TikTok trends come and go, but these days, the ones that seem to have the most staying power are steeped in nostalgia. For example, frosty lipstick, matte makeup, and side bangs are back and better than ever… and making us feel like it’s 2006 rather than 2026. Gen Z is even rediscovering old-school nail colors and perfumes, and decades-old music, memes, and pop culture moments are trending. It seems like everyone wants to return to a simpler time, and I get it. I’ve consumed my fair share of nostalgic content. In fact, my FYP is flooded with it.
Lately, though, I’ve been obsessing over one specific trend. It’s called the “personal curriculum,” and it’s garnered thousands of posts and mentions. It involves creating a list of books, articles, documentaries, even new experiences, that you want to make time for in the coming months. The school-inspired trend is a way for adults to continue learning, growing, and improving despite our often busy schedules, big responsibilities, and monotonous routines.
As someone who considers herself a lifelong learner, I love this trend. It inspired me to create my own personal curriculum and begin burning through my massive collection of TBR books. After a while, though, I started thinking: What if I translated this trend to my beauty routine? I figured it might help me stay consistent with certain habits and treatments that I’ve been wanting to incorporate into my routine. So I gave it a shot and created an exhaustive spring beauty curriculum. I’m sharing it with you, dear reader, to A) make it official, B) hold myself accountable, and C) inspire you to do the same, if you feel so inclined.
Skincare
Use Retinol 3x Per Week
After turning 30 last year, I told myself there was no better time to start using retinol consistently. I’ve been using it on and off for years, but as any dermatologist will tell you, retinoids are a long game (more of a marathon than a sprint). They provide the best results when used religiously over a long period of time—doing everything from stimulating collagen, plumping lines and wrinkles, fading discoloration, minimizing texture, and more.
Check out the ultimate guide to retinoids—types, strengths, and best use.
I’ve committed myself to using a retinol serum three times a week at night. (I have sensitive skin, so retinol is enough for me, but eventually, I’ll step it up to prescription-grade tretinoin under the expert guidance of a dermatologist.) It’s important to note that retinoids make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so wearing sunscreen during the day is critical if you’re using one. I already wear it every day, so I didn’t add this to my spring beauty curriculum.
Shop My Favorite Retinol Serums
Farmacy
1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
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