In Week One of Skindergarten we looked at the various ways of Setting the Stage in order to set yourself up for success with your Skincare Routine.
This week we will look at BEING CONSISTENT. This is a concept that we return to over and over when it comes to our Skincare Routines, but have you thought about exactly what it means for your specific practice? I think it's time you do!
ASPECTS to consider when DEFINING *CONSISTENCY* WITHIN YOUR ROUTINE:
DAILY EFFORT.
I think we can all agree that the most important definition of *Being Consistent* is to do Skincare each day. It's this daily effort that gives pattern and form to the routines that we do. If you're not doing skincare every day then you're not giving your skin regular care, it's as simple as that.
WASH YOUR FACE!
I don't think it's too controversial to say that your daily practice must include at least one cleanse in order to count as Being Consistent. No matter what else you do in your routine, you've got to wash your face! (Sunscreen and moisturiser aren't far behind!)
HAVE AN ORGANISED APPROACH.
Whatever actives, serums, products, etc that you use, to be consistent you need to have some overall concept for what you're doing within your routine. Even if the routine changes every day there needs to be an overall reason behind your practice. You need to understand what you're using and why you're using it. You need to understand the synergy within your routine, as well as the conflicts and contraindications. You should be able to look at every product you use as part of a larger concept. As well, you should be able to identify a purpose for each individual product that goes on your face.
STUMBLING BLOCKS WITHIN YOUR ROUTINE.
We all have days where it's harder than others. But the occasional misstep isn't the same as a lack of consistency. You can't overcome your obstacles if you don't acknowledge that they exist. We looked at lots of road blocks and impediments in Skindergarten Week One, but maybe your issue is more down to confusion regarding the products themselves.
If you're just grabbing whatever strikes your fancy every day, then you aren't being consistent.
If you don't know what each product is for, how to use it, how much to use, or where it fits into the rest of your products, then you're not being consistent.
If you don't know what you're going to do before you do it, then, yes, consistency is a problem for you.
CREATE YOUR OWN DEFINITION OF *BEING CONSISTENT*
Let me be clear: the only person you need to answer to is yourself. I'm not going to know if you do your routine everyday or not, only you will know. You have to define for yourself what you are trying to achieve and what you are able to commit to in order to achieve it. There is no point in buying everything you need for a full 12-step K beauty routine if you only have time to rinse and moisturise. The important thing is honesty. It's better that you accurately reflect your situation and that you are realistic about how much you can do and what you're committing to. If consistency is an issue for you and you want to improve, you need to be honest with yourself about what you are ready for.
ask yourself:
Do you have the exact same routine every day?
If you don't have the same daily routine, do you plan each day or decide as you go?
Do you have a written plan? A Bullet Journal?
Do you plan out new products in advance to fit them into your overall concept?
Do you have certain products are *staples* in your routine but others are used *as and when*?
Do you have a reason for each product you use?
Do you have a weekly plan? Or maybe a seasonal plan?
💬💬💬 homework 💬💬💬
💬 List the parts of your routine that are always consistent. Identify which steps of your routine are 100% solid on a daily basis, the bits that you don't have to think about. Consider both the product, and it's role within the routine (IE: AM cleanse, PM single cleanse, PM double cleanse, AM Advanced Skincare, sunscreen, hydration, PM Advanced Skincare, treatments, techniques - massage etc). 💬 What products do you use every day? 💬 Do you have a plan for what you use and when you use it?
In the next two posts we'll look at: ACHIEVING CONSISTENCY, and STUMBLING BLOCKS, so for today I just want you to think of your own personal definition of consistency 💙💙💙