Self-care has become a big buzzword in the wellness world over the past few years, and for good reason. It’s an essential part of keeping your mental health in good shape. This is true all the time, and even more so when you’re going through a stressful or overwhelming period in your life. When you invest time in taking care of yourself, there’s a good chance you’ll feel more confident, energized, and prepared to meet challenges as they arise. In this post, we’ll explore 15 of the best beauty self-care ideas you can try at home and in your daily life.
What is self-care?
Your self-care ritual is the practice of caring for the various dimensions of yourself, including your mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s all about doing things that feel good and promote overall well-being. There are plenty of ways you can practice self-care in your daily routine. From finding an exercise routine that works for you to taking a few quiet moments to journal or meditate.
What is beauty self-care?
Beauty self-care is a specific type of self-care that focuses on pampering your body and enhancing your natural beauty. Through things like skincare, hair care, and nail care, you can treat yourself to a feeling of luxury that will also help you look and feel your best. The best part is, you don’t need a long list of beauty products or a trip to the spa to practice beauty self-care. Instead, read on to discover some of the beauty self-care ideas you can implement in the comfort of your own home.
15 At-Home Beauty Self-Care Ideas
1. Take a bubble bath
Taking a relaxing bubble bath is one of the best ways to unwind after a long day. You can add some candles, beauty treatments like a face mask, and even some soft music to create a serene environment and allow the tension in your mind and body to melt away.
Whether you use a bath bomb or a liquid bubble bath solution, the bubbly effect will make you feel like a kid again (while getting you squeaky clean!). You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for even more pleasant scents.
2. Use a salt scrub
Before hopping in the shower or bath, using a salt scrub is a great way to leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. Take a small amount of the scrub to your skin and massage it in circular motions, taking care to be gentle and notice what feels good to you. Rinse off the scrub with warm water and luxuriate in the feeling of your freshly scrubbed skin.
You can purchase a salt scrub or make one yourself, with salt and a thin or medium consistency body oil.
3. Wash your face
Spending time on washing your face is a crucial part of any skincare routine and one that you should aim to practice every day. It removes dirt, oil, and makeup, prevents breakouts, promotes healthy skin, and it should always be the first step before you do any other type of treatment on your face.
The best facial cleanser for moms and pregnant women is one that’s gentle on sensitive skin and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.
4. Try Gua Sha
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves scraping the skin with a massage tool. There are a host of benefits associated with applying gua sha to your face, including relieving facial tension, improving blood circulation, and promoting lymphatic drainage. Gua sha can also help to reduce puffiness, inflammation, and sinus pressure.
You can use a wooden spoon or a pretty gemstone gua sha tool. Apply a lotion, serum, or oil to your face before doing gua sha to make the tool glide over your skin easier. And the most important thing is to be light with the pressure you apply—it should never hurt.
5. Use a jade roller
Another facial massage tool you can use is a jade roller, which, like gua sha, has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Similarly to gua sha, using a jade roller on your face can increase circulation and ease facial tension. Pro tip: keep your jade roller in the fridge before using it so you can get an even cooler and more calming sensation.
6. Give yourself a face mask
Giving yourself a face mask is a surefire way to make you feel like you’re at the spa (bonus points if you put cucumbers over your eyes!) There are tons of options out there, from clay masks to cream masks, and you can select one that speaks to your unique skin type and the skin issues you’d like to address.
You can even make your own personalized face mask using ingredients you have in your kitchen, like honey and oatmeal.
7. Use a sheet mask
Want to do a face mask but don’t want more big jars of product taking up too much space in your bathroom? Try sheet masks, which are inexpensive and can easily be stored flat in a drawer. These masks are packed with skin-loving ingredients that can help hydrate, brighten, and rejuvenate your skin.
To use a sheet mask, start with a clean and dry face. Carefully unfold the mask and apply it to your face, smoothing out any wrinkles or air bubbles. Leave it on for the recommended amount of time, usually around 15-20 minutes. During this time, you can relax, meditate, or catch up on your favorite TV show. When the time is up, gently remove the mask and discard it. Then massage any remaining serum into your skin for a glowing, refreshed complexion.
8. Do a hair mask
Your hair deserves some TLC, too! A hair mask is a great way to nourish and hydrate your hair, especially if it’s dry or damaged. You can make your own hair mask at home using natural ingredients like avocado, honey, or coconut oil. Simply mix the ingredients together, apply them to your hair, and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before washing it out.
