What would your answer be if you were asked to name a beautiful person? It’s not surprising if Miss South Africa comes to mind, seeing that she’s the newly-crown Miss Universe.
Or, perhaps you already have someone you know who fits your criteria of beautiful. As much as we know that beauty is subjective, it’s still something we want for ourselves, and no one can deny that. Let’s find out!
A new hairdo, a toned body, trendy makeup and fashionable clothes – these seem like the perfect combination for dialing up our beauty points, but are they the only things that will do the trick? While there’s no mistaking the fact that they matter, they’re not nearly enough if you’re looking to score lasting, true beauty. Feeling beautiful from the inside is, we assure you, even more important compared to anything money can buy for if you do not feel attractive inside, nothing can make you feel otherwise outside. So, before we work on the hair, skin, makeup and clothes, let’s see what we have to clean up in the inside, to make all these outer qualities shine brighter!
WAKE UP THE INNER BEAUTY IN YOU
Everyone is beautiful, but some of us just don’t feel beautiful because in the inside, we’re just not there yet in our thoughts and emotions. We do and say things that sabotage our own inner beauty and wonder why we don’t feel attractive enough for others to take notice. Sometimes, to feel really beautiful, all it takes is to start doing things that make you feel good about yourself! Here are some points to take into consideration:
Be yourself. Nothing comes close to your own authentic self no matter where you go and who you’re with. Unless of course if your authentic self happens to be loud, rude, intimidating, etc, in which case, it will be in your best interest to work on those traits.
Otherwise, let your true self shine through, in your words and actions. Resist trying to fit into molds that do not allow you to be yourself – which means that if you really have to, you might have to rethink the company you keep, especially if they keep trying to make you do or say things that just don’t feel comfortable or natural to you. Looking your best on the outside has a lot to do with all of the above. So, if you feel that you have not been looking great during the past year, it’s time to make some changes here.
- LET GO OF ALL THAT BOTHERS YOU
There are always going to be people or instances in your life who of which do not make you feel beautiful: let them go, or simply, do not let them bother you. This is easier said than done, but the more you are aware to do so, the easier it will be for you to ignore certain people and unwanted feelings and get to that place in your life, or rather, that level of mindset that you are simply beautiful and nothing can change that. - GIVE GENEROUSLY
It is important to remember that wealth is not a prerequisite to being generous. Generosity lies in the simplest things, favors, or kind words that you can give to another person. As you already know how this works, and what you’d appreciate from people around you, try making others feel truly beautiful, and that energy will bounce back to you. - THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS
As humans, we are all in need of other humans’s support and love, Hence, the more positive energy that we surround ourselves with, the more beautiful our lives are and yes, the more beautiful we tend to feel too. A strong support system will be there to pick you up when you are down and remind you how amazing you are. - YOUR COMMUNITY
When you are an important and relevant part of something, it brings out the beautiful feeling of being appreciated and needed – which are key factors of feeling beautiful inside. Volunteer, contribute, and get involved in your community or an organization that you feel passionate about.When you use your skills and abilities to help others, it brings about a feeling of inner beauty that is truly gratifying.
OUTER BEAUTY
It’s your right to feel beautiful, and you know what, that right extends to looking beautiful too. While it’s a good thing to always keep in mind that beauty is subjective, and that everyone is beautiful in their own way, there are steps you can take to let your own unique beauty shine through.
- A HEALTHY BODY
One of the first things you will notice about a person is their body and overall physique. This cannot happen unless you take good care of yourself, for without good health, it’s quite impossible to enjoy the key elements of outer beauty, such as beautiful skin, or lustrous hair. Remember, you are what you eat, so eat healthfully. Eating nutritious, balanced meals which include lots of fruits and vegetables, and drinking enough water with ensure you stay healthy from the inside, so that the outside can be maintained in terms of its good looks. Home-cooked meals are always your best bet, but if you do have to eat out, make an effort to pick and choose your meals properly to include the highest nutritional value possible. Tip: Salads and fruits should be a must when you eat out.
