We’ve all been there; staring at a bathroom shelf groaning under the weight of half-used serums, mysterious creams we bought on a whim, and products we swore would change our lives but have barely touched since that first optimistic application. The modern beauty routine has become unnecessarily complicated, turning what should be a moment of self-care into a chore that feels more like a chemistry experiment.
The truth? A simpler routine is not only easier to maintain, but it’s often better for your skin, your wallet, and your sanity. With that in mind, here are 11 ways to simplify your beauty routine and actually stick to it, IDEAL for anyone who’s tired of the faff and ready for something more manageable.
Embrace Multi-Tasking Products
The quickest way to streamline your routine (and your makeup bag, quite honestly!) is to invest in products that do double duty. A tinted moisturiser with SPF, for instance, combines three steps into one: moisturising, sun protection, and light coverage. BB creams and CC creams are brilliant for this, as are lip and cheek tints that can be dabbed on both areas for a cohesive, natural look.
The beauty industry has caught on to our collective desire for simplicity, and there are now more multi-tasking products than ever before. Look for cleansers that also remove makeup, or night creams that double as masks. Your morning routine will thank you.
Master The ‘Skinimalism’ Trend
‘Skinimalism’ is exactly what it sounds like: minimal skincare that focuses on skin health rather than covering imperfections. The philosophy is simple; use fewer, better products and let your natural skin shine through.
A basic routine of cleanser, moisturiser, and SPF is often all you really need. If you want to add something extra, a good vitamin C serum in the morning or a retinol at night can work wonders. But resist the urge to pile on ten different products. As dermatologists often remind us, more isn’t always better, and overloading your skin can actually cause more problems than it solves.
Invest In Quality Over Quantity
Rather than accumulating dozens of mediocre products, invest in a handful of really good ones. Yes, they might cost more upfront, but they’ll last longer, work better, and you’ll actually use them consistently.
A quality cleanser, a reliable moisturiser, and a good SPF are the holy trinity of skincare. Everything else is optional. When you’re not drowning in choices every morning, it’s much easier to stick to your routine.
Rethink Your Hair Removal Strategy
Let’s talk about the elephant in the bathroom: hair removal. Whether it’s daily shaving, fortnightly waxing appointments, or the never-ending cycle of epilating and regretting, it’s one of those tasks that eats up far more time than we’d care to admit.
If you’re constantly feeling like you’re in a battle with your razor, it might be worth exploring more long-term options. Full body laser hair removal has become increasingly accessible and, whilst it requires an initial commitment of both time and money, it could potentially reduce the amount of time spent on hair removal in the long run. Results vary significantly from person to person, and multiple sessions are typically needed.
For some people, it can mean less frequent shaving or waxing, though it’s worth noting that not everyone experiences the same level of hair reduction. It’s not for everyone, and there are plenty of other options to consider, from sugaring to simply embracing your natural body hair. The point is to choose what works for you and your lifestyle, not what the beauty industry insists you should be doing.
Create A Capsule Beauty Collection
Just as a capsule wardrobe streamlines your clothing choices, a capsule beauty collection does the same for your products. The idea is to curate a small selection of versatile, high-quality products that work well together and cover all your basics.
Start by assessing what you actually use daily. Be honest with yourself. That eyeshadow palette you bought two years ago but have only used twice? It’s not earning its place on your shelf. Pare down to the essentials: one foundation you love, one mascara that works, a couple of lip colours you actually reach for. You’ll find getting ready becomes quicker and less stressful when you’re not facing decision paralysis every morning.
Simplify Your Hair Routine
Hair care can be just as complicated as skincare, with countless products promising miraculous transformations. But the reality is, most of us only need a good shampoo, conditioner, and perhaps one styling product.
Consider your hair type and lifestyle, then choose products accordingly. If you have straight hair that air-dries well, you don’t need a cupboard full of styling tools and products. If you have curly hair, a leave-in conditioner might be your one essential. The key is finding what works for you and not feeling pressured to own everything the beauty industry tells you that you need.
For an even simpler approach, look into low-maintenance haircuts that work with your natural texture rather than against it. The right cut can eliminate the need for daily styling altogether.
Batch Your Beauty Tasks
Some beauty tasks don’t need to be done daily. By batching similar tasks together, you can free up time during your regular routine. For instance, dedicate one evening a week to painting your nails, doing a face mask, or trimming your eyebrows, rather than trying to squeeze these tasks into your daily schedule.
This approach also works well for things like deep conditioning treatments or exfoliation. Doing them weekly rather than attempting a complicated routine every single day makes the whole process more manageable and, dare we say it, more enjoyable.
Streamline Your Makeup Application
If you wear makeup daily, consider adopting a signature look that you can execute quickly and confidently. This doesn’t mean wearing exactly the same thing every day, but rather having a go-to formula you can rely on.
For many people, this might be: tinted moisturiser, concealer where needed, a swipe of mascara, and a lip colour. For others, it might include a quick brush of bronzer or a defined brow. The point is to develop a routine you can do almost on autopilot, saving the experimental looks for weekends or special occasions.
Another time-saver? Skip the primer, setting spray, and other ‘optional’ steps that the beauty industry insists you need. If your makeup looks good without them, you don’t need them.
Embrace Your Natural Features
This might be the most radical suggestion of all: what if you simply didn’t do some things? Not every beauty standard needs to be met. If you’re comfortable with your natural eyebrows, you don’t need to fill them in every day. If you like your skin without foundation, don’t wear it.
The most sustainable beauty routine is one that feels authentic to you, not one that tries to tick every box the beauty industry has created. Embracing your natural features, whether that’s freckles, naturally full brows, or minimal eyelashes, can dramatically simplify your routine whilst boosting your confidence.
Establish A Realistic Evening Routine
One of the biggest reasons people abandon their beauty routines is because the evening routine feels like too much effort, especially after a long day. The solution? Make it so simple that you can’t talk yourself out of it.
At its most basic, your evening routine needs to achieve one thing: remove the day from your face. A good cleanser and a moisturiser. That’s it. If you’re too tired for anything else, these two steps are non-negotiable. You can always add more on nights when you have the energy, but having a bare minimum routine means you’ll actually do it every single night.
Keep your products next to the sink where you brush your teeth. Piggyback the habit onto something you already do without thinking. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to stick with it.
Regular Decluttering Sessions
Finally, commit to regular decluttering of your beauty products. Every few months, go through your collection and be ruthless. Check expiry dates (yes, makeup and skincare do expire), test products to see if they’ve changed texture or smell, and honestly assess what you actually use.
If you haven’t reached for something in three months, you’re probably not going to. It’s just taking up space and making your routine feel more complicated than it needs to be. Donate unopened products if possible, and bin anything that’s past its best.
A streamlined collection makes it easier to see what you have, means you’ll actually use your products before they expire, and removes the mental clutter of too many choices.
The beauty of a simplified routine (pun entirely intended) is that it’s sustainable. You’re more likely to stick with something that takes five minutes than something that requires half an hour. And consistency, as any dermatologist will tell you, is far more important than complexity when it comes to seeing real results.
So go ahead, simplify. Your skin, your schedule, and your stress levels will all benefit. And you might just find that looking after yourself becomes something you enjoy again, rather than another task on an endless to-do list.
