What’s Been Up
Beauty bingo: How many trends did you try this year?
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There’s something about the start of a new year that makes you want to reset everything. While everyone’s talking about fitness goals and productivity hacks, I’ve been thinking about my beauty routine—what’s been working, what feels forced and what I want to carry forward into 2026.
If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that beauty routines only stick when they feel realistic. So instead of planning an overhaul, I’m setting a few beauty resolutions that feel doable.
Here’s what I’m committing to this year.
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Gentle enough for daily use, this gel cleanser keeps your skin barrier happy. With a low pH, tea tree oil and a touch of BHA, it balances oil without causing irritation. A solid option if your skin is oily but tends to get sensitive or red with most active products. How to use: Use morning or night on damp skin. Massage and rinse thoroughly.
This sunscreen redefines sun protection with its lightweight, non-greasy formula that blends seamlessly into the skin. Enriched with rice extract and probiotics, it hydrates, nourishes, and brightens, making it more than just a sunscreen. With no white cast, it’s ideal for all skin tones and a dream under makeup.
Pro tip: Use a two-finger length for optimal coverage and reapply every two hours for maximum protection when outdoors.
Korean sunscreens have long had the game figured out: lightweight textures, skin-loving ingredients and absolutely zero white cast. Beauty of Joseon’s cult-favourite sunscreen checks every single box—and then some. If you’ve been on Instagram anytime recently, chances are you’ve seen your favourite skinfluencer casually slathering it on mid-routine. It’s become a go-to for a reason: packed with niacinamide, it keeps sebum and moisture levels in check, so you’re never greasy, just glowy. It’s also infused with rice bran and a fermented grain complex that gives it that creamy, hydrating feel without weighing you down. Pro tip: apply at least 15 minutes before heading out the door to let it do its thing.
Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen isn’t just about protection—it hydrates, too. Packed with rice and probiotics, it helps nourish your skin while keeping it safe from the UV rays. It’s a smooth, lightweight formula that will quickly become your everyday go-to. So restock in bulk to keep your skin covered all year round.
Sun protection is recommended from the age of six months onwards—so you really have no excuse for skipping SPF in your getting-ready routine in the AM. Clinical studies have proven that consistent usage of sunscreen can slow down signs of ageing and the easiest way to hop on the train is with a lightweight, non-greasy formula like this probiotic-enhanced cream by Beauty of Joseon.
As someone who is always hearing and writing about new launches and viral drops, I’ve officially reached the point where owning all the latest products doesn’t excite me anymore. In 2026, I want my routine to feel edited, with fewer products, but ones that I genuinely enjoy using.
That means finishing what I already own before buying backups and choosing multitasking staples over impulse launches. Think a gentle cleanser, like the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, that I can use year-round; a moisturiser that works both morning and night, like Clinique’s Moisture Surge; and a lip balm that lives in every bag—I’ll go for the Caudalie Vinotherapist Lip Conditioner. When everything on your shelf earns its place, getting ready feels a lot less overwhelming.
Haircare is something I deal with only when things go wrong. In 2026, I’ll be trying to be more proactive.
I’m making scalp care a weekly habit—whether that’s with a quick oil massage or a targeted scalp serum. And I’ve finally accepted that heat protectant isn’t optional. Even something lightweight, like Schwarzkopf Professional’s OSiS+ Flatliner Heat Protection Spray, before blow-drying makes a difference.
I’m notorious for saying, “I’ll book it soon” and then forgetting until it’s urgent. This year, I’m changing that.
Whether it’s a pedicure, a laser session or even a brow appointment, planning things in advance makes the whole process feel less stressful. Maintenance over correction feels like a kinder way to approach beauty—and it gives me something to look forward to, too.
Sunscreen has been a non-negotiable for a while now, but in 2026 I’m being more mindful about where I apply it.
The plan is to keep a lightweight SPF like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics next to my moisturiser, so I never forget to apply it (I’m habit stacking); and paying attention to often-missed areas like neck, hands and lips. On days I’m out and about in the city, Mixsoon’s Cica Hyal Sunstick is going to live in my tote.
