Beauty is a big business, and those who make their living in the industry tend to have more knowledge than the average person. From skincare to hair styling and everything in between, you need to know plenty of things to get the look you’re shooting for while still keeping your hair and skin healthy and supple. This article explores not only some valuable tips you can use to achieve almost any style you desire but also to keep yourself healthy and boost your confidence in a variety of situations. Prepare to have your assumptions challenged and pick up new tricks to take your routine to the next level!
Protect Your Hair From Heat
One of the biggest secrets in the hair salon is how damaging heat can be to your locks. While a quick blast from a blow dryer or curling iron may seem harmless, over time, it can lead to frizz, breakage, and even hair loss if performed consistently and aggressively. The high temperatures strip away the hair’s natural oils and protective outer layer, leaving strands dry, brittle, and prone to damage. To put it simply, failing to shield hair from heat is a sure way to age it prematurely. One way to get around this issue, particularly for women with hair that is challenging to style, is to opt for a wig of some kind. These are a great way to achieve the style you desire without using products containing harsh chemicals or heat. Moreover, you can get wigs that use genuine human hair for that natural look, and they come in a vast variety of styles. You can get a deep wave wig, one that imitates natural curls, braided, or even completely straight if that’s the option you want. Nevertheless, even if you choose a wig to achieve a specific look, you will still need to look after your own hair.
Consequently, when you do need to use heat to style it, you really should use a heat protectant spray, cream, or leave-in conditioner on your damp hair before you allow anything that emits heat near your luscious locks. These things help to create a barrier that should guard against the worst of the heat damage that could occur and keep the body well hydrated. It’s also wise to limit how often heat styling is done. Let hair air dry when possible, or opt for lower heat settings. Experts say keeping tools a few inches away from the scalp and alternating directions when curling or straightening sections helps, too. With the proper precautions, you can enjoy styling without compromising hair health down the road.
You Are What You Eat (Cliche, But Overlooked)
The second recommendation, which is frequently stressed by those in the know, may appear trite, but it is actually true. Just as with your skin and general health, the food and drink you use to nourish your body will have a significant effect on the quality of your skin and hair. Yes, you all probably have that one friend who seems to stuff themselves with all the worst fash foods and still somehow remains a picture of health and beauty, but let’s get real; they are highly likely to be the exception to the rule.
If you are reading this post, you almost certainly don’t fall into that category and, as such, need to take additional steps to look great. Fortunately, eating well is an elixir for not only the way you look but also feel.
Most health and beauty pros will talk endlessly about eating a proper diet that provides your body with all the vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy, but what does this actually mean in practice? Foritanutly, this is one of those things that sounds far more difficult than it is, and in most cases, all you need to do is focus on eating unprocessed, whole foods whenever possible.
There is also one other food group you need to include in your diet that may seem counterintuitive initially. Fat is essential to ensure your skin stays plump and smooth while keeping your hair thick and luscious. However, not all fats are created equally, and you should opt for fats that come naturally, like the omega 3,6, and 9 from fish, vegetables, and certain lean meats.
Don’t Skip Sunscreen
Lots of women will head outside without a thought for the damage that the sun is doing to their skin. Regardless of skin tone, sun exposure has the unfortunate effect of aging your skin faster and more completely than anything else. This is why most dermatologists will sound like a broken record, stating that using sunscreen daily is the best way to avoid all the nasty things UV rays can do to you. Most will recommend applying at least an SPF 30 broad spectrum to all exposed areas. Fortunately, you can buy a foundation with these levels of protection already built-in, making it simple to complete this procedure without any additional steps to your daily routine.
Less Is More With Makeup
A common mistake is piling on layers of base makeup instead of enhancing your own features. In most cases, it’s prep work like exfoliation and moisturizer is more important than heavy coverage. Opting for lightweight, breathable formulas helps avoid cakiness. Learn to highlight strategically rather than over-contouring. Brows, mascara, and a swipe of color on the lips often do the trick. With a curated selection of multi-tasking products and a lighter hand, you can achieve a polished look that doesn’t scream about cosmetic overload. Sometimes, subtle is more impactful and will help you to avoid the pitfalls of cosmetic acne.
Don’t Forget Your Beauty Sleep
While getting enough sleep may seem like an afterthought for busy lives, it’s one of the most crucial things you can do for your appearance. Our bodies have natural nightly repair processes, and lack of rest can visibly age you faster. During sleep, hormones are released to rebuild skin and hair, flush out toxins, and reduce puffiness. Those who skimp on zzz’s often have duller complexions, under-eye circles, and stressed skin prone to breakouts. While not always possible, trading an hour of screen time for an earlier bedtime makes a difference. Naps and relaxing pre-bed routines help, too.
Although some of these tips may sound obvious, you need to ask yourself how much (or little) you follow them. You can achieve your goals of looking and feeling your best if you only know what to do and do it.
