This post has been updated now that I live in Florida & wear sunscreen every day
I originally summarized a lot of this information at the end of another post about our home and personal care favorites, but readers had trouble finding it buried there. I kept updating that list as I changed products, so I decided to create a dedicated post to collect my current hair, makeup, and skin routines in one easy-to-find place.
Hair and Shower
My current go-to shampoo and conditioner work well on my thick hair, and when I discovered my hair is actually curly rather than simply frizzy, a curl cream I apply right out of the shower became a game changer. It tames frizz and keeps hair soft whether it’s straightened or worn curly. For body wash I use a large, long-lasting bottle, and I sometimes use conditioner as shave gel.
I also like a gentle exfoliating scrub with fine beads for my face, used one to two times a week to loosen dead skin and leave skin soft. Occasionally I use organic coconut oil straight from the jar as a deep hair mask; be sure to shampoo thoroughly afterward so your hair doesn’t stay greasy the next day.
My Makeup
I keep my makeup collection intentionally small and simple. For bronzer I use a matte powder applied with a large brush, and if needed I dab on a concealer under my eyes. I also use a peachy powder under the cheekbones and a cream highlighter above the cheekbones and under the brows for a subtle glow.
On the eyes I stick to a neutral brown shadow on the lids and lightly fill in my brows with the darkest shade from the palette to define them. I curl my lashes, line my eyes with black liner (I’m not great at precision), and finish with a dependable mascara that gives volume and length without fuss. For brows, a tinted brow gel is my favorite quick fix — it looks natural but makes a big difference on days when I want to feel put together with minimal effort.
For lips, I almost always choose a classic lip balm; I prefer the simple, nourishing options that keep lips soft without adding strong color. I also keep tweezers and nail clippers in my makeup pouch for quick grooming.
Face Care and Skin Routine
My face routine is intentionally simple and a little unconventional: I don’t use toner, eye cream, multiple cleansers, or specialty lotions. I don’t use traditional foaming face washes—this routine works for my skin, and my dermatologist noted that my skin looks healthy.
I rely on three basic, natural products: organic apple cider vinegar diluted with water as a morning toner, organic coconut oil as my nightly moisturizer and makeup remover, and a gentle witch hazel facial mist for added hydration and clarity. I use coconut oil sparingly on the face at night; it soaks in like a moisturizer, helps with dryness, and hasn’t caused breakouts for me. I also use it occasionally as a deep hair mask.
On the topic of fine lines and wrinkles: adding coconut oil nightly has made my skin feel more hydrated and plumper, which lessens the appearance of some lines. It’s not a miracle cure, but improved hydration definitely softens the look of creases caused by dry skin.
My Nightly Routine
At night I typically remove makeup and moisturize with a light dab of organic coconut oil. If I’ve worn makeup, I massage the oil on like a cold cream and wipe it off with a warm, damp washcloth, then reapply a tiny amount if needed. If I’m not wearing makeup, I simply rub a small amount of oil on as my night cream.
Update: since moving to Florida and using sunscreen daily, I’ve added a retinol and a lactic acid treatment to my evening routine. I apply coconut oil if my skin feels dry or to remove makeup, then layer the retinol followed by the lactic acid treatment on nights when I use them. I still avoid cleansers and aggressive scrubs, since those tend to trigger breakouts for me.
My Morning Routine
In the morning I use a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse as a toner—about a 50/50 mix with water—applied with a cotton ball for a light sweep across the face. After it dries I mist a gentle witch hazel facial toner for extra hydration. I’ve found this combination helps reduce breakouts and minimizes blackheads.
I also apply a vitamin C serum in the morning and use a cooling roller when I want extra absorption and a refreshed feeling. A caffeine-based eye serum helps reduce puffiness. My final step is a thin layer of a non-greasy, matte sunscreen, and occasionally I add a hydrating stick to dewy areas to smooth dehydrated spots and plump fine lines.
Weekly Treatments I Use
Once a week I microneedle in the evening with a small device to encourage firmer skin and smoother texture. It feels like a mild exfoliation and does not hurt. I sterilize the tool after each use by spraying it with alcohol and letting it air dry. After microneedling I often follow with lightweight coconut oil as a soothing layer; some people also apply a gentle serum afterward.
On a different day each week I use a facial razor to remove peach fuzz and slough off dead skin, which leaves my face feeling smooth. I also use a clay-style face mask about once a week—often a few days after microneedling—to deep clean pores and improve skin texture when my skin needs a reset.
Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin Tags
A concentrated application of undiluted apple cider vinegar on a small skin tag applied with a cotton ball for a few minutes each day can sometimes help the tag dry up and fall off after several days. Reactions vary, so test a small area first and consider diluting the vinegar if you feel excessive burning or irritation. Mild redness is normal and usually subsides within 10–15 minutes.
If you want to see these routines in action—microneedling, jade rolling, or post-treatment results—I sometimes share video clips and stories on my social channels showing the process in real time. For other household and personal favorites, I keep a running list of products I use and recommend.
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