My Top 10 Tips For Looking & Feeling Your Best

If you're like me, this scenario will be very familiar:

Your hair looks amazing. Your makeup is perfectly and skillfully applied. Your clothes are stunning.

You look beautiful!

You feel as if you could take on the world.

Nothing and no one will stop you.

Why?

Because when you look your best, you feel your best.

You walk tall; you exude confidence; there's a bounce in your step.

As a busy mom and business owner, I have a special appreciation for these days.

Because as any fellow mommy, or fellow career woman knows, sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day to pamper ourselves.

And of course, the opposite is can also be true.

We have all experienced the feeling of dashing out sans-makeup, wearing old clothes and feeling less-than-our-most-beautiful selves, only to run into something we know.

Your first instinct might even be to duck and hide.

But really think about this one – have you ever been in the situation where the tables were turned?

I know I have, and I’ve always thought that my friends, who would obligatorily mention that “they look like a mess,” looked just as beautiful dressed down as they do when they are dressed up.

Which really got me thinking: what are some of the best ways to make yourself feel your best, even when you might not necessarily have the time to get yourself made up and dressed to the 9’s?

As a skincare professional, the answer for this one was easy: when you look good you feel good.

And, I know I cannot be alone when I say that when my skin looks good, I'm more confident and beautiful, even without my staple makeup products.

So what can you do to ensure the skin you live in looks, and feels, its best, more often than not?

That is what we are going to be talking about today!

Easy Tips for Lovely Skin (& Thus, a Boosted Confidence)

1. Know your skin type - Knowing your skin type is essential to choosing the proper skin-care regimen.

Oily skin has different needs than dry or aging skin.

How you cleanse, moisturize, and treat your skin depends entirely on whether you need to remove or add moisture, treat breakouts, or combat the telltale signs of aging.

The best way to determine your skin's needs is to consult your skincare professional.

They'll be happy to help you choose the perfect skincare regimen to bring out the best in your skin.

2. Drink plenty of water - Water keeps your skin hydrated while cleansing your system of toxins.

Most of us don't drink enough water, and when you consider that our bodies are largely made up of water, it just makes sense that you should be refilling the tank throughout the day.

Increase your water intake for healthier, more radiant looking skin.

3. Protect your skin from the sun - You've heard me say this over and over again, and it really can't be repeated enough - the sun is the leading cause of premature aging in the form of wrinkles and loss of elasticity, not to mention the danger of skin cancer.

Cover your beautiful skin with a powerful SPF sunblock whenever you're outside and wear a hat to protect your face from the sun's harmful rays.

4. Cleanse and moisturize daily - I've said this before - never go to bed wearing makeup.

Cleanse your skin morning and night with a gentle, yet effective cleanser and apply a moisturizer designed for your skin type.

Keeping your skin clean will prevent clogged pores and breakouts as well as rid your skin of harmful free radicals.

5. Exfoliate a couple of times a week - Did you know you lose roughly 50 million skin cells a day?

That's a lot of skin cells, and a little nudge now and then to help sweep them away will leave your skin vibrant looking and healthy.

And as an added plus, your skincare products will be better able to work their magic.

I don't recommend exfoliating more than a couple of times a week, for most people.

Let your skincare professional guide you on what's right for your particular needs.

6. Take your vitamins, AND put them on your skin - No, I am not suggesting you rub your actual vitamins on your skin ;)

With that in mind, your skin does benefit from daily vitamins, both the kind you consume as well as those you place directly on your skin.

Take the supplements recommended to you by your doctor, and reach for products that are rich in vitamins (A, C, and E are especially popular options in the skincare industry).

Again, your esthetician or dermatologist will help you select the best products for your skin.

Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement, as everyone has different needs and will react differently to each one!

7. Clean your makeup brushes - It's so easy to skip this step, but a regular cleansing of your makeup brushes will rid them of dirt, debris, and bacteria.

I recommend that you wash most brushes at least once a week using a mild, unscented shampoo.

Just squirt the shampoo in the palm of your hand and swirl the tips of the brush in the shampoo.

Then rinse, being careful to avoid getting the bristle base wet, and gently squeeze dry.

Lay the brush ends over the edge of a counter to dry.

8. Don't over-complicate your skin-care routine - You know as well as I do that if something is too complicated, you won't do it.

The same applies when it comes to your skincare.

Keep your routine simple, using minimal products for your skin type, to ensure that you won't be tempted to skip your routine when you're tired or busy.

9. Get plenty of sleep - I've discussed this recently in a previous post.

You can read more about that here: 7 Tips For Better Sleep.

I simply cannot emphasize enough how important sleep is for the health of your skin.

Lack of sleep results in dull skin, dark under-eye circles, and a sallow-looking complexion.

10. Eat a healthy diet - As the age-old saying goes, you are what you eat.

Steer clear of junk foods and instead eat more natural foods.

This ensures that you're feeding your body - and your skin - for optimum health.

Include foods rich in Omega-3, a healthy fatty acid found in foods like flaxseeds, salmon, and many nuts.

Below are some examples of amazing benefits!

Blueberries: These little blue wonders are an excellent source of vitamin C to help the formation of collagen, fiber to aid in digestion, and a potent source of antioxidants to keep our skin healthy.

Salmon: The omega-3 in this delicious fish have amazing anti-inflammatory effects protecting our skin from UV rays and possibly reducing the risk of skin cancer.

Avocados: They're known to be the best source of vitamin E for maintaining overall health and an excellent source of glutathione.

Acai berries: The “king of all berries" is an excellent source of antioxidants, capable of eliminating the harmful toxins in our body.

Broccoli: Provides protective substances that defend us from diseases.

Brazil nuts: Shields us from harmful UV rays and keeps the skin moisturized.

Strawberries: Good source of phytonutrients and antioxidants that eradicate free radicals that damage cells.

Beans: An excellent source of phytochemicals and can help lower cholesterol.

Fish: Is a magnificent source of essential fatty acids needed by the brain and heart and is beneficial to the skin.

Make your body feel great by eating these beauty foods and you will soon see the rebirth of the new you!

These foods will not only help you to look better but they will help you to feel better, too!

Strive to get at least eight hours of sleep per night.

It really is your beauty rest!

Final Thoughts

These are just a few simple ways to ensure that your skin always looks its most gorgeous.

Beautiful skin puts that smile on your face and that bounce in your step.

It makes you feel invincible!

And I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better mood lifter than that!

I'd love to hear from you. What's your favorite way to look and feel your best?