So you found a gray hair or a wrinkle that isn't going away; no reason to panic. No one should be scared of turning 30, but in case you are, we've rounded up the beauty rules that POPSUGAR's most fabulous 30-something editors live by. So if 30 is around the corner, resolve to trade your addiction to tanning, smoking, or sparkly lip gloss for new vices, like serums, deep conditioners, and a pricey stylist.
While your 20s are a time for experimenting with edgy haircuts, lip colors, and questionable sexual partners, in your 30s, it's time to get serious about your long-term health and your long-term beauty. As soon as you accept that, the easier it will be; plus, it's an excuse to buy more beauty products. So keep calm and read on for 22 beauty rules to follow in your 30s.
Even if you're wearing sunscreen, you'll want more protection for your face. Even if you aren't seeing sun damage yet, we promise you it's there.
No joke: several of us over-30 editors at POPSUGAR fly across the country to get our hair cut, because our favorite stylists live in cities we used to live in and still visit frequently.
Your skin concerns should no longer be considered cosmetic. They're medical now! Make sure you are getting regular skin checks and that your doctor is willing to talk cosmetic dermatology and recommend the treatments that are best for your skin.
As soon as you start to notice lines that don't go away, you'll learn to relax your face, especially when concentrating on something or when angry or stressed. Also, while I never stop myself from smiling when I'm happy, I've learned to smile a different way in photos so my face doesn't look so scrunchy.
Moisturize your neck just like you would you face. Slather yourself in serums. Pounce on anything with words like "antiaging," "firming," and "brightening."
At least twice a week, I discover a startlingly long, thick, dark "witch hair" growing from my chin that I must extract immediately.
As an adult woman, you should graduate from sparkly lip glosses to luscious lipsticks. If you haven't already, by the time you turn 30, aim to find the perfect red lipstick that works for you.
While fingers work for some application tricks, the secret to having a smooth, polished makeup look is using the right high-quality brushes and cleaning them at least once a month, if not more. I make it part of my Sunday chores.
Even if you become a more sophisticated drinker in your 30s (eschewing shots, knowing your limits), your face won't care. The day after a big night out, my face looks puffy, ruddy, dry, and just overall bleh.
Like, every three months. I don't do this, but I should. Because no matter how well I take care of my skin, I never look as fresh-faced as I did in my 20s, but a facial brings me pretty close.
Remember what we said about moisturizer? Nighttime is the right time to let your skin soak up the really serious stuff that you would never wear during the day under your makeup.
You will become obsessed with eye cream (we love Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Eye Treatment) and eye serum (try Prevage Antiaging Eye Serum) to keep your skin as elastic, moisturized, and wrinkle free as possible. For those days after a night of drinking, a depuffing eye treatment also comes in handy.
Apply both lotion and sunscreen to your hands, just as you would you face. Your hands can show signs of aging faster than pretty much anywhere else, so pamper them beyond just getting manicures.
Yes, hair ages too, so just as you want to moisturize the heck out of your skin, you should be deep-conditioning your hair. My beauty resolution for my 36th year is to start using a deep-conditioning mask every few weeks.
Just like everything on your body, your hair is less likely to bounce back from abuse as you get older. Especially the curly girls among us should switch to a less aggressive brush for wet detangling, like the appropriately named Wet Brush featured in the POPSUGAR Must Have box.
We know, we know, we should have already stopped smoking or never started. But if you have trouble kicking the habit, like me, make your 30s the decade to quit. I was amazed how much better my skin looked even one month after I stopped.
If smoking isn't your vice, maybe it's biting your nails, another bad habit to give up in your 30s. Plus, think of all the ladylike manicures you can get once you stop!
At the very least, wipe it down with a cleansing wipe. You really have no excuse.
While you don't need to forgo all sparkly makeup, approach it carefully. Not only can it look juvenile, but when sparkly stuff settles around your fine lines, the wrinkles can look even more defined.
Though we always want to look our best, when it comes down to it, there's really nothing you can do about aging; it just happens. So just embrace it, and be glad you're not 25 anymore.