Being High-Maintenance So You Can Be Low-Maintenance Later

 Photo: Net-a-porter

You know those girls who always look flawless—fresh brows, glowing skin, glossy lips—even when they “just rolled out of bed”? Spoiler: they didn’t wake up like that. The truth is, looking effortlessly polished takes a bit of planning. It’s the art of being high maintenance strategically, so your everyday life feels easier, smoother, and more beautiful.

By incorporating the right rituals, whether it’s weekly dermaplaning or investing in a good silk pillowcase, you can minimize your daily effort while maximizing your glow. And the best part? You don’t need a celebrity glam squad or an overseas shipping address.

These 14 tips are made for real life with beauty solutions that actually work and products you can get your hands on.

1. Brow Tinting, Lamination & Lash Enhancements

Your brows are the frame to your face and if they’re done, you’re halfway to looking polished, even without makeup. Brow tinting and lamination can dramatically improve your look by giving the illusion of fuller, lifted, and more structured brows. Lamination, in particular, helps “set” your brow hairs in place, making them appear fluffier and more styled for weeks at a time.

At-home brow kits like the Eylure Dybrow Kit (available at Dis-Chem or Clicks) are a budget-friendly option and come with everything you need for a simple tinting session. For lamination, DIY kits are available online via Takealot, or you can visit a trusted salon like The Brow Bar, Candi & Co, or Sorbet for professional results.

Want to take it further? Lash tinting or extensions can eliminate the need for mascara completely. Tinting darkens and lifts your natural lashes, while extensions add volume and length. Look for lash specialists in your area or try LashUp SA or Lash & Brow Co for high-quality services.

2. Threading & Waxing: The Small Details That Matter

Keeping your brows and upper lip clean and shaped is one of those small efforts that make a major impact. Threading is great for precision and works well for sensitive skin, while waxing is quick and effective for larger areas.

You’ll find great brow bars in shopping centers around the country, The Lashery, Zhoosh Brows & Beauty, and UniQ Brows, Skin and Aesthetics are all great options. If you’d rather DIY, opt for Mandy's Facial Wax Strips or Veet Precision Wax & Care from Clicks or Dis-Chem. Tidy brows and a smooth upper lip can make you look more awake and refreshed with or without makeup.

3. Gel Manicures & Pedicures: Hands & Feet That Always Look Done

One of the easiest ways to look polished, even in sweats, is having neat nails. Gel manicures and pedicures are worth the time and money because they last, especially on toes. A good gel pedi can easily hold up for four to six weeks, making it the ultimate low-effort win.

South African nail salons widely use Bio Sculpture, Gelish, and Morgan Taylor, brands known for durability and high-gloss finishes. Salons like Boa Beauty Bar, Sorbet, or boutique studios in your area offer gel services with a wide range of colours. Choose versatile shades like nude, pale pink, or a timeless red for a look that works with every outfit.

4. Upgrade Your Bedtime: Silk, Microfiber & Disposable Towels

Let’s talk about fabric. What you sleep on and dry your face with plays a huge role in your skin and hair health. Traditional cotton pillowcases can cause frizz, absorb your expensive serums, and even contribute to breakouts. Instead, swap them out for silk or satin pillowcases which reduce friction and help maintain moisture.

Look for The Silk Lady, Silk, or Sorbet, all local brands that offer high-quality silk or satin options. Likewise, switch your regular bath towel for a microfiber hair towel to reduce hair breakage and speed up drying. As for your face, invest in disposable facial towels (like Clean Skin Club, available online) or even simple paper towel alternatives to avoid rubbing bacteria from your bath towel onto your skin.

5. Hair Masks & Scalp Oiling: TLC for Every Hair Type

Your hair deserves the same attention as your skin. Weekly hair masks and regular scalp oiling help nourish, strengthen, and rejuvenate your strands from root to tip. Whether you have coily hair, straight hair, or anything in between, moisture is key.

For textured and natural hair, Aunt Jackie's Natural Growth Oil Blends and The Perfect Hair Deep Conditioning Masque are incredible. For straighter or finer hair, try Hask Argan Oil Hair Mask or TRESemmé Botanic Hair Food. Add heat with a warm towel wrap or sleep in it overnight for extra hydration. These rituals keep your hair looking glossy and feeling soft, which means less styling and fewer bad hair days.

