I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I feel like the word “self-care” is such a buzz phrase in our culture right now! TBH something about it makes me cringe a little because it sounds so self-centered / self-focused. But you know what I’ve realized lately? Self-care doesn’t have to be that at all. If you’re a weirdo like me and had that same stigmatism attached to the phrase “self-care”…change your mindset to think about self care like…taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to the best mom / wife / sister / friend to the people in your life that you can be.
Today I want to share with y’all what my weekly self-care routine looks like – in regards to skincare + hair care! We all hear that face masks / hair masks are so good for you but…when do you use them? How can you make them a part of your routine and use them in the most effective way possible?
So, first let’s talk about face masks. On a good week, I probably face mask 4 days a week! I don’t do the same one each time, but the combination of these different masks keeps my skin from breakouts, keeps it hydrated, and gives my skin a healthy glow. We all have different skin types or skin needs…but for me personally, my skin is “normal” (not oily, not dry), but prone to breakouts (especially now that I’m pregnant. thank you hormones!).
So for face masks – I do an exfoliating mask two times a week, and then a hydrating mask usually 2-3 times a week. Below are my favorite exfoliating masks (note: I do not use babyfacial while pregnant, but this is hands down my favorite exfoliating mask and I can’t wait to start using it again!)
So, I currently use the eminence mask above once a week, and the skinceuticals mask once a week. These two masks help exfoliate dead skin cells, help clear and prevent breakouts, and give you an overall more even skin tone! [It’s important to hydrate your skin after doing an exfoliating mask…so I always apply either marula oil and/or b-hydra after doing an exfoliating mask].
PIN IT
On two or three DIFFERENT days of the week, I will do a hydrating mask (or brightening mask, which can also be hydrating). Below are my favorite hydrating/moisturizing masks that I use on a regular basis:
I love all 3 of these masks because they leave your skin feeling moisturized and refreshed without feeling oily or shiny! Occasionally I will leave this jet lag mask on overnight and wake up with my skin feeling totally refreshed. It has vitamins and minerals in it and some exfoliating extracts as well! [You can use this as a mask, an overnight treatment, or even just wear it as a primer under your makeup if your skin is needing a little pick-me-up].
This farmacy ‘bright on’ mask is a new one for me [stared using it about a month ago] and i LOVE it. It’s a vitamin C mask that will brighten and detox your skin in one step. It removes buildup and impurities to visibly diminish the appearance of pores and improve skin tone.
This honeypotion mask is a long time favorite of mine. First of all I LOVE how it feels on your face. When you rub it in you feel it warm up and it’s SO relaxing / refreshing. This mask completely nourishes and revitalizes your skin, and gives your complexion the prettiest glow!
As far as when to face mask [ie: time of day]…in my personal opinion, I don’t think it matters. Either way, you’re putting the mask on your face haha. Sometimes I’ll do mine in the morning, after I cleanse and tone…then I mask…let it set on there for 15-30 mins depending on the mask, rinse it off, then finish my skincare routine. Sometimes I’ll do it at night after I cleanse and tone, while I’m in the bath! As long as you are applying the mask to a clean face, then you’re good. Don’t stress about what time to do it. Sometimes I’ll even do a mask in the middle of the day while I’m answering emails haha.
what i’m wearing: french terry lounge sweatshirt | french terry lounge shorts | glasses
Okay, now let’s talk about hair masks! I’ve probably tried at least 30 hair masks in the last few years…and I keep going back to my favorite two haha. There are a lot of good ones out there, but IMO, these two masks are the most effective and the most restorative for your hair.
Once a week, I use this Oribe pre-shampoo treatment [so, I guess it’s technically not a mask]. I put it on dry hair and let it sit for 20-30 mins..and then proceed to shower/wash my hair like normal [with shampoo and conditioner]. Fair warning though about this treatment…it is TOUGH to get out of your hair! Make sure you wash your hair REALLY well to get it all out, or your hair will feel greasy after. BUT, this treatment will do WONDERS for your hair – especially if you have dry or damaged hair. It will restore softness, shine and strength to your hair after just one use. This treatment also protects your hair from the drying, damaging and color-depleting effects of things like coloring or styling your hair with heat.
I typically wash my hair 3 days a week. So, one of those days I use the above pre-shampoo treatment, and on another “hair wash” day I use this Oribe gold lust transformative mask. For this mask, simply apply it like you would conditioner. Apply after you’ve shampooed, let it sit on your hair for 5-10mins, then rinse. [No need to condition after]. This mask penetrates your hair to rebuild each fiber, improve elasticity and fortify, leaving your hair super soft and full of body!
In addition to hair masks…I also use a purple shampoo and conditioner once a week to keep my highlights from getting brassy! I love this one by Oribe because it doesn’t dry your hair out like a lot of purple shampoos do. It’s nourishing while also correcting any brassy or yellow tones.
Below I rounded up a few other hair masks I’ve tried that I also really like!:
Lastly for my ‘beauty self-care routine’, I’ll talk about body exfoliating and self-tanner! [In this blog post I talk all about my fave self tanner and how I apply it]. I don’t apply self tanner once a week. I kind of just apply ‘as needed’ [aka if I have a big photoshoot or event to go to, then I’ll apply it haha]. But, you COULD do this once if a week if you really wanted to or were that dedicated to your tan haha. I always make sure I have exfoliated my skin with this body scrub and shaved 24hrs prior to applying the self tanner.
Click on any image in the collage below to shop my self-care routine!
Farmacy Honey Potion Mask | Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask | Oribe Pre-Shampoo Treatment | Kopari Coconut Scrub | St. Tropez Self-Tanner | Drunk Elephant Babyfacial | Skinceuticals Clay Mask | Oribe Gold Lust Mask | Eminence Organics Probiotics Mask | Oribe Blonde Shampoo | Oribe Blong Conditioner | Farmacy Bright On Mask
So there you go! My simple but SO important self-care routine I do every week to keep my hair and skin as healthy as possible! Let me know if you guys have any favorite hair or face masks I should try out! Always looking for new ones to add to my regimen.
Thanks for reading!
xo Lauren
