The It Girl Cheat Code: High Maintenance Habits to Stay Low Maintenance
30 Things I Do to Make Life Easier
It sounds contradictory, but trust me, having high maintenance habits to stay low maintenance is the ultimate life hack. The It Girl cheat code, if you will. The secret to always looking polished, put-together, and effortless is a carefully curated system of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle upgrades that make everything easier. From pre-scheduled treatments to outfit formulas that never fail, these habits might take effort upfront, but they save me so much time and energy in the long run. Because the truth is, looking effortless takes…. effort — but when you do it right, no one has to know 😉
Beauty & Grooming
1. Eyebrow tint & lamination
Waking up with perfect brows = less daily maintenance.
Side note for the brave ones: I used to spend $350 every six weeks for this service and now I do it myself with this lamination kit and this tinting kit, both from Amazon and I’ve gotten 4 uses out of each kit so far. Using girl math, that means it’s basically free!
2. Hair wash schedule & Brazilian blowouts
Perfect hair with minimal effort. Plus, healthier hair thanks to less need for hot tools and less scalp build-up.
Listen, I get it — between hot pilates, midweek drinks dates, and your much-needed everything shower, planning a hair wash schedule feels harder than AP Calc.
Thankfully, the "who can go the longest without washing" trend is fading, and I couldn’t be happier. Buildup from oils, products, and dead skin isn’t doing your scalp any favors. I just go with what fits my week — sometimes four washes, sometimes two. No stress. Just wash your hair.
As for the Brazilian and keratin blowouts, getting these cuts down on frizz and blow-dry time. Hence, making hair wash days less of a nightmare chore.
3. Gel pedicures
Always polished, no stress, lasts me 6 weeks.
Should I be getting a pedicure more frequently than every 6 weeks? Yes. Do I? Eh. There’s something about the entire experience that feels like a chore to me. Either way — yes, gel is more $$ upfront — but I’ve never had a regular polish pedi last beyond two weeks. Even if going every 3–4 weeks with gel, still ends up costing less over time than constantly redoing regular polish.
4. Investing in high quality skincare
Fewer breakouts = less makeup, less maintenance.
This should be no surprise coming from me. High quality doesn’t always mean more expensive. I’m diving into clean, effective beauty swaps that keep my skin — and my whole body — healthy and happy, inside and out.
5. Self tanning
A little glow is an instant dopamine hit
I’ve mastered my self tan routine and absolutely love this spray for those pesky in-between days. Plus every outfit and makeup look is instantly elevated with a little glow!
6. Keeping multiple shades of complexion products
Always the perfect shade, zero guesswork.
Foundation, tinted spfs, concealers, you name it. I have 2 - 3 shades of each. This doesn't have to mean buying double the product all at once. When I start to love a new product, I’ll shade match and purchase throughout the year depending on how tan I am.
7. Silk pillowcases, disposable face towels and microfiber hair towels
Be nice to your hair & stop rubbing bacteria all over your face!
If this TIME article doesn’t convince you that you need to be using disposable face towels, then I fear there is no hope for you. For those of you who aren’t interested in rubbing a Petri dish of bacteria on your face — the Clean Skin Club towels are my holy grail.
Now for our hair, as your resident *semi-faux blonde (I am blonde just not this blonde — I will die on this hill), I feel I must implore you, blonde, brunette, my gorgeous redheads (lucky bitches) or otherwise, to PLEASE stop abusing your hair with cotton pillowcases and terrycloth towels. Crown Affair makes the best microfiber hair towel on the market, hands down. And you can find silk pillowcases at just about any price point, so there is simply no excuse. My favorites are from Slip $105, Blissy $75 (they’re having a buy 3, get 1 sale right now) and Kitsch $20.
8. Professional teeth whitening & Invisalign
Effortlessly bright smile, no touch-ups needed.
Your smile is the first thing people notice, so keeping it bright and healthy is non-negotiable. I have never liked my teeth or smile in general, but I recently started Invisalign with the goal of eventually getting some composite bonding. So excited to finally smile with my teeth!
9. Facial massage, lymphatic drainage tools & mouth tape
Less puffiness, more sculpted.
