Credit : Tom Newton of Into the Gloss
SKIN DEEP
This piece is all about self-care , but writing it has been the opposite for me . It ’ s caused me a lot of stress for some reason . Maybe because it ’ s hard to define what self-care really is . I ’ ve seen a lot of headlines boasting about how a Lush bath bomb does not equal self-care , which I understand to a certain degree , but another part of me wonders , why not ? Why can ’ t a beauty routine be held up as healing just as much as working out or letting go of a toxic relationship ? To me , self-care is about escapism and clearing the mind . I think that the rise of social media and selling a lifestyle to followers has made people jaded and somewhat cynical about certain industries , including the beauty industry . If you ’ re documenting your bath solely to show off its fizzy , whimsical swirls to the internet , then yes , that ’ s not self-care . That part of the act isn ’ t for you , although you may get some instant gratification from views or likes , ultimately , that ’ s not helping you reach any kind of lasting peace . Like I said , I understand the bath bomb debate to an extent . However , for some , having a beauty routine is the ultimate act of self-care .
I ’ ve found that at the heart of self-care lies routine . Doing something that you know how to do well and can anticipate the outcome is reassuring and relaxing . I ’ m a huge advocate for winding down with a beauty regimen , hence this article , but one of my other favorite ways to calm myself down and relieve stress is by baking cookies , specifically chocolate chip ones . I ’ ve made them so many times now that I have the recipe memorized and don ’ t even have to consult the back of the Nestlé packet . It ’ s not even about eating the cookies , often I ’ ll give them away to friends and family . The healing aspect of it , once again , lies within the routine . So , a step-by-step beauty routine is an ideal peace-bringing process for some . Unless you use a new product that immediately wreaks havoc on your skin , the guaranteed outcome of cozying up to a few face masks is relaxation . Like I said earlier , a guaranteed outcome is important in self-care . It eliminates uncertainty which leads to stress , something that is in abundance in this life .
Unfortunately , another branch of beauty that gets a bad rep is makeup . A morning makeup routine is sometimes a person ’ s , for example a mother ’ s , only time to themselves and they cherish that sliver of self-care . It ’ s not about waking up and putting on a mask to disguise oneself from the day ahead of them , makeup application can be a calming process . Obviously , for it to constitute as self-care , you would have to actually enjoy putting on makeup . For those who quake at the sight of a Beauty Blender , stay far away . But , for those who love makeup and its powers , go forth and contour . To wrap up this published tangent , face masks , serums , and all the bath bombs in the world have the complete right to be a part of # selfcaresunday . And to all the cynics , just come to the dark side and slip on a sheet mask , you ’ re going to like it , guaranteed . BY EMILY BOWEN
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