Taking Care of Your Face and Skin
Wash your face at least twice a day using lukewarm water. To keep your skin looking its best, you should wash your face in the morning when you get up, and in the evening before you go to bed. Use a facial cleanser (not regular soap) and gentle, circular motions. Never scrub your skin, as this can damage it. When you are done, splash your face with cold water. This will help tighten and minimize your pores. Avoid using hot water, as this can cause your skin to become dry. Focus on the areas that tend to get the most oily and dirty, such as your nose, forehead, neck, and chin. Always remove your makeup before you go to bed, no matter how tired you are. Leaving makeup on will lead to clogged pores and pimples.
Use the right facial cleanser for your skin type. Determine your skin type first, then buy a facial cleanser that is labeled for that skin type. Be aware that your skin type may change depending on the time of year and the time of the month. For example, your skin by become more dry during the winter. It may also become more oily while you are on your period. Consider a cleaner that has salicylic acid in it if you have oily or combination skin. It's great for managing acne too.
Follow-up with toner and moisturizer. Toner will help seal your pores and restore your skin's pH. Moisturizer will not only help make your skin soft and smooth, but will also prevent your skin from looking flaky when you put makeup on. Use a lighter moisturizer with SPF in the morning, and a heavier one in the evening. Use a heavier moisturizer in the winter when your skin is more dry, and a lighter one in the summer when your skin is more oily. If you have oily skin, choose a lightweight, gel-based moisturizer intended for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, try one without any added fragrances.
Remember to put on sunscreen. A lot of people love that sun-kissed glow and tanned skin, and for good reason: it makes you look healthy. Too much sunlight, however, can damage your skin and lead to wrinkles and skin cancer. This does not mean that you have to avoid sunlight like a vampire, however. Simply put on sunscreen that has at least 30 SPF on it every day before you go out, and try to limit your sunbathing. You can always add a healthy glow to your skin with bronzer. Many moisturizers and liquid foundations contain sunscreen. Consider getting one for the summer. Try to avoid the sun between 10am and 2pm, as this is when the sun's rays are at their strongest. If you must step out, put on some sunscreen or a long-sleeved shirt.
Don't be afraid to wear makeup, but give your skin some rest in between. Wearing makeup is a great way to make your natural features shine and stand out. It can also help you feel good about yourself. Unfortunately, it can also clog your pores and potentially lead to acne. If you wear makeup on a daily basis, try to go makeup free every so often to give your skin a chance to breathe. A good day to go without makeup is when you are chilling at home over the weekend.
Don't underestimate the important of exfoliating. If you notice your skin looking dull and grey, it's time to whip out that loofah or scrubby. Get into the shower, and gently buff your face, neck, arms, and legs. This will scrub away the old, dead skin cells, and reveal the healthy, soft, glowing skin underneath. Another way to exfoliate is to use a sugar scrub. You can buy one from a beauty supply shop, or make one yourself.
Don't be ashamed to treat yourself to scrubs and body butters. They not only smell great, but they are great for your skin. Scrubs can be used on your face, arms, and legs to exfoliate away dead skin cells. Body butters can be used all over your body just after a shower to lock in moisture. This will help your skin feel soft and smooth. You can find these at beauty supply shops, but you can make them as well with simple ingredients, such as sugar and olive oil. Avoid using body butters on your face. Use facial moisturizing creams instead. You can use some sugar scrubs on your face, but they must be labeled for facial use. If you are making the scrub yourself, be sure to use brown sugar.
Remember to wear deodorant and don't overdo it on the body spray and perfume. Looks are a big part of being beautiful, but smell also plays a big part too. Be sure to wear deodorant. You can also wear some perfume or body spray in addition to that, but don't overdo it. Too much of a good thing can quickly become a bad thing. Don't rely on perfume or use it in place of deodorant. You must wear deodorant daily. If it is very hot, you may have to reapply it. Oftentimes, the body washes, shampoos, and lotions that you use are more than enough to keep you smelling great.
Be wary of over-the-counter acne medications, and consider getting a prescription. If you cannot afford to go to a dermatologist, look for products that contain benzoyl peroxide. Use these products sparingly at night before you go to bed. Focus on your forehead, chin, nose, and cheeks—all areas that tend to get breakouts. Don't just spot-treat pimples as they come up. You will need to use the product for at least a month before you start to see the results you want.
Taking Care of Your Hair
Wash your hair, but not every day. It may sound gross, but washing you hair every 2 to 3 days (instead of every day) actually leads to healthier hair. If you wash your hair every day, you will strip it of its healthy oils. This results in hair that looks dry, brittle, and ratty. If your hair tends to look oily, consider wearing it in a braid, ponytail, or bun on the second or third day. If you exercise a lot, have fine hair, or have oily hair, then you may need to wash your hair every day or every other day with a gentle shampoo and conditioner.
Wash your hair properly. Focus the shampoo on your scalp and the top to middle of your hair. Gently massage it into your scalp using your fingertips—never "scratch" your scalp with your nails. After rinsing the shampoo out, apply the conditioner, focusing it on the ends of your hair. This will keep your hair from turning dry and your scalp from becoming oily. Use the right type of shampoo and conditioner for your hair. Again, not everything that works for your friend may work for you.
