Building Your Daily Beauty Routine: A Beginner's Guide

If you're staring at a bathroom counter full of products and have no idea where to start, you're not alone. The beauty industry thrives on complexity, but a genuinely effective daily routine can be built with fewer products than you think.

The Morning Routine (15 Minutes)

1. Cleanse

A gentle cleanser removes overnight oil and prep your skin. If your skin isn't oily in the morning, lukewarm water alone is sufficient — save the cleanser for evening.

2. Moisturise + SPF

South Africa has some of the highest UV levels in the world. A moisturiser with built-in SPF 30+ is the single most impactful skincare step you can take. Apply it every morning, even on cloudy days, even if you're staying indoors near windows.

3. Base Makeup (Optional)

If you wear makeup, less is more for daily wear. A tinted moisturiser or light foundation evens out your skin tone without the full-coverage look. For days when you need more polish — a work presentation, an interview, a date — a long-wear foundation like Revlon ColorStay provides up to 24-hour coverage that adapts to your skin type.

4. Fragrance

Your scent is part of your routine. A daily fragrance should be lighter than an evening one — something fresh and subtle that won't overwhelm in a work environment. Revlon Pink Happiness hits this mark perfectly, or try the lighter scents from the Emily in Paris collection for a Parisian daytime feel.

5. Antiperspirant

Apply before getting dressed. A clinical-strength formula like Mitchum works best when applied the night before, but a morning application still provides solid protection. Let it dry completely before putting on clothing to avoid residue.

The Evening Routine (10 Minutes)

1. Remove Makeup

Micellar water or a cleansing oil breaks down makeup effectively. Don't rely on regular cleanser alone — it won't fully dissolve waterproof products.

2. Cleanse

Your actual cleanser goes second, after makeup removal. This "double cleanse" ensures your skin is genuinely clean, not just smeared-around clean.

3. Moisturise

Evening moisturiser can be richer than your daytime one since you don't need SPF. Your skin repairs itself overnight, so a nourishing formula supports that process.

4. Night-Time Antiperspirant

This is the optimal application time. Your sweat glands are less active at night, allowing the active ingredients in products like Mitchum to form a more effective barrier. The protection persists through your morning shower and throughout the next day.

Keep It Simple

The most effective beauty routine is the one you'll actually do every day. Start with the basics — cleanser, moisturiser, SPF, antiperspirant — and add products only when you've identified a specific need. Five consistent steps will always outperform a 15-step routine you abandon after two weeks.