Many women would love to forget the morning routine of carefully applying makeup and go fresh-faced instead. However, they may feel vulnerable and exposed without their makeup and are afraid of how they would look without it.
Sure, makeup can cover up whatever imperfection you may have but remember that there will be situations that will require you NOT to wear any makeup at all, like at the beach, swimming, hiking, staying home or sleeping over a boyfriend’s house.
TIPS ON HOW TO LOOK GOOD WITHOUT MAKEUP
Wash your face twice daily: Skincare is a key factor in looking good without makeup. Spend what time and money you would spend applying and purchasing makeup on skincare. First and foremost, find a good facial wash that’s suited to your skin type and use it twice a day—once in the morning and once at night.
Although it may be tempting to wash your face more than twice a day, this is not advisable. Over-washing can make your skin dry and irritable, causing it to look worse rather than better. Wash your face with cold water to accelerate circulation. Develop a skin regimen for your face. Whatever regimen you choose, stick to it, and always follow through. Repeat the regimen in the morning and at night.
Wear moisturizer daily: Every time you wash your face, you should follow it up with an application of facial moisturizer. Pick a quality daily moisturizer (preferably one with SPF in it) and apply it every day after washing. Opt for a slightly richer moisturizer to wear at night.
Always choose a moisturizer that’s suited to your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, go for something gentle and unscented. If you are prone to pimples, try something light and non-oily. Drier skin types should go for heavier moisturizers with soothing, nourishing ingredients like shea butter or aloe vera.
Exfoliate once a week: Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, leaving your face looking fresh and radiant. It can really help to give a healthy glow to your skin, which is a bonus when you’re aiming to go makeup-free. Find a skin wash with special exfoliating particles which you can use at least once a week, but as often as every 2 to 3 days, for best results.
Alternatively, you can exfoliate using a clean washcloth soaked in warm water. Rub your face gently with the washcloth, in slow circular motions. This option is good for people with skin that is sensitive to the ingredients in any facial washes. Never scrub your face too hard with the exfoliator or use it too often. This will dry out your skin and leave it feeling irritated, which is the last thing you want.
Take care of any pimples: Pimples can be one of the main reasons that people are afraid to go bare-faced in the first place, so if you can get rid of those, you will feel a lot more confident about going makeup-free.Make sure to follow a rigorous skincare regimen to avoid pores from becoming blocked and remove any excess bacteria from the surface of the skin. Use products targeted at oily or acne-prone skin and look for moisturizers, sunblocks and makeup that are non-comedogenic (non-pore blocking).
Look for over-the-counter spot creams and gels which contain ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, both of which are extremely effective for clearing acne.
If these measures do not seem to be working, consider seeing a dermatologist who can prescribe a stronger medicated cream or even a round of antibiotics or other oral medications.
Wear sunscreen always: You should wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s cold, cloudy or snowy, as the UVA/UVB rays can still damage your skin. Sun damage will cause your skin to age prematurely, and in extreme cases can lead to skin cancer and other skin conditions.Aim to use SPF 30 or higher and, if possible, find a sunscreen which doubles up as a moisturizer. This will make sunscreen application easy to remember.
Pluck or wax your eyebrows: Keep your eyebrows looking tidy by removing any stray hairs. Having perfectly shaped brows can do wonders for your face by framing your eyes, therefore making them the center of attention. Well-manicured eyebrows can be very striking and add definition to your features without the need for makeup.
If you’re nervous about plucking and aren’t sure which eyebrow shape would best suit your face, go to a beautician to have them plucked or waxed for the first time. Once that’s done, you will be able to maintain your new shape at home with a pair of good, quality tweezers. Always pluck one hair at a time, and pluck from the bottom of the brow rather than the top.
Shampoo your hair several times a week: It is important to wash your hair frequently to prevent the hair and skin from becoming very greasy and dirty. However, unless you have extremely oily hair, it is probably unnecessary to wash your hair every single day—every 2 or 3 days is generally fine for most people. This will certainly ensure that your hair doesn’t get dried out, but never looks dirty either.
Use a shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair type and remember to get a haircut every 3 to 4 months to keep hair in tip-top condition. Instead of fixating on the number of days between washes, look to your hair and scalp for signs. If your hair is scalp is itching or if your hair is visibly weighed down with oil, it’s time for washing. Keep your hair nicely conditioned, using a grape-sized dollop of conditioner applied to your roots and pony-tail area daily. For extra shine, smoothness, and softness, rinse with cool water.
FOCUS ON YOUR OVERALL APPEARANCE
SMILES: smiling brightens up your face and allows your inner beauty to shine through. It gives the impression of happiness and confidence, while also making you more attractive to others. Smiling more often will help you to look your best, regardless of whether you’re wearing makeup or not.
DRESS WELL: Feeling good without makeup will rely on how confident you feel about the rest of your appearance. Every girl knows that a killer outfit can make her feel like she can take on the world, so use the time that you would normally spend on making up your face on planning the perfect outfit. Wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and that fit you perfectly. Don’t try too hard to fit in with the latest trends or squeeze yourself into tight-fitting clothes. You’ll look your best when you feel your best.
STYLE YOUR HAIR: Make sure that your hair looks clean and neat at all times. It just gives you one less thing to worry about. Try a new haircut, like adding layers or bangs or even taking the leap with a pixie cut. Experiment with different styles: straighten your hair, curl it, put it in a bun or plait—use your imagination! Bad hair days can be covered up with a fashionable scarf or beret—or simply use a little dry shampoo to de-grease hair and add volume.
EAT WELL: Looking and feeling healthy has a lot to do with what you put into your body. Skin, especially, can be affected by a poor diet and healthy skin is essential to looking good without makeup. Try to cut out as many greasy, fatty, sugary foods as possible and load up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats instead. Remember to drink plenty of water to flush out your system, keep skin looking healthy and prevent you from feeling bloated. Take a vitamin supplement if you feel you are not getting all of your daily requirements from your diet alone. Vitamins A, C and E are all particularly beneficial for the skin.
BE CONFIDENT: True beauty shines from within, so stop believing that you need your mascara to feel confident and start believing in you. Stand up tall, with your shoulders back and your chin up. Make eye contact with people and smile frequently. Remember that makeup is simply a tool used to emphasize certain features—your natural beauty has been there all along.
