It’s been shown time and again that your appearance and how well you present yourself to others can influence how successful you will become in life. Of course, not all of us are fortunate enough to just roll out of bed looking our very best. In light of this interesting (and slightly unfair!) finding, it’s important to remember that looking good is more than just putting on your make-up, dressing nicely, and doing your hair. Looking your very best is also about taking care of yourself, too, from the inside out.
Studies indicate that self-care correlates with attractiveness across genders, so if you want to look your best? Well, then you need to also take a look at the whole picture and not just what’s on the surface. So how do you look and feel your best holistically? Here are four ways that you can start looking your very best today — without spending an excessive amount of time at the beauty salon or a lot of money on expensive clothes!
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Make Sure Your Hair Is Soft and Glossy
Hair is oftentimes considered as a woman’s crowning glory. Therefore, we need to take care of our hair so we can feel like the beautiful queens that we are. One of the ways to take care of your hair is by not washing it every day with harsh shampoos. Generally, shampoos contain powerful surfactants that are chemically formulated to eliminate dirt and oil in your hair, but overdoing them also removes the natural oils that keep your hair moisturized and nourished.
It’s also recommended not to use hair products that contain harsh ingredients or fragrances, either. Unless necessary, it’s best to avoid using heating tools such as blow dryers and irons, as well as heat accessories, to style your hair. This is because these tools, as nice as they are at the moment, can make your hair dry, frizzy, and damaged. More importantly, ingest food and drinks that are high in vitamins (such as Vitamin A, B, and E) and minerals (like iron, zinc), and protein, as these can help make your hair nice and glossy.
Keep Your Skin Smooth and Supple
To avoid blemishes, you should wash your face twice daily by using a gentle cleanser, as it removes dirt and oil on your face without making it dry and dull. Hydration is also an important factor in making your skin smooth and supple, as it influences the physical and physiological behavior of the skin. You can make your skin hydrated by drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day. A moisturizing cream that is appropriate for your skin type can also help keep your skin soft and free from fine lines.
It is also extremely important to apply sunscreen to protect it from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation rays from the sun. Excessive exposure of the skin to UV rays can cause premature aging, skin diseases, and even skin cancer. In addition to cleansing, moisturizing, and using sunscreen, there are also several ways to take care of your skin such, as indulging in facial treatments and massages, and using face masks and serums.
Dress to Flatter Your Body Type
Various research shows that clothing and fashion style affects both the relationships and careers of a person. Whatever the occasion, the most important thing is to select clothes that flatter your body type and skin tone. You do not need to buy expensive or designer brand clothes and shoes, either, as there are plenty of alternatives to these pricey labels.
Instead, you may try shopping from local boutiques, thrift stores, and online shops. You may also opt to sew and design your clothes to ensure a custom fit. Or, if you prefer, take some of your clothes to a tailor to have them sized down (or up) to fit your own body. Tailoring is more affordable than you’d realize, but it makes even the cheapest clothes look luxurious. In addition to selecting clothes, there are also styling techniques that can accentuate the flattering features of your body.
Stay on Top of Your General Health
The fact is, if you’re not healthy, you’re simply not going to look and feel your very best. It’s a proven fact that those with illnesses, especially chronic and serious ones, experience changes in their physical appearance that can negatively impact how you look. These can include things such as weight gain or loss, scarring (or loss of body parts), changes in skin and nails, and loss of hair. Your positive outlook will also decrease with illness.
However, you can take care of your health by eating healthy food, taking any necessary vitamins and supplements, and going to regular check-ups with your doctor and dentist. In addition, you need to take care of your reproductive health, as this is one of the aspects of health that most women take for granted. The sooner you catch any of these serious illnesses, the better you’ll look and feel in the long run.
Exercise also helps you look and feel great, as it releases “happy hormones” called endorphins. When it comes to exercising, you can adopt simple fitness tasks and programs appropriate to your body type, age, lifestyle, and motivation levels. Don’t overlook your mental health, either. You can take care of your mental health by finding ways to destress, like engaging in a hobby, indulging in a hot bath or massage, reading a book, or hanging out with your friends.
Beauty Is as Beauty Does
As the old saying goes, beauty is more than just skin deep. If you want to be the very best version of yourself, you need to take an overall look at yourself and try to gaze beyond just the surface. By taking the time to take care of yourself — both on the inside as well as the outside — you can help present the best version of yourself to the public. And in turn, you can be happier, healthier, and more confident in the long run!