Instead of sticking to the same makeup look at every occasion, I want to create space to experiment without pressure. On slow weekends, I’m going to try new base combinations, test eyeliner shapes I’d never wear normally and experiment with different blush placements. A few products I’m going to start with are Makeup Revolution’s Metallic Duochrome Eyeliner in Stardust, CLINIQUE’s High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner in Bronze Glow, KIKO Milano’s Unlimited Blush in Bright Rose and NARS’s The Multiple Blush in Bad Habit.
Bodycare is always the first thing I skip when I’m tired; and the first thing I regret later. In 2026, I’m going to keep it simple: exfoliating a few times a week with a body scrub (opting for Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Scrub), moisturising on damp skin with The Body Shop’s White Musk Body Lotion and finally committing to body sunscreen on exposed areas. I’ve tried a few, but the one I’m carrying into the new year is the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Plus.
As someone who is always hearing and writing about new launches and viral drops, I’ve officially reached the point where owning all the latest products doesn’t excite me anymore. In 2026, I want my routine to feel edited, with fewer products, but ones that I genuinely enjoy using.
That means finishing what I already own before buying backups and choosing multitasking staples over impulse launches. Think a gentle cleanser, like the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, that I can use year-round; a moisturiser that works both morning and night, like Clinique’s Moisture Surge; and a lip balm that lives in every bag—I’ll go for the Caudalie Vinotherapist Lip Conditioner. When everything on your shelf earns its place, getting ready feels a lot less overwhelming.
Haircare is something I deal with only when things go wrong. In 2026, I’ll be trying to be more proactive.
I’m making scalp care a weekly habit—whether that’s with a quick oil massage or a targeted scalp serum. And I’ve finally accepted that heat protectant isn’t optional. Even something lightweight, like Schwarzkopf Professional’s OSiS+ Flatliner Heat Protection Spray, before blow-drying makes a difference.
I’m notorious for saying, “I’ll book it soon” and then forgetting until it’s urgent. This year, I’m changing that.
Whether it’s a pedicure, a laser session or even a brow appointment, planning things in advance makes the whole process feel less stressful. Maintenance over correction feels like a kinder way to approach beauty—and it gives me something to look forward to, too.
Sunscreen has been a non-negotiable for a while now, but in 2026 I’m being more mindful about where I apply it.
The plan is to keep a lightweight SPF like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics next to my moisturiser, so I never forget to apply it (I’m habit stacking); and paying attention to often-missed areas like neck, hands and lips. On days I’m out and about in the city, Mixsoon’s Cica Hyal Sunstick is going to live in my tote.
Instead of sticking to the same makeup look at every occasion, I want to create space to experiment without pressure. On slow weekends, I’m going to try new base combinations, test eyeliner shapes I’d never wear normally and experiment with different blush placements. A few products I’m going to start with are Makeup Revolution’s Metallic Duochrome Eyeliner in Stardust, CLINIQUE’s High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner in Bronze Glow, KIKO Milano’s Unlimited Blush in Bright Rose and NARS’s The Multiple Blush in Bad Habit.
Bodycare is always the first thing I skip when I’m tired; and the first thing I regret later. In 2026, I’m going to keep it simple: exfoliating a few times a week with a body scrub (opting for Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Scrub), moisturising on damp skin with The Body Shop’s White Musk Body Lotion and finally committing to body sunscreen on exposed areas. I’ve tried a few, but the one I’m carrying into the new year is the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Plus.
As someone who is always hearing and writing about new launches and viral drops, I’ve officially reached the point where owning all the latest products doesn’t excite me anymore. In 2026, I want my routine to feel edited, with fewer products, but ones that I genuinely enjoy using.
That means finishing what I already own before buying backups and choosing multitasking staples over impulse launches. Think a gentle cleanser, like the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, that I can use year-round; a moisturiser that works both morning and night, like Clinique’s Moisture Surge; and a lip balm that lives in every bag—I’ll go for the Caudalie Vinotherapist Lip Conditioner. When everything on your shelf earns its place, getting ready feels a lot less overwhelming.
Haircare is something I deal with only when things go wrong. In 2026, I’ll be trying to be more proactive.
I’m making scalp care a weekly habit—whether that’s with a quick oil massage or a targeted scalp serum. And I’ve finally accepted that heat protectant isn’t optional. Even something lightweight, like Schwarzkopf Professional’s OSiS+ Flatliner Heat Protection Spray, before blow-drying makes a difference.
