"High Maintenance" to Be "Low Maintenance": The TikTok Trend That's Making Self-Care Easier
The TikTok trend is changing the way we do self-care and streamlining our beauty routines.
Stocksy
Not to be dramatic, but BeautyTok, TikTok’s beauty contingent, is a bit of a life-changer. While not every tip or trend on the social media platform is effective — or even safe — once in a while browsers can stumble on a practice that can help them glow in any way they want, as well as drastically changing the process for achieving that (seemingly effortless) radiance.
One such life-changing trend is what content creators are calling “high maintenance to be low maintenance,” which boasts some 412.5M views at the time of writing. People following this beauty philosophy engage in lots of “high maintenance” beauty practices (whether at home or in the salon) which then save time on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. Think: doing overnight heatless curls, using a red light therapy mask, or getting laser hair removal — but skipping daily hair styling, a ten-step makeup routine, or shaving.
In the case of some permanent treatments, you may not even have to worry about a particular aspect of your beauty routine ever again, or at least not for several years. As such, you’re temporarily high maintenance in order to end up being low maintenance as far as your regular morning and evening routines go.
"Laser hair removal, blowouts, keratin treatments, lashes, highlights, and the whole shebang. I never had to wear makeup, barely had to dry my hair, and didn't need to shave. I was doing all of these things to make my daily grind easier and more ‘low maintenance.’"
Limor Weinberg, NP
Limor Weinberg, a board-certified nurse practitioner, master trainer in aesthetics, and founder of The Clinic USA, a medspa in Miami, says that her Gen Z staff were the ones to let her in on this trend — which she then realized she’d been doing all her life. Even though she felt like she was a “low maintenance” kind of person, people assumed she was “high maintenance,” which confused her.
“But now, 20 years later, this trend finally makes sense of all that,” says Weinberg. “I was guilty of doing all of these high-maintenance things to then be considered low maintenance. Laser hair removal, blowouts, keratin treatments, lashes, highlights, and the whole shebang. I never had to wear makeup, barely had to dry my hair, and didn't need to shave. I was doing all of these things to make my daily grind easier and more ‘low maintenance.’”
Below, we go into further detail about the kinds of high-maintenance practices you can implement for beauty, hair, and skincare that can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. Your "I just rolled out of bed look" is about to get an upgrade.
Choosing High-Maintenance Beauty Activities
For Weinberg, picking a high-maintenance beauty routine is a question of what suits your particular needs, lifestyle, and budget. “What some may see as high maintenance can actually be a way to simplify life and save time in the long run,” she says. “Things like eyelash extensions, eyebrow lamination, simple manicures, laser hair removal, and even Botox or fillers, these aren't necessarily daily rituals. That means you can enjoy the benefits of these beauty enhancements without the daily hassle. Your lashes, brows, and skin stay on point with minimal effort.”
With that in mind, here are some examples of beauty treatments you can experiment with to make your daily routine that much easier.
Gel manicures or nail extensions
There are two options for longer-lasting manicures that can be done in your local salon. Gel manis consist of a special kind of polish, called gel or shellac, which is applied directly to your natural nails. It is then set under UV lamps and can last up to three weeks.
Nail extensions are false, acrylic nails that are fixed to your nails and shaped, then painted with gel polish. While you’ll need to go back to the salon to change your gel color every three weeks or so, the actual false nails can last for months.
Lash lifts or extensions
Lash extensions are exactly what they sound like: false lash-like fibers that are fixed to your lashes for a dramatic, made-up look. These last up to eight weeks. Meanwhile, lash lifts are a great alternative for a more natural look that requires less aftercare. This is a method in which your real lashes are curled upwards, making them look longer and fuller, and it lasts up to eight weeks as well.
Brow lamination or microblading
Lamination and microblading are two in-salon options for brows that look “made up.” Microblading is a semi-permanent brow tattoo that can last a few years. Meanwhile, lamination consists of a series of solutions applied to the natural brows, which means you can easily brush them into shape and fluff them up. Lamination lasts up to eight weeks.
“Microblading and brow lamination can be a better option than tweezing brows and at-home DIY dye kits as the results look better and more polished,” says Ridah Syed, Senior Medical Aesthetician at Skinfluencer London. “But with microblading, you need to avoid using retinol in the area as it could fade the color.”
Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators (like Botox) are a highly effective way to smooth out your skin and last up to five months. “Botulinum Toxin [Botox] injections help to relax fine lines and wrinkles, giving your face a fresh and revived appearance,” says Prisk. They work by temporarily paralyzing the small muscles in your face, preventing them from contracting and causing wrinkles. They're pretty low on the pain scale (most people describe it as a pinching sensation), and they're generally considered safe when administered by a licensed provider.
“These anti-wrinkle injections can be used to treat various areas of the face including forehead and frown lines, crow feet, drooping brow, bunny lines around the nose, around the chin,” adds Prisk.
Investing Wisely
There are pros and cons to the high-maintenance to be low-maintenance trend, and it’s really all about what suits your lifestyle, desired results, and budget. That said, as you might expect, most of the experts we spoke to felt that investing in high-maintenance treatments with longer-term results was worth the initial time and cost investment.
“What is considered a low maintenance choice could be a false economy as if you were to add up the amount of time and money spent over a number of years on it,” said Syed. “It could equate to the same if not more than routines that are considered high maintenance. Also generally speaking, high maintenance routines may keep you looking more polished and even youthful in the long run.” The expert caveats, however, that “high maintenance treatments can be painful for some people (such as electrolysis or laser hair removal versus low maintenance shaving).”
