Minimalism, The Way Forward

What does Meghan Markle have to do with the minimalist movement? Read on…

It’s official, the new lifestyle trend is minimalism and it’s here to stay, at least for a while.

It all started in the early 20th century when Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the great architect, uttered the now iconic phrase “Less is More” thus introducing minimalism to the world. It has been in and out of vogue ever since, most notable in recent past is the minimalist 90’s.

The current iteration of minimalism goes well beyond just design, it applies to everything in one’s life, many even call it a movement rather than a trend, and it’s all about living an unfussy, uncomplicated life. From enjoying clean and utilitarian design to living in smaller spaces with fewer things, current day minimalism encompasses everything.

Minimalism also applies to the beauty world, from using less makeup to using less skincare products in general. It has its advantages, fewer products to buy, less clutter to deal with, and if done right can look incredibly chic – a perfect example of which would be Meghan Markle’s wedding look!

The consensus is that a more pared down, simple skincare routine that addresses all your needs is better than using a bunch of products that can end up being repetitive, unnecessary, and even irritating. Followed up by effortless but effective makeup will not only look impeccable but will achieve lasting skin improvements.

The disadvantages to minimalist skincare is having to know exactly what your skin needs, and being able to find the right products for it. What makes this even more difficult is the reduced makeup, which means that the skin underneath really needs to be perfect to carry it off well.

The trick is to purchase skincare products that pack a punch and maximize the benefits to your skin. Here is a quick guide of the essentials:

• Use gentle cleansers daily that are hypoallergenic without essential oils which may irritate the skin. Also, use hydrating cleansers that don’t stip moisture from the skin.
• Every other day use a scrub that gently exfoliates dead cells. Pick one that is best for your skin type.
• Find a moisturizer that is right for your skin type, whether it be moisturizing for dry skin or non-oily for oily skin.
• To improve collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines use a light energy device like Silk’n Facetite, which will tighten, firm up, and overall improve the look of and feel of your skin. Bonus points it is not a serum so it won’t clog up your pores or cause extra irritation.
• Sunscreen that is at least SPF 30, this applies to everyone all year long.