Buzz
Your bare face is just as stunning as a made-up one, and even more so when you're comfortable with how you look. Follow these simple steps to confidently embrace your natural beauty as a preteen.
Steps to Take
Maintain Good Hygiene
Stay clean and fresh. Good hygiene is key to feeling and looking your best. When you're clean, it boosts your confidence and enhances your natural charm.
- Shower daily, ideally in the morning. It's refreshing and helps you start your day right, plus your body may sweat overnight.
- If there’s a shared bathroom, try showering before bed if your siblings need the bathroom in the morning. On warm nights, skip the blankets and sleep with just a sheet to stay cool!
- Wash your hair every other day, or as often as necessary to keep it looking fresh. Too frequent washing can dry it out and make it greasy faster. Dry shampoo can be a good alternative when you want to skip a wash.
- Choose hair products that work best for your hair type. If you have a dry scalp, consider using dandruff shampoo.
- Don’t overdo it with hair products. Too much gel or mousse can lead to flat, messy hair.
Hydrate your skin. Drink plenty of water and find a moisturizer that works for your skin type. There are various options tailored to different needs.
- If you have oily skin, always apply moisturizer. It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s essential. Choose one that's designed for acne-prone or oily skin.
- If your skin is dry, go for a richer, cream-based moisturizer. It will help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day.
Cleanse your face twice a day, in the morning and before bed. Washing your face removes dirt and the buildup of dead skin cells.
- Choose a face wash that suits your skin type. Look for a "non-comedogenic" formula, which means it won’t clog your pores.
- If you start noticing breakouts, try over-the-counter acne treatments. If the problem worsens, visit a dermatologist who can prescribe a more effective solution.
Grooming
Style your hair well. Find a haircut that flatters the shape of your face and makes you feel confident. Your hairstyle plays a big role in how you present yourself.
- Consult with your hairstylist for a style that suits your features. Pick a haircut that’s easy to care for and maintain.
Smell nice. Instead of using heavy perfumes, try a pleasantly scented lotion or even skip fragrances entirely. While fragrance doesn’t necessarily make you look pretty, it can make you feel good.
- Fragrant soap or deodorant can also leave a lovely scent.
Having braces is totally fine. Almost everyone has them at some point.
- It's best to stick with no more than two colors for your braces. Even two can sometimes appear too bold for your look. Pastels or neutral shades tend to complement braces beautifully.
- Avoid colors like yellow, white, and neon blue as they can make your teeth look yellow instead of bright.
- Darker hues like navy blue and purple can make your teeth appear whiter, while lighter tones like soft pink or sky blue can brighten them up.
Fashion
Dress well. Choose clothes that fit you perfectly and make you feel confident. Well-fitting and comfortable clothes help you look your best!
- Dress according to the season. In summer, opt for lightweight and breathable outfits. In winter, layer up to stay warm.
Pick colors that flatter your appearance. Some colors enhance your skin tone and hair color better than others. Choose shades that suit your complexion and harmonize with your hair color for a natural, makeup-like glow!
- Wear shades like blue, green, and brown to make your eyes pop, and choose pinks to highlight the natural flush in your cheeks.
- Redheads look gorgeous in green; however, avoid neon greens or lime colors. Opt for deeper, forest greens to complement your hair.
- If your skin has yellow undertones, be cautious with oranges and yellows.
Own at least one stylish pair of shoes. Wear them when you want to feel extra pretty, even without makeup.
- Switch up your footwear for different seasons. For example, flip-flops aren't the best choice in winter, so make sure to have options for colder months.
Character
Smile often. A smile is a fantastic accessory! Brush your teeth at least twice a day to maintain a brilliant white smile.
- If you can't brush after every meal, chew sugar-free gum. It will freshen your breath and help keep your teeth clean.
Boost your self-confidence. Confidence is incredibly attractive, so take pride in who you are.
- Stand tall, with your shoulders back and head high.
- Keep your hair out of your face and flash that smile.
Selena Gomez, Founder, Rare Beauty
Embrace your natural beauty. "Makeup is a fun tool, but not something you need. I used to think makeup was essential to feeling beautiful, and I can honestly say that perspective has shifted as I’ve gotten older."
Be proud of who you are, and avoid criticizing your appearance. Everyone is unique, and your "imperfections" are what make you beautifully YOU.
- Don’t try to be someone else.
- Remind yourself daily of the people who care about you—your family, friends, pets, teachers... it’ll lift your spirits and build your confidence!
-
Drink plenty of water to help improve your skin and keep you feeling hydrated and healthy.
-
Don't feel bad if other girls your age are wearing makeup and you're not allowed to. Makeup isn't always great for your skin and can lead to acne.
-
Don’t worry about what others, whether guys or girls, think about you not wearing makeup. Most of the time, they won’t even notice. In fact, many people find girls who go makeup-free to be charming.
The tips in this section come from the real-life experiences of Mytour readers like you. If you have any advice you'd like to share on Mytour, feel free to submit it in the box below.
- Remember, it’s not about your appearance, but how you feel about yourself. Focusing only on your flaws might make you overlook the things you love about yourself. If you like your personality, that’s all that matters. When you’re beautiful on the inside, that beauty shows on the outside too!
- If you can’t wear makeup, try using lip balm to add a little shine and color to your lips, just like lip gloss would!
- To boost your confidence, stand tall with your shoulders back and don’t forget to smile your brightest smile!
