9 Unhinged Beauty Habits I SWEAR by That Changed How I Look

Summary

Libby shares nine beauty and self-care habits that she says have improved her appearance and how she feels. These are based on her personal experience, not expert medical advice.

1. Morning neck massage, chest opening, and jumping

   • She gently massages her neck and upper chest for 30–60 seconds, then does chest-opening and spinal movements.
   • She finishes with about 100 jumps, dancing to a song, or jumping rope for roughly 1½–3 minutes.
   • She says the routine helps her feel more awake and less puffy. She advises starting gently and being cautious if you have knee or joint issues.

2. Upgrade a few wardrobe staples

   • Rather than replacing everything, she focuses on tops, shoes, and bags, choosing higher-quality materials such as cotton, silk, and genuine leather.
   • Her principle is to own fewer, more versatile pieces that last and make her feel polished.
   • She highlights a Songmont leather tote as an example.

3. Moisturize and exfoliate the body

   • After showering, she moisturizes from head to toe while her skin is still slightly damp. She prefers a urea-based body moisturizer.
   • A few nights a week, she exfoliates rough areas with glycolic acid or exfoliating pads, then moisturizes. She sometimes adds camellia oil to especially dry areas.
   • She says this has helped with dryness, roughness, and ingrown hairs.

4. Mouth taping at night

   • She says she uses mouth tape to reduce dry mouth and encourage nasal breathing, and credits it with helping keep her lips and teeth less dry.
   • This personal practice may not be suitable for everyone. Anyone with breathing or sleep concerns should check with a health professional before trying it.

5. Use saline for nasal congestion

   • When needed, she uses a pharmacy saline spray or rinse, which she says helps clear her nasal passages and makes breathing through her nose easier.
   • She uses it about once or a few times a week, rather than necessarily every day.

6. Wear flattering clothes at home, too

   • She avoids buying clothes just for lounging and aims to wear comfortable but put-together outfits every day.
   • Her idea is to dress in a way that supports the mood and confidence she wants, rather than letting a low mood dictate what she wears.

7. Use azelaic acid consistently

   • She applies azelaic acid to her face, hands, neck, and chest, saying it has worked better for her than harsher products.
   • Her routine is to apply essence to damp skin, let it dry, wait several minutes before applying azelaic acid, and then moisturize.
   • She emphasizes keeping skincare simple and introducing products carefully to avoid irritation.

8. Practice evening gratitude

   • She writes down small things she appreciates, gradually building on them until she feels more positive.
   • In the morning, she writes a gratitude prompt and leaves space to record surprises or blessings from the day.

9. Make time for a flow-state hobby

   • She recommends a creative or playful hobby that helps interrupt stress and overthinking.
   • Her example is salsa dancing; other ideas include painting, drawing, sewing, and gardening.

Presenter and sources

Libby is the presenter and draws mainly on her personal experience. Her mother taught her to moisturize daily, and Libby also references her Gratitude Vortex Substack article. Products and brands mentioned include The Ordinary, Haruharu, and Songmont.