Related: The 8 Best Foods for Glowing Skin, According to Dietitians
Effortless Hair Care
Maintaining a certain hairstyle, whether short or long, requires consistent effort. Not to mention the removal of unwanted hair via shaving or waxing. Frequent cuts, color upkeep, daily styling, and body hair maintenance can be draining and feel like a never-ending task. Luckily, there are ways to reduce the burden of hair care and make it a low-maintenance part of your life.
Hair Style
For those looking to reduce daily hairstyling time, Sam Carpenter, hair artist and educator at Eideal, recommends bangs or a bob. “Bangs can refresh your look and require minimal effort to style,” he explains. “A classic bob is easy to manage and style quickly if you use the correct brush such as a paddle or flat brush to help you dry it into shape.” Obviously, both hairstyles will require regular visits to your salon, but it may be worth it in terms of the time you save in the morning.
Color Maintenance
If you love the look of colored hair but don’t want to see your colorist every three weeks, you can have it all. “Natural shades that are close to your original hair color are typically easier to maintain,” says Carpenter. “Subtle highlights can also be low maintenance as they grow out more naturally. Balayage has become a hugely in-demand color service in the past five years as it is a technique that is designed specifically to be a low maintenance look.” The expert does caution that you’ll need to care for your hair at home in order to keep your color looking beautiful (for example, applying a gloss treatment or using a root concealer).
Waxing or Laser Hair Removal
Shaving may be less time-consuming in the moment, but it has to be done frequently — especially if your hair grows fast and you want a totally smooth feel. Waxing or laser hair removal are two longer-lasting alternatives that free up time in your Everything Shower. Depending on the area, waxing can last up to four weeks, while laser hair removal can last many years before needing a top-up (however, you'll have to commit to multiple sessions during your first go-round). “When it comes to hair removal, high maintenance treatments such as laser hair removal are also a better choice since shaving can lead to enhanced hair growth, as well as unsightly rashes and stubble,” says Syed.
Salon Treatments
Last but not least, keratin treatments or Brazilian blowouts can significantly decrease your hair styling time in the morning. “In-salon keratin treatments from reputable brands such as Amazon Keratin can reduce frizz and make hair easier to manage, saving time on daily styling,” says Carpenter. “However, they may require initial time and cost investment.”
Related: Fact or Fiction? Here's Which Instagram Hair Growth Tips Are Actually Worth Trying
Maintaining Healthy Skin
Unfortunately, you can’t maintain healthy skin by simply washing your face every morning. You need to care for your skin morning and evening, being sure to suncare. There are many "high maintenance" options when it comes to maintaining healthy skin, including frequent facials, investing in customized skin care products, and targeted in-office treatments.
"At the end of the day, this trend isn't about being high maintenance or low maintenance. It's about finding the balance that works for you, your lifestyle, and your budget, all while enjoying the benefits of modern beauty practices and satisfying that curiosity about what's happening in the world of beauty."
Limor Weinberg, NP
Frequent Facials
Getting regular facials is a way to consistently invest in your skin. It's a form of preventative care that can help keep your skin in tip-top shape. Be sure to find a licensed esthetician who can provide safe and customized care for your skin needs. The frequency and maintenance of facials will depend on your skin needs, but for most, a monthly basis will be appropriate. If this feels like a huge investment cashwise, find a spot that offers packages or specials, or simply make it a quarterly treat.
Dermal and Lip Fillers
Facial fillers have become very popular and can help you achieve the look you want without surgery. “These soft tissue fillers are administered in-clinic via cosmetic injection and are used to plump the skin on the face, giving a more youthful and fuller appearance of the skin,” says skin and aesthetics expert Nina Prisk, of Update Aesthetics. “Dermal fillers are safe and effective and usually last between 6 to 12 months.”
Similar to dermal filler, lip filler is used to plump up the lips for a fuller look. “It can add volume to thin lips, correct uneven shape and smooth out smokers' lines and scars,” says Prisk.
Seasonal Skincare
“In-clinic high-maintenance skin treatments {think Botox, Fraxel, and fillers} can be boosted by an at-home skincare regimen that has been tailor-made by a skincare specialist to suit your skin type and help address any skincare challenges you face, as well as achieve your skincare goals,” says Syed.
The expert goes on to explain that as we move into fall and winter, it’s a good idea to add actives “such as exfoliants, retinols, Beta Hydroxy Acids, and vitamin A,” which can be too harsh with sun exposure in the summer. “In addition to a broad-spectrum sunscreen, ensure you have a good antioxidant with vitamin C to use in the morning to boost skin glow and a retinol for night-time use,” she says. All of this will help ensure that you get the benefits out of your high-maintenance treatments and that you keep your skin healthy and protected.
Finding Balance and Confidence
While the high maintenance to be low maintenance trend won’t be right for everyone for all sorts of personal reasons, it can have many benefits in terms of how confident you feel on a daily basis. If you don’t have time or, frankly, can’t be bothered to go through an elaborate routine while getting ready for work AND after a long day, being selectively "high maintenance" means that you won’t really have to — and you’ll still feel beautiful, put together, and at your most confident.
“At the end of the day, this trend isn't about being high maintenance or low maintenance,” says Weinberg. “It's about finding the balance that works for you, your lifestyle, and your budget, all while enjoying the benefits of modern beauty practices and satisfying that curiosity about what's happening in the world of beauty.”
Related: Here's Why TikTok's 'Retinol Sandwich' Application Method Might Not Work for You
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