Isn’t it every person’s dream to not have to worry about their physical appearance? Though society bombards us with messages about how beauty is the most important thing, the team at City Girl Savings knows there is way more to life than the superficial exterior. Long term beauty habits have more value than just vanity!
Before you start to go down the rabbit hole of beauty secrets your favorite celebrity shared on Instagram and arguing about how important beauty is, know that we do agree that it’s important to take care of your exterior shell! However, it’s vital to remember that beauty is only skin deep—what’s on the inside always matters more.
With that said, here are a few long-term beauty habits to develop now so that your outsides will always match the beauty of your insides.
#1 Speak to a Dermatologist
When thinking about beauty habits, you can never go wrong in talking to a professional. We highly recommend making an appointment with a dermatologist who can assist with getting your skin health on track.
It’s also important to have a dermatologist do a full body skin check to look for suspicious moles, which can be a sign of skin cancer. This exam should be done once a year, and can help in detecting problems early on.
#2 Moisturize + SPF
Vitamin D from the sun is an important part of a healthy, balanced life, but too much time in the sun can also be harmful. It’s important to use a moisturizer with SPF, whether you’re spending time inside or outdoors.
We often forget to put that SPF on when the sun isn’t out, but the harmful UV rays that cause skin damage get through that cloud cover! It’s important to protect your skin, and moisturizer with built-in SPF makes the process hassle-free.
Remember that unprotected exposure to the sun can cause premature aging of your skin, and increases your risk of skin cancer!
#3 Exfoliate
Exfoliating sounds like a harsh thing to do to your skin, but it’s actually important to include it in your long-term beauty routines now! Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells, which increases body circulation and allows moisturizer to be absorbed more easily.
Some prefer to exfoliate daily, while others prefer to only do so a couple of times a week. It all depends on your skin type.
If adding another step to your beauty routine sounds like a hassle, remember that it doesn’t need to be! You can simply add a loofah or a great-smelling scrub to your shower, and they will act as a reminder.
#4 Remove Makeup
We know how it feels to be exhausted after a long day, whether that’s working from home and being in back-to-back Zoom meetings, or serving on the front lines as an essential worker. Some days, you just want to fall into bed as soon as work as done.
However, not stopping to remove your makeup first is a recipe for disaster! We know that makeup removal can be just one more task at the end of the day, but you’ll thank us in the long run.
When you don’t cleanse your face after wearing makeup, you end up going to sleep with impurities on your skin that can cause more problems down the road. Plus, you don’t want to mess up your bedding with day-old makeup smears!
Taking the time to wash your face before you go to bed can be a relaxing ritual that signals the end of the workday, and leaves you with balanced, soft, and radiant skin.
#5 Toss the Old Stuff Out
We know that throwing things out can feel like a waste of money, but we have to accept the brutal truth: makeup doesn’t last forever. Using old makeup might seem like a good way to save money, but it also comes with the risk of transferring harmful bacteria to your skin!
The last thing anyone wants to deal with is a breakout or infection when trying to get their beauty routine in check. Take a glance over your makeup, and get rid of anything that you know is too old to still use.
Besides, getting rid of the old stuff means you have a great excuse to take a trip to your favorite cosmetic store! Once you get into the habit of tossing out the old and bringing in the new, you’ll see a drastic difference in your skin and beauty regimen.
#6 Treat Your Nails
Many people don’t recognize how important good nail care actually is. Whether you religiously paint your nails as self-care, or are constantly picking and biting at your cuticles, most of us long for healthy, perfectly manicured nails.
One way to reach that goal is to start massaging vitamin E into your cuticles and nails before you sleep. Vitamin E is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in foods like nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables. It is important for many processes in the body, and can contribute to healthy, strong cuticles and nails.
You should also start using a base coat under your manicures! A base coat will protect your nails from the harsher chemicals sometimes found in nail polish, and can even help your manicure last a little longer.
Related: 6 Bad Beauty Habits to Stop Now
It doesn’t matter how old you are, there are some beauty habits you should start developing now! These simple, effective beauty habits might seem small, but the results will speak for themselves down the road.
What are your favorite beauty routines? Be sure to join the conversation and follow us on our Twitter and IG @citygirlsavings, and check out our Facebook group page! It’s always a pleasure to hear from the community!
