Experimenting with a bright lipstick or new eyeliner can be fun, but applying makeup each morning is time-consuming. Sometimes it’s nice to give your skin a break from foundation and blush for a more natural look.
Yet many women don’t feel confident going out into the world makeup-free. That’s a shame, and it doesn’t have to be your reality. Explore these seven ways to improve your beauty routine so you can embrace your natural glow without makeup.
Improve Your Skin’s Texture
When you skip makeup, your skin is on display for everyone to see. While “textured skin” is gaining popularity on Instagram, you may not feel comfortable showing up to work with visible acne. To rock a makeup-free look, you need to feel confident with a bare face. This is where a solid skincare routine can help.
Whether you suffer from the occasional pimple or cystic breakouts, an acne treatment plan provides the foundation for glowing skin. Depending on your skin’s condition, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics, retinoids, or hormonal birth control to improve its texture. You can also find affordable and effective cleansers, spot treatments, and moisturizers at your local drugstore.
Catch Some Z’s
Have you ever woken up after a night of poor sleep and thought, “Wow, I look rough”? Well, it turns out beauty sleep isn’t just for Disney princesses. It’s actually critically important for both looking and feeling your best. While you’re snoozing, your body is repairing itself, helping to reduce wrinkles, depuff eyes, and improve your complexion.
To wake from your slumber glowing and refreshed, consider using a silk pillowcase. Since silk fibers are low-friction, silk bedding is gentle on your hair and skin, helping prevent fine lines and morning frizz.
Whiten Your Teeth
Nothing is more beautiful than a happy smile. However, if you have discolored teeth, you may be hesitant to show your smile off to the world. On average, your teeth will darken two shades every 10 years. So if you want to look instantly younger, consider restoring the brilliance of your pearly whites.
While you can go to your dentist to have your teeth whitened, that approach can be expensive and inconvenient. To save time and money, try one of the methods for whitening your teeth at home.
One common teeth whitening hack is baking soda. Simply purchase a toothpaste that contains this ingredient and watch your teeth whiten over time. If you’re looking for faster results, consider purchasing a teeth whitening pen or at-home teeth whitening device.
Move Your Body
Everyone knows breaking a sweat is good for your health, but it’s also a great addition to your beauty routine. Exercise helps improve blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Furthermore, an active lifestyle helps promote collagen production, which improves your skin’s elasticity and fights wrinkles.
Before you lace up your running shoes, it’s important to note that you need to wear sunscreen when exercising outdoors. Too much unprotected sun exposure increases your risk of wrinkles and skin cancer.
Drink More Water
Celebrities and beauty gurus tout the benefits of hydration, and for good reason. It may sound counterintuitive, but drinking enough water can help prevent water retention. While water retention doesn’t sound bad on the surface, it’s not great for your body or skin. When your body doesn’t have adequate hydration, it compensates by holding onto water. This can make your face and body appear puffy, which probably isn’t the look you’re going for.
While drinking more water can help reduce water retention, drinking a gallon a day likely isn’t necessary. For most women, 2.7 liters of fluids are enough. However, if you perform activities that make you sweat, you may need to increase your liquid intake slightly.
Style Your Hair
Nothing feels better than leaving the salon with a fresh blowout. You probably don’t have the time to give yourself a salon-quality hairdo daily. However, styled hair can help elevate a makeup-free look.
Before styling your hair, make sure you have the right products for your hair texture. Curly-haired gals will need products that are super hydrating. On the flip side, ladies with straight, fine hair will need lighter products that encourage volume.
If you’re unsure how best to style your hair, have a hairstylist show you a few everyday looks. That way, you’ll know how to replicate them when you’re styling your hair at home.
Give Yourself a Face Massage
Massages aren’t just for achy muscles. They’re also great for your face. Taking a few minutes each morning to gently rub your face can reduce fluid buildup and increase circulation. This can help your skin appear firmer and brighter.
There are tools like jade rollers you can use to elevate your morning massage. However, if you’re looking for a low-fuss option, your fingers will do just fine. You’ll want to start with clean hands and a face serum. Serum or face oil makes it easier to slide your fingers across your face without tugging at your skin.
While experimenting with makeup can be fun, it doesn’t need to be a necessary component of your daily routine. Use the tips above to help you feel confident and beautiful with a bare face.
