How To Feel Pretty When You’re Not Feeling Pretty

Pretty. What a complex word. Seems like a simple word, right? Sometimes I hear women say “I want to be called beautiful, not just pretty” or “I don’t want to look pretty, I want to look hot!” We don’t often hear someone say “she has a pretty soul,” we hear them say “she has a beautiful soul.” I guess, in a sense, this idea of “pretty” takes me back to my younger years. In high school, I cared about being pretty. Probably a bit too much. The guys were always talking to the prettiest girls in school and the girls were always talking about ways to be prettier.

Fast forward a few years (decades…drink your wine and carry on) and here I am still caring about whether or not I look pretty. Notice I’m not saying “beautiful.” I work every single day to make myself feel more beautiful, particularly on the inside. In my eyes, the world is beautiful. The ocean is beautiful. My husband is beautiful. But sometimes… I want to feel pretty. And I want to feel pretty for no one else but myself (which is a perfectly acceptable person to want to look pretty for!)

So, what to do when we’re not feeling pretty? We’re in our sweats (and even those feel tight,) we’ve got a pimple on our chin, our roots need done and we seem to have lost our sparkle. Don’t you worry! I’ve got you covered. Here are just a few my tips to perhaps help you out of the rut and encourage you to see past the roll of cookie dough you just ate (protein!)

Tidy up your surroundings

It may seem like this has absolutely nothing to do with feeling good about yourself. But I want you to think about that feeling you get after you’ve just cleaned up the house. When everything is in its place, a candle is lit and you can begin to breathe again in the space around you. What an amazing feeling! I feel that it is an instant pick me up when the space around me is tidy. It also helps me to take inventory of the items I own and really appreciate what I have.

Get to the salon

This could really be any salon. Hair, nails, facial, even just getting your eyebrows done. I always feel SO much better about myself after getting my roots touched up or even just having my brows threaded. Of course, I know these things can become a bit pricey. Saving up for your dream vacation and don’t want to splurge? Even better! Give yourself a manicure at home. Pull out your tweezers and tidy up the brows (don’t go crazy though. Full brows are in!) Bring out one of your favorite masks and give yourself a pampering facial. The key here is to give yourself a bit of self love and care, whatever that means to you.

Get moving

Oh, this is such a tough one for me. I will be completely honest in saying that I loathe working out. I am not a gym rat, never have been. It just isn’t my thing.

BUT..

Think about the way you feel after a workout. Your endorphins are pumping and your skin is glowing! I’m not saying you have to go to Barry’s Boot Camp five times a week. Just get your body moving. Walking around the neighborhood, doing an exercise video at home or even just cleaning the house are some of my favorite ways to get moving. It’s just taking that initial step that is hard. Once you commit to moving your body once or twice a week, your body and mind will crave it!

Wear lipstick

Lipstick is one of life’s little secret weapons to instantly take you from gloomy to goddess! It is the quickest (and sometimes the cheapest) way to update your beauty routine and completely enhance your look. The great thing about lipstick is that there are so many different shades and textures. Going for a nude/natural hue like Charlotte Tilbury’s “Bitch Perfect” can enhance your natural lip yet make you look extra expensive (I mean that in the best of ways.) Even if you’re a “no makeup makeup” kind of gal, you can use lipstick to instantly brighten up your face. A bare face with a red lip? Tres chic. The beautiful French women would approve.

Take some time off of social media

I love social media. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if I didn’t. It allows us to connect with people from all over the world and have access to information and inspiration that we would otherwise never have access to.

However.

I do find that, often times, if I’m starting to focus more on my flaws than my assets, social media is playing some role in that behavior. There are so many beautiful accounts out there that showcase beautiful people, places and things. But sometimes, those beautiful pictures make us look at our own lives and our own bodies as being inferior. And when that happens?

Digital detox time!

Even just for a day. A few hours! Whatever you need to recharge, reconnect and realize that your Vampire Diaries binge on the couch with popcorn and a glass of Prosecco is actually perfect.

Self tan for your life!

I totally understand if self tanner isn’t your thing. I’m actually allergic to an ingredient that they commonly put in self tanners so I can’t use many of them. But I can’t stress enough what a tan can do for your confidence! Obviously, our goal is slightly sunkissed not Oompa Loompa, so approach with caution. The trick is to find the best shade and formula for your skin tone. A few of my favorites include Josie Maran’s tanning oil, Bondi Sands 1 hour Express and for the face, Dr. Dennis Gross Glow Pads. On a completely superficial level, I always feel “prettier” when I’ve got a bit of a glow. No shame in that!

If you’re completely terrified of self tanner, not to worry! Bust out your favorite bronzer and go to work! Oh! I just thought of a great one. Sally Hansen’s “airbrush legs.” You have not LIVED until you have tried this product. It washes off at night but doesn’t transfer while you’re wearing it. Google it and check out the before and afters. It’s incredible!

Switch up your beauty routine

Feel as if you’re in  bit of a beauty rut? Try switching up your beauty routine a bit! This certainly doesn’t mean you need to go out and purchase new products (but if you have the budget and want to, go for it!) I’m talking more about technique in this case. Do you only wear eyeliner on your upper lid? Try smudging a bit of liner along the bottom lash line to create a soft, smokey look. Try making your brows a bit fuller or maybe skip blush altogether and just go for a super bronzy, sunkissed look.

Another trick I like to do when I’m feeling bored with my look is switching up the part in my hair. It may seem minor but you can completely change the look and shape of your face just by simply switching up the part in your hair. Give it a try!

Feeling pretty is not always easy. There will be days, weeks, maybe even months where you may feel everything BUT pretty.

And that’s ok.

Just know that you’re doing the absolute best that you can in this world and a beautiful heart is far more powerful than a pretty face. Strive to look and feel wonderful for no one other than yourself. And on the days that the world seems to be against you, just look in the mirror and say “but you’re like…really pretty.” Mean Girls quotes truly fix everything.

“We get so worried about being pretty. Let’s be pretty kind, pretty funny, pretty smart, pretty strong.

Love and light, Carrie xo