When I use my facial tools consistently, I notice a significant change in my face shape. I recently posted my 5-minute gua sha tutorial that has been a non-negotiable in my nighttime routine. I also try to get a full body and face lymphatic drainage massage monthly or at least before/after traveling.
10. Regular facials & professional exfoliation
Smooth, glowing skin means less makeup and less stress.
This should be a no brainer at this point. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take care of your skin now versus trying to retroactively fix the damage and neglect down the road.
If I included my full roster of face maintenance procedures and treatments, this post would be 7 miles long. See the full breakdown linked below or watch this video xx
Fashion & Style
11. Seasonal outfit formulas
No decision fatigue, always put together.
Here are some of my favorites for Fall / Winter.
Denim & Sweater
Canadian Tuxedo
Trousers & anything…
12. Capsule wardrobe of neutrals & statement pieces
Mix, match, repeat.
Getting dressed is effortless when your basics always work together, but a well-placed statement piece keeps things fun. Think of it as a closet that does the heavy lifting while still leaving room for a little personality.
13. Tailor everything
Looking polished with zero effort.
When your clothes fit you perfectly, your outfits will always hit. For those little nip ins or a piece that just needs a teeny stitch or two — 1. I highly recommend learning to sew. You don’t need to be an atelier-level seamstress, but knowing how to sew a hem or replace a button has saves time and money. And for the easiest fix ever — I rely heavily on my Stitchy.
14. Investing in quality over quantity
Fewer regrets, less replacing.
The only downside here is my compulsive need to buy multiples of things that I love out of fear that they’ll be ruined or god forbid, discontinued (gasp). But, I should not have to tell you all the reasons why quality should be your #1 priority over bargains and fast fashion.
15. Keeping a signature “going-out” look ready to go
No more scrambling before dinner plans.
No matter the season, denim, a really good top (us millennials call them “going out tops”) and a seasonal layer always do the trick for me. I top it all off with and combo of my favorite Jennifer Fisher chunky bracelet, Dorsey earrings and my go-to necklace stack. Chic, effortless and the coolest girl in the room.
16. Keeping a pouch of elevated jewelry in my purse
Speaking of jewelry, my #1 tip to staying chic on the go is to keep a pouch of some elevated jewelry pieces that you can have on hand whenever you need. Straight to happy hour from the office? Have no fear, these Heaven Mayhem earrings or this Aureum necklace make any outfit look intentional and elevated. Every time.
17. Getting everything dry cleaned & steamed regularly
Always crisp, never wrinkled.
Sending my favorite pieces out for regular cleaning keeps them fresh and well-maintained, so they’ll last a lifetime. If you’re like me, you might hyper-fixate on that one perfect oatmeal cashmere sweater. I sometimes tend to wear pieces to death. I like that sending things out forces me to rediscover the rest of my closet.
18. Pre-planning outfits for important events & travel
No last-minute "I have nothing to wear" panic.
This is major for me and something I do for every single trip. I use canva because I’m crazy, but a good try-on haul and an iPhone photo folder works just as well.
19. Investing in high-quality loungewear & workout clothes
Looking good — even at home, the gym, or running errands.
Is it just me, or do you suddenly become a more productive version of yourself when you like your outfit? If I’m in sweats and a t-shirt at home, I get half as much done compared to when I throw on even my simplest uniform: denim and a sweater.
And don’t get me started on gym motivation. If I feel frumpy, I might as well save my money and skip that $32 workout class. I’m not necessarily a matching-workout-set girl, but I have my go-to leggings (I’ve lost count of how many pairs I own), a cute sports bra, and my favorite sneakers. The result? I’m out here getting positive callouts for doing the advanced modifications in every class.
Stay tuned for a loungewear edit coming in the next few weeks!
20. Having a few standout “third pieces” (blazers, trenches, statement coats)
Instantly elevates a basic outfit.
Contrary to what you might think, this is not just for the cooler months. Even a sweater over the shoulders, a silk neck scarf or a light jacket in the summer is my cheat code to taking any outfit from basic to elevated. And let’s be so real — even if it’s 90°, you know the coffee shops and office buildings are keeping it at a frigid 62° and those layers will come in handy.
Lifestyle & Convenience
21. Grocery delivery
Saves hours each week.
