How are you doing, really? Being overtired, stressed, or having a to-do list with a million and one things seems to feel more like the norm these days, doesn’t it? Today’s post is a reminder that it just might be time to slow things down for a hot minute (or 20!) and practice some self-care. There are different ways you can take care of yourself, including prioritizing your beauty routine…which can feel good on the inside but also produce confidence-inducing results on the outside. We’re sharing a roundup of ideas on how to enhance your beauty self-care routine. Even if you don’t have a lot of time to spare, you CAN make taking care of YOU a priority.
Speaking of beauty, make sure you check out these game-changing tips to look more youthful every single day.
Beauty Self-Care Ideas
This time of year is traditionally jam-packed with back-to-school and/or work commitments which can leave you feeling a little drained and looking tired or worn out. Before you can be there for everyone else, it’s so important to fill up your own tank. If you make deposits into your personal well-being account you’ll have the bandwidth for those hefty withdrawals from family, friends, and work.
But we get it, not everyone has a ton of free time on their hands. So we’re going to share quick beauty self-care ideas and some that are more indulgent and take more time. So, no matter how demanding your schedule is, you can make time for YOU. We’ll exclusively be talking about that home spa experience to uplevel your beauty routine and your mood. No lengthy appointments and pricey procedures!
Why Is Self-Care Important?
Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Following a beauty routine can help you relieve stress and feel good about yourself. A pretty ideal investment!
#1) Skin Care: Deep Exfoliation
As we age, skin dullness and lack of radiance can become a concern. While cleansing and moisturizing are typically a part of our daily skincare routine, it’s nice to add in a weekly exfoliation with resurfacing pads, or a peel for a deeper cleanse. You want to lift dead skin cells and support new cell turnover. Getting rid of that top layer of flakey skin allows your beauty products to absorb better and do their thing. This is a quick step that really packs a punch.
With age, sensitive skin can be more of an issue. Try to avoid using anything too harsh or you risk damaging your skin barrier. Lean into gentle products that aren’t super abrasive. We’ll link a few favorites below.
#2) Skin Care: Face Mask
After you exfoliate, a deep moisturizing treatment will have an even greater impact. You don’t want to waste all those beautiful hydrating ingredients without first getting a super deep cleanse. So, you can add in a face mask once a week. This can be a sheet mask or leave-on formula. At-home peels like the Drunk Elephant Baby Facial can resurface your skin to improve skin texture and tone in just 20 minutes. The Augustine Bader Face Cream Mask and viral Clarins Cryo-Flash Instant Lift & Glow mask will give you noticeable results in just 10 minutes. Look for ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids, niacinamide, vitamin C, and Salicylic Acid to not only hydrate but also plump, smooth, and brighten your skin…and give your skin a more youthful appearance.
#3) Skin Care: Tools That Lift Tone & Tighten
Anyone else feel like their face is drooping, dripping south, and overall lacking firmness and vibrancy? One way to combat gravity is with a gua sha tool or jade roller. Both can improve blood flow, and provide lymphatic drainage. In addition, pressure from the gua sha tool can help stimulate blood flow, which can improve your complexion and guide nutrients and oxygen to skin cells. Ice rollers are great for reducing inflammation and eye bags, and improving skin health.
Similarly, microcurrent facial-toning devices like NuFace can lift, contour, and smooth your face and neck. One of our 50+ Team Busbee members has seen encouraging results! You do have to be consistent (like 5 minutes a few times per week) but it IS something you can do at home and it doesn’t hurt or take a ton of time. Erin is also a fan of the HigherDOSE red light face mask for a collagen boost, and reduced redness, fine lines, and wrinkles.
If makeup tips are your jam, this post is a great read!
#4) Body Care: Dry Brush
Similar to cell turnover for your face, your body also needs exfoliation. Dry brushing is a popular self-care practice. You use a natural bristle brush to gently massage and exfoliate your skin which stimulates the lymphatic system, detoxifies your skin, and increases blood flow. It can be a little rough on the skin, so go easy at first and work your way up to more exuberant brushing! After dry brushing, follow up with a good moisturizer to replenish your skin. Since dry brushing removes dry, flaky skin, your products will be able to penetrate better.
