There is no shortcut to success. We know that your hard work and perseverance got you where you are today. But the pursuit of a successful career can make work-life balance seem like an impossible feat. If you have a 60-hour workweek, self-care rituals can fall by the wayside quickly. Fitting in an hour to exercise, and a spa appointment can seem impossible to many working women, especially those who are also mothers. But unlike success, the beauty business offers shortcuts. Here are some hacks that will help you take care of yourself and your appearance, without spending too much time or effort.
Cleansing is everything
It may seem like an obvious thing to do, but at the end of a long day, spending 2 minutes washing your face can seem like quite a task. Even if you do not wear makeup, we recommend a thorough cleansing. A good makeup remover or a gentle cleanser- take your pick. Cleansing, and then moisturising with a night cream is the easiest and the most effective beauty routine you can follow. The upside of this routine is you wake up with a fresh face and no traces of yesterday’s makeup (or worries). A good way to start the day, innit?
Dry shampoo is your friend
Gone are those days when washing your hair on a workday meant waking up early, and struggling through your shampoo-conditioner routine. Dry shampoo makes life easier. We know about bad hair days, they can be frustrating and ruin your vibe. Spray some dry shampoo into your roots, work it into the rest of the hair, comb off the excess and voila! You are sorted. While dry shampoos can be great to get more minutes on workdays, make sure you resort to a good oil massage and a traditional hair wash when you can. After all, nothing beats the benefits of cleansing your scalp with a ‘good ole hair wash’.
Look into multipurpose products
A practical approach to keep up with a beauty routine is to choose products that serve more than one purpose. Buy a face cream that also has SPF, a shampoo-conditioner hybrid, a lip stain that also doubles as blush, or a foundation that works without a primer. Beauty products are evolving and every product available now has multiple benefits, so go grab yours!
Find your hero product
It could be coconut oil, olive oil or something else. Find a natural product that you can use on your skin, hair and body. Olive oil is also full of antioxidants that will help your skin fight environmental skin damage. Coconut oil can take off makeup and also work as a moisturiser and hair softener.
Establish simple routines
You don’t have to head to a fancy spa to rejuvenate yourself. Finding 10 minutes every day to steam your face, is enough to cleanse your skin and make you feel fresh. Steam over a bowl or sink of hot water; use a face steamer or hot towels over your face. Add some lavender oil or rosemary to the water, for added benefits. This short but effective routine will open your pores, hydrate your skin, promote collagen and elastin and fight bacteria and exfoliate away dead skin. Could there be anything better than glowing skin?
Take care of sleep and diet
A more holistic approach to skincare is eating healthy and sleeping well. Picking up food from fast-food chains or street-side vendors, en route to work can seem the most convenient thing to do, but they are not ideal food choices. Keep fruits, milk, yoghurt or dry fruits readily available at your desk if you feel hunger pangs and opt for boiled, oven-baked or grilled food. While your food is sorted, sleeping well is important too. ‘Beauty sleep’ is after all essential to bring that glow back on your face. Make sure you sleep well over 6-8 hrs to keep your skin and body healthy.
