How To Improve Your Beauty Routine In 2023
I called a beautiful friend, a former Miss Georgia, recently and begged, “Can I pay you to teach me how to put on makeup?” She laughed and was kind enough to immediately schedule a time to go over some basics. I learned a lot, but it’s overwhelming! Haha!
I’ve only had my makeup professionally done once in my life – and that was earlier this year. If you look at the difference in the photos that I typically take versus the glam in this one and the one above, you can see the transformative power that makeup can have!
If you’re looking to give yourself a transformation by upgrading your beauty routine in 2023, you aren’t alone.
In fact, a recent study found that the global beauty industry is set to be worth $571.1 billion in 2023, which clearly demonstrates that we’re all spending a little more on beauty and wellness products than in years gone by.
Despite this, most people feel as though they don’t even know where to begin when it comes to designing the perfect beauty routine. After all, we can’t all be pros or beauty queens, like my friend! However, this does not mean a beauty routine is out of the question; you simply have to do some research to figure out what works best for you.
With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to improve your beauty routine in 2023.
Start by focusing on your skincare.
While the majority of the steps in your beauty routine will be centered around applying the right make-up, you must ensure you take care of your skin, too. After all, this means you have the perfect place to apply all your make-up. Furthermore, many studies “advocate for developing a daily skincare routine as it demonstrates the visible skin benefits over a short period while driving the creation of habits for the prevention of aging signs.”
A basic skincare routine may include the following products:
- Face wash
- Cleanser
- Toner
- Moisturizer
- Serums
I have a very basic, but effective skincare lineup, including: Cetaphil cleanser, Cerave night cream, and Eucerin face lotion – all products that can be purchased at a drug store. It works for me! My skin is never dry or excessively oily and breakouts are rarely an issue. I do pair these products with higher end eye cream, essential oils, and growth serums. These are investment products, but I have found them worth the splurge!
Schedule in a facial.
Learning to practice self-care with intention can also improve your beauty regimen, as it encourages you to take care of your skin and overall appearance. One way in which you can achieve this goal is by scheduling yourself in for a regular facial. Not only is this incredibly relaxing, but it can also help you to tackle a range of skincare complaints, from dry skin to acne.
I have a strong relationship (yes, relationship!) with a local medical spa. They offer the most incredible hydrofacials. If you’ve never had one, I highly recommend giving it a try! Not only will it leave your skin looking incredible, its a relaxing experience. I dermaplane before to reap the benefits of clearer pores even before the facial.
Get more sleep.
Believe it or not, getting more sleep is a great way to improve your beauty routine in the new year. This is because “during sleep, your skin’s blood flow increases, and the organ rebuilds its collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles and age spots.” Again, this provides you with a better base for your make-up while also coming with plenty of others health benefits. Thankfully, there are many ways you can focus on getting more sleep in the new year, such as by ensuring you go to bed at the same time each evening.
Find your ideal eyeshadow shade.
One of the first things that my friend hit me with was eyeshadow – she instructed me to stay away from shimmery shades. They don’t photograph well and can age your appearance. Yikes! I had no idea!
I’m still learning a lot about eyeshadow, but ideally, you should opt for shades that complement your eye color, as this can make your eyes stand out. For example, Coppery Orange shades go “great with brown eyes, as its rich warmth really brings out the fire and passion of brown eyes.” Alternatively, blues and purples pair beautifully with green eyes, adding extra depth and warmth.
Fill in your eyebrows.
It’s remarkable how much of a difference that full eyebrows make in your appearance. Your eyebrows frame your face, which means that caring for your brows should become a part of your regular beauty routine. In addition to plucking/threading/waxing as often as you see fit, you should also fill in your brows using high-quality eyebrow pencils. This way, you can easily achieve a stylish, full-brow look without any gaps. You can shop here for the best brow products on the market!
Try to stress less.
Stress is more than a psychological problem, it can also alter your appearance quite considerably. For example, according to a study conducted by Healthline, “Stress causes changes to the proteins in your skin and reduces its elasticity. This loss of elasticity can contribute to wrinkle formation.” It can also leave dark circles under your eyes or cause acne. Thankfully, there are many ways in which you can reduce your stress levels. For example, you can resolve to ask for help when you need it, as opposed to allowing yourself to become snowed under and stressed out.
Ensure your make-up has not expired.
Many users are surprised to hear that most make-up products, from mascara to foundation, have an expiry date. This is because while the “products are packed with preservatives such as parabens, essential oils and vitamins to ward off germs, these naturally start to break down after a year.” If you are unsure, the expiry date of your make-up is usually displayed on the back of the packaging. Thankfully, this means you have the perfect excuse to go make-up shopping!
I’ve just discovered Jones Road Beauty, Bobbi Brown’s new line. I splurged on some of the basics, like What The Foundation, and I’ve been so happy with them!
Remember to wash your make-up off at the end of the day.
I once read in a magazine (remember those?) that it takes 2 weeks to undo the damage that sleeping in your makeup for one night can cause. That information has never left my brain. While most people believe their beauty routine is all about the application of make-up and other skin products, it’s equally important that you remove the make-up carefully at the end of the day. This is because sleeping with your make-up intact means it will mix with the different oils that build up on your skin, clogging your pores. This leaves you more prone to various skincare complaints, such as acne, redness or even dry and cracked skin.
Thankfully, make-up can easily be removed by simply washing your face with warm water and gentle cleaner. However, you may also want to keep a packet of make-up wipes in your bag for emergencies or a quick fix.
Express yourself.
Make-up can be an excellent tool for self-expression, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box when pulling together your next make-up look. Again, this can be a great way to use your make-up as a tool for confidence building, especially if you opt for bright, daring colors instead of something more subtle and muted.
Speaking to myself… it’s important to remember that harnessing any skill can take time, meaning you shouldn’t expect to become a make-up pro who can carry out detailed looks overnight. Makeup is never a beauty requirement! However, it can be just as impactful as picking out the best outfit for whatever you’re heading out to do. Have fun and enjoy!
