- Maintain good grooming habits: shower and wash your face regularly, and keep your hair and nails neat. Wear comfy clothes that fit well and make you feel good.
- Take care of your body by getting plenty of sleep, eating a variety of low-fat, nutrient-rich foods, and exercising 2–3 times a week.
- Cultivate inner beauty by challenging negative thoughts, avoiding comparing yourself to others, and spending time with people who make you feel good about yourself.
Practicing Good Grooming Habits
Shower or bathe every day with mild soap. To ensure you smell fresh and have healthy-looking skin, wash up with mild soap once a day, or more often if you do any vigorous exercise. Using soap that contains harsh detergents or strong scents can leave your skin dry and dull-looking. Consider wearing deodorant and/or antiperspirant every day to smell fresh and clean. You can also wear a light spritzing of perfume or body spray if you’d like, but remember to go easy so it doesn’t smell too overwhelming. Some people like to remove their body hair, while others don’t. Do whatever works for you and makes you feel more confident! If you're concerned about visible body hair, try shaving your armpits and legs before you wear clothing that exposes those areas.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer twice a day. Every morning when you wake up and at night before you go to bed, wash your face to remove acne-causing dirt and oil from your skin. Gently pat your face dry with a soft cloth, then apply a thin layer of a lightweight facial moisturizer to keep your skin looking hydrated and vibrant. Be sure to use a cleanser that’s specifically made for use on the face. The skin there is more sensitive than the skin on your body, so regular body soap can be too harsh. Choose a cleanser and moisturizer that are formulated for your skin type. For instance, if you have oily skin, you might use a foaming cleanser and a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. If you have dry skin, you might use a hydrating gel cleaner and a rich cream moisturizer.
Exfoliate your skin every 1-2 weeks to remove dead skin cells. If your skin looks dull, you may need to exfoliate to get rid of any dead skin on the surface. Wet a washcloth and gently rub it over your forehead, cheeks, and chin in a circular motion. You can also exfoliate the skin on your body, especially on your elbows, knees, and feet. You can purchase a variety of exfoliating scrubs and brushes at your local drugstore or beauty supply store. You can even make your own sugar scrub by mixing olive oil, honey, and sugar. Your lips will also benefit from a good scrub routine. Use a homemade sugar scrub or buy lip sugar scrub.
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Your smile makes a big impression on people when you first meet them, so be sure to keep up with your daily oral hygiene. Brush your teeth with toothpaste at least twice a day for 2 minutes, and floss every evening before bed. In addition, see a dentist for a professional cleaning and checkup every 6 months or so. If your teeth are yellow, ask your dentist whether they recommend a whitening toothpaste or at-home whitening strips. You can also talk to your dentist about in-office whitening options. Tip: instead of chugging your iced coffee, black tea, or soda, slurp it through a straw! This will help reduce the amount of dark and/or sugary liquid hitting your front teeth, which will keep them from staining as easily.
Keep your hair clean and style it to suit your taste. Find a haircut and style that suits your face shape, your personal taste, and the texture of your hair. Just taking a few minutes to style your hair at the beginning of each day can really boost your confidence. If necessary, use products like leave-in conditioner, hairspray, salt spray, or mousse to help you manage your hair's texture, but look for products that are labeled as "greaseless" or "oil-free" so they don't make your hair look dirty. If your hair is short, you might wear it spiked up or neatly combed behind your ears, for instance. If it's long, you might wear it in a ponytail, French braid it, or leave it down. You don't have to wash your hair every day unless it's very oily. If your hair is dry, try washing it every 2-3 days instead. You can use a little dry shampoo if your hair does start to look oily between washes, however. Don't be rough on your hair when you’re brushing it. Start brushing from the tips and work your way up.
Keep your nails neat and clean. When you wash your hands or take a shower, use your hands or a nail brush to clean under your fingernails. Keep your nails trimmed to the same length, and avoid biting them, picking at your cuticles, or pulling off hangnails. If you’d like, you can paint your fingernails. Try a neutral shade for a subtle look, or wear your favorite color if you want to be bold! If your nails are brittle or weak, try applying a coat of nail strengthener about once a week.
