You love all things beauty. It’s how you spend your free time — researching and shopping for the newest trends. Beauty product purchases show up on nearly every credit card statement. Suffice it to say, you’re obsessed. But how can you improve your beauty game without going overboard?
It’s easy to get sucked into the latest and greatest trend. It almost feels like you have to join in or risk getting left behind. That, however, isn’t the case. In fact, you can level up your beauty routines in several ways. Here are a few to consider.
1. Streamline Your Skincare
With all of the product types, formulas, and releases coming out constantly, it’s tempting to try everything. You want to know what all of the hype is about, naturally. However, introducing new products to your skincare routine all the time can be detrimental to your skin. From breakouts and potential ingredient reactions to the uncertainty of which product is causing the chaos, it’s just not worthwhile.
Instead, focus on streamlining your skincare routine to feature only the products you love and get results from. In the morning, a vitamin C serum for brightness and a sunscreen for SPF can make a world of difference. At bedtime, a brightening niacinamide serum, anti-aging treatment like tretinoin, and a moisturizer have your basics covered.
From there, it’s a lot easier to incorporate those new, fun products that catch your attention. Slowly but surely introducing those, and being careful to check for potential interactions, can be a recipe for success. This refined skincare routine serves as the foundation for every other beauty product you use. You’ll also save time and money knowing what works for you and being able to figure out what doesn’t.
2. Know What You’re Looking For
Intentionality is one of the easiest ways to improve your beauty game. Then, the hours spent learning about different options or watching videos of others trying out new products can be better spent. So, avoid overbuying and underusing by creating a list of your must-haves.
This list can feature whatever products you’re most drawn to. If haircare is your jam, list out what concerns you have for your hair and the names of products you already love. Then, revisit that list when you’re considering investing in a new item. That new hair oil may be all the rage, but if oil control is a concern, it’s not worth the investment.
The same can be said for any other facet of the beauty industry. From nails to skincare to makeup, it’s important to understand who you are as a shopper. You can then make the most of your beauty budget and focus on the areas you care most about. You can even invest more in products you’ve been dying to try for a while since your collection will likely dwindle. Win-win.
3. Layer Products that Pair Well Together
If you wear makeup, you’ve likely tested out a few different face products like concealer, primer, and foundation. And you probably also know that some products don’t pair well together, even if you love them on their own. That’s likely because of how those two or more products interact on a chemical level.
You have two main choices in the world of face makeup when it comes to products like foundation, concealer, and primer — silicone or water. Silicone-based products have a smoothing effect and can make the skin’s pores less noticeable while controlling oil. Water-based products offer a more natural look by focusing on hydration, making them ideal for dry skin.
Which you prefer depends on the appearance you want your skin to have and your skin concerns. And it may vary depending on the day, event, or other factors like the longevity of your look. Regardless, it’s advised to pair like with like. That means, silicone with silicone and water with water. Although it may seem simple, this small detail can make a huge difference in your beauty routine.
4. Follow a Self-Care Schedule
Creating a detailed self-care plan is a great way to make sure your beauty routine is prioritized along with everything else. The best part? Your schedule can be whatever you find works best for you at every stage of life. So, even if you’re going on a trip or getting over an illness, you can still stay on track.
Again, simplicity is key when it comes to your beauty schedule. You can have certain days dedicated to certain routines — like a nail day, a hair care day, and so on. Or you can tackle most of your weekly routines in a dedicated night. Throw on your face mask, do your nails or get them done, self-tan, and knock out any other self-care you enjoy. It’s just about fitting it all into your schedule in a way that works.
Building consistency is one of the oldest tricks in the book for getting results. This trick can improve your beauty game. Plus, you may realize that some routines aren’t as enjoyable as others and cut them out. You’ll save time, money, and the effort required with upkeep in the process. That means more energy can be put toward other priorities in your life, beauty-related or not.
Leveled Up Beauty
There will always be countless trends in the beauty space. It’s just how the industry is designed. But that doesn’t mean you need to reinvent your routine with each new hot product.
Instead, up your beauty game by working with what you have. Revisit products you’ve loved before to see if they’re still favorites. Shop intentionally, with your preferences and needs in mind. You, your wallet, and your beauty game will all be better off for it.
