15 Beauty Habits You Should Adopt In Your 30s

*This is a collaborative post 

The needs of our skin change as we get older, and once you reach your 30s, there’s a whole new set of beauty rules for your hair, skin, nails, and wellbeing. Many women find that as they reach their 30s, their skin becomes more sensitive, their hair is drier, and they’re beginning to wonder if their skincare routine should start including anti-ageing products. Your 30s are the perfect time to invest some serious time into your beauty habits. 

Skin

1. Choose lighter lotions. Lighter lotions and serums are better for skin in its 30s. Thicker anti-ageing lotions are usually not needed, and using them can make your skin more prone to breakouts. Use a lightweight product that won’t block your pores, and make sure it has a high level of UV protection. Some anti-ageing properties won’t hurt either. 
2. Use topical antioxidants. Vitamin C and E protect the skin from free radicals and oxidative stress, which both contribute to the kind of premature skin ageing that has you thinking about booking a facelift. Free radicals are generated by sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and your own cell metabolism. 
3. Buy an eye cream. Your eyes are often the first place that starts to show ageing, thanks to fine lines from laughing, frowning, and squinting. A retinal based eye cream can help to hold back bags and fine lines. Protect your eyes even more by wearing sunglasses whenever socially acceptable. 
4. Start using oils. When you get into your 30s, the skin begins to lose it’s hydration, springiness, and softness. A good face oil can help to counteract this. Massaging the oil in also reduces puffiness around the face. Choose an oil that is rich in fatty acids, is non-greasy, and suits all skin types, and use it two or three times a week. 
5. Embrace retinol. A topical vitamin A derivative (retinol) is great for anti-ageing. Retinols optimise skin turnover and collagen production, keeping your face looking bright, plump and youthful. 

Hair

1. Lower your tone. Your skin tone can change a surprising amount in your 30s, so consider making a change in the tone of your hair to match. Keep things soft and flattering around the face. A softer shade of whatever colour your hair is can work very well. 
2. Change your parting. Something as simple as shifting your parting can make a huge difference to the way you look. If you’re going for a youthful look, a centre parting can make you look younger.  
3. Book in for colour top-ups. If you want to maintain good colour condition, book in to see your colourist for a top-up, instead of going longer between visits. This can help to prevent over-colouring or over-processing your hair. 
4. Pamper your hair. In your 30s, you hair can begin to become drier and finer. A regular treatment to strengthen your hair is a good idea to help with this. Pick something rich in protein and moisture, and pamper your hair with a real treat. 
5. Choose a versatile cut. Chances are, you’re not so keen on the more trend-led cuts you had in your 20s. Choose a versatile cut that can be worn in a few different ways, so you can go for a professional updo for work, and then shake it out for a trendy loose look at weekends. 

Makeup

1. Prepare your skin. If your skin is in good condition, your makeup will go on better and look much nicer. Prepare your skin with a good skincare routine morning and evening. For a real treat and a beauty secret weapon, try a mini facial steamer a few times a week. 
2. Brush your brows. Eyebrows frame the eyes and make a big difference to your face. If yours are getting a bit sparse, which can happen around now, brush them with a brow brush for a couple of minutes every day to encourage regrowth. 
3. Try lash extensions. When applied properly, lash extensions instantly open up the eyes, making you look wide-eyed and youthful. They can even make your skin look brighter too! They’ll also save you a bit of time putting on mascara. Alternatively, you can use a lash serum to enhance your own lashes.
4. Swap powders for creams. Take the powder highlighters, foundations and blushers out of your makeup bag and invest in creamy textures instead. Cream-based products are an easier way to brighten and enhance your skin tone and features. 
5. Edit your makeup bag. Most of have makeup bags that are overflowing with half-finished mascaras, one electric blue eye shadow we bought for a fancy-dress party, and more lipsticks than we can wear. Now’s the time to have a thorough edit and clear your makeup bag of everything you don’t actually use. You’ll be better able to see what you have and make better use of it.