Shape your eyebrows by plucking them or filling them in. If your eyebrows are unruly, comb them, then use a brow gel to smooth them down. If you’d like your eyebrows to be fuller, fill them in with a pencil or powder. However, if you’d like your brows to be less bushy, carefully pluck them, or visit a salon for professional shaping, like a waxing or threading service. Then, as your eyebrows grow in, you can trim, pluck, or wax the stray hairs to maintain their shape. If you have other facial hair that bothers you, such as hairs above your top lip or stray hairs on your chin, tweeze or wax them to get rid of them. If it’s a lot of hair, you can also use a special bleaching kit designed specifically for facial hair. Keep in mind that shaving the hair on your face will make it look more obvious when it grows in. Be sure to only use products specifically designed for use on the face, and read and follow any directions on the product label carefully.
Apply makeup that complements your features, if you wear any. You don’t have to wear makeup to be pretty, as just maintaining good hygiene and personal grooming habits can go a long way to making you look and feel great. But a little bit of makeup can help you accentuate your best features while improving features you don’t like as much. Apply a bronzer that’s about 2 shades darker than your natural color to areas you want to hide. Apply a light-colored concealer or highlighter to areas you want to draw attention to, like the tops of your cheeks or the V above your lips. Draw slightly outside the lines with lip liner to make your lips look bigger, or cover your lips with concealer before you apply lipstick if you want them to look smaller. Wear light eyeshadow and apply a small amount of eyeliner to the outside of your eyes to make your eyes look bigger. Opt for dark eyeshadow and thick eyeliner if you want to make them look smaller.
Wear clean clothing that fits well and is comfortable. No matter what size you are or what type of body you have, wearing clothing that fits will help you look and feel more confident and attractive. Opt for clothes that skim over your figure without being too tight or too baggy, and wear things that make you feel good about yourself. You don’t have to be a fashionista to dress well. Certain clothes never go out of style, like blue jeans, basic tees, button-down shirts, or the classic little black dress. Always wear clean clothes that are free of wrinkles. Dirty clothes might have an odor left by sweat and old skin cells.
Choose accessories that complement your outfit, if you want. When you finish getting dressed each day, try to find an accessory that you can add, like a pretty necklace, bracelet, or handbag. This simple touch can help you look more stylish and add a bit of pizzazz to your outfit. Hair accessories, like a headband, barrette, or hair bow, typically add a pretty touch to an outfit. If you wear glasses, look for a pair that suits your face shape. For instance, you might balance a round face with square frames, or a square face with round frames, while cat-eye frames might work best if you have a triangular face. If you have a heart-shaped face, show it off with rimless frames.
Taking Care of Your Body
Exercise 2-3 times a week to stay healthy and fit. A few times a week, make an effort to get out and go for a walk, jog, or swim, or make a visit to the gym. You can also get involved in a sport or a hobby you like. As long as you keep your body healthy and strong, you’re always going to look your best. If it’s hard for you to leave home to exercise, play upbeat songs and dance around your living room or bedroom for a few minutes every day! Exercising with a buddy can make it more enjoyable and make you more likely to stick with it! Exercise can change how your body looks, but it can also boost your confidence—which will make you seem more attractive.
Eat a low-fat, nutrient-rich diet to help you look and feel great. If you’re not eating healthy and getting the right nutrients, your skin might look dull and pale and you may have dark circles under your eyes. To ensure you’re getting everything you need from your diet, avoid processed sugars, eats lots of fruits and vegetables, opt for whole grains, and enjoy lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, and lentils. For healthy, glowing skin, choose foods that are rich in antioxidants, like carrots, spinach, tomatoes, berries, peas, beans, salmon, and nuts.
Maintain good posture. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your head high. Whenever you catch yourself slouching or looking at the ground, remind yourself to stand up straight and look people in the eye. Having good posture helps you project confidence, which will make you look more attractive. In addition, having good posture can help you feel more alert and energized. When you're sitting up, like when you’re at your desk at school or at the dinner table, sit straight in your chair with your shoulders back and your lower back slightly curved in. This is a natural position for your spine. Use lumbar pillows or cushions to help you maintain this position when you're relaxing, as well.
