TOP 7 :: Non Makeup Beauty Items

TOP 7 :: favorite non-makeup beauty items.

Cause makeup can't solve everything!

Sephora's Wide-Tooth Comb

1. Hair clips. Hairbands rip and tear your hair, leaving it damaged and frizzy. I always use a clip when possible to throw my hair up – it keeps my hair healthy and shiny. Bonus: you’ll have wavy hair when you take it down instead of the dreaded ponytail bump. Score.
2. Smooth wide-tooth comb. Another secret to shiny hair. Your hair is weak and more susceptible to damage when wet. Using a regular brush after a shower pulls, causes breakage, and creates a split end breeding ground. Instead, use a smooth wide tooth comb on wet hair, and work from the bottom.  If you regularly practice #1&2, I guarantee you’ll see the quality of your hair improve. These two practices keep my hair more soft and healthy than any other product. Lots of girls think that shiny healthy hair is all about the styling/ cleansing products you use. That can be true, but what really makes the difference is how you treat your hair when NOT styling/cleaning it – which is 90% of the time.
3. Moisturizer + sunscreen. Start sunscreen in your teens and 20s to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Moisturize right after the shower – all your pores are open from the heat and ready to drink it in. My favorite. 

Smith's Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm

4. Lip balm. It seems like either people use this a million times a day or never at all. I’m a hardcore user and can’t live without moisturizing lip balm. Give me lip balm and some gloss, and I’m a happy girl. (My favorites are this, this, and this.)  No mystery as to why I love it – it’s like sweatpants for your lips: so nice and soft, and feels amazing. 
5. YOUTUBE! Kind of a funny no.5, but it’s true. If there’s anything you want to learn about cosmetics or hair, you’re never more than a youtube search away. Youtube’s taught me everything from makeup tips, to formal hairstyles, and even cutting my own hair.
6. Cleansing facial wipes. Confession:  I never wash my makeup off at night. To compensate, I rely on these exfoliating Equate wipes. These do a great job of quickly removing stubborn eye makeup without irritating skin or eyes. I’ve tried several other (pricier) brands, but these are so gentle and powerful that I’ve stopped exploring. 

best beauty tip - just be happy!

7. Positive attitude. Okay, I know this is cheesy, but it’s true. A smile and positive attitude is what really makes you stand out. Now I’m by no means a master at this – but I try to make a point every day to make others laugh and smile. This usually calls for the “fake it till you make it” technique – there’s few people in the world who naturally exude pure happiness. The easiest and fastest way to build a positive attitude isn’t about focusing inward – but instead focusing outward. Compliment others. Help them accomplish a goal. Be excited for others’ success. Don’t be jealous and self-deprecating. Jealousy is the biggest symptom of low self-confidence, so just get over it! Additionally; if someone is acting jealous towards you, take it for what it is: they are sad. So cheer them up, or just feel bad for them. Don’t let it bring you down too! Try it for a day; you’ll love the infection of smiles you’re spreading, and you’ll start to see a deeper beauty in the mirror.