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If you want to look naturally pretty, focus on making small changes to your grooming, skincare, and lifestyle routines. If you aren't sure where to start making changes, don't worry! We'll walk you through everything you need to know to enhance your natural beauty, including tips on skincare, makeup, diet, and hair care routines. But something you must not forget is that you are already pretty.

Here are some easy things you can do to be naturally beautiful.

1

Wash your face twice a day.

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  1. For a naturally glowing complexion, it’s important to remove dirt, sweat, and dead skin from your skin’s surface every day. Wash your face with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser formulated for your skin type in the morning and evening. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a soft towel. [1]
    • Wash your face as soon as possible after exercising or getting sweaty.
    • Avoid harsh cleansers with alcohol in them. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, stick with fragrance-free and non-comedogenic products. [2]
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2

Exfoliate your face once a week.

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  1. The easiest way to exfoliate is with a face scrub! Wet your face, apply the scrub, and use your fingers to massage your skin in small, circular motions. After 30 seconds, rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a towel. [3]
    • Never exfoliate your skin if you have open cuts or a sunburn.
    • Exfoliating too often or too vigorously can irritate your skin, so be careful.
    • Depending on your skin type, you may be able to work up to exfoliating 2-3 times a week. [4]
3

Apply moisturizer after washing and exfoliating.

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  1. The best time to apply moisturizer is right after washing your face while the skin is still damp. Massage the moisturizer into your skin with your fingertips. Be sure to choose moisturizers that are oil-free and non-comedogenic so you won’t clog your pores. [5]
    • Give the moisturizer a few minutes to soak in before applying makeup or other skincare products.
    • If you have acne-prone skin, you might be tempted to skip moisturizer. Dry skin can make acne worse, though! As long as you're using an oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizer, you’ll be fine. [6]
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7

Drink plenty of water every day.

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  1. Water is the best option because it’s free of calories and sugar, so try to make that your main beverage. Drinking other liquids, like juice and tea, and eating foods like fresh veggies and soups, can help with hydration, as well.
    • In general, men should aim to drink 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids daily.
    • Women should aim for 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluid daily. [10]
    • Teens should get between 7-14 cups (1.7-3.3 liters) of fluid daily. [11]
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8

Exercise regularly to stay fit and strong.

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  1. Even moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like biking and jogging, can help you stay fit and feel more attractive. Exercise also improves mood, so you’ll feel better about yourself, too! Plus, increasing your bone and muscle strength now will help to prevent injuries later in life. [12]
    • If you’re not used to exercising, start slowly and build from there. For example, try brisk walking a few times a week and slowly increase the intensity.
    • In general, aim to get 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, or 75 minutes of intense exercise a week.
9

Sleep 7-9 hours every night.

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  1. When you're well-rested, your skin will look better, your eyes brighter and less puffy, and you'll feel more alert and energetic. With all of those benefits, it's no wonder they call it “beauty sleep.” [13]
    • If you’re a teenager, aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night. [14]
    • Limit caffeine consumption in the evening so you can fall asleep easily.
    • Try keeping your bedroom cooler to improve your sleep quality.
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11

Eat a balanced diet of healthy foods to slow aging.

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  1. [16] Fish, vegetables, fruit, white meat, and nuts are great for your health. Additionally, cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli have anti-inflammatory properties, may prevent cancer, and are rich in vitamins. [17]
    • Try to base most of your diet around fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. [18]
    • A healthy diet improves the health of your hair and nails, too! [19]
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12

Avoid sugar, processed fats, and packaged food.

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  1. Studies show that sugar, fried foods, saturated fats, simple carbs, and packaged foods damage your skin, cause inflammation, and can induce early-onset wrinkles. Replacing those types of foods with items that are rich in vitamins and minerals can help you maintain a healthy, youthful glow. [20]
    • If you're having a hard time eating healthy, try replacing one meal a week with a healthier option. For instance, instead of making morning toast with white bread made with enriched flour, choose a whole wheat option instead.
13

Wash your hair every 2-3 days.

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  1. Contrary to popular belief, you shouldn't wash your hair every day! For most people, aim to wash your hair every 2-3 days to keep it in tip-top shape. Gently massage a quarter-sized dollop of shampoo into your hair, focusing mainly on your scalp and roots. Then, rinse it out thoroughly with warm water. [21]
    • If you have oily hair and/or you exercise a lot, you may need to wash your hair every day or use a dry shampoo on off-days to soak up excess oil and dirt.
    • Make sure you use the right shampoo for your hair type. For example, if you have oily hair, use shampoo formulated for oily or normal hair.
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14

Condition your hair after washing it.

