Being a medium-maintenance girl isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating space for rituals that feel good and habits that support your day-to-day. I truly believe that when you look good, you feel good, and an intentional routine can make all the difference in how you show up each day.
My beauty routine leans more into skincare that acts like makeup, a streamlined stack of everyday staples, and rituals that help me stay centered. I swear by my morning supplements, get my steps in on the walking pad, and never skip sunscreen (yes, even on gloomy days). I gua sha because it feels like a calming reset. I rotate my products like a capsule wardrobe. And I genuinely love the hunt for quality products, especially when it comes to skincare. You can explore my go-to products, from skincare to haircare staples, over on my ShopMy storefront. Everything I mention in this post is linked there for easy browsing.
Ahead, I’m breaking down the rituals that keep me feeling my best, from daily habits to weekly resets and monthly maintenance. Whether you're building your own routine or just looking for new ideas, consider this your guide to romanticizing your beauty and wellness rituals in a way that feels soft, sustainable, and fully you.
Confession #1: The Daily Non-Negotiables
Some of the things I do each day feel like anchors, consistent touchpoints that help me move through the rest of my day with more clarity and ease. My mornings usually begin quietly, with a prayer and a few minutes of journaling to check in with myself before the day fully begins. Movement typically comes next, whether it’s a walk paired with a Pilates session or a beginner-friendly ballet class. I’ll often have soft music playing or a show on in the background.
Currently, I keep a simple skincare routine rooted in hydration and skin barrier support. Double cleansing has truly changed my skin for the better. From there, I always reach for glow-enhancing serums, hydrating mists, lightweight facial oils, and rich creams that double as primer. My skin is always prepped and protected with SPF (yes, even on rainy days), and I always finish with a hydrating lip gloss or balm. Brushing my teeth morning and night without fail is just another part of the rhythm. And body care is just as important to me. Morning and night, I use a nourishing moisturizer, a body oil packed with antioxidants, and sunscreen. Most evenings, I pair a lightweight facial oil with my gua sha routine. And every other evening right before bed, I also apply castor oil to my lashes to maintain their health and length. As a way to slow down and enjoy the process as an act of self-care, I almost always light a candle while I get ready.
Supplements are another daily essential. After breakfast, I pair a glass of water or tea with a few go-to vitamins: Iron, Vitamin D3, Vitamin C, Lemme Glow for hair, skin, and nails, and Lemme Grow for hair growth and anti-shedding. They support my energy, mood, and overall glow from within. You can explore more of my wellness lineup here.
Confession #2: My Weekly Reset Rituals
There’s something so relaxing about having a few beauty rituals to come back to each week. I don’t do them all at once, but over the week, these are the habits that help me feel most like myself.
Twice a week, I’ll shave (including dermaplaning my face), exfoliate, and layer on a nourishing in-shower oil. It’s the kind of ritual that takes a little more time, but the combination is heaven-sent for soft skin that feels and smells so good. I also make time for a face mask once a week, usually something soothing or clarifying, depending on how my skin is feeling. I’ll also shape my brows twice a week to keep them looking defined, and I never skip washing my makeup brushes and sponges.
When it comes to nails, I usually keep up with my pedicure at home, which includes trimming, shaping, cuticle care, and a fresh coat of polish as part of a relaxed evening ritual. For my hands, I keep things simple with clean, short nails that I shape and maintain myself. I’ll occasionally opt for acrylics or gel for vacations, events, or special occasions when I want something a little more polished and long-lasting. And of course, I always work in a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask, especially if I’ve been heat styling or just want to give my hair a little extra love after so many slicked back hairstyles.
Confession #3: Monthly Maintenance Moments
One of my biggest high-effort but low-maintenance wins is braiding my own hair. My go-to style is French curl braids, sealed with a firm-hold hairspray and mousse for added shine. It takes time to do them myself, but once they’re done, it's a style that is easy to maintain throughout the month and makes getting ready feel so much easier.
I also take time to restock any skincare staples I’ve run low on, and seasonally, I’ll adjust my routine depending on what my skin needs. In the colder months, I introduce shea butter into my bodycare lineup and use coconut oil at night to help lock in moisture. These swaps keep my skin feeling smooth and soft, all season.
Confession #4: Products I’m Loyal To
When it comes to skincare, these are the products that always stay in rotation and have earned a permanent spot in my skincare bag or on the shelf. In the evening, I start with a double cleanse using Dermalogica’s Precleanse Oil to melt away makeup and buildup, followed by Rhode’s Pineapple Refresh Cleanser for a gentle, effective second cleanse. After cleansing, I reach for Byoma’s Hydrating Milky Toner, which feels incredibly soothing and gives my skin a plump, prepped base for the rest of my products. I follow that with the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, a lightweight, deeply soothing layer that supports my skin barrier. For glow, the Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum delivers a healthy, dewy complexion that lasts. I turn to Rhode’s Glazing Milk when I want added hydration and that glass skin finish. My moisturizer of choice tends to change seasonally, depending on what my skin needs. Throughout the day, the Caudalie Beauty Elixir Face Mist is my favorite for a quick, refreshing reset. No matter the season, I always finish with sunscreen SPF 30 or higher to keep my skin protected.
OLEHENRIKSEN’s Banana Bright+ Eye Crème is one of my top picks for targeted under-eye care, brightening and smoothing the area while also working beautifully under makeup. Similarly, their Pout Preserve Lip Treatment provides long-lasting hydration and a glossy finish I adore. I have also enjoyed incorporating Lemme Glow Gummies into my routine, as they continue to support the health of my hair, skin, and nails from the inside out. Their Sleep Gummies have also become the perfect addition to my evening rituals for more restful nights.
My approach to body care follows the same philosophy as skincare: thoughtful, consistent, and tailored to what my skin needs most. Shea butter and coconut oil are essentials in my body care routine during colder months when my skin craves added hydration. In warmer weather, I rely on Kopari’s Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50, which not only offers reliable sun protection but also adds a gorgeous, radiant layer on my skin. I also swear by Nécessaire’s Multi-Peptide Body Lotion for its replenishing properties and lasting fragrance that complements my perfumes so well.
Confession #5: I Romanticize Everything
Most times, it’s the little luxuries and habits that transform a routine into a ritual. For me, that looks like lighting a candle while I get ready, slipping into a cozy robe before skincare, and playing soft music in the background to set the tone. I love sipping herbal tea or matcha while I move through my skincare steps, and some evenings, I’ll go for a warm cup of bone broth instead, especially when I want something soothing that supports both my skin and gut health.
It’s in these small details that I find space to slow down, enjoy the moment, and make everyday routines feel more elevated.
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