Brush your hair properly to prevent frizz and snags. Don't brush your hair straight down from the roots to the ends at first. This can make your hair snap and break. Instead, work in small sections, starting from the ends of your hair. Once the rest of your hair is smooth, only then can you run the brush from roots to ends. If you have curly or natural hair, use a wide-toothed comb instead. This will have further prevent frizz. You can still use a hairbrush if your hair is curly or naturally frizzy, but only just before you wash it.
Skip the daily heat styling, and use a good heat protectant when you do. Not only can daily straightening or curling look boring after a while, but it can do a lot of damage to your hair. When you do heat style your hair (ie: straightening or curling), apply a heat protectant spray or serum to your hair. This protects your hair from getting burnt and prevents it from looking dry. Having a bad hair day with unmanageable frizz? Try braids. They are much gentler on your hair than straightening, and take much less time to do. Consider no-heat methods when curling your hair. They may take longer, but they will be better for your hair.
Stay away from products that contain silicones and sulfates. Silicones are great at making your hair appear sleek, smooth, and shiny, but they can cause build-up over time, which results in dull, lank, and limp hair. They can only be removed with sulfates, which are harsh cleaning agents that make your hair appear dull and dry. When shopping for hair products, look for labels that say "sulfate-free." If the label doesn't say anything, check the ingredients list on the back of the bottle.
Try a vinegar rinse. It may sound gross, but the soft hair you'll get afterwards is well worth it. Vinegar cleans out any buildup in your hair as well as restores its natural pH. The result is soft, shiny, smooth hair. Mix ½ to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water, then pour it over your hair towards the end of your shower. Follow up with a cool water rinse to close the cuticles and maximize shine. Be sure to tilt your head back and close your eyes so that you don't get any vinegar in your eyes. Don't worry, the smell will go away once your hair dries.
Try a hair mask if you have dry or damaged hair. Hair masks are like rich conditioners that help soften, hydrate, and moisturize your hair. Each brand varies, but you generally apply them after shampooing your hair, then leave them on (preferably under a shower cap) for 10 to 15 minutes. After that, you rinse them out; you don't have to use conditioner. You can buy these masks from a beauty supply shop, or you can make them yourself. When choosing a hair mask, look for one that is made for your hair type or condition. For example, if you have damaged hair, look for a label that says "for damaged hair."
Take advantage of your hair's natural texture. It is much easier to embrace your hair than to fight against it. Visit a hair stylist, and ask him or her to help you choose a hairstyle that suits your face shape and hair texture.
Taking Care of Your Body
Stay hydrated. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses (8 ounces/240 milliliters each) every day. This will cleanse out any impurities in your skin, and give it a healthy glow. It also helps keep off water weight, which is caused when your body becomes dehydrated and stores extra water. You should drink more water if it is very hot or if you are exercising a lot. Pace yourself. Don't drink huge amounts of water at one time.
Eat well and eat healthy. Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do to yourself, and it can actually cause you to gain weight, because your body enters starvation mode. You should eat three full meals each day, and two to three snacks in between. Be sure to eat a well-balanced diet, filled with healthy grains, lean meats, and lots of fruits and vegetables. If you are vegetarian, you can get protein through eggs, dairy products, beans, and nuts. If you are vegan, get protein through beans, nuts, and soy products. It is okay to eat some meat, egg, or dairy every once in a while; your body is still developing.
Exercise to stay fit and lift your mood. This does not mean that you have to hit the gym and start weightlifting. Even a simple 30 minute walk each day can help keep you in shape. Not only will you be keeping fit, but you will be relaxing your mind. You may even find yourself feeling a little less stressed afterwards. If walking doesn't suit you, try doing something active that you enjoy, such as: jazz dance, ballet, sports, martial arts, jogging, or even yoga. If you are trying to lose weight, be patient, and try not to worry. Many girls find that their weight fluctuates during puberty. Weight loss also takes time.
Get 8½ to 9½ hours of sleep enough night. That may sound like a lot, but it is important. There's a reason it's called "beauty sleep" after all. Not getting enough sleep causes more than just bags under your eyes. It can also lead to things like mood swings, depression, or anxiety. It can also make your skin look dull and your weight to increase. Make sure that your room is at a comfortable temperature, and avoid using electronics at least one hour before bedtime. If you are having troubles getting to sleep, speak with your doctor. It could be a medical condition.
Practice self-love to boost your confidence and self-esteem. If you feel ashamed and insecure about your appearance, take a look in the mirror, and find at least one aspect of yourself that you like. It does not have to be big; it can be very simple, such as the shape of your nose, your freckles, or the color of your eye. Do this every day. A positive attitude will allow you to see the good things about yourself. A negative attitude only allows you to see your flaws. By boosting your self-esteem, you may eventually stop seeing your flaws, and start seeing the true beauty that you actually are.
Enhancing Your Beauty
Understand that you don't need to wear makeup to look beautiful. You should only wear makeup for your own enjoyment, and never because someone tells you to. If people are pressuring you to wear makeup when you really don't want to, ignore them and be yourself. Of course, if wearing makeup makes you feel good about yourself, then go for it.
