Inside Arlo Parks’ fuss-free, stress-free wellness routine

Arlo Parks understands the true meaning of self-care.

Far from the common misconception that slapping on a face mask will cure all woes, the 23-year-old Londoner has created a pocket of serenity in a music industry that too often pushes young artists to the brink, setting boundaries for herself that allow her to live well.

Take, for example, her self-imposed break from touring towards the end of 2022. At the time, the singer-songwriter was still riding the colossal wave of her 2021 Mercury Prize win for debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams, touring the world almost non-stop for 18 months. Suffering from burnout, Parks quite understandably needed some space and time to look after her mental health.

“Touring can be beautiful and restorative as much as it can be spiritually and physically taxing,” she told us last year. ​“I think a gentler, more empathetic approach to artists and their limits would re-infuse touring with the joy it so naturally contains.”

Fast forward 10 months and Parks is restored and back on the road, touring second album My Soft Machine – a tender, diaristic rumination on what it’s like to be young and in love. And she’s even found time to write an accompanying book.

The Magic Border: Poetry and fragments from My Soft Machine is, as you might guess, a collection of poems penned by Parks, printed alongside lyrics and photographs by Daniyel Lowden. For an artist whose greatest strength is her lyricism, the book is the perfect way for Parks to establish herself as a proper writer, one whose words are just as powerful on paper as they are on stage.

A productive year, then. How does she keep herself in tip-top shape and stay centred while travelling from gig to gig, country to country? Well, it won’t surprise you that keeping stress to a minimum is a vital part of her routine. But Arlo Parks also has a few more tricks up her sleeve.

The first thing I eat or drink when I wake up is…
A huge glass of water, and a black tea with milk or a latte, depending on the morning. I also love a green juice with spinach, celery and cucumber to get some veggies in.

My morning skincare regimen looks like…
I keep it quite minimal in the morning as my skin is exceptionally sensitive and naturally dry. A cold shower, gentle cleanser – my makeup artist Lauren uses Bioderma Sensibio H20 – and cocoa butter.

The soundtrack to my morning routine is…
I’ve been loving the Sonic Symbolism podcast, with Björk in conversation with philosophers, artists and friends from Iceland about each of her creative chapters. Her album Post is one of my favourite albums of all time.

My go-to beauty hack for when I’ve pulled an all-nighter is…
Some kind of repair eye balm to smooth those dark circles out.

The product I’ll reach for when I’ve got a pimple is…
Honestly, if I get pimples, I try to just let my skin be and not interfere. My breakouts are mainly stress-related, so if my skin seems to be irritated I generally try to build in more water, fruit, rest and runs into my life.

My favourite brand of sunscreen is…
I like lightweight sunscreen in general. Medik8 is probably my favourite.

My holy grail skincare product is…
The Soothing Hydra Solution face mask from Dr Jart.

Because…
It makes my face feel so dewy and fresh. I put one on after every single long-haul flight and it brings me back to life.

My best kept beauty secret is…
That stress-management and rest is everything. The mind and body are completely intertwined.

My favourite feature is my…
Cheekbones.

Because…
They’re sharp as hell.

My first beauty-related memory is…
Being smothered in sunscreen by my mum on the beach in the South of France.

The last life-changing product I discovered was…
Weleda’s Skin Food.

I keep my lips moisturised with…
Carmex. I know it’s basic but there is nothing better.

The bougiest beauty product I own is…
Probably taking an enormous pile of Dr Jart face masks wherever I go.

My favourite budget find is…
ORS Olive Oil Pomade. I’ve used it on my hair everyday for a decade.

The face mask that never lets me down is…
The Vital Hydra Solution from Dr.Jart. It’s the most intensely hydrating one they have and it’s got hyaluronic acid in it, which always gives me an extra boost.

My signature scent is…
Orphéon by Diptyque.

TikTok made me buy it…
Unfortunately I’m technologically challenged and I get all my tips through word-of-mouth and my girlfriend.

My top tips for having a good hair day are…
All I really need is a Cantu pick and I’m good.

A hair product I can’t go without is…
Avocado oil hair elixir from Bleach London.

My evening skincare routine looks like…
Shower, gentle cleanser, a little serum and more moisturiser.

The very last product I apply before going to sleep is…
My trusty Cetraben body cream.

The secret to a good night’s kip is…
Rooibos tea with oat milk and melatonin.

The Magic Border: Poetry and fragments from My Soft Machine is out now, published by Harper Collins. Get your hands on a copy here.