Hair

Why it might be time to update your beauty routine

8 August, 2024 . 0

Is your beauty routine stale and repetitive? It might be time to update your make-up and skincare. Here’s how to level up your beauty game.

It’s no secret the sheer volume of beauty products on the market can overwhelm even the most avid beauty fans, which is why many of us buy the same tried and trusted products again and again.

What’s more, many of us replicate this habit at the salon, requesting the same cut and colour for years or getting the same signature manicure every time we get our nails done.

But by sticking to your “beauty holy grails”, you could be missing out on better alternatives.

Is it time to shake things up?

Cosmetic formulator and New Laboratories chief executive Rohan Widdison understands the mindset but says that branching out of your beauty comfort zone doesn’t have to be extreme.

“It’s quite common that consumers are reluctant to deviate from their tried and tested beauty products,” Rohan says.

“They might be afraid of an adverse skin reaction, doubt the efficacy of a product or not want to spend money on something that might not work for them.”

He encourages readers to cautiously experiment with new products by first reading reviews and checking ingredient lists for known irritants.

“Introduce products slowly, one at a time, and give yourself some time to gauge how the product is performing,” he advises.

How to refresh your make-up bag

Most people gravitate to an everyday make-up look they know they can rely on.

But if your go-to face is leaving you uninspired, there are simple ways to give it a refresh.

According to celebrity make-up artist and content creator Alessandra Maiolo, upgrading your base product is one of the easiest ways to update your make-up look.

“Skin is really having a moment in beauty and we’re seeing this even in make-up, with skincare-infused products and sheer foundations and tints gaining popularity,” Alessandra says.

“Switching up your base make-up for something sheerer and more skin-like isn’t just on trend but also flattering. Even if you have blemishes, spot concealing looks better than going in with a heavy foundation all over.”

Another way to update your look is by investing in cool-toned make-up such as an eyeshadow palette or lip liner.

“Neutrals are always going to be appealing for everyday make-up but cooler tones have gained popularity in recent times, especially a cool-toned lip or eye look,” Alessandra says.

Rather than stick to warmer, bronzed shades, which have been standard for close to a decade, try grey and beige eyeshadows for a more muted, ’90s-inspired effect.

“I also love that there’s so many brown mascaras and eyeliners on the market right now,” Alessandra says.

“They’re a great alternative for anyone who finds black a little too harsh against their colouring, or for people who prefer softer make-up in general.”

How to update your skincare

The beauty industry’s focus on skin has meant more people are keen to buy targeted skincare and treatments.

“Consumer demand for specific ingredients, scientifically proven products and personalised beauty continues to influence the development of the next generation of products,” Rohan notes.

He predicts “trusted favourites” such as niacinamide, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid will continue to feature prominently on the skincare circuit for some time to come.

“In addition to these, new buzzword ingredients will rise in popularity in the form of bakuchiol, adaptogens and probiotic skin treatments,” he says.

If you’re looking to trade up your skincare for better results, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy more expensive products, or products with an abundance of ingredients.

In fact, targeted products with fewer ingredients are rising in popularity.

Rather than invest in an expensive anti-ageing moisturiser, try pairing a topical-grade retinol with a simple moisturiser rich in hyaluronic acid and ceramides.

Instead of expensive resurfacing facials that can take days to heal, at-home cosmetic LED masks are considered a less invasive, more affordable alternative that target acne and fine lines.

The power of a fresh hairstyle

For many of us, hair is like a security blanket and not something we rush to dramatically change.

Consequently, it’s pretty easy to fall into a rigid routine of getting the same old cut and colour, and styling it the same way every day.

A big misconception about switching up your look is it has to involve a dramatic change.

Rather than opt for a hair shade in a polar-opposite hue or cut your hair into an extreme bob, try something a little more subtle, such as “babylights” to slightly lift the hair colour a few shades, or have layers cut in without compromising your length, to create more movement and texture.

Even something as simple as embracing a warmer or cooler hair tone within your existing hair shade range can help to enhance your hair and overall appearance in a beautiful, subtle way.

More expert beauty tips and tricks:

Written by beauty editor Charlotte Brundrett.