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How to look and feel Pretty: A no-fluff guide that works

Learn simple quick tips to enhance your beauty and make you look pretty every single day.

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Like it or not, we live in a world that emphasises external appearances. People judge you based on your physical appearance and your looks.

But wanting to look and feel more pretty isn’t always just about wanting other people’s approval. Many times it’s because we’ve recognised that we want to and can be a better version of our current selves.

This post is about simple things you can change to look and feel more beautiful.

Before you dive in, remember that true beauty always radiates from within, and in addition to physical things you can do to feel and look your best, remember that Self-care, confidence and inner happiness are really crucial and should not be taken for granted.

Here are 13 things to do to look and feel beautiful.

Start from your Mind

1. Start by appreciating who you are right now.

sitting blur reflection face

Before we focus on any external aspects, let’s start by talking about appreciating yourself. Know that you are enough and that there are great things to love about yourself. Infact I’ll recommend you write an Empowerment list. Call it “15 things I love about myself”. It can be hard at first if you’re a very self-critical person. But think of the simplest things. Your smile, your honesty, your patience with people, your ability to learn quickly, how good you are with money, how well you clean, how much you want to make your self better. These are all things to be proud of.

To  feel good from within, you must first love yourself.

Remember that self-love won’t happen overnight, it’s a process. Just make a habit of acknowledging your strengths, quirks, and unique qualities. Research shows that self-compassion is linked to greater life satisfaction and overall well-being. When you appreciate yourself, it naturally boosts your self-esteem, and you start to radiate from the inside!

2. Prioritize Self-Care

Do you get enough sleep? Do you eat healthy foods? Are you hydrated? and do you exercise at least 3 times a week?.

You see, these habits are listed every time self-care is mentioned. But I want to go beyond a mere list to tell you why these habits not only boost your physical health but also contribute to a natural glow and energy that’ll make you more attractive.

Let’s imagine you barely sleep for up to 6hrs a night and you mostly eat junk salty and oily foods. What happens next? Your body gets inflamed and you are constantly bloated.

Next, skin issues join the mix, and so can hormonal imbalance which may start to trigger unexpected weight gain. And you guessed right… The vicious cycle of not liking who you see in the mirror then begins.

To avoid this, eat nutrient rich foods – opt for vegetables, healthy fats and fruits with every meal, and drink up to 3L of water daily. Move for at least 30 minutes a day. This can mean different things to different people. It can be walking, jogging or dancing. You’ll be amazed at how you start glowing from inside out!

Focus on your Body

3. Know your style and wear the right size of clothes 

woman fitting red dress in front of mirror


It’s important to know your style aka what fits your body type. Any stylist will tell you that looking good is about what you wear and how you wear it. If you don’t know your style, here is what you can do for a start (or at least what I did to figure out mine).

  1. Look to your own closet and think about the clothes you have that make you happy. You can also look through all your pictures and identify outfits that made you feel gorgeous.
  2. Now replicate these outfits with what you have in your closet and wear them in the coming week
  3. Note the outfits that still make you feel your best and focus on styling yourself the same way going forward.
  4. You can also ask the opinion of a trusted friend or family member to be sure you’ve correctly nailed your style.

Sizing

Do you find it hard to let go of clothes that are too small? Or do you dress two sizes bigger because you’ve gained a bit of weight?
Change in body size is all part of life and growth. If you can embrace who you are now and focus on wearing clothes that are your actual size, you will look much more put together.

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4. Embrace a Skincare Routine

Dull and flaky skin will steal your glow.

A simple skincare routine can go a long way. At the very least, use a cleanser (facial wash), moisturize, and use sunscreen (SPF) – daily. Then once you are comfortable with a routine, you can incorporate products for specific skin needs e.g. Vitamin C serum for dark spots, or hyaluronic acid if your skin needs hydration.

5. Perfect your Posture

Having the correct posture is one tip that is often overlooked but it can make such a big difference. Next time you sit down, take a look at your reflection to see if you have a slouch. Many people start slouching due to work or study habits or because they feel they are too tall. The good news is, it can be corrected. Keep your head high, Stand tall, and shoulders back. It’s a simple yet powerful way to convey self-assurance and feel your best.

Focus on your face

6. Do your Brows

Source: Browbetty.com

Getting your brows shaped can help enhance your facial features and create a more polished and groomed appearance.

7. Play with the correct shade of Makeup

While using make-up is not a must for everybody, it can help enhance one’s natural features when done correctly. If you choose to use make-up, Invest in the correct shade of foundation or powder.

I still remember the time before I found my favourite Clinique foundation. I went from shades that made me look ashy and washed out to shades that made my face look dull or sleepy.

Many drug stores are more than happy to do a foundation/powder test for you and will help you find your perfect match. So check out your nearest beauty store if you are unsure of what to buy.

Use an eyeliner

Even if you don’t like full on makeup (foundation), I have come to realise that eyeliners can help refine your look.

My best eyeliner will always be Rimmel London Soft Kohl Smudge-proof Eyeliner Pencil. At least 10k people buy this liner on Amazon every month and i’m not surprised. It applies well and is smudge proof. It can make your eyes appear larger, more awake,

Moisturise your lips

A lip balm or beautiful lipstick is a great way to care for your lips. This Dior lipstick set is my all-time favourite.

It was first bought for me as a gift and I have kept on replacing it ever since. It lasts long and has subtle shades of pink and red as well as shades that make a statement.

You can also find some other great lipsticks here on Amazon.

Focus on your Hair

8. Get your hair done

Other than your face, your hair can make such a huge difference to your appearance.

Wash, Straighten or curl your hair. Get on YouTube to find tutorials on how to handle your particular hair type – curly, thin, short or long.


Another crucial hair tip that has always worked for me is having a go-to hairstyle. For me it’s a messy bun. I do it really quickly and it suits my face. This means that even on busy days I can still look put together in just a few minutes. Find your go-to hair style and perfect it.

Get your Nails done

9. Well groomed nails

Well groomed nails make for a polished look. You don’t need to go to a salon for this. Simply trimming your nails, applying a nail strengthener and cuticle oil will make your nails look great. You can also do simple French tips at home – it’s a classic that goes with everything and all you need is one nail polish!

Focus on How you smell

10. Smell nice

There are so many ways to achieve this. Use a nice smelling body wash, moisturiser and body mist.

What if you sweat a lot in your underarm ? Use a good 48hr antiperspirant. My favourite to date is this Sanex 48hr invisible deodorant. Not only does it keep you smelling great, but it will also leave no marks on your dark colored outfits.

When your body smells fresh, your senses heighten and this can also boost your confidence in yourself, and in your looks.

Other great tips

11. Smile Often

The power of a smile is incredible. Smiling not only makes you feel happier, but it also brightens your face and reduces fine lines!

12. Get the right pair of shoes and accessories.

Trainers, a pair of flats, heels, or boots can elevate any outfit. Depending on where you live and your style, ensure you have a couple of casual and dressy shoes that go with most of your outfits.

The accessories you choose will also help tie together any outfit you wear. Get a couple of scarves, inexpensive bags, waist cinching belts and bracelets to complete any look. Jump to these posts to get some gorgeous outfit styling ideas for winter and summer.

13. Step Away from Comparisons

Comparing yourself to others is a beauty trap. Everyone is unique, and beauty varies greatly from person to person. Embrace your individuality; it’s what makes you beautiful in your own way.

By following these practical tips, you can unlock your true beauty potential, inside and out. You are beautiful; it’s time to believe it, embrace it, and let your radiance shine.

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