Some people (ahem, my boyfriend) absolutely love grocery shopping.
For me (and my many ADHD comrades), it’s pure sensory overload. I can do it, if there’s a clear plan and a list. But given the choice, ordering everything I need (and then some) from the comfort of my couch is far superior to battling slow walkers and endless lines.
Do people just lose all sense of personal space the moment they step into Whole Foods? Move it!
22. Sending sheets out for wash + fold
Crisp, hotel-style bedding is the ultimate luxury without the work.
This might be my favorite recent addition to this list. If you live in NYC (or any apartment) and have an in-unit washer and dryer (bless), it’s probably too small for a full bedding set. And the dryers — how often do you have to restart them with a still soaking wet duvet cover? If you don’t have an in-unit… I keep you in my prayers because that quadruples the nightmare.
Washing my sheets used to take over a day. Sending them out solves everything: no load-size struggles, no drying headaches, and no need to store extras. I change my sheets weekly, send them out with no rush, and they come back in 5-6 days — perfectly draped on hangers. A quick swap, and the cycle repeats effortlessly.
23. Hiring a cleaning service
Clean space = clear mind.
My sweet, neurotypical boyfriend quickly learned that living with ADHD is a chaotic mix of laziness, “not right now”, OCD, and constant overstimulation. The result of which is desperately craving spotless home — but lacking the ability to maintain it.
Knowing this, I handle our weekly housekeeper. Beyond being a lifesaver, she’s someone I genuinely adore, and I look forward to seeing her every Monday.
Meg tip: I highly suggest scheduling cleanings on Sundays or Mondays. It’s such a wonderful start to my week — dare I say I even look forward to Mondays now.
24. Amazon Subscriptions
Set it and forget it.
Forgot to restock Nespresso pods? Have no fear, they’re at your door. Candles, face towels, beauty blenders, razor blades, nespresso pods — you name it, I’m subscribed. No further explanation needed. Here’s my full Amazon subscription list.
25. Flower delivery subscription
Instantly elevated spaces.
This is a new addition, and what a game-changer! Fresh flowers instantly boost my mood and make me feel like a fully functioning adult. Urban Stems offers the best subscription I’ve found in terms of price and quality, plus we can pause it when we travel or redirect deliveries to friends and family. Effortless and beautiful!
26. Pre-scheduling all self-care (hair, nails, facials, etc.)
No last-minute beauty emergencies.
It’s a running joke amongst friends that "Meg always has an appointment." And to that, I say: yes, and…? Every beauty treatment — hair, nails, facials, botox — is scheduled, locked in, and non-negotiable. To those who poke fun, you’re welcome for putting in the effort to be a hot friend.
27. Automating bills & subscriptions
No missed payments, no mental clutter.
I have absolutely nothing else to say here other than the relief and, honestly, the superiority complex I felt when I finally put every. single. bill. on autopay was a serotonin high I rode for months. Stay diligent, though. Keep an eye on everything and everyone. Especially ConEd.
28. Keeping a stocked “hostess kit”
Candles, wine, cute serving plates = effortless entertaining.
In a world of takeout boxes and plastic forks, I’ll always choose my favorite plates and real silverware. Mastering the art of assembling even the simplest charcuterie board has been a game-changer — you’d be amazed at the oohs and ahhs a wedge of brie gets when thrown onto a wooden board and paired with honey and crackers.
29. Keeping a fully stocked “everything” pouch
anything you need, always on hand.
I am such a pouch girl, never met one I didn’t like. I keep them organized by category — tech, beauty, etc. but then I have the pouch, the big daddy in which I store all of my absolute essentials.
A peak inside the big daddy
Airpods
Corded Apple headphones - incase the AirPods die
Wireless power bank (preferred) or phone charger in a pinch
Patrick Ta Lip Treatment - I don’t talk about this enough, tbh
Superstar Lipstick in Pillowtalk
Mini Tobascos, duh
Gum or Listerine strips
30. A no-fail, 5-minute makeup routine
Always looking fresh without the fuss.
I just posted a TikTok on my new go-to No Makeup Makeup routine. You’re welcome. I even already put together all the products I use.
Basically, the more upfront effort, the less daily effort needed. High-maintenance to be low-maintenance = an art form.
xx Meg
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