If you’re all about a simplified, no-fuss life, beauty trends might feel like too much work for too little reward. We feel you! That’s why we’re sharing these hassle-free beauty tips, so you can get the results you want, without all the effort.
Some people love hearing or reading about all the latest beauty product ingredients, techniques, and trends. If that’s not your thing, but you still want to take good care of your skin and hair, these seven low-maintenance beauty tips are for you.
Dry Brush Your Skin
If you’ve never heard of or tried dry brushing, it simply means running a dry, natural-fiber brush all over your body. The bristles will gently exfoliate your skin, improve circulation, open pores, and stimulate your body’s natural detox mechanisms.
It’s a quick and easy practice that is simple enough for even the least fussy among us. All you need is a quality brush with coarse, but gentle, bristles. If you’re environmentally conscious, or just looking for an easy-to-hold brush, goop’s G.Tox is a great choice. It’s all-natural, vegan, and ethically sourced, with a curved handle for easy grip and reach.
For a super-affordable and effective option, you can’t go wrong with Esker’s Beauty Dry Brush. The natural bristles are soft enough to feel gentle on the skin, but firm enough to be effective. It also features a handle wrapped in hemp twine for a more comfortable grip.
Find a Signature Scent
When you smell good, you feel good! That’s why one of the easiest ways to feel more polished and put-together is to spritz on a bit of perfume. Having a signature scent can make you feel luxurious and elegant (or just plain cool), but it’s also incredibly low-effort.
If you’re new to the perfume game, it can feel overwhelming when you see the enormous variety of scents on the store shelves. One option is to spend a little time at a department store perfume counter and browse their samples. Many will even give you some tiny sample spritzers to take home and try out.
After you sample a few, you’ll start to narrow down your preferences. If you prefer lighter scents that combine fruity and floral notes, you might like Jo Malone’s English Pear & Freesia. If you’re looking for something a bit warmer, Ambery Vanilla by Dossier is a good starting point.
Citrus lovers might enjoy Fresh’s Citron de Vigne, while those who prefer something heavier and muskier should check out for her by Narciso Rodriguez.
The scent of perfume can change when it mixes with each individual’s body chemistry, which is why sampling something first—for an entire day, if possible—is best. After all, most fragrances are expensive, so you want to make sure you really love one and that it’ll last all day before you purchase a whole bottle.
Websites like MicroPerfumes and LuckyScent offer samples or decants (larger than a sample, but smaller than a full bottle) for a wide variety of scents. You can get some for under $1 each, so read the descriptions and see which contain ingredients similar to those you’ve tried and liked at the store.
Also, keep in mind a little bit of perfume goes a long way—you only need a spritz or two at a time. While it’s true many are pricey, one bottle of perfume will last you a long time, so think of it as an investment.
After you know which scents you prefer, another option is to actually create your own signature fragrance. My Custom Scent has a sample/decant order service with a walk-through process to customize and create your very own perfume.
Get a Detangling Brush
A dedicated detangling brush can be a real game changer when it comes to saving time in your routine. They’re designed to get rid of knots and tangles without damaging or tearing your hair. You can also find one that will enhance your hair’s natural texture.
For most hair textures, you can’t go wrong with the Tangle Teezer. Its sturdy paddle shape gives it plenty of strength, while the long, flexible “bristles” detangle hair without breaking or damaging it. Plus, it comes in several cute colors, and who doesn’t love that?
For a helpful wet-to-dry detangler, consider the Drybar Super Lemon Drop, which is made by the popular blowout salon chain of the same name. Its flexible bristles with rounded tips work through knots and will also work well on most hair textures.
Use Moisturizer and Sunscreen Daily
Even if you have zero interest in beauty trends, you still need to take care of your skin, and that means you need two things: moisturizer and sunscreen.
Rather than picking something up at the drugstore, consider splurging on a nicer moisturizer, especially if you don’t use any other skin treatments. You’ll be amazed at how much the right ingredients can nourish and improve the look of your skin.
We recommend something light, but hydrating, like Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide. The honey provides antioxidants and natural antibacterial properties, which also support clear skin. The ceramides will replenish your skin’s natural moisture.
