Despite what all the magazines would have you believe, it's not easy to look photoshoot-ready. The amount of work that many of us put into putting our best face (and hair, and nails) forward every day is pretty astounding, and sometimes, the hassle alone is enough to make you want to give up on the idea of outer beauty. Luckily, though, there are plenty of little things you can do to help yourself look and feel great without stressing yourself out.
We're all busy people, and that can make it hard to take care of our looks when we're trying to juggle our beauty routines with the rest of our busy schedules. Thankfully, these morning beauty hacks make it possible to get a few more minutes of shut-eye so we don't have to drag ourselves out of bed quite so early, but there are plenty of other things we can do to enhance our natural good looks for both the short term and long term. For example, even if you weren't born with Angelina Jolie lips, you can fake it for a fun night out with this incredible tutorial that shows you how to make your lips look super full. I didn't even know it was possible to do that with makeup!
Check out these easy tips to help yourself be beautiful both inside and out. I've been doing number 4 for years, and I can promise you that it's one of the best decisions you'll ever make for your makeup routine!
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1. Use a heat protectant product
Many of us use high-temperature tools such as flatirons or curling irons to tame our hair, but all that heat can take its toll on our tresses. Using a heat protectant spray or serum to help your hair outlast the damage.
2. Use green concealer to cover up blemishes
When it comes to your skin, green cancels out red. Use a green concealer stick to cover up any blemishes or rosy spots on your face, then apply your foundation for a flawless finish.
3. Drink lots of water
If its endless health benefits aren't good enough to convince you to drink more H20, consider the fact that drinking enough water will help you look hot, too. Staying hydrated prevents bloating, helps you maintain clear skin, prevents chapped lips, reduces puffiness in your face, and more. It's basically your number 1 beauty tool, and you can get it right from your faucet.
4. Use coconut oil as makeup remover
Coconut oil has been all the rage in recent years thanks to its numerous health benefits, but there are also numerous ways to add it to your beauty routine. You can swap out your synthetic makeup remover for this special oil to experience the same effects from a more eco-friendly source. Plus, since coconut oil is so good for your skin and hair, you'll probably discover that your eyelashes, eyebrows, and face will be noticeably softer after using it.
5. Use a sulfate-free shampoo, especially if you color your hair
The sulfates in many of the shampoos you get at the grocery store can strip your hair of just about everything, leaving it dry, brittle, and lackluster. They can also wash out your color faster. Use a sulfate-free shampoo to help your hair maintain its natural shine and keep your color vibrant for as long as possible.
6. Contour your face for a slimmer look
The Kardashians have helped make contouring one of the biggest makeup trends of our time, but you can also use the same tricks to bring out the best in your face without looking all done up. Use a bronzer that's a couple shades darker than your natural skin tone on the places on your face that are normally a bit more "hidden," such as below your cheekbones and around the perimeter of your forehead. Then, use a highlighter a couple shades lighter than your natural color on the places where the light catches, such as down the center of your nose, the center of your forehead, and the tip of your chin. Then, blend it all together. Check out this video for a step-by-step instruction on how to really own this look!
7. Exfoliate your lips with a sugar scrub
You can make a simple, gentle lip exfoliant using ingredients you probably have sitting in your pantry. Just mix a tablespoon of sugar with a dab of honey, coconut oil, or olive oil. Add an itty bitty bit of vanilla if you want it to smell nice! Then, use the combination to gently exfoliate your lips to make them baby soft. You can also buy sugar scrubs that come in scents and flavors such as blueberry or pumpkin spice.
8. Use sunscreen
By now, we all know that protection from the sun is essential to prevent skin cancer. However, using sunscreen on a daily basis can also protect your looks by preventing age spots and wrinkles. To avoid adding another step to your daily beauty routine, look for moisturizers or foundations that have an SPF of at least 15 and preferably around 30.
9. Use a blow dryer on your eyelash curler
If you use an eyelash curler to really make your peepers pop, consider blasting it with your blow dryer for a couple of seconds before putting it to work. It will help lock in the shape of your lashes for a longer amount of time.
10. Use dry shampoo or baby powder to spruce up oily hair
No time to wash your greasy roots? Apply dry shampoo or baby powder to the base of your hair, then blend it in using a towel. It's a quick and easy way to absorb all the excess oil without having to go through the process of washing and drying your hair.
11. Roll your nail polish bottle instead of shaking it
We all hate those itty bitty bubbles that pop up after we finish a manicure, but you can actually prevent them before you even apply your polish. Rather than shaking the bottle before use, roll it between your palms to get everything perfectly mixed. The shaking can introduce air into the polish, which then bubbles up after you apply it to ruin your mani.
12. Use hair conditioner instead of shaving cream
Conditioner actually makes a great alternative to shaving cream, especially if you have sensitive skin. It has the same effect on your body hair that it does on the hair on your head, making each strand softer and easier to work with. I started using this technique four years ago, and I haven't looked back since.
13. Put hairspray on a round brush to keep away the frizz
Hairspray isn't just good for holding an awesome style — it's also perfect for taming that annoying frizz. Spray a round brush with your favorite product, then work it all the way through your hair. You can also use it with a toothbrush if you're just trying to get those obnoxious flyaways to stay in place.
14. Use olive oil or coconut oil for baby-soft feet
If your feet are dried and cracked, you probably have the cure in your kitchen. Before you go to bed, apply olive oil or coconut oil all over your feet, then put socks on. When you wake up in the morning, you'll be shocked at just how amazing your feet feel!
15. De-puff your eyes with frozen peas
We've all woken up in the morning with a bad case of under-eye puff. But all you need to fix it is something nice and cold. A frozen gel pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a paper towel will help restore your natural beauty and make you look more awake in just ten minutes.
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