Do You Look At The Mirror During Your Skincare Regime?

Do You Look At The Mirror During Your Skincare Regime?

I seldom wear my glasses on the blog (can’t show my facial skin properly with my glasses in the way for reviews etc etc), yet here’s the thing: I’m blind as a bat without it. When I get out of the shower, dried myself off with a towel, popped on body lotion, I head to the bedroom to start my skincare regime. I don’t have a proper dressing table, only 2 chests of drawers my skincare items sit on, so I usually stand in front of a small mirror to apply my skincare products.

Again, just to remind you, I’m blind as a bat without my glasses and throughout the entire process, I don’t have my glasses on. If you’re also short-sighted like me, you’ll know how it feels to have to go very near the mirror just to see what you’re doing clearly.

After a while, I don’t even look at the mirror anymore. I slap the lotions and potions on my face as though I’m on autopilot. Even though the small mirror is in front of me, I don’t look at it because I could barely make out my face in the mirror unless I stand a few inches away from it. I learned to perfect the “auto pilot-ness” of skincare application very well over the years.

This happened for many years but at the beginning of the year, I decided to take my time and look at the mirror properly when I apply my skincare. Even if I have to almost kiss my nose with the mirror, I started to really look at the mirror when I’m applying my serums, eye cream, moisturiser and sunscreen. As time went on, I began to notice the physical changes in my skin sooner. I didn’t realise that the haphazard way of my applying eye cream was leaving bits of cream on my face that I didn’t blend properly. Slowly but surely, I started to learn more about my face and skin. I started to see where new lines are forming, where old lines are softening and how my skin is really looking.

This practice of really noticing yourself in front of the mirror can be pretty confronting. Often I’d exclaim “bloody hell, where did those lines come from?!“. This wouldn’t be new to you if you’ve always been able to see yourself clearly in the mirror when you’re applying your skincare but for a short-sighted person like me who has been applying her skincare on autopilot without a mirror for years, it got intimidating pretty quickly. But it also taught me many things about my own skin that I didn’t know before, if I had looked in the mirror properly when I’m slapping some cream onto my face.

My question to you is this: do you look at the mirror properly when you’re applying your skincare? Do you notice every nook and cranny of your face? Or do you go on autopilot and apply them without a mirror?

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21 comments… add one
  1. Tracy

    I’ve never really thought about this until now. Great point to being up. We take so much care while applying lipstick and mascara so why not skincare which I’m a huge believer in. I guess it’s because I put on my skincare right when I get out of the shower and the mirror is across the sink. Where I have a dedicated vanity room to apply my makeup and mirrors all around. Maybe I should start paying more attention in the future.
    Tracy recently posted..Top 5 Favorite|Repurchased EyeshadowsMy Profile

    1. Tine

      I don’t put my skincare in the bathroom because I’m worried about moisture creating mold in my products. I’ve heard that it can happen, so just a heads up. I used to have a proper dressing table before I moved to Australia that comes with a stool. Again, I was blind as a bat, so even when I was sitting down at the dressing table in front of the mirror, I couldn’t really see what I was doing unless I’m standing 2 inches in front of the mirror. 😛

      1. Tracy

        Definitely a good point about the mold however I keep all my stash on a rolling cart in my linen closet right outside my bathroom. I wheel it in when I need it and wheel it out when I’m done. I hate clutter! And I’m also pretty blind so I’m with you on not being able to see anyway 🙂
        Tracy recently posted..BISC – Vol.14: ​​What’s the inspiration behind your blog name?My Profile

  2. Robert C.

    I usually just go auto-pilot and slap on my skincare unless I use something like a spot treatment (benzyl peroxide/hydroquinone, etc). I just feel like I never had a need to? Haha but maybe I would one day if I have a dedicated vanity table as I don’t really see the point of having one currently..
    Robert C. recently posted..[thoughts] Animal Welfare in the World of CosmeticsMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Right? I thought I was the only one doing it on auto-pilot! For spot treatments, I’m definitely almost kissing the mirror with my nose but for the rest, I’m like slap it on, and done. 😛

