There have already been a few posts on the blog on the topic why I love working from home so much (you can check this and this post, if you are curious to find out more) but today I wanted to share with you one of the key advantages of my new working situation. No matter how busy the work day can get, I can always find enough time to take care of some beauty tasks that previously got pushed back and back. I used to keep a relatively basic beauty routine during my Monday to Friday given the fact that I had so little time at home. But now seeing that all I am doing these days is staying at home, I have found a little more time to do the extra steps that I would normally squeeze into a Saturday or a Sunday.
I used to stockpile beauty products like face and hair masks “for best” and really special occasions because I simply had not have the opportunity to enjoy them more often. This has changed drastically in the past year and now I am actively using my “stockpiles” and both my skin and hair are reaping the rewards. So today I wanted to share with you these extra bits and bobs that I am doing on a regular basis and that are making me feel somewhat polished even though I am only working from home.
SKINCARE
I have always tried to follow my skincare routines (both in the mornings and in the evenings) but I must admit that there were days when I used to fall off the wagon. And the repercussions of that never failed to materialize the very next day… So now that I am working from home permanently, I have made it my mission not only to do my routines every single day but also to experiment with beauty products until I find the best fits for my skin at any given moment.
With summer fast approaching I have switched a few things around but my skincare routines have stayed almost the same for the past few months. In the morning I always start with a gentle cleanse, followed by my favorite facial serum, my new summer moisturizer, any spot treatment I might need, and finishing off with a light layer of sun protection. In the evenings, I repeat the steps featuring the cleanser and facial serum, but then I switch to my favorite night cream and a facial oil every now and then. If you feel a bit overwhelmed by the numerous beauty products you need to include in your routines, you can always check my post on the correct order to apply your skin care products.
SHEET MASK
I have always loved buying and stockpiling sheet masks but more often I have ended up forgetting totally about them and never getting round to actually using them. If you had the chance to look at my beauty drawer before, you would most probably think that I had cracked one out every morning but the reality was far different. Sheet masks did tend to take much time out of my day so I rarely had the opportunity to enjoy one before.
As with my skincare routines, this has changed now and I can definitely say that I really enjoy having a sheet mask on while writing my to-do list in the morning. I try to incorporate a sheet mask into my skincare at least once a week and some of my favorites for the past months have been one of the Garner bestsellers, like the Super Hydrating Replumping Hydra Bomb Tissue Mask with extract of pomegranate and hyaluronic acid, the Super-Hydrating Re-balancing Hydra Bomb Tissue Mask with extract of green tea and hyaluronic acid, and the Orange Juice and Hyaluronic Acid Moisture+ Fresh Look Eye Tissue Mask.
MINIMAL MAKEUP FAVES
On a usual day I would normally go completely makeup free as I got accustomed to feeling my face super fresh and free from any makeup that may clog my pores. However, there are days when a hint of makeup would do wonders to my general mood before hopping on that unexpected work call. In such cases I rely on some minimal makeup favorites that are enough to make me feel a little polished but not so much that it feels like a faff to remove later on or do some touch-ups throughout the day.
I always start with my base and even though I have talked a lot about my love for the Lumene CC Color Correcting Cream, applying even a small amount of it sometimes feels like too much of an effort. So I tend to switch to the Lumene Matte Oil-Control primer instead because with just a sweep it can reduce shine and diminish the appearance of enlarged pores for a fresh, shine-free complexion, totally video-ready. On top of it, I tend to apply a small amount of the Nyx Mineral Matte Finishing Powder for an effortless look. If necessary, I add a bit of the Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define concealer under my eyes to brighten them up, brush through my brows with a simple eyebrow brush and curl my lashes for a more “awake” look. Finally, I add a bit of lip balm to moisturize my lips and I am all ready for the day ahead.
A FEW NICE-TO-HAVE EXTRAS
I’ve been using these extra pockets of time to do extra steps in my routine that I would normally just crack out every couple of weeks even though they only take an extra 10 minutes or so every day. They aren’t that time-consuming and every time I actually do them, I realize how nice they feel and I promise myself that I will do them more often.
First of all, let’s talk about the hype about face mists! I was late to the hype but I can really see why people love them so much especially in the warmer summer days. I try to keep my favorite face mist – the Garnier Bio Nourishing Mist – close by on my desk and spray it on my face every now and then during the day when my skin feels a bit dull after hours in front of the screen. Another extra that I tend to use more often now is the Essie Apricot Nail & Cuticle Oil. I have used it for months while doing my nails but recently I have started using it on a more regular basis just to refresh the look of my nails and make them a bit more presentable when I don’t have the time for a full manicure.
Have you changed your beauty rituals after you started working from home? Anything new you started doing more often? Let me know in the comments below.