6. Lip Stains: The Lazy-Girl Lipstick

A lip stain is one of the easiest ways to elevate your face in seconds. Unlike lipstick, stains don’t need reapplying and won’t smudge after coffee. Perfect for busy mornings or makeup-free days.

Try Clarins Lip Comfort Oil, Benefit Benetint, or budget-friendly gems like Essence WHAT A TINT. Available at Dis-Chem and Clicks, they come in soft, flattering shades that give a natural flush to the lips while hydrating them, too.

7. Sleep Masks: Let Your Skin Work Overnight

If you’re not masking while you sleep, you’re missing a major opportunity. Overnight masks work while your body rests, delivering hydration, nourishment, and plumpness to tired skin.

South African brand Skin Republic offers excellent under-eye collagen patches and overnight masks. For lips, Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a global favourite and available locally via Woolworths or Takealot. For a full-face treatment, look out for Sorbet Hydrating Sleep Masks that provide all-night moisture boosts.

8. Heatless Curls: Effortless Volume, No Damage

If you have straight hair and you’re tired of heat styling, heatless curls are your new best friend. Satin curlers or TikTok-famous curling ribbons give you bounce and volume without the damage.

You can find heatless curling rods on Takealot or from Milo and Mo, a local online beauty brand. Pop them in before bed and wake up with bouncy curls, no curling wand required.

9. Bonnets & Hair Protection While You Sleep

Sleeping in a satin bonnet is essential if you want to maintain a hairstyle overnight. It reduces moisture loss, minimises friction, and prevents breakage or frizz—especially important for curly or textured hair types.

Try local bonnet brands like Silk, The San Hair, or Clicks. Bonus: they come in cute colours and patterns, so your bedtime look still slays.

10. Cuticle Oil: Keep That Mani Fresh

Even the best gel manicure can look tired without proper upkeep. Applying cuticle oil regularly helps hydrate your nails and prevent lifting or chipping.

Look for OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil, Bio-Oil (yes, it works!), or Essence Cuticle Oil from Clicks. It’s a small but mighty habit that will stretch the life of your mani and keep your hands looking youthful and groomed.

11. Dermaplanning: Smooth, Glowy Skin—At Home

Dermaplaning exfoliates the skin and removes peach fuzz, allowing for better product absorption and smoother makeup application. You can safely do it at home using a Flawless Dermaplane Tool (Clicks) or Eyebrow Razors from Takealot.

Prep your skin with a gentle cleanser, then glide the tool downward at a 45-degree angle. Follow with a hydrating serum or mask, avoid harsh actives for 24 hours post-treatment. It’s a total game-changer for skin texture and glow.

12. Teeth Whitening Strips: A Brighter Smile, No Appointment Needed

Want a whiter smile without the dental visit? Teeth whitening strips are easy to use and deliver noticeable results within a few days. Try Spotlight Oral Care Strips (available at Woolworths), or Crest Whitestrips on Takealot.

Just follow the instructions carefully and pair with a sensitive toothpaste to avoid discomfort. The result? A brighter, more confident smile—effortlessly.

13. Facial Sculpting: Gua Sha & Ice Rolling

Facial massages with a Gua sha or ice roller can help reduce puffiness, improve circulation, and give your face that natural lift. Even five minutes in the morning can de-puff your face and make your cheekbones pop.

Luna Skincare, Skoon and Faithful to Nature stock gua sha tools and facial rollers locally. Keep your tools in the fridge for an extra-refreshing lift and pair with your favourite face oil or serum.

14. Fresh Sheets, Always

Here’s a quiet luxury no one talks about enough: clean bedding. Dirty sheets can harbour oil, sweat, and bacteria that contribute to acne and dull skin. Aim to wash your pillowcases at least once a week, and your full bedding set every 7–10 days. Use Sunlight Sensitive Detergent, Earthsap, or Woolworths’ Earth Friendly Range for gentle, skin-safe washing. Your skin (and sleep) will feel so much better for it.

Self-care doesn’t have to mean daily 12-step routines or hours in the mirror. When you invest a little time in the right things, like your brows, your bedding, and your nighttime habits, you make your whole week smoother. Being high maintenance to be low maintenance isn’t about doing the most. It’s about doing what works—consistently, cleverly, and confidently.

You’ve got this, girl.