When we think of the term ‘spring cleaning’ we’re usually referring to cleaning up our homes, but what about us?! We deserve a spring clean too. As the warmer months are upon us, I think our mindsets change. It is less of a struggle to get up in the morning and our mood is more uplifted.
Follow my 5 Easy Steps and you’ll have a new lease of spring life in no time.
1. Spring Skincare
When spring hits, one of the places I especially like to ‘spring clean’ is my skincare draw. I take on my ritual of checking the expiry dates on each of my products.
I do this by checking the PAO (Period After Opening) – as I explained in my previous post ‘My Makeup Bag Essentials‘. This can be found on your product as a picture of a small jar with a number on it. This number indicates how long the manufacturer estimates the product will stay at its peak condition for.
As the new season begins, I also tend to treat myself to a few new products. One product I am looking to treat myself to this season is this BeautyCounter Glow Shimmer Oil, for a subtle shimmery glow to help enhance my tan in the upcoming summer months.
2. Spring Makeup
For me, spring is one of my favourite seasons for makeup. The weather gets warmer and our skin begins to have a natural glow.
We strip our makeup back for a barely-there look (my favourite kind), with lighter bases which allows our natural dewy complexion to come through.
My BeautyCounter Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation is a staple all year round due to its light coverage but also being buildable for the colder months – when a little extra coverage is needed.
As the warmer months approach, for my day look I simply apply a light layer of the foundation, with lashings of BeautyCounter Volumizing Mascara and BeautyCounter Radiant All Over Bronzer swept over my cheekbones and the frame of my face for a natural and sun-kissed look.
For the evening, I follow the same steps but also use the same bronzer on my eyelids for more definition. I also use BeautyCounter Luminous Powder Highlighter on the top of my cheekbones, down the centre of my nose and over my cupids bow – this creates the perfect glowing look.
3. Environment
Although this post is about spring cleaning ourselves, the traditional meaning of the phrase of cleaning our home is still of high importance. This is because the environment around us affect our mood and productivity, and we can’t truly spring clean ourselves until we have cleared and cleaned the area around us.
So, I think it is a good idea to pull all your belongings from your cupboards and drawers to declutter. I recommend you do this with a method – otherwise, you’ll be in for a stressful situation.
For example, when you’re cleaning out the closet, empty everything out onto the floor so you can see it clearly. After this, get three boxes, one for items you are keeping, another for those you are giving to family or friends, and finally another to donate to a local charity. My motto when decluttering is to think when I’ll use it and if it will be something I’ll need/want in six months time.
4. Body
After our skin has been buried under layers of clothing in the colder months, it is calling for some revitalising. In spring especially, I tend to swap my quick showers for a long soak in the bath with candles lit and indulge myself in a good book.
My current go-to bath products which are getting me ready for the warmer months include the BeautyCounter Sugar Body Scrub in Lemongrass. This helps to replace dull winter skin with glowing hydrated skin by buffing away any dead skin cells with the brown sugar formula.
It is also made up of hydrating sweet almond, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils and primrose, as well as having the most gorgeous citrus scent. I feel as though citrus is the perfect scent for spring.
So, following on from the scrub I also use BeautyCounter’s Body Wash in Citrus Mimosa followed by the BeautyCounter Body Butter in Citrus Mimosa, both of which hydrate my skin and leave it feeling smooth and supple.
Aside from indulging in a relaxing bath as the weather gets warmer and sandals start to make an appearance, I like to treat myself to a mani/pedi. This is a real treat to have an hour to myself where I can be pampered and relax.
5. Mind
Skincare and makeup are great but the happiest people are the most beautiful. Mindfulness is of such importance and as busy as you are you should always take at least five minutes to be with your thoughts.
Two ways to take time for mindfulness in your busy lifestyle:
Firstly if something is worrying you, write those thoughts down in a notebook. Then close it and put it away.
When you close and put it away you should try and do the same with your thoughts and (as hard as it is) try and forget about them. Before coming back the next day to reflect on your worries, decide if these worries were worth the stress and analyse why these things worried you.
This ritual will help keep negative thoughts out of your mind and help to tackle future worries.
The second way and something I practise regularly is using the Headspace app, which is the world’s leading meditation and mindfulness app that has something for everyone. For beginners, there are packs you can work your way through with fifteen-minute sessions, or for those with limited time there are five-minute exercises to help you to breathe, unwind and restore.
How do you prepare for spring?
Sun protection is another important thing to start taking serious in spring time. Find my recommendations for best mineral sunscreens here.