Brighten Your Day: Beauty Tips to Start Your Day

The alarm sounds, and we are off and running before our feet even hit the ground. Mornings tend to be so chaotic and rushed when what really need is time to set our mindset and mentally prepare for a good day. With a few easy steps, it’s easy to look and feel your best and be ready to tackle what the day has in store for you.

Exercise 

Starting your day with some light exercise is an excellent way to get your muscles loosened up, work out any aches and kinks from the night before, ignite your metabolism, and clear your mind.  Whether it’s a simple morning yoga practice, a brisk walk, or an easy run, getting a workout done in the morning is an excellent way to invigorate the start to your day, strengthen and tone your muscles, and improve endurance and flexibility. It also serves as a wake up call for the whole body and gets you alert and ready for the day ahead of you.

Nurture Your Skin 

Your face is the first thing that greets people. Take care of it, as well as the rest of your skin.  Start each morning with a splash of cold water to reduce any puffiness and help you feel more awake. After your workout, take a nice shower, and moisturize all over when your skin is still damp. This will help your skin stay supple and hydrated all day. Consider exfoliating at least two times a week, as well, to get rid of dead skin cells to keep your skin looking smooth and healthy. Use a quality moisturizer on your face. Be sure to follow up with sunscreen on your face and neck, as well, to protect from harmful UVA and UVB rays you’ll encounter throughout the day.

You need to hydrate your body from the inside, as well. Consider starting your day with warm water and lemon. Although regular water is hydrating, adding the lemon gives your immune system a boost and gives you a healthy shot of antioxidants, as well. Feel free to treat yourself to a cup of green tea or coffee afterwards, but remember that caffeine is a natural diuretic so balance your tea and coffee intake with healthy amounts of water throughout the day. Keeping yourself hydrated also helps you feel satiated and can ward off urges for sodas or snacks laden with empty calories.

Plan Ahead

To help cut down on the amount of time it takes to get ready, simply organize and plan the night before. Declutter your vanity area and lay out the products you’ll need in order in the morning.  Take it a step further, and go back to your elementary school days when Mom helped you lay out your outfit for the next day. Select your outfit for the next day and hang it at the front of your closet with the coordinating shoes. This will save you debilitating amounts of time trying to pick what you want to wear while you’re still struggling through that cup of coffee.

Consider taking a minimalist approach to your hair. A stylish ponytail or sleek bun can look fresh and professional while saving you time in the morning. Or, if you want to wear your hair down, consider straightening it or putting it in rollers the night before so all that’s needed is a touch up in the morning.  Finally, multi-task with your products. Think hydrating cleanser, tinted moisturizer, and foundation with sunscreen. Using products that cover more than one task can save time and effort and help get you out the door quicker and looking great.

By making some thoughtful adjustments to the way you start your day, you can enjoy your morning routine instead of rushing through it. You can leave the house feeling invigorated and ready to take on the world instead of being flustered and frazzled before the day has really begun. Take the time to start your day off right, and the rest of your day will follow suit.

 

*This is a guest post by beauty writer, Naomi Shaw.