Hi Beauties,
2024 was off to a slow start for me (And That’s OK!). I was truly unmotivated. While everyone was screaming New Year, New Me! I honestly could not get myself together. I was going through the motions of going to work and waiting for the day to end so that I could come home, sit on the couch and scroll social media watching other creators plan and execute their daily micro-beauty habits. I was overwhelmed with the thought of all the things I planned to do for myself, that it was keeping me away from actually executing the task. At the beginning of February, I had enough of procrastinating. And I started slowly putting my self-care plans in motion.
It’s important for me to live a healthy, happy, and productive life. I had to tell myself that I don’t need to make massive changes all at once. Instead I focused on the micro habits I can start immediately and make me feel the most confident. I prioritized building consistent and sustainable rituals that can slowly create positive change in my life.
- Dressing like “That Girl” for Work- I work in a very casual environment and my daily attire can range from leggings, t-shirt, and cardigan to jeans t-shirt/sweatshirt. While I love to be comfortable, I rather be viewed as polished and put together. I started with changing my mindset for how I want to be perceived at work. It’s hard for me to receive compliments. So I would try to blend in with my co-workers and look forward to throwing on my fit for the weekend. I started to tell myself, if someone compliments you, just simply say “thank you”. No need to downplay myself or be forced to compliment them back.
Since making the commitment to looking polished every single day that I step foot outside, I became more motivated. I am complimented not just on how I am dressed but on how happy I look. I appear more interesting, people in my workplace and in the community hold conversations with me. My appearance has made me more inviting and approachable. If you are interested in techniques to dress better, check out my last post 3 WAYS TO DRESS BETTER TODAY – The Beauty- Lush
2. Starting a simple Skin Care Routine- My goal is to improve the brightness and texture of my skin. In a short amount of time I have noticed an improvement in my skin. For more information on the products I have been using, the skin care haul I posted last week-MY JOURNEY TO BEAUTIFUL AND GLOWING SKIN – The Beauty- Lush
3. Hair Care Routine- I never had an issue retaining the length of my hair, but I started to experience thinning and hair loss. I began to treat my scalp. I research products that can help care for my scalp and regrow my hair naturally. As a black woman, I have been conditioned to not wash my hair too often because it would strip it of its moisture. I learned to add the moisture back. I started washing and conditioning my hair weekly. Before turning to harsh oral or topical medications, I wanted to CONSISTENTLY explore essential oils first. I learned Rosemary oil acts as a natural Minoxidil and improves hair growth. Tea Tree Oil helps prevent product buildup, dead skin on the scalp, and prevents breakage. Castor Oil helps improve scalp circulation. Batana oil is rich in vitamin e and helps to strengthen and repair damaged hair and moisturize. Oregano Oil- Stimulate blood flow and circulation. Since consistently starting this routine there is a noticeable change in my hair density and the bald patches are slowly growing in.
4. Nail Care- In 2019 I freed myself from the financial burden of getting my nails professionally done every month. I started to notice the emergence of the press-on lifestyle and I wanted in. Once I learned how to make my press-on nails look as good and thick as acrylic nails, it was up from there. Slowly I became unmotivated to do my nails and I would wear them bare and unmanicured. Recently, I made a promise to myself to keep my nails done (or at least manicure) because it adds to my polished appearance. To achieve every 10-14 days (10 days are more ideal for me) I started to purchase nails that were already tinted nudely pink, taupe, brown colors or French manicure and I would add base, builder gel (for thickness and reduce color from chipping) and a shiny topcoat. By doing this I reduce the time of actually painting my nails by an hour and I am likely to be more consistent.
I also started doing weekly pedicures at home. During the colder months, I like to give my toe nails a break from gel polish. Although, I am not applying polish; I still don’t want to neglect my feet. I started weekly pedicures to ensure my nails stay manicured and feet stay supple and soft.
5. Ice/Jade Rolling & Gua Sha- Another Micro Beauty Habit I started was depuffing my face in the morning with a cold Jade roller and using a Gua Sha at night to sculpt my face for 3 minutes daily. I wanted to reduce my double chin and inflammation in my neck.
6. Reading Before Bed- Reading before bed helps me to settle in and relax. Reading before bed helps calm my mind and helps with letting go of the stresses of the day. My goal is to increase my vocabulary and reduce scrolling social media in the evenings. Currently I am reading “Atomic Habits and 100 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think”.
Starting these microbeauty habits has made me prioritize my self-care not only because of how it makes me look but how it makes me feel. Beauties, there is power in caring for yourself. Please share some of your Micro Beauties Habits in the comment section below.
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Until Next Time Beauties,
FATIMAH
