We all want to make the best of our appearance. Life isn’t easy in an Instagram-perfect culture, and it’s easy to feel that we need the latest hair straighteners or the must-have makeup palette, but really it’s all about making the best of who you are rather than trying to conform to a particular look. While it’s what’s on the inside that really counts, we also know that when we look our best, we feel our best too. But the transformation doesn’t have to be scary or unattainable – just a few very simple changes will soon have you looking and feeling on top of the world. Often it’s the small details which can completely change how people perceive you – and far more importantly, how you feel yourself. So, how do you get to your most beautiful self yet? It turns out it’s easier than you might think….
Get Posture Perfect
It’s not a fashionable topic, but the way you stand and your posture can not only transform your look but it can also make you look slimmer and more confident – which means it has to be worth a try! For most of us, slumped over desks and smartphone screens, good posture doesn’t come naturally. You have to train yourself into the habit of standing and sitting up straight by aligning your head and shoulders, pulling your stomach in and making sure your lower back remains slightly curved. Doing some core strengthening exercises can also really help to make a big difference to how you look and even how your clothes hang.
Focus On Your Sleep
What’s a better beauty aid than that expensive face cream? Getting good quality sleep. Sleep is the foundation for so many things – energy to exercise, good mental health, focus at work, making the right food choices and having good skin – yet studies show that most of us aren’t getting enough good quality deep sleep each night – and the bad effects of this go way beyond dark circles. Bad sleepers are more likely to have signs of ageing skin, less resilience to stress and a higher body mass index. Make it your mission to practise good sleep hygiene – avoid caffeine for at least four hours prior to bed, make sure your bedroom has blackout blinds or that you wear a sleep mask, implement a technology ban where screens aren’t allowed in the bedroom, and make sure to get outdoors during the daylight hours so that your hormones and circadian rhythm are in sync. Create a wind down bedtime ritual of a warm bath or shower, a little bit of mindfulness and a lavender pillow spray and you may be surprised what a difference it makes to your life.
Makeover Your Smile
They do say that you’re never fully dressed without a smile. It may seem trivial, but researchers have shown that when we make ourselves smile – even when we’re faking it – it improves our mood, lowers our stress levels and diminishes pain. Smiles can also have social consequences – enhancing our connection with others and helping us to make a great first impression. Whitening strips can help to give you a little extra confidence boost to get grinning. If you need a little more in the way of work to make your smile perfect, dental fillings that are cosmetic have come a long way, and technologies like Invisalign can give you a better smile in a painless and virtually undetectable way.
Look After Your Skin
Your skin is the canvas for any makeup look, and one of the first things people notice when they meet you, so focusing on getting it in beautiful,glowing condition will make a massive difference to how you look and feel. Evaluate your skin care needs and do your research on the best products for your skin type – if you have problem skins, salicylic acids and clearing lotions can help, while dry skin types may need to add a facial oil into their routines, and those focused on preventing aging should go for a retinol night cream. Everyone, regardless of their skin type, should be using a high-factor facial sunscreen on a daily basis. Exposure to the sun’s rays is the single biggest preventable cause of damage to the skin. Also make sure that you’re drinking two litres of water a day, and you’ll soon start to notice how much more plumped and glowing you appear.
Define Your Personal Style
Having a personal approach to dressing is all about building a wardrobe of clothes which suit you in every respect. Not only do the garments themselves have to complement your body shape, features and colouring and show you in your best light, but they have to fit your lifestyle and what you do. Having a personal brand makes you memorable and magnetic – a trait which can boost your success in other areas of your life, such as your career and relationships. To get started, simply make a list of adjectives which describe the style you’d like to achieve -this could be anything from ‘boho’ to ‘sophisticated’ – even mixes of words which don’t seem compatible but can create some of the most amazing outfits. You should also jot down the daily situations that you need clothing for – such as yoga classes, doing the school run or even board meetings. Note down any famous figures whose style you like the look of. You can also note down any unique accessories, brands or designers whose approach you like – as long as it makes your heart sing. This forms your vision board.
Get Your Sweat On
Whether you’re a natural gym bunny or someone who struggles to fit exercise into a busy routine, it’s no secret that fitness has a big role to play in how attractive we feel. It isn’t just the muscles or the trimmer physique which comes from making a regular workout part of your life. Exercise has all sorts of benefits, from helping the body to release the endorphins that make you feel good, to giving you time for yourself and a release for any negative feelings. Knowing that you’re doing something to look after yourself can be a confidence boost in itself, and good health is certainly something to be desired.
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