Consider keeping your makeup simple. Wearing more makeup won't necessarily make you look more beautiful. If anything, it may make you look older and overdressed for the occasion. In fact, most professional makeup artists choose to keep their makeup light and natural during the day. It is only for the evenings and special occasions where they go for the dramatic looks. For a simple, every day look, try a tinted moisturizer, neutral eyeshadow, some mascara, and lip gloss. Keep the blush or bronzer light. If wearing dramatic makeup makes you happy, then go for it! You might want to give your skin a break every few days, however.
Try concealer if you have pimples or dark, under eye shadows. Concealer is not mandatory, but it can help cover up problematic areas, such as pimples of under eye shadows. If you feel self-conscious about a pimple, cover it up with some concealer. You don't have to wear concealer with other makeup. You can wear it by itself.
Take care of your hands. When it comes to making themselves beautiful, people have tendency to only focus on their face and hair—but hands are important too. Keep your hands soft by wearing a moisturizing hand lotion, and don't pick or chew on your nails. Keep your nails trimmed, and use a manicure brush to clean under them every night. Don't be afraid to paint your nails, or even get a professional manicure. A little bit of color never hurt anyone. If you do choose to paint your nails by yourself, remember to take the old nail polish off first. Wearing nail polish on top of chipped, peeling nail polish will look messy. To protect your nails and make your polish last longer, remember to apply a good base coat before your nail polish, and a good top coat after you are done. Don't use nail polish as a replacement for proper nail care. Take care of your nails first, then think about nail polish.
Shave or wax your body hair away. Most girls will just remove the hairs on their legs and underarms, but you can do your forearms too, especially if your hair is thick and coarse. You can also go to a beauty salon or manicure place, and have your eyebrows and upper lip waxed as well. Remember shaving is a personal choice, not a requirement. You don't need to shave to look beautiful. It is not a good idea to pluck or wax your eyebrows by yourself. Getting the right shape can be hard, and it is easy to mess up and over-plus. If you can't or don't want to wax your eyebrows, groom them instead. Pluck away any unruly hairs, then comb your eyebrows with a clean spoolie brush. Check with your parents. They might not allow you to shave because of religion or culture. You can bleach your body hair instead of shaving. Bleaching kits are available at drugstores, makeup stores, etc.
Dressing for Yourself
Wear what you feel most comfortable in. You may find the hottest, cutest outfit in the mall, but it won't do you any good if you don't feel comfortable or yourself while wearing it. Your lack of confidence will show. Instead of trying to look like everybody else, why not try to make your own style and wear what you feel most comfortable in? Who knows, you might start the next fashion trend.
Dress up a simple outfit with accessories. You don't have to wear accessories if you don't want to, but they can really make your outfit look more complete. For example, a wide belt over a maxi dress or a simple tunic can really take your outfit to the next level. Choose accessories, such as belts, hats, and jewelry that match your outfit, personality, and style. Look through fashion magazines to get ideas. Can't afford cute accessories? Make your own!
Keep your wardrobe clean and tidy. An outfit may look super cute by design, but it won't look cute if it is messy, dirty, or smelly. Take good care of your clothes, and wash them when they get dirty or smelly. You should also take care of the way you put your outfits on. It is fine if you prefer a torn, ragged, "punk" look, but try not to be sloppy about it. When washing your clothes, read the how-to-wash tags. If you don't wash certain garments properly, you could ruin them. Always wash white clothes separately from colored clothes. If you wash them with other colors, they may turn dingy. This will make them look dirty, even if they are clean.
Emphasize the part of your body you feel most confident about yourself. Wear vibrant tops if you like your upper body/arms and slimming pants if you love your legs. If you don't feel good about any part of your body, ask a friend (or even a friendly sales associate) to help you find an outfit that will look cute on you. Sometimes, it is easier to see what looks good on other people than it is on yourself—your friend might be able to see something that you don't. Don't be afraid to experiment with different looks. Head over to a store and try on some things you wouldn't normally wear--you might be surprised! Of course, you should still wear things that you feel comfortable in. Even if people tell you that it looks great, if you don't feel comfortable in it, don't wear it.
Dress for your body type. There is an outfit for everyone out there. Whether you are skinny or overweight, you can still wear similar clothes, such as shorts and tank tops. What matters, however, is the cut. For example: If you have narrow shoulders, you'd look better in tank tops that have thinner straps. If you have broader shoulders, you'd look better in tank tops that have wider straps.
Be kind. Being kind is one of the easiest things to do to look prettier. Think: you could be the prettiest girl on the outside, but you may be really mean. Would you want to be that girl, or would you want to be the kind, friendly girl everyone wants to talk to? There is more to true kindness than just nice words and compliments. Try to have kind thoughts about others too. One of the easiest ways to be kind is to be sympathetic and understanding.
Be yourself. Whoever you are and however you look, own it. Beauty is a mindset. Feel beautiful, and you will be beautiful. Just look in the mirror. You don't need a wiki page to remind you that you rock.
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