Reflecting on my beauty routines, it is clear that this year I have incorporated some major upgrades across the board. Thanks to TikTok, my friends, and my clients, I have changed some beauty habits to be less harmful and to help me achieve my own beauty goals. Most of these principles are very simple and the result has been a slow and steady transformation in all areas. Here are some principles (that I have learned the hard way) that you can start incorporating into your own routine.
How to Look More “Put Together”
So, I am a recovering hot mess. I spent the entire pandemic in grey sweatpants and a hair mask, and I was lost when I had to enter back into the workforce and look professional every day.
This principle states that there are three areas to pay attention to: your hair, your makeup, and your outfit. In order to look “put together,” you only have to focus on two out of the three. So, if you have your hair and makeup done, don’t worry about your outfit. If you have a bomb outfit and makeup on, then you can throw your hair in a messy bun. Paying attention to all three is wasted effort in my book and I’m all about being efficient.
Taking Care of Your Hair
Your hair needs a balance of protein and moisture. Protein is especially important for my fellow bleached-hair baddies. But too much protein or too much moisture can lead to hair breakage. For me, I was using Olaplex and really overdoing the protein. It wasn’t until I started reintroducing moisturizing products that my hair began to heal and became more soft, shiny, and manageable. Look out for moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, olive oil, glycerin, etc. If your hair needs more protein, products like Olaplex and k18 are amazing!
Beware of Water Temperature
I have spent so much time in an online rabbit hole learning about water. Water is incredibly important for our beauty routines inside and out. Not only do we need to be paying attention to the quality of water, but also the temperature. Reserve hot water for tea and coffee. Otherwise, hot water is extremely damaging to your skin barrier and your hair. Try to shower and wash your face with lukewarm or if you can - cold water. The benefits are insane! The cold water will close the hair follicle and act as a natural heat protectant. It will also preserve the natural oils on your skin, healing dryness and maintaining moisture.
Focus on Digestion for Acne
There are many different root causes of acne but an important one which is often overlooked is poor digestion. Poor digestion leads to gut issues and affects everything in our bodies including our mood and our skin. The first step is to cut out any irritants. Many people have food intolerances that they don’t know about. Also, processed foods can destroy our gut health. Drinking hot water with lemon before a meal will help you digest better. Eat slower. Like 10x slower. My favorite digestive supplements currently are AG1 powder (athletic greens) which is a great multivitamin powder that you take every day. I also love to put inulin powder, a prebiotic in my coffee. Digestive enzymes are a great place to start that will help you break down your food more efficiently.
Nothing Will Make You Glow Like a Workout!
The best thing I have found to do before a date, or somewhere you want to show up as your best self, is to move my body and get the blood pumping. Even if it’s just a walk, exercise is a natural mood-booster and gives the body instant access to stored energy. It will also give you that internal glow that is soooo attractive to others.
What You do DAILY is What Matters
Daily sunscreen, daily hydration, daily healthy eating, and working out...Try to take a step forward every day in each area that you want to improve in. Practicing a good skincare routine every day is worth way more than a quarterly laser or expensive facial. Having happy and healthy thoughts every day, smiling at someone every day, and giving yourself nourishment and love every day will allow you to give it more freely to others. After all, beauty really does come from the inside and is radiated outwards. Try out one of these tips and let me know in the comments what works for you!