The minimalistic approach is adopted in many areas of life and with the rise in the minimalist lifestyle approach to beauty and fashion as well. Minimalism isn’t about having less; it is about choosing the things that value the most and removing the possessions that are not important or needed.
Minimalism in beauty and fashion doesn’t mean removing all the garments, beauty products, furniture, and more. It means keeping all those items that you love and which you will use over a long period and have a long life. By adopting minimalism in beauty and fashion you leave more room for the things which are vital for a healthy lifestyle like joining a fitness class, taking a better diet, or traveling the world.
A Better Look at Minimalism in Beauty and Fashion
A minimalist wardrobe isn’t meant to be boring, it is meant to be exactly what fits your lifestyle. Rather than aiming to eliminate a few clothing pieces, it aims to include only high-quality pieces that suit your taste. The aim isn’t having only shades of black and grey or reducing your beauty products in fact, it helps in better decision making by making only confident choices about your clothes and products thereby, reducing the probability of bad choices which leads to an increase in materialistic possessions only.
How to use the approach in your lifestyle
- Start by Sorting your Closet and Dresser
When getting ready for a dinner party or other occasion, you ever wondered why you feel like you have nothing to wear when you are the one who buys all your clothes?
This is because around 80% of your clothing items are hanging for some special occasion or because you couldn’t resist buying it. The same goes for beauty products and grooming items. The appealing packaging and the salesperson can sometimes trick you into buying the products which you don’t even need. This shows the need for sorting out the closet and dresser and making better choices.
To get rid of all those items you’d require to empty the closet and dresser. After doing so sort the things in three piles categorized as keep, eliminate, and seasonal.
The keep pile includes all the clothing and beauty items that you absolutely love and use very often. They are most likely the ones that help you feel confident and comfortable.
The eliminate pile includes any piece that you haven’t worn in a long time and all the products that don’t suit you. This can be easy as you can identify all the useless items pretty easily. These items probably are not appreciated by you and make you feel guilty for buying them and not using them.
Then comes the seasonal pile, it contains all the options that you can use in other seasons but not in the current one. This helps to clear extra space for items that can be used in the current season.
Once you manage these piles start by arranging the keep pile in your closet and dresser
Analyzing the Similarities and the Differences
Start by analyzing the similarities between the keep and the eliminate pile and note all the differences. It can be the design, pattern, or color that helped you to sort what you love and what you don’t. This analysis will help you to understand your preferences better and it will lead to effective decision making in the future.
- Try Experimenting with Colour Palettes
Try to find the colors that work for you. There are three major approaches to color in minimal beauty and fashion. Neutrals, mains, and accent colors. You can opt for neutral colors as neutral helps you to experiment with what suits you best, and you can add little of other colors to it for occasions as well. In the beginning, it can be difficult to understand that which palette works for you, but after deciding the palette you can have a versatile wardrobe. Use a similar approach for your beauty products; keep only those products that compliment your style and clothes.
- Understand and Define your Style
Take some time to understand what helps you feel good. Your style can be described as a vibe like bohemian, modern, classic, or trendy. Choose the vibe which feels true to your style and use it for future reference when you need to pick outfits. Your style expresses your personality through your clothing choices and other items like makeup and accessories. Defining your style will help you to maintain the minimalistic approach as you will buy only those things that are suitable to your style. If you find something iconic while browsing through the internet, pin it for future reference to buy yourself a similar iconic look.
- Set Rules and Buy Accordingly
Rules may sound boring and dull, but they can do wonders to maintain your minimalistic approach and helps you to avoid buying the items which you may regret later. Start to set rules on the basis of what you want in your wardrobe and the qualities the clothes must-have. It can be based on color, fabric type, quality, environment friendliness, or your ideal style. As long as you manage to shop according to your goals, you can buy those items. Beauty and cosmetic products should also be purchased on the basis of rules.
- Choose Quality over Quantity
A conscious way of shopping involves choosing quality over quantity. Quality products last longer and give more satisfaction. You need to understand that cheap products do not offer quality and they aren’t durable as well. While choosing quality clothes it is important to understand the difference between natural and synthetic fiber.
Natural fibers such as linen, silk, and cotton are animal or plant-based fibers and more suitable as they don’t go through a synthesis process. Ethical brands also promote such fibers as they are elegant, natural, and classic.
Synthetic fibers such as acrylic, rayon, and polyester go through a synthesis process with plastic-like synthetic fibers. They are not promoted by ethical brands and are not suitable in the long run.
Minimalist Style Tips
- Skincare Routine
Skincare routine under a minimalist approach can be pretty simple and helps to eliminate all the unnecessary steps that you follow in your skincare regimen.
Following only a few steps with well-chosen and quality products can give you the skin you desire.
As the day comes to an end and you are ready to take that makeup off, you may require to go for a double cleanse- remove your makeup and then wash your face with a cleanser. Choose a cleanser according to your skin type and end the day by applying a layer of moisturizer. In the morning use a little cleanser if required according to your skin as over-washing can strip the skin of natural moisture. Then apply a suitable serum as the serum is known for its active ingredients and helps to keep the skin moisturized. A serum with hyaluronic acid is preferably a good choice. Finish your skincare routine with a moisturizer with high SPF to lock the moisture and you are good to go.
- Makeup Routine
A good makeup routine helps to manage time efficiently and includes only those products that are needed. The minimalistic approach not only focuses on keeping essential products but also on the minimal application of makeup. Some occasions call for certain highlighters and glitter which may appeal to you and make you shop more, however, it is necessary to buy only a suitable product and that too in moderation.
To buy only suitable products, and for that, you need to spend some time searching for them. Try a few different foundations and select the one that compliments your skin tone. A concealer might not be required then, however for some people its reverse might work. The same goes for lipsticks, mascaras, and eyeshades try what suits you best and stick to it. Try to stick to one palette, preferably nude as it can blend with almost all the colors and works for any occasion. Whether buying or using makeup it is necessary to remember less is more. A little foundation or concealer, followed by your favorite lip color, eyeshade, and mascara. And you are good to go with a perfect look.