How to Start Respecting Your Beauty Products
Looking at neat rows of products on a shelf is satisfying. It's a beautiful variety of chaos, and instant gratification. Although, there is something quite luxurious around using a product the way it's intended. The ritual of using something and finishing it lets you see the product at its fullest potential. It's infinitely more satisfying to have a neat row of products that you know without a doubt work well for you!
The secret lies in the size of the product, documenting as best you can, and finishing the product. The only exception being if something is obviously not working for you. Release the guilt that you need to finish a product to the end only because you already spent money on it.
Picking Product Size
Whenever possible, buy the smaller size. It's perfect for introducing something new into your routines and you don't know if it's a good fit. This goes double for experimenting outside of your current budget. It's always a pleasant surprise when you figure out a little of something goes a long way. Give yourself a chance to get a bang for your buck before committing to the full size.
Active Ingredients in Skin Care Products
When talking about things with active ingredients, it's paramount to introduce it to the skin as slowly as possible. Post research, it's really exciting to start using a new hero product that is supposed to work magic on your skin. With a smaller bottle, it's easier to start off with using it to the bottle's instructions without worry as much about "wasting" product from user error.
Benefits of the "mini" Size Product
Splurge on the mini version of the product! The luxurious experience of experimenting out of your budget is still there. Depending on the brand, there's a good chance that the actual amount it is recommended to use, isn't as much as what others may be using. A little can go a long way! At the end of the bottle, you'll know whether it's worth committing to the big size, making it a fuller experience.
Using Product Samples and Travel Sizes
Indulging in sampling and travel sizes is an amazing way to remind yourself you are open to enjoying more adventurous and luxurious experiences. Taking it slow and being intentional about the process makes it luxurious. From the research, to the samples and to the smaller size. There's no rush to commit to a full size product if you have no idea how it will work for you.
A Guide to Documenting Your Before's and After's
Documenting makes it easy to track results and know if something works. It helps you know how long it takes to work and how long something is effective. Depending on the timeline you could have a trail as to the visual process of the item in question. Label your photos by editing captions on them, with product names and dates. This kind of encyclopedia of knowledge is golden in retrospect and to compare and contrast while shopping.
Documenting Frequency
The most common and effective way to document results are on a monthly basis. Weekly basis documenting is more fine tuned towards specific details within your desired results. A combination of both weekly and monthly basis before and afters can give you a big picture when you need it and a closer look for something more nuanced. Tracking things like fine lines would be more accurate on a weekly basis but if your focus is on overall benefit over time a monthly check in works just as well.
Benefits of Adding Product Names and Dates of Purchase
Adding product names and dates to progress photos makes it a breeze to refer to when you're shopping for something comparable or additive. It avoids buying products that counteract your progress and helps you remember which combinations work best by keeping track of what products you introduced to your routine.
Before and After's as a Reference Point When Shopping
When shopping it’s so important to have a reference point. Usually this comes in the form of reviews from others and word of the mouth. These references should only be additive, though. The best way to make your experience more seamless is to have the knowledge of what has been working and move towards what can make it better. Plus this personal encyclopedia is perfect for having a partner pick up something that's been working or show an associate to help shop for you.
Finishing a Product Before Buying the Next One
Delay the instant gratification that comes with picking up the latest and greatest thing out right now. There's a lot of satisfaction in seeing something through to its result. Product distraction is especially present in skin care and beauty! Using a product from start to finish let's you know your skin and body from experience. Every other form of review or research is only complimentary. You only gain the experience from trial and error. From starting something and finishing when the product is empty or you know with certainty that it's not doing anything with you. Take it long term, follow the directions on the bottle.
Release the Guilt of a Product Not Working for You
As long as it's not expired (even sometimes when it is, I’ve been there), there's so much joy in using something until it's finished. Romanticize the dedication. You're worth the effort it takes to see something through. The only exception being if something isn't working for you. Make sure you take the time to really experience what the product has to offer. It's the gift you give yourself after purchase. Putting in the effort to see your vision when you bought the product come to life, literally, on your skin.
Taking the Focus Away from New Products
There is always going to be something new that catches your eye. Something with proven ingredients and dermatologist approved. Or simply won’t budge until it’s time to take it off. Your favorite people online may be gushing about it. Step away from the excitement for the delayed gratification. Take your time finishing up your products. Sometimes you'll find that the buzzy it product you were swooning over could be on sale when you go to pick it up. Give yourself the opportunity to know from experience instead of solely staking a purchase on potential.
Trial and Error When Using Products
Trial and error is a part of the experience. The only way to truly know the result is by giving full effort. Skin takes time to adjust to new things and react. Make sure that you see it through to its potential. Through trial and error you learn about your skin. What it likes and what it's sensitive to. It helps with the overwhelming need to try all the new products that are out there. It weeds out what will be worth your time and effort. Multiplying the chances of good experiences with new products.
Beauty is a long term game. Keep the beauty inside and out with these reads:
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