Use This Thirty Minute Beauty Ritual to Dramatically Improve Your Looks
It’s all about four simple steps that add up to big results.
Maybe you’re a no-makeup kind of gal (I envy your confidence), or perhaps you’re a full-on cosmetic junkie like me. Regardless, I’m assuming you want to look your best.
And no matter your beauty philosophy, certain tried and true things can help you make the most of your appearance.
This is why I want to share my short and simple beauty routine with you. It will leave you feeling pampered and more attractive, and all it requires is a locked bathroom and four inexpensive (but incredibly effective)products.
So, take off your clothes, hop in the bath (or shower), and watch the magic happen.
Step one: Conditioner
Something about wet hair makes me feel relaxed, especially when I know I’m giving my strands the help they need. After all, babying your hair is just as crucial as pampering your skin. As a matter of fact, Glamour reports statistics from a survey of males on the importance of hair in a woman’s overall attractiveness. Here’s what they found.
- Forty-four percent of men stated the first thing they notice about women is their hair.
- Eight-two percent of men said beautiful hair was an essential component of a woman’s sex appeal.
- Over half the men surveyed commented that good hair was more important than breast size. (That’s saying something, isn’t it?)
So here are some tips for those who want locks that turn heads.
For those with dry, damaged hair:
You need to make coating your hair in a deep conditioner the first step in your beauty ritual. This is essential because the longer the conditioner is on, the better the result.
Byrdie interviewed Amy Abramite, a stylist whose work has been showcased in Vogue, InStyle, Glamour, Allure, and Nylon magazines. She recommends ensuring your conditioner has nourishing ingredients such as coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter. She reveals the benefits of these products below:
“Coconut oil moisturizes and softens dull, coarse hair and prevents protein loss by nourishing and strengthening it with vitamins. Argan oil contains vitamin E for silky soft strands, and shea butter locks in moisture with vitamins A and E to heal and seal the cuticle, preventing breakage.”
Radiance by Web MD also adds avocado oil and olive oil to Abramite’s list of effective conditioners.
And if you really want to turn up the conditioner’s power, put on a hair cap to create heat that aids product penetration.
For those with oily hair:
Those who are lucky enough not to have my straw-like strands need less intense formulations with words such as clarifying or re-balancing in the label.
After doing lots of research on the best shampoos for oily hair, I discovered one surprising ingredient experts mentioned more than anything else.
Apple cider vinegar.
For example, Prevention cites the words of dermatologist Dr. Joshus Zeichner. Zeichner says apple cider vinegar is not only great at erasing excess oil on your face, but it also helps “balance the pH of the scalp, prevent hair product buildup, and maintain proper oil balance.”
His suggestion is a home remedy that involves a combination of three tablespoons of vinegar to one cup of water.
However, for those who prefer to go the drugstore route, you can try products like Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner or WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner.
Conditioners that contain tea-tree oil also work to de-grease oily strands. Some recommended conditioners with tea-tree oil are OGX Extra Strength Refreshing Scalp + Tea Tree Mint Shampoo, Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Threat Invigorating Conditioner, and Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner.
Step two: Facial exfoliation
As your conditioner is working, proceed to cleanse your face and exfoliate. Using a facial exfoliant can do amazing things for any complexion. For example, North Pacific Dermatology lists the following benefits of regular exfoliation:
- better penetration of skincare products
- less clogged pores and reduced acne
- an increase in the production of collagen
- a dramatic change in the smoothness and luminosity of skin
As wonderful as these benefits sound, the truth is you probably shouldn’t exfoliate every day. Doing so can actually backfire and irritate the skin. Healthline states:
“Most experts advise that you exfoliate two to three times per week — as long as your skin can handle it.”
Based on this advice, it might be better to start exfoliating only once a week, so you can see how your skin reacts.
Allure offers its take on the best inexpensive exfoliants, listing the following products.
Those with sensitive skin need to be especially picky about which exfoliants to use, and this scrub comes highly recommended. It’s also an excellent option for those who intend to exfoliate daily.
This product contains ginseng root, which polishes skin and infuses it antioxidants and vitamins, lessening the signs of aging and tackling acne and uneven skin tone.
This mineral-rich scrub is made with three different sugars and cocoa. It can be used on all skin types and can even double as a lip scrub for softer, smoother lips. The company states you should use the product about three times a week.
Step three: Body scrubs
There’s not much good in having a glowing complexion if the rest of your body looks cracked and flaky. This is why it’s crucial to exfoliate your body as well as your face.
Body scrubs come with the same skin-clearing and revitalizing benefits as facial exfoliators, but they also offer the added benefit of minimizing cellulite and stretch marks.
Most scrubs are made of either salt or sugar. Sugar scrubs are best for sensitive skin because they have smaller granules, while salt scrubs are best used on rough patches.
Much like facial exfoliators, body scrubs should be used around twice a week for best results.
Harper’s Bazaar offers suggestions for the best body scrubs such as Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub with salicylic acid for acne-prone skin, Shea Moisture Purple Rice Water Body Scrub for sensitive skin, and Dove Macadamia and Rice Milk Exfoliating Body Scrub for dry skin that needs extra moisture.
Step four: Moisturizer
Once you’re out of the bath or shower, it’s important to lock in the skin benefits you’ve given yourself with a final dose of pampering and protection.
The University of Tennessee Medical Center emphasizes the importance of moisturizing daily, stating that the most critical time to moisturize is after bathing, showering, or exfoliation. They explain moisturizing seals in hydration and add that the massaging action involved in applying the product increases blood circulation and cell regeneration.
The most important thing the medical center clarifies is that oily-skinned people shouldn’t skip lotions and creams. Instead, they note that moisturizer balances skin, minimizing the chances of it being either overly dry or overly oily.
The bottom line:
A research article in Frontiers in Psychology states:
“It is known that even subtle manipulations of facial morphology and skin condition can alter people’s perception of a person’s age, health, and attractiveness.”
And my four-step beauty routine is based on this truth. After all, it’s often the smallest changes that create the most dramatic results. This is why I urge you to give my routine a try and let me know what you think.
I’m hoping you’ll have the fantastic results I do.
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