A BIG part of weight loss and management is beauty. What I mean is that there is a connection between how we take care of ourselves to feel beautiful and the way feeling great helps us reach our goals. There is a reason the saying, “When you look good, you feel good,” has stuck around. When you feel great, you feel energized and strong. You feel like you can crush challenges and reach goals. Life gets busy, and then it gets the best of us. We so often put ourselves very last and don’t take the time to practice basic types of self-love like getting a full nights sleep, much less pamper ourselves. Putting yourself first shouldn’t make you feel a twinge of guilt as it often does for so many of us. It should be a must in our lives so we can be our healthiest and happiest self.
When we are not going through the motions of life’s everyday demands exhausted, spread thin, and with our wants and needs barely echoing in the back of our minds, we are in a much position to be there for our loved ones, friends, work, and the world. It may take a conscious effort to make the time and/or spend the money on these “extras” if you’re not used to acknowledging that you deserve to take care of you. But if you are reading this, you probably already feel that somethings go to give!
When we are tired and feeling burnt out it can be hard to grab the apple instead of the brownie when we need that 3pm pick me up. When we are tired, sometimes the effort to put on makeup or do our hair hardly seems worth it. I have been there. Many times. It seems to spiral from there. The worse I eat, the worse I feel, and the less I feel like I want or deserve these little beauty luxuries. It has taken me many years to recognize these patterns, but now if I’m feeling a funk coming on I have a list of little beauty treatment that usually make me feel better.
Yes, I know these are superficial remedies, but what they also are is time you are spending to care for yourself. Sometimes a small distraction is all we need to feel rested, step back enough to disconnect from negative feelings, and gain some fresh perspective.
Sometimes little things can make a big difference in the way we feel. Here are some beauty treatments you can do to feel good asap.
“Take care of yourself and everything else will fall into place.”
BUDGET $
1. Get your haircut or a free “bang” trim.
Most salons will offer free or heavily discounted touch-up between cuts. Not just for bangs, but for the length to freshen your look without full on cutting it. It was a happy day when I discovered this.
2. Paint your nails.
The change of color can be refreshing and up-lifting. How many times have you looked down at your hands only to think, “I really love this nail color.” ?
3. At home foot soak and pedicure.
Take the time to do this right! Soak your feet, scrub them with your favorite scent, slather a moisturizing lotion on, and then paint them a favorite color. (You may need to use a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol to remove the lotion from the nail first.)
4. Dye your eyebrows.
I have discovered a love for dying my eyebrows. It’s super cheap, easy to do, and makes me feel like my face is put together and defined even without a full face of makeup! I wish I would have discovered this years ago! My favorite is an Amazon find called Godefroy TintKit. (I am not affiliated with the brand and make no money from suggesting it. I just really love the product and I recommend it!)
5. Use self-tanner.
I always feel good when I look tan. It makes me feel like I look thinner and my bare legs definitely look better. The sun-kissed look makes me feel just that, “Sun-Kissed.”
6. Experiment with a new make-up look. Use colors in your palette you normally pass over.
A new look can sometimes make you feel new! It can certainly break a rut. It also requires you to use those lipsticks you never returned and never wear. We all have them!
7. Exfoliate with dry brushing.
Dry brushing is something I started to do about two years ago. Dry brushing has several benefits, but some key ones include removing dead skin cells resulting in a smoother, brighter appearance, improving circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system, which is responsible for eliminating toxins and fat. I do this right before I shower.
8. Shave or use your favorite at home hair removal and get silky smooth.
Then moisturize. Feeling soft and silky feels indulgent. Especially if it is just for yourself.
9. At home face mask.
We all want clearer and brighter skin, and it definitely is a confidence booster when our complexion looks good. Also, the simple act of massaging our face is relaxing and soothing. Lay down and listen soothing music and relax, or let your face mask dry while you paint your toes! My favorites are Ole Hendriksen Power Peel from Sephora or Aveeno Positively Radiant Peel Off Mask, available at most Drugstores.
10. Take a bath.
Light candles, turn on music, add essential oils, bubble bath or your favorite bath bomb. Whatever your perfect bath is. Soak. Let the tiredness and stress melt away. If you normally don’t take baths, this is all the more reason to do it. It is amazing how relaxing and restorative a simple bath can be.
SPLURGE
1. Get a new cut and balyage.
A new look can make you feel great. People often comment and it is a great confidence booster. It also give you a reason to start doing your hair again if it has started to feel like a chore .
2. Get your nails done.
Get your nails done. Try the new dipping powder. Spend the money and get pampered. Having shiny polished nails always makes me feel put together. Relax while someone else takes care of you. Enjoy the arm massage and the beautiful results!
3. Get a pedicure and splurge on the aromatherapy.
Most salons have the massage chair. Enjoy it!
4. Get your eyebrows or lashes tinted.
The idea here is to feel great so you can stay strong to make decisions that will improve your life. If you are like me and fill in your eyebrows with a pencil and powder, then you will definitely love waking up to beautifully full and manicured looking brows!
5. Get a spray tan.
The professional types are way less time consuming than doing your own!
6. Schedule a make-over at your favorite make-up counter.
Sephora, Ulta, Mac, Macys, Nordstrom all offer this service. If you fall in love with the look, treat yourself to a product or two! Having a new makeup item can give new life to your daily routine!
7. Get a professional exfoliation.
This body scrubbing treatment that typically takes place on a massage table at a salon will scuff off dead skin cells and leave your body soft and fresh. Look at it like the worries and stress are being scrubbed off!
8. Get waxed or try laser hair removal, if you want a more permanent/semi-permanent solution.
I have gone back and forth on which one hurts more and still can’t decide! Out of the two I think I prefer laser hair removal. You still do have to go back for touch ups. Years ago, I bought a small at-home laser hair removal system on sale and it works great for small areas like the underarms or upper lip. The thing is, it’s easy to put off and you have to keep up if you want to maintain results. The laser is not as strong, but still effective.
9. Get a facial.
A professional can remove toxins and build-up more effectively than you can at home. It’s also a wonderful way to relax, pamper yourself, and enjoy rejuvenated skin!
10. Get a massage.
We hold so much stress and tension in our bodies. Massage has been proven to not only relieve aches and pains, but it also can ease anxiety, depression, and help improve sleep and even boost the immune system.
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