#5) Body Care: Deep Moisture
After exfoliating or dry brushing your skin, go in with a super deep, rich body moisturizer that’s a little more intense than one you might use after your daily shower. The following body lotions are specifically for mature skin and have dermatologists’ approval. These would be great to add to your self-care routine about once per week.
TIP: Apply body lotion shortly after showering when your skin is still slightly damp. Showering can dehydrate your skin and strip it of its natural oils. Applying body lotion right after showering helps seal in moisture.
#6) Hair Care: Clarifying Shampoo
Clarifying shampoos aren’t meant to be used daily so they are perfect for those beauty self-care days. They help remove product buildup, residue, and excess oil from your scalp. If you use dry shampoo on the regular, you NEED a clarifying shampoo in your rotation. It does wonders for shine and hair texture. Even if you don’t use a lot of products like hairspray, serums, or gels on your hair, clarifying shampoos remove buildup from hard water and environmental pollutants too. All of these things can make your hair dull, limp, frizzy, and prone to breakage…no thanks.
#7) Hair Care: Moisturizing Hair Mask
If you struggle with dry or brittle hair, a weekly hair mask is a beautiful way to restore shine and breathe life into your hair from root to tip. Just like our skin can get drier as we age, so can our hair. Dry strands can lead to split ends and damage which also contributes to hair loss. Since most deep conditioning hair masks involved some sit, wait, and chill time, you can read a book or close your eyes for a few quite moments with this self-care beauty must-do!
#8) Hands & Nails Repair
Alright, ladies. Maybe you’re already taking care of your skin, neck, and hair, but how about your hands? Hands are such a tell-all when it comes to aging. Our hands have super thin, elastic skin that show the signs of aging faster than any other area of the body…including our face. Nails get brittle, age spots appear out of nowhere, and you might already be thinking your hands look just like your mother’s.
Our hands take a beating on a daily basis from frequent washing, doing the dishes, working in the garden, or just constant exposure to environmental elements like dry air, cold temps, and UV rays. Even if you are using hand lotion each day, a rich hand mask once a week that has reparative ingredients like glycolic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and/or retinol can keep your hands looking their best. Oh and side note…don’t forget to put sunscreen on your hands EVERY day!
#9) Lip Polish & Mask
Using a lip mask every night before bed is such a quick and easy way to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth AND keep your lips moisturized. Just swipe it on like a gloss. But at least once a week try a lip polish exfoliant before you add the mask for a more intense one-two punch. You’ll be amazed by how much better your lipsticks and glosses will glide on and wear longer.
#10) Sleep Care
Sleep hygiene is a critical element in any beauty routine. Even the best skin care products aren’t going to be effective if you are sleep-deprived and look tired and drained all the time. Lack of sleep can also weaken your decision-making abilities and contribute to short-term and long-term memory loss. You have to make a sleep date with yourself! Establish a sleep routine at least a few days per week, whatever that looks like for you, and don’t compromise it if you can at all avoid it.
Magnesium Glycinate is a great supplement for helping with peaceful sleep. Especially for women 40+ who might be suffering from lack of sleep due to menopause. And, while we haven’t tried them yet, we’re super intrigued by Skinny Confidential’s mouth tape. It’s suppose to support deep sleep, reduce snoring, AND sculpt your jawline all at the same time. Have you tried it?
What’s your favorite way to pamper yourself with a little beauty self -care? Please share in the comments below.
My feet. After using a pumice stone to scrub my feet I the shower, I use a a scrubbing cream. After drying my feet, I slather on petroleum jelly and wear socks overnight while I sleep. Makes my feet look and feel soft.
Thanks so much for sharing this helpful tip, Serena! We truly appreciate you. Have a great week! ~Team Busbee xo