In the world of carefully edited Instagram photos and media that's obsessed with personal image, it's very difficult to find a safe place. Everyone's telling you how to look and what to wear, and it's easy to get lost in the society's idea of what beautiful is. But what about our health and our unique features, the little characteristics that separate us from all the rest? Those need to be nurtured gently if you want to cultivate your natural beauty, and there are many ways you can do it. If you're interested in feeling better in your own body, then take a look at these tips and try to adopt them in your everyday life.
Stop avoiding sunscreen
Yes, it's a greasy, annoying mess that makes you look ashy, but it's one of the best things you can put on your skin. It's not just about cancer protection either - sunscreen is the number one wrinkle-fighting product because most of the signs of aging actually come from our exposure to the harmful sun rays. So, getting regular with your application is really encouraged, especially because these days you can find a huge number of great formulas that don't have a weird scent, don't make you look like an oil slick, and don't cause any breakouts or clogged pores. Find lighter formulas and use them as the last step of your morning skincare routine.
Cleanse regularly
If you have dry skin you can get away with simply splashing your face with water in the morning, but everyone needs to cleanse their skin in the evening, especially if they wear makeup or struggle with acne. Dirt, sweat, and sebum get trapped on the surface of your skin during the day, and if you don't wash them away properly, they're likely to clog your pores and cause irritations. For naturally beautiful skin it's very important to simply be consistent and neat with your routine.
Use proper skincare
Everyone has a different skin type, so finding products that work for you specifically is very important. If you're a bit stumped about what kind of cosmetics you might need, you can read about it here , and once you pick up the right products all you need to do is use them regularly and give them some time to work. As we've mentioned, consistency, above all else, is really the key to good skin.
Clean your makeup brushes
Makeup sponges trap bacteria like no other tool, and they need to be washed after every use. When it comes to powder brushes, you can get away with cleaning them every 2-3 weeks. Do give your makeup tools a rinse, because dirty brushes can aggravate skin conditions and clog your pores.
Eat well to feel well
There are few things that a good diet won't improve. Health, strength, a shapely body, and yes, even good skin, hair, and nails come from the inside, and what you eat can really influence how you look. The best way to get all the necessary nutrients is to start cooking your own food and skipping greasy snacks and anything sugary, but this might not be the easiest thing to accomplish if you're short on time. For the busy bees out there, try looking into services like the ones from Gym Food Australia because they let you order perfectly balanced, nutritious meals in frozen packaging that you can simply reheat. They send a week's worth of meals, and that way you don't have to worry about planning or cooking when you know you don't have the time.
Exercise a few times a week
Similarly to diet, exercising is downright transformative in the way it affects you. Your whole body can thrive if you push yourself to get regular workouts. Why not hit the gym whenever you've got some free time, or maybe do some beginner workouts at home?
Be more active
Exercising isn't the only thing that you can do for your health. Being more active in general can actually help you have more energy and stop feeling so lazy and sluggish all the time. Ride a bike to work if you can pull it off, take a walk with your family, play sports with your friends, take the stairs instead of the elevator - little things can make a huge difference.
Get some sleep
It's called "beauty sleep" for a reason. Sleep deprived people seldom look well, and you really need your rest if you want to avoid slow metabolism, dull skin, dry hair and nails, and a slew of other health issues.
Mindfulness and self-love go a long way. To let your natural beauty peek through, simply treat your body with respect and embrace your own unique self.
About the author:
Claire Hastings is a wanderer and a writer. She writes as long as she can remember, and she is very passionate about fashion, running, other cultures, and her cat.