Low-Maintenance Lifestyle Hacks to Look High-Maintenance

Looking your best has never been easier.

by Nicollette Heath

Photo by Emma Almaraz

The term “high-maintenance” is often confused with acting selfish or vain, but in reality, it has no connection to those traits. The true meaning of high-maintenance is continuously striving to maintain a state of feeling, looking and acting like the best possible version of yourself.

When one considers themself "high-maintenance," their routine typically involves a sense of discipline deeply rooted in self-love and confidence. However, many people dilute this premise to regular deep-tissue massages, entire closet revamps, and designer makeup collections. 

A true “high-maintenance” lifestyle incorporates self-care with accountability. For example, balancing indulgent nights out or self-pampering days with a usual routine of movement, nutrition and mindfulness.

While it sounds lovely in theory, this typical “high-maintenance” lifestyle can become time-consuming, expensive and exhausting, especially for busy college students who may not be able to accommodate its stereotypical activities. 

But many overlook the fact that this lifestyle has nothing to do with price, difficulty or exclusivity. Instead, it involves adding value to your routine with simple rituals and practices that enhance your daily experiences.

You can feel high-maintenance with a low-maintenance lifestyle if you find the right routine that works for you. Here are a few easy and cost-efficient ways to get that perfectly groomed look with little effort in your daily routine. 

At-Home Manicures

While nail appointments are a fun solo-date or daytime outing with friends, these appointments become costly and time-consuming when you need to replace your nail set every three weeks. Instead, try a DIY manicure: find a YouTube tutorial and some press-ons or your own nail polish. 

Not only is this method cost and energy efficient, but it still serves as the perfect excuse for self-care or hanging out with friends. Your nailbeds will probably thank you too!

Lasting Lip Tint

To maintain my lip combo all day, I always carried at least three products: a liner, a gloss (or two), and chapstick with me at all times. But that changed when I discovered lip tint. Now, I don’t feel the need to bring my entire makeup bag in my already heavy purse or to reapply product every thirty minutes. 

For a flawless lip, apply a long-lasting lip tint, let it dry for five minutes, then remove and finish with a gloss. 

Heatless Hair Styles

If you’re tired of devoting an hour each morning to your hair alone, heatless styling is for you. With these hairstyles, a good hair day starts the night before. Some heatless styling methods include sock curls, finger coils, or just a classic slick-back updo. 

With so many options for so many hair types, look into what styles work for you. Not only are these convenient, but these hair hacks are healthier for your hair since there’s no heat required!

These low-maintence habits add up: nightly skincare, go-to hair styles, and DIY salon treatments. The power of these small rituals compounds over time and we naturally adapt these self-care practices into our everyday lives until they’re effortless. 

With simple enhancements, you can easily maintain a chic, high-maintenance look with a simple and efficient low-maintenance lifestyle!