The key to
more beautiful skin and hair is to start with simple steps that benefit
your overall health. Regular workouts, lots of water, not smoking, and an
earlier bedtime? You're looking better already!
Reduce Stress
While it may not be possible to eliminate stress completely from your life, you can learn how to manage it better. Popular relaxation strategies include exercise, reading, spending time with friends or a pet, and meditation.
Get Enough Sleep
If you have a hard time falling asleep, create a bedtime ritual. Try turning off all your electronic devices an hour before bedtime, taking a warm bath, or giving yourself a quick massage with a scented lotion to make drifting off to sleep easier.
Exercise Regularly
Regularworkouts not only keep your weight in check and improve your overall health by
boosting circulation — they can also improve your appearance. Getting your
heart rate up through aerobic exercise, such as walking, spinning, or
swimming, increases blood flow to all your cells, including skin cells. Your
skin thereby gets a boost of nutrients and oxygen, while free radicals are
flushed from your body.
Eat Colorful Foods
Fill your
plate with a rainbow of foods: Orange, red, deep green, and blue foods
are full of valuable nutrients, including vitamins, flavonoids, polyphenols,
and fiber, all of which will help your hair and skin look their best. Think
squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beets, berries, spinach, and broccoli. Round
out your diet with high-fiber grains such as oatmeal and quinoa; lean proteins,
including chicken and fish; and healthy fats like olive oil.
Moisturize Regularly
A quick
layer of lotion can do a world of good: It helps lock in water and supports
your skin's ability to block irritants and allergens. To boost your moisturizer's
power to lock in hydration, apply it after a shower or bath, when skin is still
damp. During the day, use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 to prevent sundamage even during the winter months. However, if you're going to be out in
the sun for any length of time, use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply
every two hours.
Use a Humidifier
An ultrasonichumidifier is the quietest, a cool-mist version will help cool a hot room, and a warm-mist humidifier will help warm a cool room. Whichever type you opt for, be sure to clean it regularly to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
Say No to Sodium
The
quickest way to reduce puffiness in your face is to cut out the salt;
you'll definitely want to avoid Chinese food and microwave popcorn in the days
before a big event. If the damage is done, drink plenty of water to flush out
the salt, and dab on an eye cream that contains caffeine.
Say Yes to Water
In
general, you should drink about half your body weight in water daily to
keep your skin and body hydrated. You should drink more on warm days or after a
vigorous workout. Not a fan of plain H2O? Pour yourself a glass of
flavored seltzer, or try eating your water — fruits with a high water content,
such as grapes and watermelon, count as part of your daily intake.
In
general, products with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are best for people
with acne. Hyaluronic acid is a good ingredient for those with dry skin,
and retinols are the best choice for those who want to fight the signs of
aging. What makes a skin care regimen the right one? It's the one you enjoy
using and will use every morning and night — it doesn't matter how fancy it is
or how much you spend on it if it sits on the shelf unused.
Use Natural-Looking Makeup
When worn
the right way, makeup enhances your features and minimizes the appearance of skinimperfections. Try a CC cream or a tinted moisturizer for more flawless
skin, a quick swipe of mascara to make your eyes stand out, and a sheer pink
lipstick for a youthful smile.
Keep
Up With Hair Cuts
Whether you wear your hair long,
short, or in between, all good hair days start with the same thing — a
good haircut. Layers will give you more volume, bangs can balance out a long or
round face, and regular six- to eight-week trims will keep your hair its
healthiest. You'll know you have a good haircut when your hair lies right even
on days you don't style it, and when it frames your features and balances the
shape of your face.
Add
Shine to Your Hair
Blonds, brunettes, and redheads all
crave the same thing: shiny hair. To heighten your shine, use a conditioner
regularly — healthy hair is shiny hair. You'll also want to finish off
your hair washing with a cool rinse to seal the hair cuticles, and always aim
the nozzle of your blow-dryer down your hair shaft to encourage the cuticle to
lie flat. Limit your use of styling products that contain alcohol, which can
dull the hair, and keep your use of hairspray and dry shampoo to a minimum.
Take a Power Stance