We all need to wear sunscreen daily, and it’s important to use a formula that’s good for your skin, while also providing significant SPF coverage. At the minimum, look for SPF 30. You also want something that provides “broad spectrum” coverage to protect your skin from all types of UV rays.
If you have sensitive skin, or you’re just looking for a non-greasy sunscreen that won’t cause a breakout, try Sun Bum’s Face 50. It’s broad-spectrum with SPF 50, but it’s also vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
The hypoallergenic formula is also free of parabens, gluten, oil, or fragrances. Aloe vera soothes your skin, while Vitamin E offers antioxidants, all in a lightweight formula. It will moisturize in addition to protecting your skin, but without a greasy, heavy texture.
Use a Tinted Moisturizer
If you’re not that into makeup but want to smooth out your complexion, a tinted moisturizer is the way to go. It pulls double duty as a moisturizer and light foundation. The biggest time commitment is finding one that blends the best with your skin tone.
For something super-lightweight and versatile, you can’t go wrong with ILIA’s Super Serum Skin Tint. You apply this thin, light formula with the included dropper, and it comes in 28 different shades. Plus, it contains hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate your skin, niacinamide to promote clarity, and SPF 40 for sun protection, so you actually get triple duty out of this product.
Another popular tinted moisturizer is made by Tower 28 Beauty. Its SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation will appeal to even those who don’t follow beauty trends. It’s a long-wear, lightweight foundation that comes in 14 shades, based on both skin color and undertones.
It’s also a clean, vegan formula that goes on easy and lasts all day. This is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to smooth out their skin tone in the morning and not think about it for the rest of the day.
Skip the Flat Iron & Throw On a Hat or Headband
Don’t want to bother with styling your hair? No problem! Just grab a hat or headband, and you’ll be out the door in minutes. A bold headband is an easy way to add a pop of color or texture, while also keeping flyaways out of your face.
The best way to try out some headbands is with an assortment pack. For a slightly glam look, this four-pack from Allucho is perfect. They’re velvet with pearl detailing in four different colors.
If you prefer patterns and brighter colors, check out AHONEY’s 20-Pack of Boho-style bands. You’ll be able to rock a new pattern almost every day of the month with one purchase.
If you’re having a bad hair day, rockin’ second-day hair, or you just aren’t in the mood to do your full hair routine, you can also grab a hat! Whether you prefer wide-brimmed styles or jaunty caps, a hat is a must-have for anyone who wants the option of a low-effort look.
Different hats suit certain face shapes better than others, so to help you choose your go-to lid, you’ll want to get an idea of which style will look best on you. Of course, the best way to do this is to try on some hats at a store, but these general guidelines should also help:
- Square face: Look for floppy or wide-brim hats. Their soft lines will contrast nicely with the angles of your face.
- Long face: Wide brims will balance out the length of your face by adding some width.
- Round face: Try sharp styles, like fedoras and cloches. You’re looking to add angles—it’s the exact opposite of a square face.
- Heart-shaped face: Caps like newsboys work great, as well as short-brims and cowboy hats.
Swipe On Some Mascara
If you’re not much of a makeup person, but still want to brighten and call attention to your eyes, all you need is a quick swipe of mascara. It’s a quick, easy way to boost your look with just a few seconds of effort. You don’t need to get a super-fancy or expensive brand, but you might want to look for a mascara that’ll add a bit of volume and/or length.
We like L’Oreal’s Voluminous Lash Paradise because it’s affordable and available pretty much everywhere. A few swipes of this stuff will really make your eyes pop thanks to the extra lash volume. The formula also won’t flake or smear when worn all day.
If you prefer a volumizing, waterproof mascara for super-long wear, try CoverGirl’s LashBlast. Another super-affordable drugstore brand, this mascara’s formula won’t flake. Plus, the unique brush design provides both volume and coverage to create a full lash with maximum impact in just a few swipes.
Not everyone is passionate about skin care and cosmetics, but most of us want to look our best whenever possible. These easy beauty tips will ensure you always look and feel put together, without having to spend tons of extra time or money.
