If you asked me about my beauty routine in my 20s, I probably would have said, makeup, cleansing wipes, and sometimes moisturizer. Looking back, it was terrible. I regret not getting into some good beauty habits earlier. But we’re here now and by here, I mean my early 30s. I have incorporated a few practices that appear in my regular beauty routine since turning 30. Since we are all staying at home a lot more then we used to, I thought I would share the beauty habits I think you need to incorporate into your routine.
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Wash Your Face
If you have been following me for a while, especially on Instagram, you’ll know I am an advocate for washing your face and taking off your makeup every day. Even if you aren’t wearing makeup, I am still a firm believer in washing your face before bed. Get the grime off your face.
For me, a two-step cleansing system works best for getting every trace of makeup off and cleaning my skin. I have used coconut oil as my first step in removing my makeup. It’s cheap and effective and still the first thing I reach for when removing makeup. Recently though, I have started testing out some makeup removing products because I know putting coconut oil on the skin isn’t for everyone. I have loved Hydrating Milky Makeup Remover by Pixi, Clean It Zero 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm, or MakeUp BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil.
After removing your makeup, wash your face. Some nights I use a cleansing brush with a face cleanser, I have a Vanity Planet Facial Cleansing Brush. Other nights, I rub facial cleanser in between my hands and wash my face the old fashion way. My favorite facial cleansers to use are Pixi Rose Cream Cleanser, Bliss Makeup Melt Dry/Wet Gentle Jelly Cleanser, and Pacifica Beauty Sea Foam Complete Face Wash.
I don’t usually recommend makeup removing wipes, but if that is what helps you get into the habit of removing makeup, then use them. If I need to remove makeup quickly and head straight to bed, though, I use my Campanelli FreshFace Makeup Remover Towels. Just wet the towels and wipe gently on the skin to remove your makeup. I love that these towels are washable and removable.
Clean/Wash Your Makeup Brushes
I don’t want to try and calculate how many years I went without cleaning and washing my makeup brushes. It’s gross. Not only can makeup brushes hold on to bacteria from leftover makeup products, but they can also take on oils and dead skin from your face. Using dirty makeup brushes and sponges can lead to breakouts and terrible application of makeup products. I try to deep clean my brushes once a week with a process I learned from my friend Meg. She wrote this post years ago but recently filmed a video of her makeup brush cleaner process for Instagram.
For a quick clean, I have used Sonia Kashuk™ Makeup Brush Cleaning Spray. Just spray, wipe, and let dry.
Wipe Down Your Makeup Products
While we are still in a cleaning mode, it may be a good time to wipe down makeup products that probably picked up some dirt and grime through use. I try to spend some time wiping down my makeup products once a week. You could use a Clorox cleaning wipe, but since those are in high demand these days, I have been wiping down my products with some multi-purpose cleaning solution sprayed on a rag. I also try to wipe down the drawers that I store my makeup supplies. If you use a bag, wipe that down.
Stop Picking Your Face
In all honesty, I am continually working on not picking my face. But have you ever tried to apply makeup over a zit you just popped or a pimple you tried to squeeze, and your skin just got more irritated and red? Yeah, I have been there, and in my experience, makeup doesn’t apply well to these areas of irritation. Also, by picking at the blemishes on your face, you could be causing your skin to scar and make the issues with pimples or blemishes last longer.
While I try my hardest not to pick at my face, it happens. What helps is keeping my nails short. But, I mostly have to remind myself when I feel the urge to pick at something on my face.
Drink More Water
I know everyone talks about drinking water when talking about skin. But its true, I notice the difference in my skin when I am properly hydrated. I know that it can be hard to drink water when there are coffee and other beverages that look pretty in Instagram photos.
To try and keep my hydration levels up, I try to drink 16 oz of water before my coffee every morning. It doesn’t always happen because I am not perfect, but I try. I notice that if I start my day drinking water, and then I start my coffee consumption, I am more likely to continue drinking water throughout the day.
Having a water bottle with a straw helps me drink to stay hydrated too. By using a reusable bottle, I find it easy to carry as I move from room to room in my house and an easy way to track my water intake. I typically use a hydro flask with a straw lid, but I have friends that use a water bottle with time markers to help hit water intake goals. Those look pretty cool.
Sometimes I add electrolytes to my water with Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier. Apparently, by adding Liquid IV to your water, it can hydrate you 2-3 times faster. I don’t know if that is true, but I do like to add Liquid IV to my water after working out for a refreshing and replenishing drink.
Do you need to work on adding or keeping the practice of any of these beauty habits? Or are you working towards adding other beauty habits to your routine while we are all at home?