Women learn a lot in their 20s. This stage in life may as well be re-branded as the trial-and-error decade, with the emphasis on error. We're leaving behind the awkward stages we went through in our teens, and learning slowly but surely what works with the inherent traits our mamas bestowed upon us. While we are all unique and will most likely, unfortunately, need to go through a few more mishaps to really hone in our signature routines, there are a few things we've learned thus far that could help the process along for anyone still struggling as a rookie in the beauty department.
1. Not wearing sunscreen.
Yes, I get it. We are young and our skin is in it's prime. Gone are the days of horrific hormonal acne, and we have years before the signs of aging creep up in the crevices of our delicate features, but those lines will pop up much sooner than is desirable if we forgo adequate sun protection. You'd be best off finding a daytime moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30, and applying it liberally under any makeup, even more so if not wearing makeup for the day.
2. Falling asleep with a full face of makeup.
Sleep is our body's time for rest and repair. Your skin uses this time for cell regeneration, and it needs oxygen in order to do this properly. Forgetting to wash our faces off before bed can lead to a myriad of skin problems such as clogged pores, uneven texture and accelerated aging (hello fine lines and dark spots).
3. Wearing too much makeup.
A quick scan of Youtube is enough to get a good idea of how many twenty-somethings are actually legit pros at makeup application, but for the rest of us who are just getting a feel for everyday wear, knowing our limits with certain products can be a little hard to gauge. For example, eyeliner can be worn in the water line, on top of the lash line, and under the lower lash line, but that doesn't mean it should be applied to all three places at once, unless perhaps you're planning on attending a Marilyn Manson concert. Also, bronzer and blush are perfect for adding a little color to your complexion, but overdoing it can accidentally turn anyone into a "Jersey Shore" version of Chuck-O the Clown.
4. Cutting your own bangs.
Just step away from the scissors. We speak from experience when we say, this never ends well.
5. Disregarding (or over-tweezing) your brows.
If there's one thing that's been a game-changer in our beauty routine, it's the discovery of brow powder. In high school, I barely touched my brows, but felt self-conscious when I found out all my friends tweezed theirs. I began following suit, which led to a slew of blown-out facebook pictures I've since untagged because the camera flash rendered my brows visibly non-existent. Then, as models such as Cara Delevigne began to gain popularity and thick brows became de riguer, I breathed a sigh of relief and tossed my tweezers to the wayside. In my attempts to get even closer to Delevigne's envious bushiness, I've tried everything from pencils to pomades to powders. I've finally settled on a nice taupe-y brown powder applied generously with a razor-thin brush, and I have yet to untag another photo since I've discovered the perfect size and shape brow for my face.
6. Forgoing skincare for makeup.
You can buy the most expensive products on the market and apply fifteen layers of contouring, bronzer, blush, highlighter, etc. But if you ignore your skin, these products may as well be fished out of a bin at the dollar store. Foundation will never look as dewy and smooth as you want it to unless the skin underneath is at least a little dewy and smooth on its own. Invest in learning about what your skin type is and what products work best for it. Keep in mind any dryness/oiliness, acne, and texture, but don't go crazy. In our experience, the more natural and minimal, the better.
7. Dehydration.
Between three coffees a day to get through all your classes after pulling an all-nighter and the endless stream of campus parties, chances are you are not drinking enough water, and your skin is paying the price. Try to develop a habit out of drinking water first thing in the morning when you wake up (preferably warm, with lemon added), and invest in a glass or BPA-free water bottle that you can throw in your bag and have with you at all times. Aim to get at least half your body weight in ounces a day.
8. Skipping the vitamins.
Unfortunately with modern day agriculture practices and the overwhelming abundance of convenience foods, it's essentially impossible for us to get our daily recommended dose of vitamins and minerals from diet alone. Some of the best ones to keep in mind for healthy skin are fish oil, vitamin c, and collagen.
9. Not exfoliating before applying self tanner.
Or remembering to keep skin moisturized after. The rub-off struggle is real.
10. Being too self-critical.
You are the only person in the entire world who looks like you, and you will never look like anyone else. Your twenties are a time to discover and embrace every part of who you are, and that includes every perceived flaw, inside and out. Focus on health and self-improvement for the sake of owning your individuality, rather than trying to mold yourself into someone you're not (spoiler: it's not actually possible to be anyone else). Find what works for you and accentuate the features you love the most. Then, just for a little added perk in your step, try giving yourself a compliment every time you look in the mirror, and then step away before you begin to criticize.
