7 Things Every Woman Should Include In Their Beauty Routine

7 Things Every Woman Should Include In Their Beauty Routine

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By BreeAnn
The majority of us feel a little better when we go out into the world knowing that we look good, which is why a good daily beauty routine can seriously boost your confidence. You might not owe it to anyone to look pretty, but there is something a little extra magical about heading out and realizing that you are just absolutely feeling yourself. For me, just knowing that I have done my daily routine after a nice shower makes me feel way better about taking on my day. The right beauty routine allows you to look better on the regular, so I wanted to share a few of my absolute must-haves when it comes to daily beauty work. For reference, I have “normal” skin, but you’ll find that all of these are pretty universal.

A Good Exfoliator

If there is anything that you absolutely must include in your beauty routine, it’s an exfoliator. A lot of people opt to use an exfoliating face wash, but I have to say after switching to an individual exfoliator and a regular face wash, it’s obvious to me that those kinds of products are basically the 2-in-1 shampoo of the skincare world (*cue Elle Woods gasp of horror*).

Why use an independent exfoliator? Well, for me it’s in the safety as well as the effectiveness. Exfoliators are inherently abrasive. While that is good for scrubbing away bad cells, it is also good for damaging healthy ones. Using an exfoliator every single day is a lot of stress on your skin. I use a regular exfoliator every other day instead. My skin stays soft, fresh, and healthy, but never feels raw.

My favorite is Botanics Radiant Youth Microdermabrasion Polish. It’s got fine granules in it that make it incredibly effective at leaving my skin feeling really smooth and soft. Even though it is tempting, don’t use it every day. It is too much for your skin.

A Clean Face Wash

You might think that all face washes are inherently clean, but I don’t mean clean like that. When I say clean, I mean natural. I mean get rid of your chemical-ridden, preservative-filled main brand face wash and trade it in for something made from better ingredients. Chemically-based skin products create more problems than they solve, and it just isn’t worth it.

In the same way that you know not to eat overly processed foods for every meal, you must learn to really consider what is in your skincare products. Some of them are just straight terrible for your skin. When you make the switch to a natural one, you will probably break out your first week. This isn’t because the natural one is less effective. It’s your skin coming back from that terrible chemical cocktail you have been feeding it.

My top two are Botanics All Bright Foaming Facial Cleanser (my daily) and St. Ives Calming Chamomile (I use this one less frequently and I’m not completely certain on the ingredients, but I generally reach for it when I want something less abrasive).

A Light Moisturizer and Sunblock

Your skin needs moisture to keep that vibrant and colorful glow. Even if you live somewhere humid, a good moisturizer is a must. Choosing the right moisturizer is a matter of experimenting and learning your skin. Some people need basic moisturizers due to sensitive skin, while others prefer a light moisturizer that soaks in easily. There are plenty of options on the market. Find one that isn’t chemical-filled and see how your skin looks throughout the day.

Sunblock is a must with any beauty routine. Even if you don’t plan on being in the sun, chances are that you will be exposed. If your skin sees the sun, you better have it protected. The sun is great for lying out by the pool, but it’s also great for boosting skin cancer risk and aging your skin more quickly. Plenty of moisturizers come with sunblock in them, so consider one of those. If you’re going to the pool, make sure you choose a waterproof sunblock instead.

My go-to is Neutrogena’s Facial Moisturizer and Sunscreen. I admit that I’m not certain on the ingredients, but it is light on my skin and I have used it for about a decade, so I’m in favor of it.

A Detangling Spray

As a kid, I remember marveling over detangling spray commercials. I was mystified watching tangled hair suddenly become completely free of tangles, making it easy for combs to slip right through them. Then, they suddenly seemed to vanish. This is one of my more recent beauty tips because I’ve only added a detangling spray in the last few months, but I can’t stress enough how much of a difference it makes.

My hair was fairly soft growing up, but after a daring bout of bleaching, it isn’t quite as delicate as it used to be. Worse, it tangles so much more. Is it worth it? Absolutely, but it did mean modifying my daily beauty routine. Now, I reach for the detangling spray right after a towel dry and then wrap my hair up to let it soak in. After a few minutes, I let it loose and comb right through it.

I’ve been using the Pantene Pro-V Nutrient Boost Damage Resisting Detangler. My mom actually introduced me to this product, but I am totally hung up on it. It smells amazing!

A Sugar Scrub

As far as revolutionary beauty routine additions go, a sugar body scrub is probably my most recommended. I personally use two daily. One is a sugar body scrub that makes my skin absurdly soft. Like, overplayed razor commercial soft. The sugar soaks right in, moisturizers, and softens my skin up, and leaves it unbelievably smooth.

The other option that I use is a sugar lip scrub. Using a good sugar lip scrub daily is basically the ultimate beauty hack. Not only does it make your lips ridiculously soft, but it also increases blood flow to them. After a few days, I was floored to realize that I had fuller lips that were flooded with color. Best. Investment. Ever.

I basically live on this stuff: Unfiltered by Raw Sugar Pineapple and Mango Sugar Scrub. It smells beyond amazing. For my lips, I use: E.l.f Lip Exfoliator. It’s so much easier to use than the ones that come in little tubs, and the brown sugar tastes amazing

Eye Cream

Growing up, my mom was always fairly adamant about skincare. Her routine looks nothing like mine, but if there is one thing that we can both agree on, it is that good eye cream is beyond necessary. Eye cream is not only an investment in your beauty today, but it is a huge investment in your beauty for tomorrow. You should be using one both morning and night.

Eye creams work by moisturizing the most delicate skin on your body. Most of them are applied under the eye, but I am personally guilty of rubbing it all over my eyelids, both top, and bottom, for good measure. You absolutely must use an eye cream. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are. These creams are designed to limit dark circles, protect sensitive skin, and fight off the effects of aging. As a bonus, they generally make you look more awake first thing in the morning.

I’ve used the Olay Eyes Ultimate Eye Cream for ages, but there are plenty of amazing other products on the market.

A Hair Brushing Session Before Bed

I know what you’re thinking: what is this Martha Brady nonsense? I know how it sounds, but hear me out. Take the time to actually sit down and properly brush your hair for five minutes before bed. Most of us stop after a quick run-through with the brush, but that’s not the point here. You have to commit.

When you brush your hair before bed, you get about a thousand benefits. First, brushing your hair before bed allows you to remove any tangles and overall loosen your hair. This makes it less likely to snare, less likely to break, and can put less strain on your scalp.

Beyond just removing tangles, you’ll notice that magic happens. The more time you spend brushing your hair, the softer it will get. You will feel your hair get softer and softer with each pass of the brush. This carries over and with enough daily use, will become more natural. Doing it right before bed is great because you don’t have to worry about style. Even if you have frizzy hair, it won’t matter. Let it happily puff up. You’re not doing it to look good.

As a final win for team hair brushing routine, taking a few minutes to brush your hair each night is incredibly relaxing. It is methodical enough to help you wind down, and it feels great. Even investing in yourself in this small way can help you to feel better about being in your body. You deserve it, so set aside the time.

For this, I just recommend using your favorite brush with soft bristles!

Conclusion

Every person has a different beauty routine, but there are some habits and products that anyone can benefit from. Remember, your daily beauty routine isn’t about looking better for everyone else. It is about giving the proper attention to the body that you expect to carry you through life. Our bodies take us on walks, help us run, and even drive cars so we can enjoy burritos and other great foods. It’s always nice to give back and see what benefits our bodies can bring.

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