9 Ways to Look and Feel Your Best, Even When You're Not Feeling It

We all have those days. You know the ones, where you feel a bit lifeless and down in the dumps. Yeah, those days suck. But instead of rolling with the punches and letting the day get the best of you, there are ways to perk yourself up and find ways to look and feel a bit brighter.

9 Ways to Look and Feel Your Best, Even When You're Not Feeling It

From exfoliating your face and body for a healthy glow to giving yourself a digital detox, here are nine ways to look and feel your best, even on those “blah” days when you’re just not feeling it.

1. Skip the Shampoo

Bad hair days are not so bad. Just put your hair up in a hat or ponytail and go about your day. And although it varies from each woman’s unique hair type, it’s actually not healthy to wash your hair every single day. 

For some women, you can skip a day or two, using only a rinse so that the shampoo doesn’t dry your hair out. Instead, use a conditioner to give it some shine and use a dry shampoo or texturizing spray on those in-between days.

Dry Brushing Methods 

2. Exfoliate as Needed 

One way to look at your best is to keep your skin exfoliated. Just remember that your skin does need its natural oils to help retain moisture and maintain balance, so aim for exfoliating your face about two to three times each week.

The same idea goes for your body, too. Before you hop in the shower, use a dry brushing method. Dry brushing offers a way to exfoliate your body’s skin, but also encourages circulation and lymphatic drainage. Simply use an upward path from the feet to your neck and chest, taking a shower after and then applying moisturizer. This little ritual is a wonderful way to make you feel good about the body you live in.

3. Wear Better Fitting Bras and Shapewear

The perfect bra can truly boost your confidence, even on one of those “blah” days. When you wear a poorly fitted bra, it can actually even create neck and shoulder pains–or even back pain. 

It’s important to always get your bust properly measured for the correct size so it doesn’t pinch or cause bulging. And the same goes for shapewear, which you can wear under a comfortable dress to tighten love handle areas and give you a trimmer silhouette.

4. Maintain a Bright Smile

Some days, you just want to roll out of bed and binge-watch television. But on these days, try to brush your teeth at least and practice good hygiene. Also, be sure to schedule routine cleanings to maintain your pearly whites. Getting regular cleanings can not only remove built-up plaque and bacteria growth and if you want to achieve straighter teeth without the hassle of traditional braces, try out Invisalign. This innovative treatment uses clear aligners not only to move your teeth into their desired position but it can also keep your smile bright and beautiful.

5. Wear Sunscreen

Even when you don’t feel like putting on makeup before heading out the door, at the very least, wear sunscreen. It takes minimal effort now to look your best later.

The Skin Cancer Foundation offers lots of prevention tips, from covering up areas with a broad-brimmed hat and wearing UV-blocking sunglasses to, of course, avoiding a sunburn entirely. But when it comes to wearing sunscreen, they recommend an everyday broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen that offers SPF 15 or higher. If you plan to get outside for some outdoor activities (like to boost your mood, for instance), wear a sunscreen that has an SPF 30 or higher. 

6. Wear Light Makeup

Even if you don’t feel like wearing makeup, simply flicking on some mascara can brighten your eyes and make you look alert and feel confident. Use a lash curler and apply two coats if you need to make thin lashes bolder. A few more makeup tricks for your eyes: Apply white eyeshadow on the inner eyelid corners and keep your brows groomed so they frame the face.

Even if you’re at home with no one else around, adding some color to your lips can make you feel your best. If you don’t love bold colors, stick with a clear natural lip gloss or something more neutral that matches your lip’s natural tone.  

7. Get the Blood Pumping Through Exercise

Exercise can play a major role when it comes to looking and feeling your best. Even on days when you don’t feel like hitting the gym, you can do some light exercises at home such as planks, push-ups or even yoga. Put on some comfortable yoga pants, stick to a schedule and you’ll begin to look forward to working out instead of dreading it.

Even 30 minutes of exercise can release endorphins that have a profound effect on your confidence and boost your overall mood. In other words, it’s a wonderful way to make yourself feel your best, even when you’re having a bad day.

8. Step Away from Social Media

Social media can be a wonderful way to connect and stay in touch with friends and family, near and far. However, peering in others’ lives, you get the “grass is greener” mentality, which can also inevitably make you feel pretty awful. You forget to be grateful for the things you have and focus more on your flaws. 

So, if you ever begin to feel inferior to others or what others have, step away from social media and realign yourself. It doesn’t have to be long–even just a day–but try to digitally detox yourself so you can recharge and feel your absolute best.  

Give Compliments to Others 

9. Give Compliments to Others 

Instead of worrying over why friends didn’t “like” your latest photo on social media, focusing on yourself, try to give compliments to others instead. Whether you compliment a complete stranger’s outfit at the grocery store or complement your friend’s unique personality, giving out random compliments can not only boost their spirits and self-image but yours as well. It seems like such an easy trick, but it genuinely works, allowing you to recognize your own admirable traits.