8 Ways Nina Dobrev Is Staying Sane at Home
Every week, Vogue will be spotlighting tastemakers across industries to hear how they’ve been approaching self-care during the coronavirus pandemic. We asked Bulgarian-Canadian actress Nina Dobrev about how she has been staying sane while at home in Los Angeles with her pup Maverick. Should you already be one of Dobrev’s 19 million followers, then you know the she is keeping busy by reading new books, spending time in her backyard, and sharing her living room Pilates workouts. Here, Dobrev shares her recent must-haves, from a super-hydrating face mask to a DIY scrapbooking kit.
1. I’m meditating.
I’ve always wanted to get into meditation, but never had time for it. If I’m being honest, I never made time for it. I was allergic to the concept and didn’t understand what all the hype is about, Now, I have nothing but time, and no excuses. During quarantine, I started doing a quick 15-minute meditation every morning, first thing when I wake up. It’s changed everything, and has really helped set the tone for my day. It has been instrumental in keeping me level-headed in moments of anxiety and distress during this extremely uncertain time. It’s been a game-changer for my mental wellbeing. I get it now, and I’m happy drinking the meditation Kool-Aid.
2. I’m scrapbooking.
I’m a big Polaroid girl. I love taking photos and keeping memories. But unfortunately for the last 10 years, I’ve just thrown them all in a box and hidden it in a dark closet. Recently I took the time to go through all the photos and organize them. I scrapbooked some, and I put magnets on the others to hang on a big magnetic wall I have in my house to create a memory collage. It’s been therapeutic and really nice to not only remember but also feel connected to friends and good times in this time of isolation.
3. I’m learning photography.
I decided to pick up new hobbies. I’ve had a beautiful big Canon camera for over 15 years that I didn’t know how to work. I started taking a photography course online to teach me what all the buttons that used to intimidate me mean.
Canon EOS Rebel T7i DSLR Video Camera with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM Lens
$800.00, CANON
4. I’m spending time outdoors.
I’ve been driving to secluded mountains, and going on hikes to not only get a reprieve from being inside but also to exercise and get vitamin D, but also to put my newfound passion to the test. It’s been really fun to learn something new.
5. I’m sleeping more than ever.
In interviews, I would always say that my number one beauty tip was rest. But I didn’t always practice what I preached. I was living such a busy lifestyle on the go, and was often exhausted. Well, over the past two months I can proudly say I finally listened to my own advice. And my skin has never been clearer. Going to bed before 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., following my skin-care routine religiously, and waking up early feels so good.
6. I’m taking care of my skin.
I’ve been doing sheet masks almost every day. Loops makes super-moisturizing masks that bring that red-carpet-envy glow. Goop makes a glycolic face wipe I’ve been applying once weekly, and I’ve been using serums like Vintner’s Daughter. My face has started to feel like a baby’s bottom.
GOOP GOOPGLOW 15% Glycolic Acid Overnight Glow Peel
$45.00, GOOP
Loops Night Shift Face Mask
$30.00, LOOPS
Vintner's Daughter Active Treatment Essence
$225.00, VINTNER'S DAUGHTER
7. I’m painting my house.
I decided I wanted to paint my house. But instead of waiting for the world to open up again and hire someone to do my dirty work, I took on the task myself. Why not, right? There are days I regret it because it’s tedious and can feel all-consuming—it doesn’t help that I’m a perfectionist, but one day a friend told me their secret. They said, “Don’t think about the big picture. Choose one wall each day. Paint that wall, and that’s your task for the day. Take it in baby steps, and it won’t feel so overwhelming.” You’ll also feel more accomplished and productive if your goal was to just finish that one wall. Before you know it you’ll be done! It’s been helping; they were right.
8. I’m playing hairdresser.
I’ve never cut hair. In fact, I’m notoriously bad at doing my own hair. I’ve been spoiled to work with some of the industry’s best, but because of that, I’ve never learned to do anything with my own unruly locks. So when I told my friend his hair was getting so crazy long in quarantine, that he was starting to look like a Furby doll, he said, “I agree, so cut it.” I thought, There’s no way. But anyone who knows me knows I like a good challenge. I went down a deep, dark YouTube-tutorial hole and watched all the videos. I ordered professional hair cutting scissors, texturizing sheers, an electric razor and went to work. I was terrified. I tried to act cool, calm, and collected for my friend’s sake but I was super-nervous the whole time. In the end, it didn’t turn out half bad for my first hair cut. I was pretty happy with it and so was he, which was a huge relief.
Tweezerman Stainless 2000 Shears
$28.00, TWEEZERMAN
Oster Professional Laser Sharp 30-Teeth Blending Shear
$28.00, OSTER
Originally Appeared on Vogue