- MOVE YOUR BODY
In addition to eating healthy, you should know that regular helps with your outer beauty too, for it helps with your blood circulation, bringing all the nutrients from the food you eat to the skin. Forget images of ridiculously ripped women on Instagram, with muscles protruding everywhere – unless of course that’s truly what you want for yourself in terms of body beauty. Partake in exercises that will help you maintain a healthy weight and keep you in great shape. Keep fit with at least 20-30 minutes of varied exercises each day – that’s the key to looking great and feeling beautiful. - PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SKIN HEALTH
Your skin is your most priceless accessory – and it’s a lifelong one too. Treat it with love in terms of nutrition and tender loving care (TLC). Moisturise your skin from top to bottom each day to maintain its elasticity and health, and to keep it strong. Beautiful skin will result in you feeling beautiful, without fail. - NEVER NEGLECT SUN PROTECTION
Sun damage is not beautiful, to say the least. No matter how much you desire a tan, remember the over-exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun can do more harm than good to you. Use a good sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors and try to stay in the shade for as much as possible, especially during the hottest times of the day. - DRINK ENOUGH WATER
Dehydration dries out your skin and hence, is no friend of beauty, so drink up. Try not to wait till you’re thirsty, for thirst is an early sign of dehydration. Drink a small glass of water every hour as a habit and you’ll be adequately hydrated always. - HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SKINCARE ROUTINE
Find out what your skin type is and establish a beauty routine that works for it. When you use the right products for your skin type, your efforts in washing, toning and moisturising will rap much better results. Remember, something that works for your friend or family member might not necessarily work for , so if you must, seek the advice of a good beauty therapist for what works best for your skin type. Note: Your beauty regime should include your lips (exfoliate, moisturise) and neck (cleanse, tone, moisturise). - HYGIENE
Looking dirty and smelling funky isn’t exactly beautiful, is it? It will be hard to feel good about yourself when you’re not properly groomed and well-kept. So, no matter how tough the going gets, squeeze in a shower somehow, someway, and don’t forget your deodorant too. - YOUR NAILS SAY A LOT
Make sure the parts of your body (ie: your hands and feet), that are easily visible, remain well-kept. A simple pedicure or a manicure can be an easy way to feel beautiful for a small price.
- HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR HAIR?
Hair is a defining feature that can help shape your face and features if you know how to work it correctly. Choose a hairstyle that is flattering for you – which means that copying a style of a celebrity may not be the best thing for your own face. If you’re the busy type with a hectic schedule, choose a hairstyle that is low-maintenance, so you can look good with the least effort!
Smile, you pretty thing!
Your smile can be one of your best features, and it is important to remember to smile even if you might not be feeling your best. As such, remember to brush your teeth and floss on a daily basis. Investing in teeth whitening kits can be a good idea if your teeth stain easily.
WARDROBE
- COMFORT & STYLE
Fashion trends are fickle and they change all the time, so while there’s no harm is keeping up to date with some of them, it’s definitely not practical to follow them religiously. Firstly, know that the key to feeling beautiful in your clothes is to choose a style and wardrobe that is comfortable for you and suits your style and body-type. Experiment with different styles by all means, but keep in mind that if you aren’t comfortable, you’ll less likely feel beautiful in your clothes. - MAKEUP
So, when it comes to makeup, are you an Alicia (Keys) or Christina (Aquilera)? If you happen to be akin to the former, then good for you. Our advice is to pay extra attention to your skin health for it’s out there, bare and open. If you do wear makeup, then remember to aim for a touch of class, and resist overdoing it. One more thing: Be sure to remove every scrap of makeup from your face before you go to bed at night.
If feeling beautiful has always been a struggle for you, we hope all the tips above will be of help to you. Try them, and you’ll be in tune with your inner and outer beauty in no time!
