7 Products to Help You Feel Empowered Through Beauty and Self-Care

There’s nothing quite like taking a moment for yourself to simply unplug. Resetting through much-needed respite is necessary for everyone and beauty and self-care are important since we’ve come to learn that so many of us feel empowered through our makeup routines, skin care processes and hair care rituals. 

But lately, we’ve also been hearing stories of people saying that they feel like self-care has become a chore, and when they don’t reach some sort of zen they feel like they’ve failed at the mission. The truth is, self-care doesn’t have to be fancy, fussy or overly expensive. Just a few moments of affirmations while you wash your hair could be self-care. Doing your makeup while you watch your favorite show to crown America’s next drag superstar is self-care. It really is what you make it — as long as it makes you feel good.

To help you along the way as you explore how beauty and empowerment go hand-in-hand, we’re sharing some of our favorite drugstore must-haves to accompany your self-care moments, however big or small. 

L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum

L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask

A face mask and a cup of coffee or tea sounds exactly like the type of self-care moment we love, and it’s easy to do with this skin detoxifier. It’s made with three pure clays and charcoal to draw out impurities from the pores in order to clear and brighten the skin. The formula is creamy and non-drying, so you don’t have to worry about having that tight feeling in the face once you rinse the mask off.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Cell Renewal Midnight Cream, Antioxidants

It’s pretty tempting to create a moment of relaxation around this creamy moisturizer already since its luxurious texture and sweet smell make you want to stop and enjoy it. Build a few extra minutes into your skin care routine so that you can indulge in it. Of course the bonus is that it hydrates the skin without making it feel greasy, improves the skin barrier by infusing it with antioxidants and works to smooth wrinkles while firming the skin.

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Simply Clean Elastic Fiber Masque

For many people, wash day is already an hours-long event that consists of several steps. Make one of those steps a mask-and-unwind with this vegan fiber mask formulated with essential oils. The delicious fragrance and unique texture helps you transform a masking session into a sensorial hair ritual that can uplift your mood, not to mention improve your hair’s health.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Savior Fiber Mask, Paraben-Free

While we’re on the topic of effective hair masks, we have to mention this sweet smelling cream mask made especially for those looking to retain length. It helps repair hair damage, including split ends, thanks to its collagen peptide-infused formula. Clap the mask together in your hands to turn the creamy texture into a fibrous one that will wrap around your strands to work its magic. It transforms hair in just minutes, but that doesn’t mean your empowering moment has to be that brief.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Flash Hydration Wonder Water, Sulfate-Free

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo, Conditioner & Treatment Kit

Sometimes, creating the perfect beauty relaxation moment calls for a team, or a kit if you will — but you can still keep it simple. If glossy, shiny hair is your thing (we think it’s safe to say that it should be), then add this trio to your weekly self-care routine. It consists of a glossing shampoo, glossing conditioner and hair glaze treatment that resets the hair’s pH to give hair back its shine and a glossy finish that lasts.

Next: 9 Biggest Beauty Trends of 2023, as Predicted by Pinterest

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn