Since the pandemic started, there hasn’t been a need to make an effort with our physical appearance. Even if you have meetings or classes on Zoom, you’re sometimes allowed to keep your camera off and save yourself the trouble of getting ready. But who says you can’t look good without makeup on? Here are some ways to bring your best bare face forward:
Keep taking care of your skin
As the saying goes, “Skincare first, makeup second.” You can cover your blemishes with the best makeup on the market, but it’s better to make sure you still have confidence when you wash it all off at the end of the day.
Wash your face no more than twice daily, and if your skin isn’t too sensitive, make sure to exfoliate once or twice a week. Remember that your lips are also skin, so don’t neglect to exfoliate and moisturize them too.
Lastly, wear sunscreen even indoors. Unless you spend most of your time at home in a windowless room, don’t skip your sun protection. The sun’s rays can still do damage through your windows.
Flash your best smile
It will be a shame if you feel like you have to suppress your smile or laugh because you’re insecure about your teeth. Take good care of your pearly whites because some dental procedures can be painful and expensive, and not all areas might have emergency dental services up and running due to COVID-19 restrictions. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss to reduce risks of cavities and gum disease resulting from plaque buildup. If it’s stained teeth you’re worried about, cutting down on coffee and tea intake can help, as well as increasing your calcium intake.
Make some changes to your diet
Yes, this is the part that hurts the most, but it can also give you the best results. In particular, cutting down on your intake of dairy and refined sugar can help if you have breakouts a lot. Dairy products contain hormones that aggravate acne, which might be a sign of lactose intolerance or sensitivity. Sugars cause inflammation and acne, and excess amounts also cause premature aging when they go through glycation, wherein they destroy our collagen and elastin.
Swap dairy and refined sugars out for foods rich in vitamin E, fatty acids, and antioxidants to fight free radicals. Incorporate more fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, nuts and seeds, and plant oils to benefit not just your skin and hair, but also your overall health.
Haircare
We’re all aware of how the state of our hair can make or break our mood for the day. Just because you’re going out less doesn’t mean you should stop giving your hair some TLC. Hair masking is one way to do this, and you can use hair masks bought in stores or coconut oil. Apply your hair mask of choice to dry hair 30 minutes to an hour before washing your hair. If you want to step things up, you can wear the mask overnight – make sure to wrap your hair in a scarf or shower cap so that your mask doesn’t smear all over your pillow.
For hair care on an internal level, consider taking hair vitamins rich in vitamin E, biotin, and keratin.
Sleep enough, and sleep well
With a third of our lives spent in sleep, it’s a good idea to invest in it. The hours and quality of our sleep affect our well-being, and vice versa, our well-being in our waking lives affect the hours and quality of our sleep.
Getting some form of exercise for a few minutes every day is one way to improve sleep, as it releases tension and burns pent-up energy. Ideally, you can go out for a morning walk for a vitamin D dosage.
Invest in silk sleep paraphernalia like pillowcases and eye covers. Cotton pillowcases pull on your skin and absorb moisture from your skin and hair while you sleep, and can result in creases and frizzy hair in the morning. The smooth surface of silk pillowcases helps retain the moisture in your skin and hair overnight so that you wake up with softer hair and skin.
Enhance your brows and lashes
Long before he rose to fame for films like The Bourne Legacy and The Avengers, actor Jeremy Renner used to work as a makeup artist. When asked if he had any tips for women in a rush to get ready, he focused on brows, lips, and lashes since these features frame the face.
Unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with naturally thick brows and lashes, but some things you already have at home can help fix that. Castor oil, coconut oil, and petroleum jelly are just a few household materials you can use for fuller brows and lashes. Apply them before bed, taking care not to put too on your lashes and lash line, as these substances can seep into your eyes and irritate them.
Just because you’re not going out doesn’t mean you should neglect to take care of yourself. Feeling good can help you look great and vice versa. So what if no one else will see you? Look good for yourself and give yourself the confidence to live your best life!