Try relaxation techniques to cope with stress. Stress can make you look tired and worried, but learning healthy techniques can help you manage stress as it arises. When you’re dealing with a difficult situation, you might try deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to center yourself, for instance. It may also help to vent to a close friend, family member, or therapist. If you’re regularly feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, you may have too many responsibilities on your plate. Ask your family and friends for help, and practice saying no when someone asks you to do something that will cause you to be stretched too thin.
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you go outside. Over time, damage from the sun’s rays can cause your skin to become dry and dull, and it can even lead to wrinkles. Any time you go outside, cover all of your exposed skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30. You can also help protect your skin by wearing loose clothing, hats, and sunglasses. Très chic! Remember, you’re still exposed to the sun’s rays on a cloudy day, so don’t skip sunscreen just because it’s overcast.
Drink plenty of water each day to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated will help keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant. Your exact hydration needs will vary depending on your age, size, and activity level. However, it’s generally advised to drink about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of water every day if you’re a woman, or about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) if you’re a man. Try carrying a refillable water bottle with you to help you remember to drink water wherever you go. If you’re concerned there won’t be clean water where you’re going, bring along a water bottle that contains a filter.
Get plenty of sleep every night. A good night’s rest will help you look refreshed each day. In addition, you’ll be in a better mood, which can also help you seem more attractive. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time every morning, since sticking to a regular schedule can help you sleep better. Also, make sure it’s dark, quiet, and cool in your room when you go to bed each night. If you're 6–13 years old, you need about 9–11 hours of sleep. Folks between 13 and 18 need about 8–10 hours, and if you’re over 18, you need 7–9 hours. Try to avoid using your phone or any other screens an hour before bedtime, as this can negatively impact your sleep.
Cultivating Beauty from the Inside
Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially media portrayals of beauty. It can be really hard, but don’t allow yourself to fall into the trap of believing you need to look like a TV star or model in order to be pretty. Instead, appreciate the natural beauty you can see in yourself and others. By paying attention to the things you find attractive about others, it may be easier for you to find things you like about yourself, as well. Remember, the images you see in the media are often shot after a lot of work with a hair and makeup artist, wardrobe person, and a lighting specialist, and they’re often shot from specific flattering angles. The image might even be edited to remove any “flaws” on the model. If you hold yourself up to this standard, it will be nearly impossible to feel good about yourself. Selena Gomez Selena Gomez, Founder, Rare Beauty Celebrate your unique beauty. "From the time I can remember, I’ve always felt like I had to be perfect or look a certain way. It took me a long time to realize that I only wanted to be myself – that what made me unique was also what made me beautiful."
Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with constructive ones. If your opinion about how you look is affecting your self-esteem, you might struggle with negative thinking. It can be really hard, but when you're thinking bad things about yourself, try to switch to a positive, factual thought instead. For instance, you might focus on a few of your best qualities, or you could look for a solution if you're concerned about a problem that you can change. For instance, instead of thinking, "I don't look like a model, so no one will ever love me," you might tell yourself, "I'm really funny and I'm a great friend, and people really like being around me." If you find yourself thinking something like, "I hate my hair," try to think of something constructive, like, "I need to figure out the haircut that will work best for my hair's texture. Maybe I can try growing it out for a while, and in the meantime, I'll save up for a trip to a nice salon."
Be kind to the people you meet. In order to let your inner beauty to shine through, treat others with compassion and love. Look for the good in them, and celebrate it. Give genuine compliments to your family and friends, and be a supportive listener when someone is going through a hard time. If you’re beautiful on the inside, you’re going to seem more attractive on the outside.
Smile when you’re around others. Not only will smiling make you seem more attractive, but it might even make you feel happier. People almost always look prettier when they’re happy, so this is an easy way to brighten up your look any time. Studies also show that smiling can “trick” your brain into making you feel happier! So if you’re in a rotten mood, try smiling—even if only to yourself in the mirror.
Prioritize relationships with people who make you feel good about yourself. Don’t waste your time around people who put you down or say negative things about your appearance. Instead, make an effort to reach out and spend time with people who make you feel good. Then, you’ll be too busy having a good time with them to worry about what anyone else thinks, anyway! If you can’t avoid being around someone who says unkind things, like a family member or a coworker, practice standing up for yourself, instead. For instance, if someone calls you unattractive, you might say, “Stop saying that. It’s rude and it makes me uncomfortable.”
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