10 From GEM:
10 Tips For Beautiful Skin And Hair That ANYONE Can Use
Isn’t it great how the weather is slowly getting lovelier? With the arrival of spring, we start shedding all those layers of clothing and start revealing a little bit more of ourselves. It’s time to make sure that our skin and hair is in the best possible shape when we step out into the world. Read on for 10 tips for beautiful skin and hair that absolutely everyone can use.
1. COVER YOUR SKIN
Cover your skin from the sun, that is. Sun spots and uneven skin tone are guaranteed to make you look older, so use sunscreen all over your body. Save time and use a lotion that has sunscreen in it. You might want to try a moisturizer that has an SPF of at least 15 for your face and décolletage. And, yes, women with dark skin must use sunscreen, too. Don’t forget to cover your skin with light-colored clothing. If you’re going to spend a day at the beach this summer, please use an umbrella!
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2. SCRUB YOUR SKIN
Healthy-looking skin is skin that has a glowing complexion. An exfoliating scrub is a great way to achieve smoother skin by sloughing off dead skin cells. It can also decrease the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone. Scrubs come with all kinds of ingredients—like salt and sugar—to smooth your skin. It’s important to choose the right size granule for your skin. Lean towards a microdermabrasion type of scrub because the granules are small and less likely to damage your skin.
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3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLORS
When it comes to makeup, finding the right colors for your complexion without spending a lot of money can be daunting. It’s enough to make you run from the makeup counter. Keep in mind that browns, grays, and purples look good on everybody. Still need more help? Refer to the color wheel you learned about in third-grade art class. Opposite colors complement each other, so if you have green eyes, you will likely look fabulous with pink and red shades around your eyes.
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4. HIGHLIGHT YOUR
BEST FEATURE
Whether or not you’re the most beautiful woman on the block, you have a physical asset that’s worth highlighting. Do you have Angelina Jolie lips? Wear bright and bold lip colors. Got sky-high cheekbones like Halle Berry? Play them up with a bronzer/highligher combo. Flaunting your best features is an easy way to add to your allure.
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5. GIVE YOURSELF “DOE EYES”
Babies aren’t the only people who look good with wide eyes. Nearly everyone can benefit from the “Bambi” look and you don’t have to use false lashes to get it. Try applying a darker shade of mascara to your upper lashes than your lower lashes. For example, use dark brown on top and brown on the bottom.
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6. USE SILK OR SATIN PILLOWCASES
Silk and satin bed linens are luxurious…and expensive. If you can’t invest in an entire bed set, buy a set of pillowcases. If that will still set you back, visit a fabric store and buy enough silk or satin material to fashion your own pillowcase. There are two reasons this important: First, the friction of cotton pillowcases will pull at your skin—and lead to wrinkles. Second, your hair doesn’t glide on cotton. Cotton pillowcases pull, break, and tangle hair. A side note for all those who suffer with allergies: satin is hypoallergenic.
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7. DON’T OVERUSE PRODUCTS
It’s a mistake to misuse and overuse hair styling products. Too much washing removes oils from your hair and can make it look dull. Overusing gels, spritzes, and hair sprays can dry out your hair, make your hair crusty, and give you the dreaded white residue that resembles dandruff. If the product directions say to use a dime-size amount, don’t do a half-dollar. Even though we’re all about saving money around here, some things should be left to professionals—like chemical processes. Better to pay a stylist to dye, highlight, relax, or perm your hair than to do permanent damage to your crowning glory.
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8. LIMIT HEAT STYLING
Heat styling is unavoidable for many people, so if you must use heat, follow these tips:
- Buy good tools with multiple heat settings.
- Use a diffuser when blow-drying hair. It spreads the heat out.
- Towel-dry hair as much as possible to reduce the amount of time needed to use the blow dryer.
- Before blow-drying, add a leave-in conditioner to your hair.
- When using a curling or straight iron, don’t leave it on any section of hair for longer than 3 or 4 seconds.
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9. EAT A CLEAN DIET
What you put inside your body shows on the outside sooner or later. Eating clean means that you eat the most healthy and nutritious foods that nature has to offer. When you choose to fuel your body with fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and beans and legumes, you gain better health, have more energy, and just plain look good overall. Your body is 100% natural. Wouldn’t it thrive inside and out with food that is 100% natural?
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10. TAP INTO YOUR
INNER RADIANCE
Have you ever met a woman who had an air of mystery about her? Maybe it was her enigmatic smile or maybe it was the twinkle in her eye when she looked at you, but she’s the kind of woman you wanted to know more about. She herself is the source of that radiance. Do something for yourself that will bring out your own inner beauty. Wear naughty lingerie under your business suit. Buy that pair of earrings you’ve been eyeing. Take time to meditate or pray before starting your day. Do something that will put a smile on your face and have people saying, “There’s just something about her…”
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This is supposed to be a list of 10, but I can’t resist adding one more universal tip that could not only save your life, but it will save your beauty. If you smoke, stop. Today. Got any other beauty tips we can all use? Share them below.
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Alexis Trass Walker lives in Gary, Indiana, with her husband and four children. She is a stay at home mom and writer who loves all things chocolate. Read more about Alexis on her blog lilliebelle.org, email her at alexistrasswalker@gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter @LillieBelle5.