Beauty Tips from a Newly Christened 30 Year Old

Earlier this year I wrote a post explaining how happy I was to turn 30. And so far, I’m still pretty happy about it. At the time, I felt exactly like Jennifer Gardner in “13 Going on 30,” and I knew that being “30, flirty and fun” would be the best time ever. OK, sure, I’m not exactly like the character in that movie. I don’t have a jet setting life in New York City as a magazine editor or anything, but I am digging this new decade. I have a rad family that loves me, a new career on the horizon and a to-do list that’s a mile long (in a good way). And it may sound conceited, but I look pretty damn good these days.

At 20 and even 25, I still had no idea who I was style and beauty-wise. I basically dressed how my friends dressed and wore the same make-up they did (even though I am so pale I’m almost translucent and they look like they came straight from the beach). Around 26 I started to explore who I was in terms of my style and creative tastes, and with that came a whole new outlook on beauty products. My beauty regimin today consists of a few simple things:

– Hair care: Man oh man, did I used to abuse my hair. I have naturally wavy, blond hair, and I spent years straightening it with a hot iron and bleaching it or dying it dark (depending on my mood). These days I stick to drying it naturally without heat and only washing a few times a week. My main products are Bumble and Bumble Curl Creme (for wavy curls), Fekkai Glossing Cream (for straight hair days) and Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo (to extend days between washing).

– Skin care: I confess, I never used to wash my face before bed. I know, so gross! These days I use wet wipes while I’m traveling and when I’m at home I use the Neutrogena Wave system. I really want to upgrade to a better machine (the wave was in my stocking last Christmas) and I’m thinking of either the DDF Revolve System or the Clarisonic (anyone heard good things about either of these?). I’m learning as my skin gets older, I need to invest in better products to keep it healthy. Which, you know…duh!

– Make-up: A few months back I went on a major make-up purge and now I only use a few products on a daily basis. I use tinted moisturizer instead of foundation, lightening concealer to get rid of the dark circles under my eyes (total problem area), mascara, creme blush and a lip tint. It takes 5 minutes, tops. If I’m going out or getting fancy, I add red lipstick (this is my fave), eyeshadow and some powdered eyeliner.

Now for some fun news! DDF is offering Crazybananas readers a special deal on their DDF Revolve 400X Kit. You can get this awesome system for $45 (retail price $98!) with free shipping through Jan 31, 2013. Click here and then use the code DDFMICRODERMA at checkout. And as an added bonus, you can get a second product for half price, with free shipping, through Jan 31, using the code 2013DDFSKIN! Hooray for happy skin!

Have your beauty routines changed as you’ve aged? I’d love to hear any tips and tricks!

(Photo by Christina Gepner)