You’ve just sent your RSVP stating that you will be attending your high school reunion. Now the panic has set in! You haven’t seen these people in years. How can you look your best without a huge budget or a professional stylist? Does this sound familiar?
Even if you don’t have the budget for the latest injectable fillers or expensive cosmetic procedures, there are things that you can do to look and feel younger.
If you’ve got an important event on your calendar, follow the tips below to look your best.
- Sleep. Nothing makes you look more haggard than lack of sleep. If you want to look like a knock-out, don’t burn the midnight oil. Got to sleep early. If a late night is in your immediate future, plan for it accordingly by taking a nap earlier in the day.
- Drink plenty of water. We all know this one but most of us still don’t follow this rule. Try giving your water by flavor by cutting up some cucumbers or adding lemon. If you’re a coffee drinker, make sure to pour up a tall glass of water every time you refill your coffee cup. Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- No last minute treatments. Avoid Facials and Treatments at least one week before your event. While facials and professional skin treatments can make your face look beautiful, you probably won’t look your best right after a treatment. Schedule facials and treatments at least 2-3 weeks before your event. Similarly, don’t go in for an eyebrow shaping the day before your big night and don’t overdo it. Opt for a natural looking brow especially if there will be photographs taken. That way, you will still look like yourself in years to come. Like everything else, brow trends and looks change over time.
- Sun Protection. Wear sun protection and stay out of the tanning beds. There are plenty of great moisturizers that have SPF protection, find one that works for you and wear it each and every day, religiously. Research indicates that people who used tanning beds before their 30th birthday had a 75 percent higher risk of developing skin cancer. In addition, all types of UV radiation - not only UVA rays - cause cell mutations and cancer. It’s no coincidence that we’re seeing the highest rates of melanoma -- the deadliest type of skin cancer – in young women and so many young women are regular tanners.
- Quit smoking. Not only is smoking bad for your health, it prematurely ages your skin. We’ve all seen the beautiful woman with the wrinkly mouth from puffing on too many cigarettes. There are plenty of resources that can help you through the ‘I NEED a cigarette’ phase from hypnosis, Nicotine patches to cold turkey, find the one that is going to work from you and if it doesn’t work the first time, keep trying.
- Reduce your stress. Yes, stress can affect the way you look not to mention the way you feel. If you feel stressed, schedule time to workout or go on a walk.
- Eat a Healthy Diet. We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat.” Guess what, it’s true. If you eat a lot of processed junk food, you will see it in your skin. Do the majority of your grocery shopping in the perimeter of the store. That’s where all the healthy food is. Better yet, go to your local farmers market and stock up there.
- Good Makeup Application. Think about what you put on your face. Don’t cake on the makeup. Nothing ages your look more than thick layers of makeup. Steer clear of matte foundations and lip color. Matte tends to accentuate lines and wrinkles. Instead, opt for sheer foundations and natural looking lip color. Give your eyes definition by first applying your mascara and then curling your eye lashes afterwards. Be sure that your mascara is dry before using your lasher curler.
There are plenty of things you can do to look your best. Keep in mind that most things that have significant impact take time so plan accordingly. Rewards will come when you will not only look beautiful on the outside but also feel healthy and strong inside.