Getting ready in the morning is basically a job in itself. You might technically start work at 8 or 9 in the morning but you probably actually start a couple of hours earlier because getting yourself ready is work.
There’s really no other way to describe it. This is not to say that the process of doing your hair and your makeup isn’t fun because it definitely can be. A lot of people enjoy it and that’s entirely understandable.
But I think we can all agree that it’s much more enjoyable when it’s on a Friday night than it is when it’s first thing in the morning. It’s the last thing you want to think about when you’re still half asleep and you’ve got a hard day ahead of you.
We’re not talking about a big deal of an event like where you need to look really formal for a wedding or you’re going to the beach and you need your body to be bikini-ready, this is just going to work or to school or however you spend your days.
It really shouldn’t be something that adds an extra hour of effort to your morning. But it is possible to minimize that time. You don’t have to do anything extravagant, instead you can do something that looks nice but is also quick and easy to master.
Something that is so simple that when you get up in the morning it doesn’t even feel like effort for you it’s just a quick, easy job and then you’re on your way. So why don’t we try and figure this out.
The essential things that we try to cover every morning are our skin and our hair, so if we’re aiming for minimalism let’s just think about those right now and take a look at an easily mastered skincare routine first and then a few easy hairstyles too.
Skincare
There are all kinds of different things you can do in the morning to make sure that your skin looks great all day. Things like exfoliating masks and serums and all of that stuff is great, but it takes a lot of time.
When it comes down to it, there are really only three things that are essential and if you do all three you’ll have your skin looking great all day. So these essential steps are cleansing, toning and moisturizing.
To start with the first and perhaps most important step. Cleansing pretty much just means washing your face. You should do this again before bed, twice a day should be enough but make sure you’re using the right cleanser for your skin.
If your skin is oily you should use a foam cleanser, if it’s dry then the best choice would be a cream and then oil is better if you’ve got particularly sensitive skin. Give a few different types a try and you should find the right one.
You should put on your toner straight after the cleansing, the purpose of this is to give a bit of a balance to your skin and reduce oil. All you need to do is make sure your hands are clean, rub a bit of toner into your palm and then spread it onto your skin.
Be thorough in your selection. There are certain ingredients which are good for every skin type that you should look out for in your toner. Aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, chamomile, lavender, witch hazel and tea tree are all beneficial so if you can find a toner with one or a few of those you should be good.
And then we finish it off with moisturizer which is just to keep your skin soft and to prevent water loss. Same rules apply here, you need to find the right one for your skin type and your personal needs.
A soft cream is better for dry skin because they’re more oil-based and as such they will have more of the desired impact. If you’ve got oily skin then you should look for a gel product so that it gets absorbed quickly.
So there you go, three simple steps to great skin. So, onto your hair:
Hairstyles
Unlike the skin care routine, this one isn’t quite as simple as a three-step method because everyone’s hair is different and everyone has a different style that they prefer. So why don’t we have a look at a few different, but equally easy hairstyles for you to try:
Fishtail Braid
This might seem a little tricky at the start but it’s actually super easy to get the hang of and really quick once you know what you’re doing:
- Divide your hair in half, gripping a section in each hand.
- Pull a half-inch strand from the outside of one half and cross it over so it settles on the inside the other half.
- Repeat this on the other side and then keep braiding.
- Once you reach the last few inches of hair, tie it off.
- You can also add a bit of volume with hair extensions.
And then you’re a fish! In a manner of speaking.
Milkmaid Braid
The great thing about this one is that it looks like something that you need to put a lot of effort into but is actually super easy to achieve. Here’s how:
- Part your hair at the side and then tie a pigtail on either side.
- Put each of these into a fishtail braid like the style above.
- Wrap each braid across the top of your head, in between your hairline and your crown.
- Secure the base on either side with a bobby pin.
This shouldn’t take any longer than five minutes and probably even less once you’ve practiced it a couple of times.
Top-Knot
Top-knots are the go-to simple hairstyle for women and it’s easy to see why. They’re extremely quick, keep your hair out of your face and look fantastic:
- Tie your hair into a high ponytail and divide it in two.
- Wrap these two sections around each other and then wrap them around the hair tie.
- Pin the knot in place using a bobby pin or two.
Then you’re done! How simple is that?
Formal Ponytail
The ponytail is a notoriously easy, and attractive look which you can add a touch of formality too with one simple extra step.
- Pull your hair into a low ponytail, leaving just a sliver free at the very base.
- Wrap that sliver around the tie and tuck it into the elastic, concealing the tie itself.
Two steps to a great look.
You shouldn’t have to be filled with dread at the thought of all the work you’ve got to do when you wake up in the morning. It can be such an easy process if you just follow a couple of simple processes instead of making it over complicated.
