Beauty Routine: Untraditional Steps Rooted in Presence

Welcome to Embody post, aka the soft spot of Echo2Evolve, at least for me. Embody is an untraditional beauty segment of this blog that explores skin, hair, practices, all things beauty related. In this segment, I dive into conversations surrounding the harsh beauty standards pushed onto women and advocating to push the boundaries and create our own standards. 

When creating the Embody page, I had a million topics I wanted to express. 

But! The first thing I thought when making this was “I have to recreate my favorite childhood beauty blogs and share my beauty routine.” If you grew up during the era of the 2010s of YouTube beauty guru baddies, then you know how iconic it was to watch those routine videos and I instantly knew I must create my own routine, blog style. 

However, this beauty routine is the embodied version, meaning I will be narrating nontraditional steps rooted in presence, ultimately to elevate you from within. Inner work ends up always shining bright enough for the outer self, so why not share some of my easy-yet effective steps!

I release all the energy I have absorbed throughout the day or the day before by taking a shower. I often use the opportunity to perform a cleansing ritual in the shower to help re-center back to me. I would love to go further by turning your regular shower into a ritual. However, that’s for another blog post! However, if you are winding down for the day, I replace it with a bath instead, soothing for the body and the mind.

The first thing I do before starting the flow of the routine is to get as grounded as possible. I constantly reach out for the feeling of grounding throughout the steps. Activating steadiness helps stay present and regulate my nervous system emotionally as much as physically. However, it helps to be in my presence and a simple equation to remember this by 

  Present = the start of release of worries plus helps navigate your future. 

Often, I use scents, a relaxation playlist that I will be sharing soon, and prayer. Prayer helps me clear my mind of stress and anxiety. It allows me to visualize my reality rather than quiet my thoughts. Right now, being able to just talk to the direct source has helped me understand where I am. Later, I’ll change into an attire that feels fulfilling for me in the moment whether that may be comfy, cute or both. 

  Present = the start of release of worries plus helps navigate your future. 

Often, I use scents/candles with a relaxing note such as eucalyptus or lavender to set the tone. a relaxation playlist that I will be sharing soon, and prayer. Prayer helps me clear my mind of stress and anxiety. It allows me to visualize my reality rather than quiet my thoughts. Right now, being able to just talk to the direct source has helped me understand where I am. Later, I’ll change into an attire that feels fulfilling for me in the moment whether that may be comfy, cute or both. 

This is my favorite part of the routine that goes hand in hand with step 2. Any chance I get to physically pamper myself with oils, serums, lotions, and masks! Either body care or skincare, I’m having a great time.

 There is no chronic order for these two, but I personally start with my body. I keep all my product rotation small and easy so I can keep a consistent routine. First, I’ll go in with a light yet rich lotion (to drop a gem Nivea Lotion is my all-time favorite), then I will mix it with a light body oil as well (I use Saltair body oil in Seawater vanilla) and these products are butter to my skin. Afterwards, I will apply a perfume oil or body spray to enhance the beautiful feeling and scent from within. Oftentimes, I keep my hair routine very low maintenance but I still can’t forget it! All my hair needs is a light oil, water, and a cute silk bonnet. Lastly, follow up with my skincare and drink water afterward. 

People, especially me, spend so much time re-centering ourselves and finally reach a state of calmness and the first thing we tend to gravitate to is picking up our phones. I know this is something I am still working towards, but I am becoming more conscious of how much doomscrolling is actually affecting me. I’m either comparing, wishing, and negatively affecting the way I receive Dopamine, when there are calmer and fun activities I personally like to do. 

Investing time on building a dopamine menu that I found joy in is so beneficial in my personal life that brings development. For me that looks like reading, working out, blogging, hair, and more to discover!

Lastly, arguably the most important is to allow rest within your beauty routine, whether it may be in the morning or night. I take a moment out of my day, whether that may be 10,15,30 minutes long, to rest. My rest can look different from yours. My rest can look very diverse to doing a visual manifestation while meditation, napping, or quite literally sitting in silence. That may sound daunting or necessary, but sincerely think about how much out of your day you mentally check in with yourself or your body? I knew for a very long time I wasn’t doing these things, and it got to a point where I couldn’t explain what I was feeling in my body.

 I still have moments like that now, but now it’s slightly different because I now have the tools to recognize when something is triggering me emotionally, how it is affecting my body physically and how to comfort myself.

Especially as women, we tend to deal with so much in our lives, by bottling it up and to keep on moving. However, we must take a slither of time for ourselves to let our mind rest. This step is mandatory in my beauty routine and that applies to step one as well. Hopefully it can be a stable step for you. 

Thank you so much for reading my blog today and every other day you decide to visit my sanctuary. I would love to hear everyone’s beauty routine, whether it involves makeup, long walks, or what helps you get rooted back into your presence. I would be honored to hear it. Please enjoy your Tuesday and until next time!