Taking good care of our skin while sheltering in place can be a real challenge. As the world around us slowly begins to re-open, our usual rhythms still remain disrupted. Making appointments at our favorite beauty salons in the wake of this coronavirus pandemic might not be a possibility for a while. But that’s okay! With the right at-home approach to natural skin care, you’ll be feelin’ fine in no time.

I’m sure I don’t even have to tell you that beauty is about so much more than what we put on our faces. Yes, a good skin care routine and natural mineral makeup are big pieces of the beauty puzzle. (And I’m going to share my favorite skincare routine with you here in a minute, so hang in there.) If there ever was a time to take extra good care of ourselves, that time is now. The stress of a global pandemic can take a toll on the health of our bodies as well as the condition of our skin.

Now, just because we’ve been stayin’ home a lot more than many of us are used to doesn’t mean we can’t be as radiant as ever. Your quarantine beauty routine is a chance for you to self-nourish and intentionally about show yourself the respect you deserve. Why not show up in your world, as small as it may be right now, by putting your best face forward? I guarantee you’ll feel more confident and upbeat when you do.

So here ya go… these are my top five tips for being your most radiant selves during quarantine:

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

If there’s a single you can do for your complexion that won’t cost you a dime, it’s drinking water. Our skin cells are made up of over 60% water. When we don’t have enough of it, our skin begins to show unwanted signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Our skin can also feel tight and dry, even cracked, when we don’t drink enough water. Healthy, well-hydrated skin looks plumper, glows naturally, and keeps us looking youthful.

The best way to start out the day is to drink a tall glass of pure water. And if we have a cup of coffee (or two or three), we need to drink even more water. A half-hour before each meal, drink another large glass of water. (This is also an excellent tip for losing a few of those extra corona pounds!) Your skin will not only thank you with a youthful glow, but your entire body will also benefit.

2. Lighten up on the makeup.

Now ya’ll know that I love make-up for how it lets me be who I want to be. You might already know that makeup was forbidden when I was growing up, giving me even more reason to enjoy it now as a grown woman. But here’s the thing. If we’re not going out so much these days, why not take advantage of this time to give our skin a little break? Whether you choose to go on a full-blown makeup fast or simply lighten up your makeup look a little, this is the perfect time to give our skin a breather.

Giving makeup a rest allows your skin to purify itself from everyday toxins in the environment. As your complexion clears, your skin will begin to look more radiant, and you’ll be in excellent shape for that post-lockdown glow. If you have a video call, a little dab of color on your eyes, cheeks, and lips is all you really need to look put together on camera. This is also the perfect simplified makeup routine for summer!

Try this for a minimalist makeup routine: Beautifully Bare Vibrant Skin Illuminizer Makeup Kit (add a touch of mascara, and you’re good as gold).

3. Give your skin some extra lovin’.

While there’s so much more to you than what’s on the outside, your skin really is your best accessory. Our hard-workin’ skin represents us for a lifetime and deserves our time and attention. So, I’m going to share my current recommendations for a healthy aging skin care routine:

Step 1: Cleanser

Daily Gentle Comforting Cream Face Cleanser gently removes oil, dirt, and even your eye makeup. It rinses off with warm water, won’t clog your pores, and is safe for all skin types.

Step 2: Toner

Dry & Maturing Skin Moisture Surge Facial Toner prepares your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively. Toning your skin after cleansing restores your natural pH balance and delivers a much-needed boost of moisture!

Step 3: Moisturizer

Firm & Facelift Anti-Wrinkle Rejuvenation Cream is a long-time customer favorite! This non-toxic cream helps eliminate sun spots that build up over time while also reducing crepey skin texture, firming saggy skin, and smoothing out fine lines.

Step 4: Eye & Lip Cream

Eye & Lip Firming Contour Cream is perfect for dabbing around the contour of your eyes (not too close to the lash line) and around your lips to combat those fine lines. TIP: You can also apply this to your neck and chest for an extra lift!

Step 5: Setting Spray

Moisture Boost Refresh + Revitalize Makeup Setting Spray is your magical final touch. You can spritz your face after applying makeup for a more dewy, natural look (which is best for more mature skin). You can also use this refreshing spray in between your skincare steps to boost your other products' penetration and take your skin hydration to the next level.

4. Just say no to stress.

Life is plain stressful enough without adding a global pandemic and a suffering economy to the mix. Good Lord, enough already! We’ve got to take charge of our mental and emotional health, ladies. As one who openly battles depression at times, this topic is real personal for me. When that black hole comes calling my name, it feels easier to just fall into it than it does to get up and fight some days. The struggle is real.

Not only does chronic stress make us feel bad, but it also ages us prematurely. No, thank you! So here’s what we’ve got to do…

• Create a daily rhythm you love and stick to it as much as you possibly can. (And don’t beat yourself up when you can’t.)
• Get up, get dressed, do a little primping and pampering, and then smile. Because, as Annie would say, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile!”
• Take some time out to breathe. Close your eyes and think about nothing other than that long, deep breath in and the slow, gentle breath out. It sometimes helps to repeat a calming mantra with your breathing, “In with the peace, out with the stress.” Good riddance.
• Get outside. Go for a walk. Get some fresh air and sunshine. Breathe deeply in a beautiful place as often as you can. It will do you a world of good.
• Laugh every single day! I know it might go against how you feel some days, but you’ll be so glad you did. Call up a funny girlfriend who’s sure to cheer you up. Watch a silly movie. Turn on some music and dance with whoever it is you’re sheltering in place with, or even all by your gorgeous self.

5. Eat for beauty’s sake.

While our emotions might have us wishing we were knee-deep in fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits some days, let’s get a grip on our eating. (Have you heard of the COVID 19, as in the 19 pounds that are tryin’ to stick to our hips?) We really are what we eat, and this is wonderful news. Because of all the things we can’t control right now, we CAN control what we put in our mouths! With so much fresh fruit in season, this is one of the easiest times of the year to eat pretty.

Reach for foods that are naturally colorful (and I don’t mean Skittles). Strawberries, kiwis, peaches, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are among some of the best foods we can eat for healthy, glowing skin. Why? Because those age-fighting antioxidants that give fruits and veggies their beautiful colors also protect our skin from the damaging effects of the sun, environmental pollution, and even skin cancer!

If you want to know more about eating your way to beautiful skin, check out Jolene Hart’s guided journal, Eat Pretty, Live Well. It’s a whole lesson on nutrition for beauty in and of itself!

So there you have it, ladies. I know some of us have been through a whole lot, but we’re only stronger and more beautiful for it. Quarantine or not, we deserve nothing but the best. Let’s continue to honor ourselves, inside and out, by taking extra good care of ourselves during these challenging times. We’re all gonna get through this together!

Love & Laughter,

Barb