TikTok trends come and go, but these days, the ones with the most staying power are the ones 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 instead of 2026. Gen Z is rediscovering old-school nail colors and perfumes, and music, memes and pop culture moments from decades past are trending. It seems like everyone wants to return to simpler times, and I get it. I’ve consumed my fair share of nostalgic content. In fact, my FYP is filled with it.
However, lately, I’ve been noticing a specific trend. It’s called “Personal Course” and has received thousands of posts and mentions. This includes making 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 myself a lifelong learner, I love this trend. This inspired me to create my own personal course and start studying my huge collection of TBR books. However, after a while, I started wondering: What if I incorporated this trend into my beauty routine? I thought this might help me stay consistent with some of the habits and treatments I want to incorporate into my daily routine. So I gave it a try and created a detailed spring beauty curriculum. I’m sharing this with you, dear reader, to a) make it official, b) to hold yourself accountable, and c) to inspire you to do the same if that’s what you want.
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skin care
Use Retinol 3x per week
After turning 30 last year, I told myself there’s no better time to start using retinol. Continuous. I’ve been using it occasionally for years, but as any dermatologist will tell you, retinoids are a long game (more a marathon than a sprint). When used religiously over a long period of time they provide the best results – doing everything from stimulating collagen, enhancing lines and wrinkles, reducing discoloration, reducing texture and much more.
check out The Ultimate Guide to Retinoids-Types, strengths and best uses.
I’ve resolved to using a retinol serum at night three times a week. (My skin is sensitive, so retinol is enough for me, but eventually, under the expert guidance of a dermatologist, I will increase it to prescription-grade tretinoin.) It’s important to note that retinoids make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to wear sunscreen during the day if you’re using one. I already wear it every day, so I didn’t add it to my spring beauty regimen.
Buy My Favorite Retinol Serum
eop
Retinol RX 1% Super Bounce Serum
SkinCeuticals
Retinol 1.0 Night Cream
Use Azelaic Acid Every Other Day
Like retinol, I’ve been using it occasionally 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 will follow the expert’s advice and gradually incorporate it into my daily routine, starting every other day in the morning and eventually increasing it to every day. Then, I will continue to apply 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.
Shop My Favorite Azelaic Acid Serum
Anua
Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Soothing Serum
ordinary
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Cream
Paula’s Choice
10% Azelaic Acid Booster for redness relief
Use LED Mask 5 Times Per Week
Since I struggle with dull, inflamed skin (thanks, rosacea), and I’m noticing signs of aging, I know I could benefit from a standing appointment with my favorite LED face mask. My goal is to use one every night, five days a week for best results. So far, I’ve been using it occasionally whenever I remember, but it just isn’t cutting it.
Buy My Favorite LED Face Mask
shark beauty
CryoGlow Cooling LED Face Mask
currentbody skin
LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask
Dr Dennis Gross
SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Hair
Use Bond Repair Treatment 1 time per week
I’ve been highlighting my hair for years, and if there’s one thing that’s inevitable with it, it’s damage. My hair is prone to extensive breakage and split ends, and if I don’t pay attention to my hair health routine, it shows. Unfortunately, I was lazy with it over the winter, and now I’m paying the price.
Shop My Favorite Bond-Repair Treatment
olaplex
No. 3 Plus Complete Bond Repair
Redken
acidic bond concentrate
body care
Use body cream and oil at night
Most people swap out rich body creams and oils for lighter, hydrating creams and oils in the spring and summer, but I do the opposite. I spend a lot of time outside in the warmer months, and sunburn, sweat, and sun exposure take a toll on my skin. So I like to offer it with rich, cushiony and comfortable formulas. I find that these products also keep razor burn and bumps away, so they are doubly effective.
As part of my spring beauty regimen, I’ve been using the Rich Body Cream and Oil every night. Yes, every night! Once I get out of the shower, I immediately apply these for soft, supple and glowing looking skin.
Shop My Favorite Bodycare Products
O.S.E.A.
Undaria Algae Body Oil
Apply self-tanner 1 time per week
I’ve had more sun damage than I’d like to admit. Blame it on the lackadaisical attitude toward sunscreen in high school and college and the long days spent at the beach, but I’m still trying to erase the discoloration from all those years ago. These days, I’m all about avoiding sun damage. means to wear Use body sunscreen every day and keep your skin covered whenever possible. He Too This means I’m avoiding any trace of natural tan this spring and summer (sad but true).
This doesn’t mean that my skin will look dull. No, it will look fresh, glowing and sun-kissed! And it’s all thanks to the truly unknown self-tanning products I’ve collected over the years. I’ve committed to using them once a week (probably on a Sunday afternoon), as part of my spring beauty regimen. Not only will it give me consistent, glow-enhancing coverage, but it will also protect my skin from the dreaded sun damage I would have otherwise suffered if I were looking for a natural tan.
Shop my favorite self-tanners
loving tan
10 Minute Express Self-Tanning Body Mask
St. tropez
Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
bondi sands
Salon Quality Self Tanning Foam Dark
nail care
Commit to a 10-minute, weekly nailcare routine
I’ve been really into the natural nail look lately. I think it looks very fresh and effortless. However, to really commit to it, I need my natural nails to look their best. This means no splitting, breaking or bending. This also means filing them into a flawless shape and cleaning my cuticles. So I’ve been incorporating a quick 10-minute nailcare routine into my week (usually while my self-tanner is saturating my skin on a Sunday afternoon). I cut and file my nails, use a cuticle exfoliator and apply smoothing hand cream. If I wear nail polish it’s OPI bubble bath ($12), a classic!
Shop My Favorite Nailcare Products
Manucurist
Keratin Booster Nail Strengthener
pom
All-in-One Cuticle and Nail Cream
sally hansen
instant cuticle remover oil
eyelashes and eyebrows
Use Lash and Brow Serum at Night
Just as I’m embracing natural nails, I’m also embracing my natural lashes and brows. While my trusty As mascara and brow pencils gather dust, I’m investing in a high-quality growth-boosting serum to use every night without fail. my goal? Long, flowing eyelashes and thick, shiny eyebrows in summer.
Shop My Favorite Lash and Brow Serum
swede beauty
eyelash growth serum
table
Liposils Expert Eyelash Serum
Grande Cosmetics
Grandebrow Brow Serum
oral care
Upgrade 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 I’m protecting my smile from stains, keeping my breath fresh, and strengthening the enamel. So I invested in a water flosser for healthy gums. (It’s a game changer!) I also incorporated the TikTok-viral mouth rinse into my routine and started using whitening strips every other night for brighter, glowing teeth.
Shop My Favorite Oral-Care Products
water Pik
Aquarius Water Flosser
therabreath
anticavity mouthwash
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