How to embrace natural beauty as a teen

Learning how to embrace our natural beauty during the teen years is usually a series of trial and error. But everyone at any age deserves to love what they see when they look in the mirror.

The teen years are for experimentation and exploration. It’s not always easy to discover who you are and what it means to be a girl who's becoming a woman.

Self-confidence is rooted in being true to yourself. Of course, not every teen knows who they are yet. This is the best time to build a healthy self-image. Start by doing what makes you feel comfortable. Try not to compare yourself to others. Beauty isn’t supposed to be serious, so above all have fun! Here are a few natural beauty tips to help you get started:

Caring for your skin

Face

Care for your skin now and you’ll form good skincare habits for life. Much of the sun damage we see on our skin as adults is a result of overexposure during our adolescent and teen years. So slather on the SPF and avoid tanning beds now as a good investment towards healthy skin later.

Acne is a hot topic in the teenage years. Hormones, poor eating and sleeping habits, stress and genetics can all influence how acne-prone you are. Control what you can at this point in your life. Embrace a daily skincare regimen that includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing based on your skin type. You shouldn’t be dieting in your teen years, but you can watch your sugar and salt intake. Drink more water than sodas, coffee or energy drinks, and try to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Body

Unwanted body hair makes its first appearance in adolescence. How we get rid of it is a matter of personal preference. There are lots of options to control hair including shaving, waxing, depilatories or laser.

Shaving is the easiest but it does require regular attention. Hair is at its softest after a bath or shower. Apply a thin layer of shaving cream or oil. Shave against the direction of hair growth. Be careful around knees and ankles. Never share razors.

Cosmetics

Feel free to experiment with makeup at this stage in your life but remember that less is more. Cosmetics can help emphasize your best features and downplay those you don’t like. Don’t apply makeup with the hope or intention of looking older. It will just end up looking overdone.

Check out online tutorials and magazines for makeup how-to tips and trends. If you want to wear makeup every day, limit your look to simple blush, powder, mascara and lip gloss. Add a little bronzer if you like, but don’t go overboard. You want to look vibrant and refreshed.

As a teen you have your whole life ahead of you. You’ll want to look back on these days fondly, so remember to have fun and to keep these natural beauty tips in mind.

Face

• Care for your skin now and you’ll form good skincare habits for life. Much of the sun damage we see on our skin as adults is a result of overexposure during our adolescent and teen years. So slather on the SPF and avoid tanning beds now as a good investment towards healthy skin later.
• Acne is a hot topic in the teenage years. Hormones, poor eating and sleeping habits, stress and genetics can all influence how acne-prone you are. Control what you can at this point in your life. Embrace a daily skincare regimen that includes cleansing, toning and moisturizing based on your skin type.
• You shouldn’t be dieting in your teen years, but you can watch your sugar and salt intake. Drink more water than sodas, coffee or energy drinks, and try to include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Body

• Unwanted body hair makes its first appearance in adolescence. How we get rid of it is a matter of personal preference. There are lots of options to control hair including shaving, waxing, depilatories or laser.
• Shaving is the easiest but it does require regular attention. Hair is at its softest after a bath or shower. Apply a thin layer of shaving cream or oil. Shave against the direction of hair growth. Be careful around knees and ankles. Never share razors.

Cosmetics

• Feel free to experiment with makeup at this stage in your life but remember that less is more. Cosmetics can help emphasize your best features and downplay those you don’t like. Don’t apply makeup with the hope or intention of looking older. It will just end up looking overdone.
• Check out online tutorials and magazines for makeup how-to tips and trends. If you want to wear makeup every day, limit your look to simple blush, powder, mascara and lip gloss. Add a little bronzer if you like, but don’t go overboard. You want to look vibrant and refreshed.

As a teen you have your whole life ahead of you. You’ll want to look back on these days fondly, so remember to have fun and to keep these natural beauty tips in mind.