Using too many products can actually create harmful interactions between active ingredients, and it’s also a big time suck. If you’re looking to scale back your beauty routine and make less effort for similar results, you’ll need a few good tips and tricks.
Try some of the best ways to simplify your beauty routine, your your skincare regimen to your makeup, and even simple ways to spend less time on your hair and nails, while still having them look great.
1. Skip the Morning Cleansing
If you removed makeup correctly before you went to bed and used a good facial cleanser, you don’t have to cleanse again in the morning. You can use wash your face with warm water. The problem with over-cleansing is that it has a drying effect, which causes your skin to produce more oil, and you’re stuck in a vicious cycle of toning and moisturizing.
2. Look for the Right Multitasking Products
Using double-duty or multitasking products is one of the best ways to simplify your beauty routine. From a stain that works both for your cheeks and lips to a combination beauty product that moisturizes your skin while also providing sun protections, there are plenty of choices you can make, as long as you make sure the product was created for your type of skin.
3. Don’t Ignore the Packaging
Keeping your cosmetics and makeup products organized will make you save time, but you should also start looking at the way they’re packaged. Some are easier to use, and other need more time from picking it up to applying it and putting it down. Packaging with pumps is definitely more time efficient than tubes.
4. Focus on the Real Issues
One of the best ways to simplify your beauty routine is to really take another look at your skin issues and what products you’re using to fix them. Using a product instead of many allows it to work better, and you could actually be wasting time trying to prevent problems you don’t have. A visit to a dermatologist is always helpful, even when you don’t have big beauty issues.
5. Stop Soaking Your Nails
Soaking your hands before a manicure is useful so your cuticles get softer and can be pushed back easily, but it can actually be detrimental to the lifespan of your manicure. Soaking your nails actually makes the nail bed swell, so the polish can chip when they’re fully dried and return to their normal size. Avoid this problem by skipping the soak.
See also: 10 Bad Beauty Habits to Break
6. Scale Back Your Eyeshadow Selection
Even if you like to have a lot of colors available, it’s important that you keep the ones you use regularly separate. One of the best ways to simplify your beauty routine is to make sure your classic colors are always handy when you’re doing your makeup, so you don’t waste time sorting through all the rest or thinking about trying something different when you’ll always arrive at the ones that work for you.
7. Give Dry Shampoo a Try
Shampooing every day isn’t just time consuming, it can also be bad for your hair and scalp. A good dry shampoo can help you get off days, and keep your hair looking and smelling fresh. This can also save you time with your styling, since you’ll need to spend less time drying your tresses.
8. Stop Overdoing the Mascara
Instead of counting on mascara to help you achieve perfect lashes, start using an eyelash curler. One of the best ways to simplify your beauty routine is to skip the mascara on your lower lashes. You can also just use it on your top lashes towards the outer corners of your eyes for a little more definition.
9. Pick the Right Hairstyles
Layered hairstyles need a lot of time and effort during the blow-out, so it’s important to choose a hairstyle that works with your hair texture without a lot of trouble. A well chosen haircut can mean a lot less trouble when you’re getting ready to go out.
More: Beauty Treatments That Work in 10 Minutes or Less
10. Experiment with Hair Color
Two-toned hair is definitely one of the ways to simplify your beauty routine, by saving you time when it comes to coloring. Going for an ombré effect means you’ll need less upkeep, and your growing roots won’t be such a big problem, allowing you to save time and money when it comes to touch ups.