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Many believe that our energies and moods ebb and flow with the phases of the moon. While we don’t have a full scientific understanding of how the moon impacts us daily, monthly, or over a lifetime, many feel its power anyway. 

People plan major events like weddings or vacations around moon phases. So why not align your beauty routine with the moon’s movements? 

Consider this your complete guide to correlating your beauty routine with the moon’s phases, so you can glow and flow together for cosmic harmony.

The New Moon and New Beginnings

One of the best things to do for your beauty routine when a new moon hits is to declutter your makeup collection. Get rid of expired stuff, and get ready to start anew! New beginnings might sound stressful, but think of this like a reset. There’s no need to pressure yourself or feel rushed during this phase. Just go with the flow of what you’re feeling.

• Skin: The new moon is the right time to set intentions, so if you want to revamp your skincare routine, this is your moment. If your skincare routine hasn’t been working for you, we suggest scrapping it and trying something new.
• Makeup: Focus on the foundation of your makeup. Make sure you use a primer you love (we’re obsessed with the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer), as well as a concealer and foundation that suits you. 
• Hair: Make sure you like your shampoo and conditioner. If not, it’s time to try something new that will revitalize your hair. We recommend the Oribe Lunar New Year Hair Alchemy Shampoo and Conditioner!
• Nails: Start thinking about the aesthetic for your next manicure. We like to base it on what we need in life at that moment, whether that’s confidence with a bold color or serenity with a soothing pastel or neutral, like OPI Moon Over Mumbai.
• Body: Do a dry brush or salt bath to refresh your energy and circulation. We love using this Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub to feel totally refreshed. 

Waxing Crescent and Positive Intentions

This phase is important. If you’re starting a new routine or trying fresh products, be diligent about it. Make sure you follow your routine precisely every day to set the tone for the rest of the cycle. 

• Skin: Consider what you want from your skin or what your skin needs. If you want to brighten it, choose a Vitamin C serum, like this Mad Hippie serum. If wrinkles are your problem, get a new retinal serum, like this Moon Fruit Retinol Alternative Serum.
• Makeup: For this phase, keep your looks bright and dainty, but you can do more than you did during the new moon. Keep your eyeliner thin, and don’t layer on the mascara too much.  This Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Glitter Eyeliner and the Too Faced Moon Crush Highlighter have the perfect vibe.
• Hair: If you want your hair to grow faster, give it a maintenance trim during the waxing crescent. Also, do a nourishing mask, like the Amika Soulfood mask. This will set that growth intention and help hair flourish.
• Nails: The same goes for nails. If you want them to grow, give them a little TLC with a trim or file and nourishing serum, like this Nail Elixir by mooncat.

Bonus: Give your teeth some attention with a Moon Platinum Teeth Whitening Pen!

First Quarter and Big Decisions

You’ll likely feel motivated and decisive during the first quarter moon, so capitalize on that vibe and be bold!

• Skin: This is when you can start implementing your new skincare products and give your skin something to consider! The decision-making phase is when your skin will be ready to adapt. 
• Makeup: Do those striking styles that you’ve been nervous to try. It’s just makeup — it’ll wash off! Try a daring lipstick, like this Revlon Shoot The Moon Lipstick in Purple Aura or Kaja’s Moon Crystal Eye Pigment. Do sharp brows and dramatic eyeliner. Go for it.
• Hair: If you’ve been itching for a new haircut, it’s time to make a decision. We don’t mean a routine trim, we mean a change. Making this big transformation during the first quarter moon will give you more confidence and assurance. 
• Nails: Get that new manicure! It’s time to settle on your next nail look.

Waxing Gibbous and Freeing Purification

Unsurprisingly, we encourage you to use purifying products this month, which means exfoliants, strong cleansers, detoxifying formulas, and so on. By the end of this phase, you should feel like a newborn baby!

