Beauty Rituals & The Magic of Body Care

If you're a girly girl like me then most likely you're no stranger to the abundance of beauty routines and cosmetic paraphernalia associated with the softer side of femininity. From skincare to makeup to hair and nails- there seems to be no end to the ways we can play with our outward appearance. It's an integral part of the human experience to preen and prink, especially for modern feminine beings, and there's inherent power in all of that beautification.

These rituals, when performed with intentionality, have the ability to connect us to our divinity and spiritual practice. This is especially true for devotees of Venus! When you begin to connect your beauty routines to Source energy you can tap into the innate frequency of what it is you're wanting to achieve. This is largely what glamour magic seeks to teach us and it can be a fun way to embody more confidence while getting everything we want. If you're interested in practicing a more intentional kind of beauty routine then read on cause I've got all the inspiration you'll need to get started.

First, let's take a look at your current routines (aka your rituals) and see how they serve you. Are you rushing through your skincare just to get it done or doing your makeup because you feel like you can't possibly go out without it? The energy behind what we do can make all the difference. If your beauty rituals consist of tearing yourself down or monotonous repetition then it's time for a major overhaul. Scrap the self-deprecation and hurried mindset and let's drop into a more fulfilling "why".

What is this all for? Who is it for? Does it make you feel good or bad? Is it fun and exciting, or boring and mundane? Does it make you feel like a luxurious queen? My personal why is because I love it. That's it! Because I love the way my skincare routine makes me feel. Because I love the confidence a good face of makeup brings me when I'm out in the world. Because I love bubble baths, and nice clothes, and it feels good when I beautify myself. Your "why" might be something totally different, but make sure it makes your heart and soul sing.

Next, we're gonna scrap all the gross, expired, old, never used stuff in your routine. That jar of face cream you've had for 4 years and it maybe is still good but it smells funny? Yeah, get rid of that bitch. And all the other icky stuff in your makeup bag, your medicine cabinet, your drawers... You get it. Keep the stuff that you love and use, get rid of the rest. This is a great opportunity to refresh your inventory too. Once you clear it out (if you feel inspired), you can get the stuff you really want.

Now here comes the ritual part of your beauty ritual.

Did you know that you can enchant your self-care supplies? All of your lotions and potions can be given a magical boost through the power of intention. It can be as simple as holding the item in your hands and saying a prayer or spell over it while visualizing your desired outcome (i.e., more confidence, more attention, more magnetism, more abundant energy, etc.) or it can be an elaborate affair with all of your beauty supplies in the center of a circle complete with candles, incantations, and ritual regalia. Here's the simple but very potent spell I use for my makeup, skincare, and body care products as soon as I get them home:

• Clear your mind and take a few deep breaths to center yourself.

• Hold the item you want to enchant in your hands and with your eyes closed and say out loud:

  "Goddess Venus I ask that you bless this tool of beauty with your sacred gifts. May this [say what the item is] bring me [say what your intention for the item is]."

• Take a moment to feel the energy of your intention fill the item. When you feel complete say out loud "And so it is." Or whatever closing phrase you use in your practice. You can repeat this on as many of your beauty items as you would like to and voila! Now you have a whole arsenal of magical beauty supplies to play with. Remember to leave an offering for Venus as a thank you for her magic and enjoy the fruits of your spell work. You may find that over time the potency fades or feels it needs a recharge- simply repeat this process whenever that happens.

Remember that the ways we beautify ourselves are sacred and belong only to us. Others may have the boon of witnessing us in our power, but it is not solely for them that we engage in these rituals. When you bathe, or put on makeup, or comb your hair you may be doing these things with your outward appearance in mind, but it's the way that it makes you feel internally that gives it it's true magic.