How to Look Your Best Without Makeup

EXFOLIATE

Dead skin cell buildup on the surface of skin can make your complexion appear dull and lifeless, with a rough and uneven feel. Slough away unwanted dirt, oil, and pore-clogging debris with gentle exfoliation. Use your favorite facial scrub—SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub, anyone?

USE A BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZER

Hydrating your skin is a daily must, especially post-exfoliation. To add a bit more luminosity to your skin, reach for a moisturizer to enhance your glow, like Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Instant Moisture Glow. Not only can the lightweight formula help moisturize your skin, it can also help reveal a lit-from-within glow.

GROOM YOUR BROWS

Well-groomed eyebrows can add a ton of depth and shape to your face. When someone looks at your eyes, they will inevitably see your brows as well. If your brows look unruly, they can hold someone’s focus—and not in the way you want. Tweeze the stray hairs at home or visit an eyebrow specialist. Brush them daily before heading out the door.

Tip: Dab some eyebrow gel or moisturizer onto your brows to help keep the small hairs from curling out of shape.

BUILD A BRONZE

If your skin is super pale (or looks pasty during the brutal winter) and you’re itching for a natural-looking glow, try a self-tanning formula. L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Serum—can help you achieve a streak-free tan that lasts up to two weeks. It’s not bronzer, but who has to know?

HYDRATE YOUR POUT

Your complexion won’t look flawless with dry, cracked lips. For a kissably soft pout that’s anything but flaky, exfoliate your lips with a gentle scrub or lip scuff, like The Body Shop Lip Scuff. Then, liberally coat your pucker with a hydrating emollient or lip balm. Kiehl’s Lip Relief formula boasts restorative eucalyptus, ultra-hydrating cactus flower, and Tibetan ginseng, to help dehydrated lips and maintain healthy moisture.

SPOT TREAT BLEMISHES

Concealer can help hide pesky pimples temporarily, but why not try to eliminate the blemish at the source? Instead of relying on concealer, reach for an acne spot treatment, like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. Formulated with benzoyl peroxide, the formula helps visibly reduce all types of acne blemishes—yes, even stubborn blackheads and whiteheads—in addition to smoothing skin roughness and texture.

EAT WELL AND DRINK WATER

Taking care of your skin and body goes well beyond beauty products. If we are what we eat, then let us be indulging in a healthy, colorful diet of fruits and vegetables. Be sure to hydrate with good ol’ H20. Aim to drink the recommended amount of water per day. If plain water is too bland for you, jazz it up with some fruits and herbs—recipes can be found here—so it’s tastier. Ditch sugary drinks if possible.

In addition to eating right and staying hydrated, make sure to get the recommended amount of sleep per night. Too few hours of shut-eye can give your skin a dull and sallow appearance, with more pronounced under-eye bags and dark circles. Yikes!

BE CONFIDENT

If you rely on makeup to mask skin flaws and imperfections, chances are you feel self-conscious when not wearing any. Be comfortable in your own skin and accept yourself fully. Regardless of what you layer on your face, how you feel about yourself is what matters most. So smile often and know that you’re beautiful just the way you are!