So you’ve got no time.
Nothing new there, right? Pressures of modern life, cause you to spend your days constantly checking the time and wondering where it’s all vanished to.
When you’re struggling to find the hours in the day for basic tasks of living, you look for ways to cut corners through your entire life.
It doesn’t take long for the lengthy beauty regime you have established to start to look like a time-absorbing luxury you can’t afford, no matter what hacks you put in place.
Before you get too overwhelmed on top of all else you handle, take some time to think about what parts of your self-care routine can you afford to get rid of – and what needs to stick around, even when time is sensitive?
Daily Hair Washing
There’s an argument for doing this in non-time pressured periods of life anyway, so it should be the first thing to go.
You may be horrified at the idea of dry shampoo. It coats and gets rid of oil in/on the hair, right? Wrong. Yes, the early pioneers of dry shampoo did do that, but the technology is changing all the time. Try a few out, find one that suits you and your scalp and cut your daily shampoo and style down to a few times a week.
Opt for Laser Hair Removal
If you’re in the habit of removing body hair – particularly your legs – then you will be surprised how unpleasant having it return feels. While it’s a myth that shaved hair grows back thicker, it will feel like that as you return to your natural self.
Instead, give your routine a shake up. Switch your old, ineffective razors out for a new, shiny blade that is going to do the job in half the time. As for shaving cream, if you don’t remember to buy it, hair conditioner is a great substitute.
Face Masks
They may be a byword for luxury, but face masks should only ever be used as an addition to a fully-functional skincare regime. They’re an extra step and, nice though they are, if the rest of your regime is on point then you can skip them.
A Basic Skincare Regime
This doesn’t mean that you have to go through a rigorous 20-step process of various lotions and potions every night. By all means simplify your usual regime, but you don’t have to just return to washing your face with soap.
Try and keep a simple formula of cleansing and moisturizing. Rather than the traditional toning step, add in exfoliation. Toning balances your skin pH and, ideally, you find room for it – but it’s more important to find room for exfoliation.
Eye Cream. Eye cream is useful, sure, but it isn’t essential. If you’re doing the right things with cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing, then the eye area should get what it needs.
Primer. Skipping using primer under makeup might seem like a great time-saving switch, but it won’t be through the day. There’s no point saving five minutes in the morning if you lose 20 minutes at lunch as you have to reapply everything!
