Why You Should Opt Out of Beauty Culture and Simplify Your Routine

Have you heard the term "beauty culture"?  According to encyclopedia.com, it's the system of beliefs and practices that dictate a society's standards of attractiveness.  It influences how we perceive and pursue beauty, whether through cosmetics, fashion, grooming services, diets, gym memberships, surgery, or something else.

In our society, beauty culture is influenced by all forms of media, and it's big business.  Huge business, in fact.  The cosmetic industry, the fashion industry, the diet industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and so many more industries benefit from our beliefs that

• beauty exists only in narrow parameters
• beauty is essential for finding love and happiness
• the pursuit of beauty is worth any amount of money, time, effort, and attention
• "beauty rituals" equal positive self-care

What beauty culture says about us

Beauty standards are often an expression of prejudice.  But honestly, determining someone's value by how they look is something most of us do.  All of us – but particularly women – have been immersed in beauty culture all our lives, and we spend plenty of time judging people on their looks, body type, clothing, hair style – even their eyebrows and nail care.

(Did you know that girls as young as three years old have already learned to place undue importance on their physical appearance?  And if you don't believe that, think back to the last time you praised a little girl for "how pretty you look" or "what a cute outfit you're wearing.")

But when we place more value on our appearance – and spend more time and money on it – than education, healthy relationships, or even kindness, that says something about us that we might want to change.  And when our pursuit of beauty reinforces misogyny, classism (because those potions and treatments can be expensive), ageism (because who wants to look their actual age?), and even racism (because skin lightening and hair straightening are considered de rigueur by many), we should probably take a good hard look at our behavior.

"Girl therapy"

There's a trend on TikTok and other social media touting beauty routines as a form of mindfulness, even meditation.  Ritualizing your morning multi-step skin care or makeup procedure is labeled "girl therapy."

But isn't meditation supposed to lead to self-understanding and insight?  How is looking in a mirror, focusing on your "flaws," and "treating" them or covering them up leading to self-awareness?  Isn't it more likely to lead to self-condemnation?

I'm also not convinced that "meditation" through makeup is going to reduce stress.  The idea that the slow, deliberate application of blush or mascara, plus some deep breathing, is "meditative" is not only silly, it's a process that won't do much to focus or revitalize your spirit.

Rituals do provide a sense of order, which might be why you go through any process, from cleaning your skin to preparing dinner.  But rituals do more.

• They provide meaning.
• They mark significant events.
• They offer comfort.
• They help create and reinforce your identity.

Perhaps your makeup and hair routines do help express your sense of self, but where did your ideas come from?  If they're the result of societal (or industry) pressure to meet inhuman beauty standards (ageless faces, hairless bodies, perfectly even skin tone, whiter-than-white teeth), isn't that going to take you further from your real self, increasing your stress and feelings of unworthiness?

Conveniently for the beauty market, stress can manifest as inflamed, sensitive skin, hair loss, and excessive sweating, which might make you feel like you need even more products!  Feeling like you're not good enough also makes you more vulnerable to a clever sales pitch.

This isn't "girl therapy," but it might be a path toward needing therapy.

What it means to be mindful

Mindfulness is the opposite of acting by rote, on autopilot.  Mindfulness is also the opposite of doing something because you've been sold on the idea by advertising or by what an influencer (including me) is trying to get you to do.

That doesn't mean you should never seek or follow advice, or that habits are bad – just that the actions and habits you adopt should be thoughtful and clearly beneficial.  Makeup and skincare that are in service to overconsumption, oppression, and fear (yes, fear – that you won't fit in, that you aren't acceptable, that you won't succeed, that you aren't lovable) don't qualify.

When I'm mindful and intentional, a whitehead is no longer an unsightly disaster that I need to treat with a serum (a lie), but the tiny result of a natural immune response that will resolve itself in a day or two (the truth).  When I'm mindful and intentional, products and prescriptions that promise perpetual youthfulness are no longer a necessary aspect of skin care (a lie), but an ultimately fruitless attempt at skin control (the truth).  When I'm mindful and intentional, makeup is no longer something I wear "for myself" (a lie), but something I wear to look dressy or socially presentable (the truth).

Instead of using toners to remove my body's natural oils, then replacing them with moisturizers, or using acids to remove dead skin, then adding peptides to plump remaining skin cells, I've found that plain water and my fingers (or the gentle use of a terry washcloth) take care of everything.  This is especially true if I'm not using waxes, oxides, clays, and synthetic ingredients to color and sculpt my face, and solvents and surfactants to remove them.

The same or similar truths apply to hair, nails, teeth, etc.

A minimalist challenge

Many of us have a lot of beauty products stuffed into our bathroom cabinets.  It's probably no surprise that the bathroom is the second largest area of waste in our homes, right after (you guessed it) the kitchen.

But this is a great area to minimize because it's where you start and end your day.  We keep thinking we need all these products to "look good," but that's not true.

Start by removing at least 50% of the products you use.  Box them up and store them away so you don't have to make the hard decision to eliminate them immediately.  Use what's left for the next two to four weeks.

Be honest – do you even remember what's in the boxes after that time?  And do you really look "worse" without whatever it is?

There's no right or wrong about what you choose to keep, although I'd encourage you to think about why you're using any product and what it actually does (or doesn't) do for you.  Obviously, if you have eczema, rosacea, or another medical issue, you need more creams and serums.  But that's about medicine, not just about beauty.

As I said, I mostly just use warm water (and maybe a washcloth*) to clean my face.  I also use a light moisturizer most days.  (I use body cream on my very dry hands, arms, and legs.)  I apply sunscreen if I'm going to be hiking around outside, but usually I prefer to shade my face and neck rather than using a cream.  I'm 65, and I get lots of compliments on my skin.

* This blog is supported by you, dear reader.  If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission.

I also don't wash my hair or use a hair dryer every day, and I shower in cool water, not hot.  I'm going naturally gray, although I'll admit that if my hair had begun graying in my 30s or 40s, I probably would have colored it.

When I wear makeup, which isn't often, I use three products:  mascara, eyebrow pencil, and a bit of cream blush on cheeks and lips.  (Yes, I used to wear quite a bit more makeup when I performed under stage lights.)  Most days I just wear Burt's Bees lip balm.

I file and buff my nails, but I prefer not to use nail polish.  And my allergies are much better when I don't use perfume.  I buy unscented laundry detergent, too, and I don't use dryer sheets.

I think the most important things you can do to look healthy and attractive have nothing to do with makeup, lotions, or other beauty products.

• Drink plenty of water.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and fewer animal products.
• Limit (but don't eliminate) sun exposure.
• If you smoke, quit.
• If you drink more than occasionally, cut back.
• Practice gratitude.
• Cultivate your relationships.

These are minimalist, but effective, beauty choices.  Why don't you try some and see?