How To Take Your Beauty Routine Beyond the Surface
Going beyond the surface of your beauty routine is important not just for your skin, but your inner beauty too. And let’s face it, the only reason we spend time on our skincare routine or putting a little gloss on our lips is because, at the end of the day, we want to feel good about who we are.
Beyond that though, I believe something powerful can happen in those moments where we are doing our skincare, or putting on makeup at the start of the day. I don’t know about you, but no matter what’s on the schedule, I always find myself feeling a bit more grounded, when I take time to breathe deep, and nurture both my inner self and my skin when I’m doing my beauty routine.
So let’s talk about the ways you can benefit from being intentional with your beauty routine - not just in the products you use, but in the moments you spend with yourself before you are there for everyone else.
1. Be mindful of your technique.
How many times have you rushed through your skincare routine, or begrudgingly put makeup on to “cover up” the parts of yourself that you don’t care for? This is a judgment free zone (because I’m guilty too!) but the fact is that how we do our beauty routine can impact both the effectiveness of the products as well as our mood for the rest of the day.
Try this instead: take deep breaths, be present while you feel yourself oil cleansing or applying your makeup, and take your time.
As women, we spend so much of our day being there for others, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, we have to be careful to make sure we are there for ourselves so that we won’t become resentful or burned out.
2. Stay present and intentional.
I am convinced that beauty rituals can be very therapeutic, not just for what they have the power to do for our outer self, but for our inner soul. In my own journey of taking care of myself and my skin, I can always pinpoint the days when I rushed through my skincare routine, or skipped doing my makeup because I “didn’t have time” and every single time, it’s like there is a part of me that needed that face time in the mirror, to look at myself and really see who I am before I see what I need to accomplish for the day.
When was the last time you really took the time to see you? Not the things you need to do or what you need to “fix”, but really, the real you?
If it’s been a while, consider this a reminder: there is beauty in this present moment, because you are here, with you. And no one can take the miracle of you being you, away from you.
Stay grounded in the truth during your beauty routine and watch your whole perspective change as you get ready for the day.
3. Be consistent and adjust to what you need.
I was talking to a woman once who was sharing with me that she didn’t have more than a few minutes to spend on her beauty routine so sometimes she skipped it, and being someone that could relate, I encouraged her to use the time she had instead of skipping it altogether. That’s the first part of consistency, right? Just showing up no matter what.
The other part to being consistent, is also taking the time you need that day. There are times when I know I have a long day, so I linger longer than usual on my skincare routine, because something about the warmth of the towel after I oil cleanse makes me feel grounded.
And that makes me think back to the woman I spoke with, especially now, as sometimes my days are so busy that I too get the fleeting thought while applying my makeup that I really don’t have time, so I quickly dismiss trying a new lip color or doing something fun and new with my eye makeup.
Now listen, I know I am the queen of the one minute makeup routine, but sometimes, something within us calls out for more - and that’s okay.
Going beyond the surface with your beauty routine means being in tune with what you need, and adjusting as you go. Before you know it, those moments when you are getting ready for the day, or removing the day’s makeup, will become precious moments of reconnecting with yourself and caring for your soul.