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  1. Massage conditioner into your hair from the midshaft to the ends, taking care to avoid the roots. If you have very fine hair, apply conditioner to the ends only so you don’t weigh your hair down too much. Wait 2-3 minutes and rinse your hair out with lukewarm water. [22]
    • Choose the best conditioner for your hair type. For example, if you have color-treated hair, use a conditioner formulated for that.
    • Apply a hair mask once a week to hydrate and strengthen your hair.
16

Dry brush your body a few times a week.

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  1. It also stimulates your nervous system and feels invigorating! Use a natural stiff-bristled bath/shower brush with a long handle. Start brushing at your ankles and work your way up with long, fluid strokes. You only need to go over the same area 1-2 times; overdoing it can irritate your skin. Use gentle, circular motions on your torso and back. Then, hop in the shower to rinse away the dead skin cells and apply moisturizer. [24]
    • Dry brush once a week to start and gradually increase to a few times weekly as your skin gets used to it.
    • Use light pressure around sensitive areas like your breasts and neck. Avoid dry brushing your face, which is little too sensitive for stiff bristles.
    • Never dry brush broken, burned, sensitive, or infected skin.
17

Apply SPF 30 before going outside.

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20

Remove your makeup before bed.

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  1. [28] Even if you’re super tired and ready to go to bed, don’t skip this! First, soak a cotton pad with an oil-free makeup remover and swipe the pad all over your face to remove your makeup. Then, follow up with your usual cleanser to get every last bit of makeup off your face. Your skin will thank you for it! [29]
    • If you have sensitive skin, micellar water is another option that dermatologists recommend. Use it on a cotton pad just like a regular makeup remover. [30]
    • If you’re wearing heavy/waterproof makeup and your skin isn’t acne-prone, use an oil-based makeup remover instead.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I make myself look naturally pretty?
    Natalie Tincher
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    Expert Answer
  • Question
    What should I wear to be naturally pretty?
    Natalie Tincher
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.
    Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
    Expert Answer
    I suggest choosing clothing that complements your eyes, skin, and hair and reflects your personal style. For example, if you have fair skin and blonde hair, you'll probably want to stick to lighter shades of clothing.
  • Question
    What if I am shy and ugly?
    Community Answer
    You're not ugly, you're just insecure. A great way to solve both of these problems is to talk to people more often. Try to have a conversation with one new person each day. The more you do it, the easier it will become, and eventually you will feel less shy, and probably less insecure about your appearance.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Look in the mirror every day, and find the most beautiful thing in the glass. Realize you are beautiful, and that you don't need to be a supermodel to be happy.
      • If you want soft lips, don't bite or lick them. Use a lip scrub or brush your lips gently with a toothbrush and apply lip balm or Vaseline.
      • Everyone has something naturally pretty, like their lips or eyes. Whatever your best feature is, make it stand out.
      • You are beautiful just the way you are! We are all unique in our own ways.
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      1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      2. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/06/11/413674246/got-water-most-kids-teens-dont-drink-enough
      3. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits/
      4. https://www.samhealth.org/about-samaritan/news-search/2019/05/29/importance-of-sleep-to-your-appearance-and-skin
      5. https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/
      6. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/a28037094/silk-pillowcases-benefits/
      7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583891/
      8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3471136/
      9. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/healthy-aging.htm
      10. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/get-radiant-hair-skin-and-nails-naturally
      11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146365/
      12. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      13. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      14. https://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2012/08/08/dos-and-donts-of-healthy-hair
      15. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-truth-about-dry-brushing-and-what-it-does-for-you/
      16. https://www.aad.org/media/stats/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs
      17. https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/natural-makeup-look
      18. https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/natural-makeup-look
      19. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a35556/why-is-sleeping-in-makeup-bad/
      20. https://www.aad.org/news/makeup-tips-acne-prone-skin
      21. https://www.today.com/shop/dermatologists-love-gentle-makeup-remover-t175595

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Being naturally pretty is all about being healthy and confident, and there are a few small changes you can make to give your look a boost! To start, wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt and excess oil. If you have acne, you can also use a tea tree facewash to help calm your skin. If you currently wear makeup, consider using it less, which will allow your skin to breathe and help you feel better about the real you. To keep the rest of your body healthy, drink at least 6-8 glasses of water and get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. To learn how to use sea salt spray to get natural curls, read on!

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