10 Ways to Up the Ante on Your Sunday Self-Care Routine

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By IPSY Editors
Published on January 15, 20257 min read
An image of a woman in a state of relaxation, with a purifying mask adorning her face
An image of a woman in a state of relaxation, with a purifying mask adorning her face
Photo by xijian / Getty Images

There’s nothing more refreshing than making a night out of your self-care routine. And chances are, if you’re going to be chilling, taking it easy, and likely recovering from the previous week, all of that is happening on a Sunday. But while you’re scrolling through TikTok and rewatching your comfort show for the zillionth time on the TV screen, why not do something else proactive that’s going to take very minimal effort?

That’s right, we’re talking about your skincare routine. Sunday is the best time to take stock of the last time you masked, cleansed, shaved, or even applied that red light therapy device that’s just collecting dust in your bathroom. If you really want to up the ante, you can redo your favorite manicure while your sheet mask settles into your face. A Sunday reset beauty routine is not only the perfect time to prep your skin for the week ahead, but it’s also an easy and simple way to do something meaningful for your skin and (let’s be honest!) aura, without actually having to put in much effort at all. If you need tips on how to accelerate your Sunday beauty routine or just start one all together, behold our list of the best and easiest ways to do a full end-of-week reset.

Your Guide to a Sunday Reset Routine

1. Deep Cleanse and Exfoliate

Start your Sunday night routine by having an “everything shower.” You know, where you go through all the steps and use all the products for the most elite self-pampering experience. Then, focus on your skincare routine.

Thoroughly cleanse your skin to remove any impurities accumulated throughout the week, using an oil-based cleanser to remove your makeup and any product buildup from SPF. Follow up with a gentle exfoliation to slough off dead skin cells and reveal a fresh, radiant complexion. You can use a chemical exfoliating cleanser for this or, if you prefer, a physical exfoliant. Some people like to “feel” the cleanse from a good scrub! We’re big fans of the DALLAS & JAMES Skincare Co. Watermelon Dream Saltwater Scrub. It smells delicious and is packed with not just sea salts, but also skin-barrier-boosting ceramides and squalane so skin won’t feel dry and stripped after using it. Just be sure not to be too aggressive—let the physical exfoliant do the work and not your hands.

2. Pamper With a Face Mask

Treat your skin to a relaxing moment and treatment with a face mask. Whether it's hydration, brightening, or clarifying, you can target a specific skin need after cleansing in the shower. Sheet masks are easy to use, and our best tip is to keep them in the fridge for an icy-cold feeling on your skin! Take this time to relax and unwind while the mask works its magic—make yourself a cup of hot tea or write a few lines in your journal.

3. Nourish and Hydrate

After cleansing and masking, ensure your skin is deeply hydrated by applying a rich moisturizer or facial oil. Pay extra attention to areas that may be prone to dryness, such as the cheeks or under-eye area. We love a facial oil that not only hydrates skin but also does some anti-aging work in the process. The DEW OF THE GODS Pomeglaze Pomegranate + Retinol Facial Oil is perfect for this. It contains an antioxidant-rich formula packed with retinol to target fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen each time you apply it. 

You can use this time to incorporate a skin care tool like a gua sha or jade roller. We have some great gua sha massaging tips here from experts. It’s ideal to focus on releasing tension in your brow bone, around your mouth or along your jawline. Or, if you need to make time to use a microcurrent device like the one from NUFACE, this is a great time to do so.

And don’t forget to hydrate your body! Choose your favorite moisturizer to provide hydration all around—we like to use something that smells great and then immediately wrap ourselves in our bathrobe when done. A popular (and TikTok viral favorite) is the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream from SOL DE JANEIRO. The fragrance is intoxicating with notes of caramel and vanilla.

4. Indulge in a Luxury Anti-Aging Cream

We get it; if you’re shelling out hundreds of dollars on an expensive anti-aging cream, you might be reluctant to slather it on nightly. But putting it on as part of your weekly self-care beauty routine is a great way to stay consistent without using it every night. For this, we love the SULWAHSOO Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream. It’s made with ginseng peptides that improve the appearance of wrinkles and helps add firmness back into the skin. 

5. Treat Your Hair

Don't forget to give your hair some love during your Sunday reset routine, too!. Apply a nourishing hair mask or treatment to restore moisture and shine, especially if you've been styling or exposing your hair to heat. Depending on the mask, you can either do this before your everything shower or after if it is a leave-in treatment. Not sure which one to pick? We’ve rounded up the best hair care masks no matter your hair concern, budget and hair type.

6. Give Your Scalp Some TLC

While you’re considering hair masking, take stock of one of the biggest beauty predictions of 2025 and tend to an oft-forgotten area: your scalp. While hair masking focuses on the moisture and nourishment of the hair follicles, scalp care focuses on the skin on your scalp that is prone to getting greasy, flaky, irritated, and so much more. For scalp care, we love the MARC ANTHONY Grow Long™ Scalp & Hair Serum that’s made with caffeine, ginseng, and biotin to help your hair health directly at the source. Even better? The two-in-one formula works on both the scalp and hair ends, so you can save space on your beauty counter. 

7. Relaxing Bath

Baths aren’t for everyone, but if you’re inclined to draw a hot bubble bath during your Sunday reset there are so many ways to make it fun and spa-like so you can unwind. Feel free to add some bath salts, essential oils, or bubbles for experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If you have a bath tray, maybe you want to sip on a cold beverage and enjoy a few pages of your book, a podcast, or a favorite influencer's new vlog as you take a relaxing soak and forget about the Sunday scaries.

8. Manicure and Pedicure

How are your nails looking by the time Sunday morning rolls around? Do your cuticles need some love? We bet they do. Take the time to care for your nails by giving yourself a manicure and pedicure or you can book an appointment at your fave salon. Let this time be maintenance to clip, file, and shape your nails, then finish off with a hydrating cuticle oil.

The two must-have nail care products we suggest are BUBBEAU Cuticle Oil Beads, they have no mess and deliver the right amount of nourishment in just one bead for all of your fingers and the MANICURIST S.O.S Nail Masque that you can sleep in overnight and peel off of your nails Monday morning.

9. Hydrate Inside and Out

Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. Hydrated skin starts from within, so make sure you're nourishing your body with the essential hydration it needs. Fill up your water bottle before you start your Sunday reset and make it a priority to empty it by the time you’re finished with all your pampering. Your skin will thank you by presenting its best dewy and hydrated self in the morning.

10. Plan Your Week

Last but not least, take 30 minutes to an hour to plan your upcoming week. This can be anything from planning your grocery shopping, to-do list, scheduling any appointments for self-care, setting goals for each weekday, meal prepping, or deciding to tidy up your beauty areas like your vanity or dresser. Having a plan in place can help you stay motivated and organized and Monday morning (and the rest of the week!) won’t feel so daunting because you’ve taken care of all the planning. You could even start with this practice and have this step be the very beginning of your Sunday reset checklist.

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