I’m notorious for saying, “I’ll book it soon” and then forgetting until it’s urgent. This year, I’m changing that.
Whether it’s a pedicure, a laser session or even a brow appointment, planning things in advance makes the whole process feel less stressful. Maintenance over correction feels like a kinder way to approach beauty—and it gives me something to look forward to, too.
Sunscreen has been a non-negotiable for a while now, but in 2026 I’m being more mindful about where I apply it.
The plan is to keep a lightweight SPF like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics next to my moisturiser, so I never forget to apply it (I’m habit stacking); and paying attention to often-missed areas like neck, hands and lips. On days I’m out and about in the city, Mixsoon’s Cica Hyal Sunstick is going to live in my tote.
Instead of sticking to the same makeup look at every occasion, I want to create space to experiment without pressure. On slow weekends, I’m going to try new base combinations, test eyeliner shapes I’d never wear normally and experiment with different blush placements. A few products I’m going to start with are Makeup Revolution’s Metallic Duochrome Eyeliner in Stardust, CLINIQUE’s High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner in Bronze Glow, KIKO Milano’s Unlimited Blush in Bright Rose and NARS’s The Multiple Blush in Bad Habit.
Bodycare is always the first thing I skip when I’m tired; and the first thing I regret later. In 2026, I’m going to keep it simple: exfoliating a few times a week with a body scrub (opting for Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Scrub), moisturising on damp skin with The Body Shop’s White Musk Body Lotion and finally committing to body sunscreen on exposed areas. I’ve tried a few, but the one I’m carrying into the new year is the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Plus.
As someone who is always hearing and writing about new launches and viral drops, I’ve officially reached the point where owning all the latest products doesn’t excite me anymore. In 2026, I want my routine to feel edited, with fewer products, but ones that I genuinely enjoy using.
That means finishing what I already own before buying backups and choosing multitasking staples over impulse launches. Think a gentle cleanser, like the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, that I can use year-round; a moisturiser that works both morning and night, like Clinique’s Moisture Surge; and a lip balm that lives in every bag—I’ll go for the Caudalie Vinotherapist Lip Conditioner. When everything on your shelf earns its place, getting ready feels a lot less overwhelming.
Haircare is something I deal with only when things go wrong. In 2026, I’ll be trying to be more proactive.
I’m making scalp care a weekly habit—whether that’s with a quick oil massage or a targeted scalp serum. And I’ve finally accepted that heat protectant isn’t optional. Even something lightweight, like Schwarzkopf Professional’s OSiS+ Flatliner Heat Protection Spray, before blow-drying makes a difference.
I’m notorious for saying, “I’ll book it soon” and then forgetting until it’s urgent. This year, I’m changing that.
Whether it’s a pedicure, a laser session or even a brow appointment, planning things in advance makes the whole process feel less stressful. Maintenance over correction feels like a kinder way to approach beauty—and it gives me something to look forward to, too.
Sunscreen has been a non-negotiable for a while now, but in 2026 I’m being more mindful about where I apply it.
The plan is to keep a lightweight SPF like the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics next to my moisturiser, so I never forget to apply it (I’m habit stacking); and paying attention to often-missed areas like neck, hands and lips. On days I’m out and about in the city, Mixsoon’s Cica Hyal Sunstick is going to live in my tote.
Instead of sticking to the same makeup look at every occasion, I want to create space to experiment without pressure. On slow weekends, I’m going to try new base combinations, test eyeliner shapes I’d never wear normally and experiment with different blush placements. A few products I’m going to start with are Makeup Revolution’s Metallic Duochrome Eyeliner in Stardust, CLINIQUE’s High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner in Bronze Glow, KIKO Milano’s Unlimited Blush in Bright Rose and NARS’s The Multiple Blush in Bad Habit.
Bodycare is always the first thing I skip when I’m tired; and the first thing I regret later. In 2026, I’m going to keep it simple: exfoliating a few times a week with a body scrub (opting for Sol de Janeiro’s Bum Bum Scrub), moisturising on damp skin with The Body Shop’s White Musk Body Lotion and finally committing to body sunscreen on exposed areas. I’ve tried a few, but the one I’m carrying into the new year is the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Air-Fit Plus.
