How to Spring Clean Your Beauty Routine
Plus, a Victoria's Secret Model's Top Beauty... Secrets
It’s finally spring, and I couldn’t be happier about it! As we crawl out of winter hibernation, it’s time for spring cleaning… including of your beauty bag. Not only will you save yourself time getting ready in the morning by not needing to sift through an overly stuffed makeup bag, you may even rediscover items you were excited about but forgot to test out! This just happened to me—I love buried treasure, especially of the skincare variety.
What follows is a step-by-step beauty cleanse aimed at helping you put your best foot and glossiest lips forward for the new season.
Clean brushes, about to be packed for work
IN THE CHAIR
Behind-the-scenes techniques to enhance your makeup routine
Refresh!
Sometimes clean-outs leave me overwhelmed—I know I need to do them, but I have a hard time starting. Whenever I get “stuck,” I find the best way to jumpstart is to simply throw out anything that’s broken. Sounds simple (and it is), but it helps me to move in the right direction. Think: Is this makeup bag working for me? How is the zipper? Does everything fit? Is everything in my makeup bag in good working order? Do I even use this? Does this product help me express who I am and what I want to show to the world? If it isn’t, doesn’t, or you haven’t touched it, throw it out!
Gotten overly attached to something, even if it’s broken? Rip the band-aid off and throw it out! You can do it! If you need a moment of silence, take it. Thank it for its service and order a new one in the moment so you won’t miss your fallen soldier of glam.
Clean up!
Now that you’ve gotten rid of that which no longer serves your gorgeous face, it’s time for a cleanup! Clean everything: your brushes (I know we all put this off), the packaging of each product (removing any powdery debris), and finally, the makeup bag itself. I love the WELLinsulated bags for this express purpose—they are nonporous, wipe clean easily, and can be disinfected with alcohol. Whichever bag you choose, you will feel so glamorous with one that has been freshened up. You deserve it!
Change it up!
Now that we’re out of the depths of winter, it might be time to reassess your skincare routine. How is your skin doing? Take a good look! We don’t always take the time to see what’s going on, but this is your sign: Check yourself out! How are you feeling? How is your skin looking? Have your goals changed? It may be time to swap to spring/summer skincare! For me, that means ditching my heavier creams for a light but still moisturizing one like U Beauty’s The Super Hydrator. For you, it could be different, but take the time you need to really assess what your skin needs right now.
Renew!
Speaking of skin, shed that winter skin! Use this transition time to get your glowiest skin ever through gentle exfoliation. I have a few favorites:
For Everyday Face Exfoliation: Retrouvé Conditioning Tonic with Chamomile
Retrouvé Tonic is so gentle and a great multitasker. I use it twice a day (in the morning and again at night). To use, soak a cotton round in tonic after you wash your face and sweep it over your skin and neck. It’s the perfect blend of gentle exfoliation, purification, and hydration all in one product.
For a Once-a-Week Treat: French Farmacie Élixir Exfoliant
This exfoliator doesn’t feel like you’re exfoliating—there’s no tugging, stinging, or the like. It’s basically a face oil and a gentle chemical peel (it only contains natural super-clean ingredients, don’t be scared) together in one. To use, drop several drops onto your palms and press the product into your face, avoiding the eye area. Then, chill for 20-30 minutes. Finally, rinse it off using the included muslin. You can then follow up with moisture or not! Especially in spring and summer you may find that you need nothing else at all and can just go to bed. Who doesn’t love to get more with less!
For Body: Lilfox Pink The Body Complex
I love this body cream (yes, I’m wearing it right now)—not only does it smell amazing, but it’s basically a “face-level” cream for your whole body. It has 8% Dew Bean extract which is a pregnancy/breastfeeding-safe retinol alternative that will give you the tightest, brightest skin. Pro tip: This cream doesn’t include water, so for best, glowiest results, lightly towel off after your shower and apply it with slightly wet skin. The addition of the water helps you get the most out of my favorite body cream.
Swap Shades!
Change up the colors in your makeup bag: Think candy-coated, dewy, and delicious spring tones! It’s a major mood lifter. I’m currently loving:
Chanel Les 4 Ombrés in Délices
This new limited-edition quad will sell out—so if you’re even thinking about trying it out, get it now! All four shades are sumptuous, fun, and can be used in lots of ways! It’s basically the cherry-blossom/Easter celebration of my dreams in eyeshadow form.
Chantecaille Wild Meadows Blush
This gel formula is gorgeous, bright, and long lasting without being overpowering. You can even see a little skin through it in the most wonderful way. So perfect for that dewy freshness we all want right now. Both shades are complimentary, so I love using them together!
This lip tint in 13 shades is moisturizing color. It’s one of those “put it on without a mirror in an NYC cab” products. I love that. It’s so smooth going on and is packed with long-lasting color. Get a fun shade like Valencia Orange (a bright yet wearable orange) or Pretty (a raspberry pink).
FROM THE KIT
The products and trends worth knowing about now
I love these bags. Not only are they the best makeup bag ever, they’re also pretty enough to use as a “going out” bag (yes, I’ve done this). For spring, there’s a new neon-zippered bag that I’ve already purchased. It’s so cute! I have WELLinsulated bags in a few different colors, and I stay organized by keeping specific items in each. That way, I know what’s inside without having to open them up! I’m now together, but also cute.
PHONE A FRIEND
Insight and beauty inspiration from my favorite people in the industry
Megan is a successful model and artist and one of my closest friends. We met years ago and were immediately gal pals. She’s one of my favorite people to talk with about anything related to beauty. She has excellent taste in eyeliner and ice cream.
Megan Puleri, Model and Artist (@meganpuleri)
Megan on the Victoria’s Secret runway
Q: What’s your skincare routine?
I stick to my OG skincare routine and have fluffed it up as I’ve matured with some key classics.
I wash my face with True Botanicals Clear Nourishing Cleanser, then I gently exfoliate, tone, and hydrate with Augustinus Bader’s The Essence. I layer on my dermatologist-recommended CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion in Lightweight and use my Jade Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool to massage it all in and get blood circulating to my face. The only difference between my AM & PM routine is that at night I spot treat any blemishes with Dapsone, which is a prescription-grade topical treatment in a class of medications called sulfone antibiotics. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of bacteria and decreasing inflammation. I live for her.
Q: What’s in your bag?
My wallet, house & car keys (mace included)
Tibetan Good Luck Tincture
AirPods
Burt’s Bees peppermint chapstick
Lip liner: Nars and/or Make Up For Ever
Hydrating Eye Drops
Versace mini perfume
Lucky lighter
Something to suck on—Altoids or mints of some kind
Sunglasses
Q: Desert island products?
Q: Favorite drug store buys?
Almay Clear Complexion Foundation—it’s the only one I’ll ever use
Burt's Bees Peach and Willow Bark Deep Pore Exfoliating Facial Scrub
Q: Do you have a beauty secret?
I think the Gua Sha and facial massaging of any kind is a game changer—I’ve only been doing it for a few years and it makes a world of difference.
Megan in Alice + Olivia
Q: What’s your favorite beauty look?
I love when Jessi gives me my classic Alice + Olivia look. This is what I have adapted into my everyday makeup; I added the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow to my makeup bag a few years back because of Jessi. I will say I can’t do top liner for the life of me, so if I could have Jess in my pocket always and forever to help me achieve that perfect liner look, I’d be set.
Q: What inspires your art?
My life, my loved ones, people around me, and my everyday experiences. The music I’m listening to at any given moment usually plays a big role, and of course the one and only queen, Mother Nature.