• Skin: You probably know what we’ll say — time for a strong cleanser and purifying face mask, like the Umbrian Clay Pore-Purifying Face Mask. 
• Makeup: Refine the makeup looks you’ve been playing with. Consider what might not be for you and what new styles are sending you over the moon, and lean into those. 
• Hair: Let’s turn rinse and repeat into a habit during the waxing gibbous. Skip the heavy hair oils and leave-in conditioners, and just go for that grease-free feel for a few days. We love the Virtue Purifying Clarifying Shampoo if you want to feel super-duper clean.
• Nails: This is a fabulous opportunity to remove your current polish and go naked for a little while. Give your hands a good scrub, and be sure to get under the nails. 
• Body: Exfoliate like your life depended on it! Give your body a chance to reset here and prepare for the full moon with something like Simple Sugars Strawberry Body Scrub.

The Full Moon and Fruition

The full moon represents completion and fruition, a time when your body will be soaking up everything you’ve given it over the last few weeks. During this moon phase, we recommend pampering the hell out of yourself.

• Skin: Do all the skincare stuff during the full moon! Your skin will be the most energized and ready to absorb whatever you give it. 
• Makeup: Do it all, baby! If you want to do a full beat-your-face moment, the full moon is primetime. Go for sharp brows, red lips, glittery blushes, warm bronzers (Charlotte Tilbury Mini Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder), thick eyeliner looks (Kaja Wink Stamp Eyeliner), and volumizing mascara (Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara).
• Hair: There’s no better time for a volumizing hair treatment, so use this Pureology Pure Volume Conditioner. It will lock in all those intentions and nourishment for the next moon cycle. 
• Body: Like with your skincare, indulge your body in all the good stuff you have to give it. This is a sensational time to take a bath, and we love this Brother Moon Bath Bomb from Lush.

Bonus: Spritz yourself with this PHLUR Mini Moonstone Body & Hair Fragrance Mist to round out this feeling of wholeness.

Waning Gibbous and All the Gratitude

We’re constantly trying to make our skin brighter, pores smaller, hair thicker, nails longer, and it never ends. We love to use the waning gibbous as an invitation to appreciate our beauty just as it is. 

Take time to look at yourself and note the things you like, whether it’s the color of your hair or the softness of your skin. Most of all, be grateful for your body that allows you to connect with the world. 

During this phase, there’s nothing you need to do, stop doing, or change. Just be. And drink lots of water as a ”thank you” to your body. 

Third Quarter and Releasing Tension

The third quarter phase is a chill time. It’s about soft release and letting go of tension. Go easy on yourself and your skin, but keep it clean.

• Skin: If you’ve changed your routine, assess what is not working and let it go. Use a soft cleanser during this time — our fave is Dr. Thayer’s Snow Mushroom Milky Cleanser, which feels like butter. And use light, hydrating serums, like this Hyaluronic Acid Serum. 
• Makeup: If you have to or really want to wear makeup, stick to the bare minimum with something simple like the Laura Mercier Lunar New Year Setting Powder or Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Stick in Moon. If you’re feeling emotional, which is normal, prioritize those waterproof products.
• Body: This is a wonderful time to shave or wax if you have unwanted hair. It can help prepare you for the approaching new moon. 

Waning Crescent and Soothing Surrender

The waning crescent is the last phase before the cycle begins again with the new moon. New beginnings are right around the corner (again), so don’t overwhelm yourself during this phase. Let your natural beauty come to the surface.

• Skin: This is not a great time to change things up. Whatever your skincare routine is, keep doing it for now. You can always change it up when the new moon comes. Give it a chance to do its thing, and don’t mess with the mojo. 
• Makeup: No makeup! Skip the makeup during the waxing gibbous to give your skin a break and a chance to feel relaxed and free. 
• Hair: Don’t wash your hair for a few days, just let it nourish itself with your natural hair oils. 
• Nails: During the waning crescent, you should accept things as they are. If your nails are chipped, embrace the imperfection. The most beautiful things can’t last forever. 
• Body: More than anything else, give your body time to rest. Sleep in or take a spontaneous nap. Use soothing products, like the Eucalyptus + Lavender Body Butter.

There’s Beauty in Every Phase

It’s important to know no one phase is better than another. All of the phases are part of the journey and should be embraced and cherished. If your intuition pulls you in a different direction than what’s mentioned here, listen to yourself. Or better yet, listen to the moon.