Looking Better and Feeling Better the Organic Way

Are you tired of spending so much time each morning applying different forms of makeup?  Are you nervous that you are damaging your health with commercially marketed products?  If either of these statements is true, then it might be time to look at the many ways that you can look and feel better without the use of cosmetics.

Better Posture: The first step to looking good and feeling good is good posture.  Bad posture is horrible for the spine.  It can cause serious ailments later in life, and cause constant pain.  Furthermore, it often makes you look heavier in the midsection, and causes you to have a hunched profile when viewed from the side.  Needless to say, bad posture is unattractive.  To fix bad posture, one must take corrective action.  This can be done alone, but it might be good to consider the help of a trainer or physical therapist who can help design a customized workout routine.  Both Yoga and Pilates focus on proper posture, which is what makes them so promising in the effort to correct it.  Everyday life can ruin good posture, so avoid carrying heavy bags, or children on one side of the body all the time.  You can either even the weight by sharing the load between your arms, or switch sides from time to time.

Proper Cleansing: Keeping the skin fresh looking is also a great way to look good naturally.  This will often mean regular exfoliation, but it shouldn’t be done every day, as it does irritate the skin.  Each day, at least once before bed, use your hands, not a cloth, to cleanse the face with lukewarm water and mild soap.  Harsh chemicals are more likely to hurt than to help.  Finally, gently pat dry with a soft, clean towel.  This ritual will keep your skin healthy and calm.

Picking the Right Color: Another great thing that you can do for yourself, whether or not you intend to go out sans makeup, is recognizing which colors compliment you best. Understanding color is important.  For instance, dark colors visually thin a person’s frame, whereas opting for a monotone color palette from head-to-toe can actually make a person appear taller.  However, it is finding the right colors for you that will provide the very best look. One of the most highly recommended ways of approaching this matter is through the use of seasons.  People’s skin tone, in the cosmetic world, is often talked about as seasons.  For instance, a winter complexion is generally thought to be dark skin.  Traditionally, these individuals will have dark eyes and dark hair, as well, but will have an overall cool complexion.  This is opposed to autumn complexions, which may still feature darker skin, but will be matched with brunette or red hair, green or brown eyes, and a yellowish or gold tint to the skin.  Spring complexions typically feature creamier skin tones that may come along with freckles.  Eyes on a spring person will typically be bright blue or green and their hair will traditionally feature golden or auburn hues.  Finally, there is summer.  People falling in this category are the fairest of all – pale skin, blue or gray eyes, and blonde or light brown hair.  By knowing which area you fall under, you can better determine which colors work best for you.  For example, a winter skin type would be best suited with dark colors.  Blacks, navies, reds, dark greens, or dark pinks would work wonderfully to draw out your best features.  Similarly, for an autumn skin tone, the ideal colors would fall more in the orange, brown, and green color range.  The more natural the tone, the better it will work for these individuals.  For springs, the colors should be more vibrant.  Bright blues, greens, pinks, and even purples can do tremendous things for making these individuals sparkle.  Finally for the summer skin tone, neutrals and pastels will work best.  Soft pinks, purples, and mauves will play wonderfully off their natural hue.

Rest Up: Of course, no amount of primping or prepping can make up for the tired, worn out look.  Dark circles, bags under the eyes, heavy lids, and wrinkles from exhaustion never wear well.  These are all signs that more sleep in necessary.  The recommended amount of sleep ranges from six to nine hours depending on the person in question.  Some require more to feel rested than others.  If you don’t get enough sleep at night it can be damaging to your body.  A quick power nap at lunch time or shortly thereafter can help.  It only takes twenty minutes to rest up and feel revived.  As for the nighttime hours, it is recommended that one set a regular bedtime, avoid heavy meals after seven o’clock, but never go to bed hungry.  Instead, opt for a light snack or very small meal.   Also, exercise daily.  This can mean as little as taking the stairs whenever an option, stretching at breaks in the day, biking to and from work, or practicing yoga between clients.  Remember stress hinders sleep.  Exercise can help alleviate this and make the body better ready for relaxation.

Protect Your Skin: Finally, be sure to protect your skin so it doesn’t age prematurely.  Keep the skin washed properly, as mentioned above and moisturize with natural oils.  Protect it from the sun with organic sunscreens containing zinc oxide or block the sun from the face with a large hat or umbrella.  Sun exposure can lead to wrinkles and dryness.  Similarly, avoid tanning beds.  There are organic self tanners on the market for those that are looking for a faux summer glow.

As a final note, you don’t need makeup to cover your flaws.  If skin problems are chronic, then get help and remember to embrace who you are and love it!