Wearing makeup is a fun way of expressing yourself and enhancing your features, but it shouldn’t be the thing that defines your beauty. An all-natural, makeup-free face is beautiful, too. But what keeps most women from going bare are the blemishes and dark circles that their trusty concealers usually cover. Well, we’re here to tell you that with a few tips and tricks, you can ditch your morning routine and still end up looking drop-dead gorgeous.
Here are some of our best-kept secrets to looking fresh with absolutely no makeup on.
Beauty Sleep Is Real
A good night’s sleep is perhaps the easiest way to look fresh the next day with minimal effort. During your sleep, your skin cells repair themselves, and as they regenerate, the collagen production increases, helping your skin recover faster, which in turn, keeps your complexion radiant and youthful. Getting 6-8 hours of sleep every night is vital to eliminate those dreaded dark circles under your eyes, and slow down your aging process.
If you’re looking for a natural way to help you sleep better, try drinking a cup of camomile tea before bedtime, or consider supplementing your diet with a tart cherry supplement. Tart cherries are naturally rich in melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating the sleep cycle, that is why this supplement can be a safe and effective way to treat insomnia, and improve sleep quality and duration. Moreover, tart cherries contain large amounts of anthocyanins and tryptophan, two compounds that promote melatonin production and enhance its effects.
Sunscreen Is Not Optional
The sun’s ultraviolet rays are the primary culprits behind the premature aging of the skin. For that reason, wearing sunscreen before you leave the house— even if it’s cloudy outside— should not be an option. To effectively prevent dark spots and hyper-pigmentation, look for a water-resistant sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage and an SPF of at least 30.
Green Tea Is a Magical Beverage
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that green tea is probably the healthiest beverage out there. Rich in nutrients and antioxidants, these magical leaves can improve circulation and lower blood pressure, consequently improving our skin’s health and appearance. That’s not to mention the numerous benefits it provides, from reducing the risk of breast cancer and Alzheimer’s disease to lowering cholesterol and aiding in weight loss. So, try to drink 2-3 cups a day for a sharper brain and a healthier complexion.
Skincare Routines Aren’t Just for Celebrities
You can’t possibly hope to look fresh and radiant without a regular skincare routine, so find out what your skin type is and establish a regime that works for you. Cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are the three cornerstones of any effective skincare routine, so be sure to include them in your daily and nightly regimes. Do not, under any circumstances, go to bed without cleansing your face. Otherwise, all the dirt and pollutants that accumulated during the day will clog your pores, making your complexion both dull and dry. And don’t forget to exfoliate at least once a week for fresher and smoother skin.
When it comes to moisturizing, look for creams containing retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Retinol, a type of vitamin A, is considered the most effective over-the-counter treatment for softening the skin, improving its texture, and giving it a rosy glow. It also reduces fine lines and tightens facial pores. Alpha-hydroxy acids, on the other hand, help your skin retain moisture for longer, which gives it a radiant and supple look.
H2O Makes All the Difference
We can’t stress the importance of staying hydrated enough to maintain a clear and glowing complexion. Every system and function in your body relies on water. Drinking a minimum of 8 or more glasses a day helps flush out built-up toxins from your body, making your skin look plumper, livelier, and more youthful than ever. Plus, proper hydration helps keep wrinkles at bay. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink, though; that means you’re already dehydrated, so make a habit out of drinking a glass of water every other hour.
As you can see, there are many ways to get that fresh, glowing look without using shimmery highlighters. That doesn’t mean that you should stop wearing makeup, though; just don’t let it be the crutch you rely on to feel beautiful. Incorporate the above tips in your regular routine, and you can achieve that radiant look you desire, with zero makeup. Remember, it takes some time to see actual results, so don’t give up too soon.
