Every woman wants to look her best but also feel great (beauty starts from the inside out.)
This isn’t as much to impress other people, but more about self-confidence and happiness. There are plenty of ways to be beautiful and feel great and it all starts with small, consistent steps.
Aside from emphasizing your natural beauty, the following 9 ideas are also not expensive.
So, not only can you look amazing but you’re not overextending yourself with pricey products and time-consuming regimens (who has time for all of that?)
Incorporate More Natural Foods Into Your Diet
Okay, the suggestion that you eat more natural foods may seem like such a generic tip but it’s one that always needs to be emphasized.
But, a lot of us tend to not pay as much attention to our diets during the holidays (Halloween candy, Thanksgiving day leftovers and forget about Hanukkah and Christmas!)
Most of us lead such busy lives, we seldom have time to make the time to eat things that are good for us. Let alone prep and create it.
So do natural foods have to do with looking great?
It’s a common fact that fruit and vegetables contain a lot of vitamins and anti-oxidants.
If your body doesn’t have enough, it typically shows in a dull, over-textured appearance of your skin. Making us look tired, a bit unhealthy, and even appear older.
Finding the balance right when it comes to food is a good starting block to looking AND feeling great!
Exfoliate Your Skin at Night
We all know exfoliation is a process that removes dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, and that we can get the job done using soft yet effective scrubs or enzymes.
If you already exfoliate as part of your morning routine before you start your day, you may want to switch to evening.
Sloughing off those pore clogging cells will help your skin drink in your night cream, restore itself and you won’t be exposing your fresh skin to the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Apply Beauty Products in the Correct Order
Another common misconception is the order in which people apply their products.
It may seem like an inconsequential step, but the order that you apply each product truly does matter and contribute to the efficiency of each.
Always start with your eye cream, then scale up in regards to consistency. So serum, then creams.
Sunscreen is one such example. The reason order is important is down to absorbance rates. Products with thinner consistencies tend to get absorbed quicker than thicker ones.
Treat Yourself (All Over!)
Some ladies believe that an all-over body lotion treatment is a waste of time and money.
But, nothing could get further from the truth! Full body treatments capped off with a full body lotion massage helps to keep your skin feeling fresh and supple.
As we age, our skin becomes dryer and requires more frequent moisturizing.
You can make an all-over body lotion treatment part of your bathing ritual. Just after you’ve had a bath or shower, apply a light layer of lotion to your body.
Once you’re done, put your robe on to help lock in the heat. I love to do this after an extra long Saturday workout. Exfoliating from head to toe, slapping on a facial mask, then slathering on a thick cream and relaxing in my robe (whether working or watching Netflix!)
As you get age (even each year) consider changing the product you use for one more suited to your age and skin condition. Your skin will thank you later for it!
Book a Little Laser
We all have excess body hair that we’d rather not have. The typical ways to remove unwanted hair is through waxing, shaving or good old tweezers.
If you want to spend less time removing hair and more time enjoying your life, there’s a better option. Laser hair removal!
The process is safe and surprisingly quick. Plus, it’s not as painful as waxing or plucking your hair, you’ll be pleased to know.
Switch Things Up a Bit
If you’re looking for a temporary way to change up your look with a bit of drama, one way to captivate attention is using circle lenses.
Pretty perfect this time of year for Halloween parties or just to make a statement.
Colored lenses can help you change up your look for a night, no matter what color (or pattern for that matter) you have in mind.
Limit Your Sun Exposure
You may think there’s nothing better than to spend the day relaxing in the sun with a good book, getting some healthy looking color.
When in reality, too much exposure to the sun can do bad things to your skin.
We know that too much UV exposure could lead to something devastating like skin cancer, but it can cause other problems too.
For instance, you’ll end up having to deal with an excess of wrinkles as you get older. As the sun dries out your skin, the collagen level (and potentially production levels) can decrease.
Doctor’s also recommend avoiding the sun during the sun’s peak hours (12pm – 3pm.)
Change Up Your ‘Do
Have you been sporting the same hair style and color for the last five or ten years? If so, you should consider going for something a bit different.
You may have grown accustomed to your existing hairstyle and as you’re comfortable, you may also feel there’s no point changing the color of your hair.
I’d recommend getting a new hairstyle and color change for a few reasons.
I always feel amazing leaving my stylists and it gives me a wonderful surge of confidence.
After make sure you go out to show off your new look.
When I finally make a change, I also find myself regretting not having had the courage to do it sooner.
Make Sure Your Products Are a Match
You don’t need me to tell you how many different shampoos and conditioners there are out there, or how many we each have surrounding our showers for that matter.
The trouble that some of us ladies have is we occasionally use the wrong products for our hair.
As a result, they can end up making their hair feel greasy and in some cases even suffer from conditions like dandruff!
Talk to your friendly local hair salon about the right products to use for your hair. They can recommend certain brands or types of shampoos and conditioners to use.
If you’re able to get away with it, most stylists recommend that you wash your hair every other day.
There’s no reason to do so every day unless you endure high intensity workouts 7 days a week or have extremely fine hair with a higher rate of oil production than normal.
Go the Extra Organic Mile
It doesn’t matter whether you only use a little or a lot of makeup each day. What does matter is that you apply the right products to your facial skin.
Many makeup products contain all kinds of toxic chemicals in them. It’s worth spending a little extra to buy organic makeup items instead.
What you put on your body goes into your body.
Those toxins and other even quasi-dangerous ingredients are absorbed through your skin and then pass through your system. Some staying for who knows how long.
When you make the switch to organic makeup products, look closely to see what differences you see in the appearance and overall feel of your skin. Especially so if you already have incredibly sensitive skin.
Be Tone Sensitive
It’s easy to go for striking or vibrant colors when it comes to makeup. The sad truth is such bold moves don’t always compliment a woman’s skin color!
Let’s face it; we are all different and have differing colors that compliment our own natural beauty.
It’s important to choose tones that work well with our skin. There are a few ways you can find out what works best for you.
One example is to try a few different colors at home from sample makeup kits. Another is to go with a more technological approach!
You could use your computer or a smartphone app to try different colors on a picture of yourself.
Find a Fragrance to Fall in Love With
We all love to wear a sweet (or spicy) scent whether daily or on an evening out.
It’s what makes us distinguishable in a crowd of people. And it’s also something that makes us feel good about ourselves.
I’m not going to recommend a particular perfume to use because that’s down to personal choice.
Try a few testers next time you’re at a department store’s beauty section. I am always a fan of spritzing a little on the inside of your elbow before you go shopping.
If you still love the smell at the conclusion of your trip, head back to pick it up!
I naturally love a lighter scent for spring and Summer, while we can get away with something a bit spicier for cooler months.
Upgrade your Wardrobe
Now that you’ve taken care of your skin, hair, makeup, and face, it’s time to look at your clothes.
Or more to the point, buying some new one! I should stress that you don’t need to buy this season’s trends to look great.
Try some different items you wouldn’t normally wear and see what you think before fully dipping your toe in a new trend.
I always opt for quality of quantity and always be sure to opt for what you feel more comfortable in while still stretching your limits a bit. When you’re comfortable, you’re confident.
Brighten Your Look with Jewels
Last, but certainly not least, consider investing in a few new pieces in seasonal colors and patterns.
Websites like Etsy are great places to find items made by local artisans. You’re bound to find something unique and to your taste while supporting small businesses.
What are a few steps you’re taking to spice up your look for Fall?