I Gave Myself a Spring Beauty Curriculum—9 Nonnegotiable Steps I'm Incorporating This Season
It's all about consistency.
TikTok trends come and go, but these days, the ones that seem to have the most staying power are steeped in nostalgia. For example, frosty lipstick, matte makeup, and side bangs are back and better than ever… and making us feel like it's 2006 rather than 2026. Gen Z is even rediscovering old-school nail colors and perfumes, and decades-old music, memes, and pop culture moments are trending. It seems like everyone wants to return to a simpler time, and I get it. I've consumed my fair share of nostalgic content. In fact, my FYP is flooded with it.
Lately, though, I've been obsessing over one specific trend. It's called the "personal curriculum," and it's garnered thousands of posts and mentions. It involves creating a list of books, articles, documentaries, even new experiences, that you want to make time for in the coming months. The school-inspired trend is a way for adults to continue learning, growing, and improving despite our often busy schedules, big responsibilities, and monotonous routines.
As someone who considers herself a lifelong learner, I love this trend. It inspired me to create my own personal curriculum and begin burning through my massive collection of TBR books. After a while, though, I started thinking: What if I translated this trend to my beauty routine? I figured it might help me stay consistent with certain habits and treatments that I've been wanting to incorporate into my routine. So I gave it a shot and created an exhaustive spring beauty curriculum. I'm sharing it with you, dear reader, to A) make it official, B) hold myself accountable, and C) inspire you to do the same, if you feel so inclined.
Article continues belowSkincare
Use Retinol 3x Per Week
After turning 30 last year, I told myself there was no better time to start using retinol consistently. I've been using it on and off for years, but as any dermatologist will tell you, retinoids are a long game (more of a marathon than a sprint). They provide the best results when used religiously over a long period of time—doing everything from stimulating collagen, plumping lines and wrinkles, fading discoloration, minimizing texture, and more.
Check out the ultimate guide to retinoids—types, strengths, and best use.
I've committed myself to using a retinol serum three times a week at night. (I have sensitive skin, so retinol is enough for me, but eventually, I'll step it up to prescription-grade tretinoin under the expert guidance of a dermatologist.) It's important to note that retinoids make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so wearing sunscreen during the day is critical if you're using one. I already wear it every day, so I didn't add this to my spring beauty curriculum.
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Use Azelaic Acid Every Other Day
Azelaic acid is one of the most underrated skincare ingredients. It exfoliates, refines texture, targets acne, soothes redness, and fades discoloration. It does all of this without irritating the skin. (It's even suitable for sensitive skin like mine.)
Like retinol, I've been using it on and off for years, but I want to make it official in my spring beauty routine, especially since my rosacea has been flaring up lately and I'm in desperate need of some redness relief. I'll follow the expert's advice and slowly incorporate it into my routine, starting every other day in the a.m., eventually building up to every day. Again, I'll continue to wear SPF daily; even though it's incredibly gentle, it's technically still an exfoliating acid, and it can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
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Use an LED Mask 5x Per Week
LED face masks are so effective. Blue light kills acne-causing bacteria, while red light stimulates collagen production, lowers inflammation, and even boosts cellular energy. There are other wavelengths you can use for various other skin concerns, but those are by far the most popular.
Since I struggle with dull, inflamed skin (thanks, rosacea), and I'm seeing signs of aging appear, I know I could benefit from a standing appointment with my favorite LED face masks. My goal is to use one every night, five days a week, for the best results. Up until now, I've been using one occasionally whenever I remember to, but that's not cutting it.
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Hair
Use Bond Repair Treatments 1x Per Week
I've been highlighting my hair for years, and if there's one thing that's inevitable with that, it's damage. My hair is prone to breakage and split ends in a big way, and if I don't stay on top of my hair-health routine, it shows. Unfortunately, I was lazy with it over the winter, and I'm paying the price for it now.
That's why I'm committing to using bond-building treatments once a week throughout spring. ICYMI, these treatments repair broken bonds in the hair cuticle. While there are three types of bonds, most treatments repair just the disulfide bonds. However, some advanced treatments indirectly strengthen the other two—hydrogen and salt bonds. This not only strengthens the hair to prevent split ends and damage, but it also leads to shinier, bouncier strands.
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Bodycare
Use Body Creams and Oils Nightly
Most people swap rich body creams and oils for light, hydrating ones in the spring and summer, but I do the opposite. I spend a lot of time outside in the warmer months, and the sun, sweat, and sun exposure are hard on my skin. So I like to treat it to rich, cushiony, and comforting formulas. I find that these products also keep razor burn and bumps at bay, so they're doubly effective.
As part of my spring beauty curriculum, I'm using rich body creams and oils every night. Yep, every night! Once I'm out of the shower, I'll apply them immediately for soft, smooth, and glossy-looking skin.
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Apply Self-Tanner 1x Per Week
I've incurred more sun damage than I'd like to admit. Blame it on a rather lackadaisical approach to sunscreen in high school and college, plus long days spent at the beach, but I'm STILL trying to fade discoloration from all those years ago. Nowadays, I'm dead set on avoiding sun damage. That means wearing body sunscreen every day and keeping my skin covered when I can. That also means I'm avoiding any semblance of a natural tan this spring and summer (sad but true).
That doesn't mean my skin will look dull. Nay, it will look fresh, glowy, and sun-kissed! And it's all thanks to some truly undetectable self-tanning products that I've collected over the years. I'm committing to using them once a week (likely on Sunday afternoons), as part of my spring beauty curriculum. Not only will this give me consistent, glow-boosting coverage, but it will also save my skin from the dreaded sun damage I would get if I were to seek a natural tan.
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Nailcare
Commit to a 10-Minute, Weekly Nailcare Routine
I've been really into the natural nail look recently. I think it looks so fresh and effortless. However, to truly commit to it, I need my natural nails to look their best. That means no splitting, breaking, or bending. That also means filing them into a flawless shape and cleaning up my cuticles. So I'm incorporating a quick 10-minute nailcare routine into my week (usually while my self-tanner is saturating my skin on a Sunday afternoon). I clip and file my nails, use a cuticle exfoliator, and apply a smoothing hand cream. If I do apply apply nail polish, it's OPI's Bubble Bath ($12), a classic!
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Lashes & Brows
Use a Lash and Brow Serum Nightly
In the same way I'm embracing natural nails, I'm also embracing my natural lashes and brows. While my trusty mascara and brow pencil gather dust, I'm investing in high-quality growth-boosting serums to use every single night, without fail. My goal? Long, fluttery lashes and thick, glossy brows by summer.
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Oral Care
Elevate My Daily Oral-Health Routine
Last but not least, I'm leveling up my oral-care routine. As an avid coffee drinker, I want to make sure that I'm protecting my smile from stains, keeping my breath fresh, and strengthening enamel. So I invested in a water flosser for healthier gums. (It's a game changer!) I also incorporated a TikTok-viral mouth rinse into my routine and started using whitening strips every other night for bright, sparkling teeth.
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