talk to my husband about our plans for the day. Having that time with him helps me feel connected.

7 a.m.: My workout is cycling around my neighborhood; it’s a great way to get going, and my best ideas come to me. Atlanta is so green in spring, and the flowers are all blooming right now. I try to get in three morning rides a week. On the other days, I take classes on my MIRROR.

8:30 a.m.: I get back home, and before washing up, I dry brush. It feels so good, like getting your back scratched but better. I brush the entire surface of my body with slow, intentional, broad strokes in the direction of my heart. I start at my feet, move up to my legs and hips, then the front and back of my legs, and then from my wrists up to my shoulders, across my décolleté, and down to my abdomen. I don’t go over the same area too many times, and I use firmer pressure brushing over my knees, elbows, ankles, and tops of my feet since the skin is thicker in those areas. We readily put energy into taking care of the skin on our face, but taking care of our body can feel more intimate, like something you’re doing just for you.

  1. Marble


    Gilded Body Body Brush

    Gilded Body
    Body Brush
    goop, $88

    SHOP NOW

  2. Wood


    goop Beauty G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush

    goop Beauty
    G.Tox Ultimate Dry Brush
    goop, $25

    SHOP NOW

  3. Extra-long handle


    The Organic Pharmacy Skin Brush

    The Organic Pharmacy
    Skin Brush
    goop, $25

    SHOP NOW

8:35 a.m.: I usually shower, but a morning bath is just the most indulgent slow-morning start. I don’t do it often—only when I need clarity on something. I wash my face in the shower with the jelly cleanser from goop. I love everything about it. It reminds me of a spa facial.


  1. goop Beauty GOOPGLOW Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser

    goop Beauty
    GOOPGLOW Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser
    goop, $28/$25 with subscription

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A few times a week, I exfoliate more intensely with the Microderm face polish. The texture is perfect. The microexfoliating minerals are just the right size, and I need only a little dab for my entire face.


  1. goop Beauty GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator

    goop Beauty
    GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator
    goop, $125/$112 with subscription

    SHOP NOW

8:45 a.m.: I’m out of the shower and smoothing on this resurfacing flower toner. I use it morning and night, and OMG. Obsessed. I like toner for helping to hydrate and balance my skin after cleansing, and this one is especially nice because it moisturizes and retexturizes at the same time. I immediately notice a difference in my skin if I skip it—it’s next-level, and I love the ingredients.


  1. goop Beauty GOOPGLOW Flower Acids Resurfacing Toner

    goop Beauty
    GOOPGLOW Flower Acids Resurfacing Toner
    goop, $45/$40 with subscription

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I massage on the nourishing face cream. It’s so hydrating and beautiful. I save my full-on face massage for nighttime.


  1. goop Beauty GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream

    goop Beauty
    GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream
    goop, $98/$86 with subscription

    SHOP NOW

8:50 a.m.: I apply body oil or balm, which helps me feel more centered and focused. I like a formula with a thick consistency, especially in winter, but it also depends on what I’m wearing; you can’t put certain materials on immediately after using certain body oils.

    goop Picks

  1. Rich Balm


    54 Thrones Egyptian Lavender and Mint Beauty Butter

    54 Thrones
    Egyptian Lavender and Mint Beauty Butter
    goop, $24

    SHOP NOW

  2. Dry Oil


    Seed to Skin The Serenity Time Defying Dry Body Oil

    Seed to Skin
    The Serenity Time Defying Dry Body Oil
    goop, $162

    SHOP NOW

9 a.m.: I try to be minimalist, but I’m really a glam girl. I love, love, love pink lipstick; I don’t like to leave the house without it. It makes me feel pulled together and ready for anything. I smooth on this lip balm first. I love the texture. It feels really nice and softens my lips.


  1. goop Beauty GOOPGENES Clean Nourishing Lip Balm

    goop Beauty
    GOOPGENES Clean Nourishing Lip Balm
    goop, $20

    SHOP NOW

I apply foundation just to even my skin out and then do some light eyeliner, a little orange or pink blush to add a warm flush, and a spritz of Tower 28 face mist.

  1. goop Pick


    Kosas Weightless Lip Color

    Kosas
    Weightless Lip Color
    goop, $28

    SHOP NOW

    goop Picks


  1. Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

    ILIA
    Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
    goop, $48

    SHOP NOW


  2. Tata Harper Vitamin-Infused Cream Blush

    Tata Harper
    Vitamin-Infused Cream Blush
    goop, $42

    SHOP NOW


  3. RMS Beauty Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil

    RMS Beauty
    Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil
    goop, $20

    SHOP NOW

Recommended Reading

Gwyneth’s Morning Skin Routine

My Morning Routine: How 51-Year-Old Naomi Watts Gets Her Day—and Her Amazing Skin—into Shape

How to Dry Brush Your Skin

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