If you don’t want to make your own hair mask, there are plenty of ready-made options available online. Look for a hair mask that’s specifically designed for your hair type and needs, whether that’s to repair damage, add shine, or boost hydration.
9. Try a new hairstyle
An easy way to switch things up in your beauty routine and boost your confidence is to try a new hairstyle, and you don’t have to be a professional stylist to try something new. There are plenty of easy-to-do hairstyles that you can experiment with at home.you don’t even have to be a professional stylist to try something new. There are plenty of easy-to-do hairstyles that you can experiment with at home.
You can try different updos, braids, curls, or straight styles using just a curling iron, straightener, hairpins, and hair ties. You can find inspiration on social media and look to YouTube or Pinterest for tutorials with step-by-step instructions.
10. Exfoliate
Exfoliating is an important step in your skincare and beauty self-care routine. It helps to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and can leave your skin looking and feeling smoother and brighter.
You can use physical exfoliants like scrubs, or chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). Choose an exfoliant that’s appropriate for your skin type and be gentle when applying it. Over-exfoliating can damage your skin and cause irritation. You should also make sure to follow up with a moisturizer or serum to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Regular exfoliation can lead to more radiant-looking skin.
11. Dry brush
Dry brushing is a simple self-care technique that can provide a range of benefits for your skin and body. Hot water can inflame your skin, so dry brushing is gentler than scrubbing your skin while you’re in the shower. Using a natural-bristle brush, gently brush your skin in circular motions, starting at your feet and working your way up your body.
This helps to exfoliate your skin, stimulate blood flow, and even promote lymphatic drainage. Make sure to avoid any sensitive areas or areas with broken skin.
12. Lotion your body
Daily moisturizing is key to keeping your skin soft, smooth, and healthy-looking. After showering or bathing, pat your skin dry with a towel and apply a generous amount of body lotion to your skin. Focus on areas where you tend to have dry skin, such as your elbows, knees, and feet. Look for lotions that contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or hyaluronic acid. These will help to hydrate and protect your skin.
You can even make the experience feel more luxurious by choosing a lotion with your favorite scent. Take a few minutes to really massage the lotion into your skin, enjoying the sensation of relaxation and rejuvenation.
13. Do a mani/pedi
There’s nothing quite like a fresh manicure and pedicure to make you feel elegant and polished. However, regular visits to the nail salon can add up quickly, so why not treat yourself to an at-home mani/pedi instead?
Start by soaking your hands and feet in warm water to soften the skin and nails. Use a nail brush to clean under your nails, and gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. Trim and shape your nails with a nail file, and apply your favorite nail polish color. Finish off with a top coat to help protect your polish and add shine. Finish with a moisturizer on your hands and feet to keep them soft and smooth.
14. Clean your makeup brushes
Cleaning your makeup brushes is an often overlooked aspect of beauty self-care, but it’s important for maintaining the health of your skin and your brushes. Dirty brushes can harbor bacteria, leading to breakouts and other skin irritations.
To clean your brushes, start by wetting them under running water. Add a few drops of gentle shampoo or brush cleaner to the bristles, and then gently massage the bristles to work up a lather. Rinse thoroughly with water, being careful not to get water inside the ferrule (the metal part that holds the bristles). Gently squeeze out any excess water, reshape the brush, and then lay it flat on a towel to dry. It’s a good idea to clean your brushes regularly to keep them in tip-top shape.
15. Spritz on some perfume
Putting on a perfume with a scent you love is one of the easiest and quickest ways to boost your confidence and feel more put-together. You can make the most of your perfume by applying it to your pulse points, which include your wrists, neck, behind your ears, and the inside of your elbows. The warmth of these areas is thought to help diffuse the scent, making it more noticeable throughout the day.
If you’re trying out a new fragrance, it’s always a good idea to test it out before committing to a full spritz. You can do this by dabbing a small amount on your wrist and wearing it for a few hours to see how the scent develops on your skin.
Try These Beauty Self-Care Ideas
Even if it feels like you don’t have time to devote to beauty self-care, challenge yourself. Try to implement just one of these practices every week. You may be amazed at the effect something seemingly small can have on your mood!
