Rituals
I let my beauty routine work the night shift for 30 days—and here’s what happened
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We’ve all been there—it’s late, you’re tired and the last thing you want to do is stand at the sink for 10 minutes removing your makeup. But here’s the thing: how you take your makeup off matters just as much as how you put it on. A rushed or incomplete cleanse can lead to clogged pores, irritation and dullness that no highlighter can fix. So here’s exactly how to do it right.
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This is your first line of defence, and it’s a great one. A cleansing balm—typically a solid or semi-solid formula that melts into an oil on contact with skin—is one of the most effective ways to break down heavy makeup, SPF and long-wear formulas without stripping your skin. Scoop a small amount, warm it between your fingers and massage it all over your dry face in gentle circular motions. Watch it melt everything off. Rinse or wipe away with a warm damp cloth.
Your eye area deserves its own moment. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which means aggressive rubbing is a hard no. Use a dedicated eye makeup remover—ideally a biphasic one if you wear waterproof mascara or liner—and hold a soaked cotton pad over your lashes for 20 seconds before gently sweeping downward. Repeat until the cotton pad comes away clean.
One cleanse is rarely enough, especially if you’ve worn SPF, foundation or anything long-wear. After your cleansing balm, follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser suited to your skin type. This second step removes whatever your first cleanser left behind and cleans your skin rather than just your makeup. Massage it in for at least 60 seconds before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
These are the areas that almost everyone misses. Foundation and setting spray love to cling to your hairline; and concealer has a way of settling into your jawline and neck without you noticing. Take a moment to make sure your cleanser has reached all of these spots. Your skin will thank you.
After cleansing, swipe a gentle toner over your face with a cotton pad. You’ll be surprised how much residue still comes off even after a double cleanse. A hydrating toner also helps restore your skin’s pH balance, which cleansing can disrupt, and preps your skin for whatever comes next in your routine.
Clean skin is the whole point, so don’t leave it bare. Lock in your serums, moisturiser and eye cream while your skin is still slightly damp for better absorption. This is also a great time to apply any targeted treatments like retinol or niacinamide, since your skin is fully prepped to receive them.
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This is your first line of defence, and it’s a great one. A cleansing balm—typically a solid or semi-solid formula that melts into an oil on contact with skin—is one of the most effective ways to break down heavy makeup, SPF and long-wear formulas without stripping your skin. Scoop a small amount, warm it between your fingers and massage it all over your dry face in gentle circular motions. Watch it melt everything off. Rinse or wipe away with a warm damp cloth.
Your eye area deserves its own moment. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which means aggressive rubbing is a hard no. Use a dedicated eye makeup remover—ideally a biphasic one if you wear waterproof mascara or liner—and hold a soaked cotton pad over your lashes for 20 seconds before gently sweeping downward. Repeat until the cotton pad comes away clean.
One cleanse is rarely enough, especially if you’ve worn SPF, foundation or anything long-wear. After your cleansing balm, follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser suited to your skin type. This second step removes whatever your first cleanser left behind and cleans your skin rather than just your makeup. Massage it in for at least 60 seconds before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
These are the areas that almost everyone misses. Foundation and setting spray love to cling to your hairline; and concealer has a way of settling into your jawline and neck without you noticing. Take a moment to make sure your cleanser has reached all of these spots. Your skin will thank you.
After cleansing, swipe a gentle toner over your face with a cotton pad. You’ll be surprised how much residue still comes off even after a double cleanse. A hydrating toner also helps restore your skin’s pH balance, which cleansing can disrupt, and preps your skin for whatever comes next in your routine.
Clean skin is the whole point, so don’t leave it bare. Lock in your serums, moisturiser and eye cream while your skin is still slightly damp for better absorption. This is also a great time to apply any targeted treatments like retinol or niacinamide, since your skin is fully prepped to receive them.
This is your first line of defence, and it’s a great one. A cleansing balm—typically a solid or semi-solid formula that melts into an oil on contact with skin—is one of the most effective ways to break down heavy makeup, SPF and long-wear formulas without stripping your skin. Scoop a small amount, warm it between your fingers and massage it all over your dry face in gentle circular motions. Watch it melt everything off. Rinse or wipe away with a warm damp cloth.
Your eye area deserves its own moment. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which means aggressive rubbing is a hard no. Use a dedicated eye makeup remover—ideally a biphasic one if you wear waterproof mascara or liner—and hold a soaked cotton pad over your lashes for 20 seconds before gently sweeping downward. Repeat until the cotton pad comes away clean.
One cleanse is rarely enough, especially if you’ve worn SPF, foundation or anything long-wear. After your cleansing balm, follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser suited to your skin type. This second step removes whatever your first cleanser left behind and cleans your skin rather than just your makeup. Massage it in for at least 60 seconds before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
These are the areas that almost everyone misses. Foundation and setting spray love to cling to your hairline; and concealer has a way of settling into your jawline and neck without you noticing. Take a moment to make sure your cleanser has reached all of these spots. Your skin will thank you.
After cleansing, swipe a gentle toner over your face with a cotton pad. You’ll be surprised how much residue still comes off even after a double cleanse. A hydrating toner also helps restore your skin’s pH balance, which cleansing can disrupt, and preps your skin for whatever comes next in your routine.
Clean skin is the whole point, so don’t leave it bare. Lock in your serums, moisturiser and eye cream while your skin is still slightly damp for better absorption. This is also a great time to apply any targeted treatments like retinol or niacinamide, since your skin is fully prepped to receive them.
This is your first line of defence, and it’s a great one. A cleansing balm—typically a solid or semi-solid formula that melts into an oil on contact with skin—is one of the most effective ways to break down heavy makeup, SPF and long-wear formulas without stripping your skin. Scoop a small amount, warm it between your fingers and massage it all over your dry face in gentle circular motions. Watch it melt everything off. Rinse or wipe away with a warm damp cloth.
Your eye area deserves its own moment. The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face, which means aggressive rubbing is a hard no. Use a dedicated eye makeup remover—ideally a biphasic one if you wear waterproof mascara or liner—and hold a soaked cotton pad over your lashes for 20 seconds before gently sweeping downward. Repeat until the cotton pad comes away clean.
One cleanse is rarely enough, especially if you’ve worn SPF, foundation or anything long-wear. After your cleansing balm, follow up with a gentle water-based cleanser suited to your skin type. This second step removes whatever your first cleanser left behind and cleans your skin rather than just your makeup. Massage it in for at least 60 seconds before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
These are the areas that almost everyone misses. Foundation and setting spray love to cling to your hairline; and concealer has a way of settling into your jawline and neck without you noticing. Take a moment to make sure your cleanser has reached all of these spots. Your skin will thank you.
After cleansing, swipe a gentle toner over your face with a cotton pad. You’ll be surprised how much residue still comes off even after a double cleanse. A hydrating toner also helps restore your skin’s pH balance, which cleansing can disrupt, and preps your skin for whatever comes next in your routine.
Clean skin is the whole point, so don’t leave it bare. Lock in your serums, moisturiser and eye cream while your skin is still slightly damp for better absorption. This is also a great time to apply any targeted treatments like retinol or niacinamide, since your skin is fully prepped to receive them.
