How to Master the “I Woke Up Like This” Beauty Routine

For years, experts and product junkies have been trying to unpack the mystery behind the French girl or “I woke up like
this” beauty. You know, hair that’s done — but not overdone — and glowing skin that’s not caked with makeup yet still has a
fresh off-the-runway look. In other words, effortless-looking beauty.

Of course, realistically, it still takes some effort to pull yourself together, even if it doesn’t look like it. If you’re unsure where to start, bookmark these pro tips for mastering this easy yet impactful beauty routine.

Prep Your Skin

Clean, healthy skin creates the perfect canvas for the rest of your “I woke up like this” beauty routine. It’s vital to thoroughly remove your makeup each night with a remover and a cleanser for your skin type. Neglecting this vital step can lead to clogged pores, breakouts, thin lashes, dry skin, an eye infection (from not removing makeup), and accelerated aging. On the positive side, cleansing ensures the rest of your products in your routine work efficiently and encourages essential skin hydration while preventing excess oil production.

Pro Tips:

• Work the cleanser into your skin with gentle circular motions for at least 60 seconds.

• Follow with a face serum and hydrating moisturizer.

• Regular exfoliation is the secret to vibrant, glowing skin and flawless makeup application. To make things easier for you, incorporate an overnight exfoliating treatment into your routine about three times a week.

Prep Your Hair

How often you wash your hair largely depends upon hair type and texture, how oily your scalp is, and your activity level — if
you’re a gym junkie, then you may need to suds up more frequently. However, washing your tresses every day is
unnecessary for most people. Also, second-day hair is typically more successful when it comes to styling, so bring on the
top knots, milkmaid braids, and messy updos!

Pro Tips:

• Only apply conditioner mid-length to your ends where the hair tends to be drier. Applying it to the roots can weigh down your stands and make them appear greasy, even if you just washed them.

• Use a soft, lightweight microfiber towel to speed up drying while reducing frizz.

• A non-aerosol dry shampoo absorbs excess oils while adding volume to limp locks. If your hair is thick, textured, or curly, a few drops of hair oil will help infuse moisture into thirsty strands while taming frizzies.

• While there is a myriad of hot tools to help you achieve straight, wavy, or curly tresses, when it comes to overnight beauty, give your hair a break once in a while with heatless styling methods such as scrunching, braids, bun beach waves, and velcro rollers.

Don’t Forget About Your Lips

With all the attention you’re giving your facial skin and hair, don’t neglect your lips in your nighttime routine, as they make all the difference in pulling together an effortless look the following day. Chapped lips result from dry, cracked skin caused by excess sun exposure, color or dry weather, dehydration, or frequent lip licking. Take advantage of when your skin repairs itself at night with a leave-on lip treatment that won’t interfere with eating and drinking.

Pro Tips:

As with the skin on your face, the skin on your lips can benefit from regular, gentle exfoliation. Plenty of options on the market are formulated specifically for lips, but you can also whip up a DIY scrub made from two teaspoons of fine sugar granules, one teaspoon of honey, and one teaspoon of almond oil. Use gentle circular motions for about one minute before removing with a soft cloth.

• Follow with a lip mask right before hitting the sheets. Be generous with the application and reapply as needed.

• Accent your newly restored lips with an application of lip plumper gloss for visibly fuller, smoother-looking, plumper pucker with a hint of tint and all-day moisture.

Hydrate From the Inside Out

Any professional will tell you that the secret to glowing skin, lustrous locks, and strong nails comes from the inside out, so it’s vital you drink enough water throughout the day. When your body is dehydrated, your skin looks lackluster, and your hair and nails are brittle. Research has found² that skin hydration is linked to healthier, younger skin because dermal water acts as a lubricant between fibers.

Pro Tips:

• While drinking eight glasses of water daily is attainable, The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine³ determined that 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) is adequate for women, with about 20% coming from food.

• Remember that you may need more water if you exercise regularly or are in a hot and humid environment.

• To make your daily water intake goal easier to achieve, carry a water bottle with you throughout the day, add natural flavor with fresh fruit, drink water with (or before) each meal, invest in a water filter, set reminders, and eat foods high in water.

Take Care of Your Brows and Lashes

It’s been said that the eyes are the window to the soul, so you better ensure your eyebrows and lashes are in check! Before even considering applying an eyebrow pencil or mascara, you should prioritize brow and lash health.

Pro Tips:

• Apply a daily eyelash serum along your lash line before bed each night to encourage longer, fuller-looking lashes.
• There are also growth-stimulating brow serums on the market to help fill in sparse or overtweezed areas.
• Don’t overpluck your brows. They grow in a three- to four-month cycle, so put those tweezers away for nine to twelve weeks after plucking.
• Don’t pick at your lashes — especially when you have mascara on.
• Use a brow conditioner to help nourish and fortify your eyebrow hairs.

Leverage Concealer Strategically

Concealer can help erase undereye circles, disguise blemishes, and perfect your complexion. It also doesn’t always need to be paired with foundation as long as you strategically place it on your face.

Pro Tips:

• If you use concealer instead of foundation, use it in small quantities so you don’t draw attention to the areas you’re trying to conceal — especially when it comes to blemishes.
• Apply a peach-colored concealer in a half-moon shape where dark under-eye circles naturally appear. Add a line of product going upwards from the corner of each eye to create a lifted effect. Blend with a makeup sponge.
• To brighten dull areas, apply a concealer one to two shades lighter than your natural skin tone to the center of your forehead, above your cheekbones, down the center of your nose, and in the middle of your chin. Blend with a concealer brush.
• Swapping out your contouring product for a concealer one to two shades darker than your skin tone can create more defined features. Apply it directly below your cheekbones, down the sides of your nose, along your jawline, and on your temples. Blend with a makeup sponge.

Choose a Lip Color That Matches Your Own

While there’s nothing wrong with a bold or bright lip, augmenting — not changing — your lip color is an easy way to achieve an effortless look that enhances your natural features and skin tone.

Pro Tips:

• For the most flattering result, choose a shade that complements your natural lip color or is one to two shades brighter or deeper than your lips.
• Create more definition by pairing your lipstick with a complimentary lip pencil shade.
• If you wish to use a colored lip product, opt for sheer formulas like a lip tint or gloss.

With a little effort, anyone can master the “I woke up like this” beauty routine. Its core consists of a solid and consistent skincare routine, adequate water intake, and proper hair care. After that, it’s up to

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