  3. Paris B

    Hmm… I do, but that’s because I can see myself (unlike before when I was blind as a bat – Lasik FTW!) It helps me ensure I get every spot on the face and not just move creams around and hope for the best hehe…
    Paris B recently posted..On my Hit-list and Cheat Day-list is the new Laneige Water Sleeping MaskMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Lesson of this blog post: I NEED LASIK. 😛 😛

  4. Rosalind

    Can’t stop laughing seeing the “blind as a bat” phrase. I completely understand that seeing that I am pretty much blind without my glasses too. Somehow, I have always put my face closer to the mirror during my skincare routine just to see where I am putting my creams and lotions and potions. Although admittedly, it does feel a bit too vain at times :p I think it is true that we notice more if we observe constantly, but sometimes it frustrates me too when I notice too much too haha~

    1. Tine

      Hahahaha come on, blind as bat girls unite! Kakakak!

      I’m not sure if you watched the TV series Sex and the City, but there’s one particular episode where Carrie talked about secret single behaviours, ie the things we do in secret that people don’t know we do. Charlotte’s secret single behaviour was holding her hand mirror and staring at every single nook and cranny on her face. Now that I’m trying to get off auto-pilot of applying my skincare, I find myself staring at every nook and cranny on my face and boy, it can get frustrating! Where that new line come from?? 😛

  5. Amy

    Oooh this is something I’ve never considered before! I do sometimes use the mirror but I’m more used to doing it without. I also wear glasses and it can get so annoying to use the mirror as I’ll need to move right in front of it!
    Amy recently posted..I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag!My Profile

    1. Tine

      Oh the plight of us short-sighted girls! 😛

  6. I totally go on autopilot! I’m so used to the routine that I just do it without thinking about it and only really look at my skin properly when I’m applying foundation…… I totally get the noticing new lines too – since I turned 30 I swear all these little lines starting appearing!! xx

    1. Tine

      How the heck are you 30, Belle?? You look so young!

  7. Kathryn

    Hi Tine, have you thought about laser eye surgery? I had it about 5 years ago. Amazing. Although I was shocked to see my skin afterwards! I apply my skincare and makeup in the bathroom, and look in the mirror. Did you get your email sorted after being hacked? Not sure if it’s safe to open any from you yet! Kathryn 🙂

    1. Tine

      I’ve been considering it for years! My mum had it, my aunties and uncles had it and I’ve been wanting to get it done for ages. Initially it was the cost of the procedure that was holding me back and now, it’s the down time. Initially I was thinking of getting it done in Malaysia since I hear that it’s cheaper but it follow up appointments with the doctor would be difficult. Which means I’m going to have to do it here. You know what, I want to get it done. I really should, before my power gets any higher. 2016 it is! 😀

  8. swati

    Count me in. I am also blind as a bit and literally have to kiss the mirror with my nose 🙂 but I do look at the mirror while applying sunscreen otherwise I do not really bother using the mirror. More often than not, I am never even in front of it.
    swati recently posted..deFabulous Reviver Shampoo and Conditioner Product ReviewMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Hahaha the kiss of the nose and the mirror for short-sighted girls! I know that well. 😛

  9. Kate

    In the day, I would place a handy mirror in front of me while I apply my skincare products, to make sure I apply the creams evenly and blend out my sunscreen. At night I would apply my skincare on my bed in the dark before I sleep.

    However I am obsessed in looking in the mirror during my shower to make sure I always remove my makeup thoroughly and cleanse my skin well. Then I will use the handy mirror to magnify my skin and inspect for pimple bumps, comedomes and get rid of them when I can. Which is why I take a long time in the bathroom every night. Hehe

    1. Tine

      Hahaha I know what you mean! I do that just before my shower too. Tim’s always wondering why the heck my showers take so long. 😛

      Oooh I forgot I do have a hand mirror. Must take that out and use it!

  10. Sequins & Sand

    Sometimes I look in the mirror, sometimes I don’t. Although the first thing I usually notice is the number of grey hairs I have each time (and it is definitely not going down!)

    1. Tine

      The advantage of being short-sighted? I can’t see my grey hairs at all without my glasses, even if I’m really near the mirror. 😛 😛

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