Boy, do I love that snooze button. So I’m always devising ways to sleep in for those few extra minutes. Until I discovered that I could get over an hour’s worth by just taking care of my skin and hair. What?!! How?!!
Think about it, if you have to put on makeup everyday, you are easily spending 20-30 minutes. But instead, if you spent time on a complete beauty ritual, you would end up spending less than 5 minutes!
Go totally au naturel? Really?
Yup, why not?
Most of us actually use makeup to cover up a few flaws here and there. But instead, if we prevented those flaws in the first place, there’s really no need.
Ever since I started channeling my inner French mademoiselle, I’ve actually started to feel…prettier. People compliment me on my skin (which no-one does when it’s covered in makeup).
For a date, I amp up my eyelashes with mascara and a bright lippie and I’m good to go. Hell, it takes me no more than 2 minutes!
Oh, and another thing, guys don’t like girls with much makeup either!
So without further ado, here’s the 5 beauty ritual all you lazy girls are waiting for:
Step 1. Cleanser.
In the mornings, wash your face with a super mild cleanser. You want to remove the oils and dead skin cells that built up over the night, but you don’t want to strip your skin.
Time Taken: 1.5 minutes (includes rinsing)
Step 2. Exfoliator.
The good news: You don’t have to do this everyday. Just every alternate day.
Every time you exfoliate, you’re sloughing off dead skin cells, unclogging your pores, smoothening your skin, preventing fine lines, and making your scars and spots fade.
Tip: Apply your cleanser with a facial brush (like the Clarisonic). That way you cleanse, exfoliate and massage your skin – all in one minute!
Time Taken: 1.5 minutes (includes rinsing)
Step 3. Toner:
Forget the old-school toner that was an ‘alcohol-filled tingly astrigent-like liquid’. The modern toner is super gentle nourishing elixir that acts as a pre-moisturizer, and hydrates your skin for a nice dewy look.
Oh, and you don’t need a cotton ball to apply it. Instead use your fingers to gently ‘pat pat pat’ the toner onto your skin for better absorption and circulation.
Time Taken: 20 seconds.
Step 4. Serum:
Serums are thicker than essences, and are packed with active ingredients like vitamins and anti-oxidants. What makes a serum so spectacular is that it’s formulated with smaller molecules so they can penetrate into the deeper layers of your skin, where your regular moisturizer can’t reach. A serum can actually penetrate all three layers of your skin, therefore making ingredients more effective.
All you need is a few drops and press them on your skin like you’re cupping your face.
Time Taken: 20 seconds.
Step 5. Moisturizer:
Serums can do a lot, but one thing they can’t do is moisturize. That’s why you need a moisturizer to seal all the good stuff into your skin.
All you need is a pea-sized amount. Rub it between your palms to warm it up. Then pat on the driest part of your skin (cheeks) slowly moving towards the not-so-dry parts (forehead, chin, nose). Patting doesn’t tug and pull at your skin, so it’s a better way to apply.
Time Taken: 20 seconds.
Step 6. Eye-cream:
Always use an eye cream as the skin around your eyes is the thinnest, most fragile and also the first one to show signs of aging.
Always be gentle while applying eye-cream. Take a tiny amount on your ring finger. Then rub together with your other ring finger to warm the product. Now gently pat on your under-eye area as well as below the brow till completely absorbed. Never pull or tug. This leads to premature aging – something you’re actually trying to avoid.
Time Taken: 20 seconds.
Step 7. Spot treatment:
If you have any acne, blemishes or spots that need correction, now is the time to spot treat it. AFTER your moisturizer, not before. That’s because all the hydration helps heal your skin and prevents over-drying. This also reduces the chances of your skin getting red and angry.
Time Taken: 10 seconds.
Step 8. Sunscreen:
The final (non-negotiable) step is to pat on a good amount of sunscreen on your face (read: ¼ teaspoon). It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy, raining or snowing,
Also, use a minimum of SPF 30 and ensure that it has PA+++ (that’s 3 pluses).
If you want your sunscreen to go on more evenly, pat it on instead of rubbing it in.
Time Taken: 30 seconds.
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