How to Be Beautiful

Co-authored by Alice Wu and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 References Approved

Although it may be easy to see beauty in others, it's often hard to recognize beauty in yourself. While you might not realize it right now, you're beautiful in your own way. If you want to enhance your natural beauty, start with self-care, such as eating well and caring for your skin. Additionally, express your personality through your style choices. Finally, show off your inner beauty by being authentic, kind, and open-minded.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Expressing Your Personal Style

1
Get a hairstyle that flatters your face. First, use a tube of lipstick to trace your face on a mirror. Then, figure out what your face shape is by looking at the outline. Next, pick a hairstyle that looks great on your unique face shape. Print out pictures of the haircut you want to show them to your stylist.^{[1]
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- Common face shapes include oval, round, square, heart, and long.
- If you’re having trouble picking out a hairstyle, get your hair trimmed to just above your shoulders, with layering. This style is considered the “perfect haircut” because it looks great on everyone.
- Hats and hair accessories are also a great option for styling your hair. Use them to show off your personal style.
2
Wear makeup if it makes you feel good. You don’t need to wear makeup to be beautiful, but do it if it makes you happy. Use a foundation, tinted moisturizer, or BB cream to even out your skin tone. Then, play around with blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick that make you feel confident.^{[2]
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- Do a natural makeup look if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing makeup.
- Do either a bold lip or a dramatic eye. You don’t want to do both at the same time because your look will be too overwhelming.
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3
Wear clothes that flatter your body and make you feel great. Every body shape can be beautiful, so don’t worry about your size. Instead, focus on choosing pieces that show off your assets and make you feel your best.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Veronica Tharmalingam
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 13 May 2019.} Donate any pieces that don’t make you feel fabulous.^{[4]
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- Try on everything in your wardrobe and only keep the clothes you love.
- Show off what makes you feel confident. For instance, wear short skirts to show off your legs or a backless top to show off a sculpted back.
- Look for great brands and really unique pieces for affordable prices at consignment shops or thrift shops.
- Try taking a picture of every single outfit you wear for 2 weeks. This helps you start to take an inventory of your clothes and figure out which ones you gravitate toward.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alice Wu
  Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.}
- Find fashion photos on Instagram or Pinterest that really speak to you. Once you've collected a few different pictures and screenshots, see if they have anything in common. For instance, if most of the pictures include people wearing hats, you might start wearing a hat in your own outfits.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Alice Wu
  Image Consultant
  Expert Interview. 12 June 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Practicing Self-Care

1
Practice good hygiene by bathing daily and using personal products. Take a bath or shower at least once a day to keep yourself clean. Additionally, apply deodorant to control your body odor, and use a moisturizer to keep your skin soft and nourished. This will help you maintain clean, healthy skin.^{[7]
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- Use a mild soap or body wash to cleanse your body.
- Wash your hair 2-3 times a week or as needed. Use conditioner after washing your hair or between washes to keep your hair soft and smooth.
2
Wash and moisturize your face twice a day. Use a mild cleanser and warm water to clean your face. Pat your face dry with a clean towel. Then, follow with a facial moisturizer to seal in the moisture. Do this every morning and evening for healthy skin.^{[8]
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- Choose a lightweight day cream for the morning and a thicker night cream for use before bed.
- Exfoliate your skin twice a week with a chemical or manual exfoliator. For instance, an exfoliating face wash works great.
3
Care for your skin by applying sunscreen and staying hydrated. Cover your skin in sunscreen before spending time outdoors. Doing so will protect you from sun damage and wrinkles. Additionally, drink at least 2 to 10 cups (0.47 to 2.37 L) of water daily so you stay hydrated. This will keep your skin soft and supple with moisture.^{[9]
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- Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that’s at least SPF 15.^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Covering your skin with clothing and wearing a hat to protect your scalp and face will give you better protection against the sun.
4
Care for your hands and feet, including your nails. Your hands and feet go through a lot every day, so give them lots of care. Apply moisturizer to your hands and feet daily before bed. Additionally, trim and file your nails weekly so they are in good shape.^{[11]
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- If you like, paint your fingernails or toenails once a week. You don’t need to do this to be beautiful, but it might make you feel good.
5
Brush your teeth twice a day to maintain your smile. Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride to protect against cavities. This will keep your teeth clean and healthy, which will give you a healthy smile. Make a habit of brushing every morning after you wake up and every evening before bed.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Floss before you brush once a day, such as before bed.
- Get a dental check-up and cleaning every 6 months to keep your smile clean and healthy.
- If you feel like your teeth are discolored, try teeth whitening solutions.
6
Support your health by exercising daily and eating nutritious foods. Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. The best way to keep your body healthy is to eat well and stay active. Talk to your doctor to find out if you need to make changes to your diet or exercise regimen.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Aim to get 150 minutes of exercise every week or to exercise at least 30 minutes a day 5-7 days a week.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}
- Build your meals around lean proteins and fresh produce. Avoid foods that are processed or high in sugar. However, it’s okay to eat your favorite foods in moderation, so don’t feel like you need to restrict yourself.^{[15]
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  Trustworthy Source
  US Department of Health and Human Services
  Federal department responsible for improving the health and well-being of Americans
  Go to source}
- You can find vitamins that are formulated to support beautiful skin, luscious hair, and healthy nails. However, ask your doctor before adding these to your diet.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Showing Your Inner Beauty

1
Be authentic by staying true to who you are. Being your true self is essential for developing your inner beauty. Reflect on your values, interests, and goals in life. Then, pursue what makes you happy. You can develop your authenticity by doing the following activities:^{[16]
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- Notice how you feel in different situations, then do more of what feels right.
- Be open and honest with your friends.
- Don’t worry about being perfect because no one is.
- Be present in each moment by focusing on your 5 senses.
2
Express gratitude for the good things in your life. Being grateful for what you have will make your inner beauty shine. Instead of complaining about what’s lacking in your life, focus on your blessings. Celebrate the people who are important to you, the talents or skills you possess, the opportunities you have, and the small comforts you enjoy. Here are some ways to express your gratitude:^{[17]
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- Keep a gratitude journal to record the things you’re thankful for.
- Send your close friends cards that tell them how much they mean to you.
- Give small and meaningful gifts, like a poetry book, necklace, or painted stone.
- Tell your loved ones how you feel about them.
- Call people to check on them.
3
Be generous with what you have. You don’t need a lot of money to have abundance in life. You may be rich in time, talent, or creativity. Share what you have with others to help make people happy. This will help you have inner beauty. Here are some great ways to be generous:^{[18]
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- Let people borrow your stuff.
- Give your time to help others.
- Share a meal with people in need.
- Bring snacks and drinks when you go to events.
- Give gifts to people in need around the holidays.
4
Maintain healthy relationships. Living with constant conflict and dealing with people who are toxic can drain you. This makes it hard to have inner beauty because you’re upset or exhausted all of the time. Instead, surround yourself with supportive, positive people who help you be your best self. Make sure you’re giving your friends, relatives, and partners the time, attention, and support that they need, as well.^{[19]
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- Make time for your friends, especially those who’ve been there for you for awhile.
- Make new friends to keep you growing and learning as a person.
- Nurture healthy relationships with family members.
- Avoid spending time with people who are toxic for you.
5
Let go of bad feelings so you radiate goodness. Carrying around anger, sadness, and hate will weigh you down. While it’s hard to let go of your feelings when you’ve been hurt, doing so will help you find freedom. If you’re feeling negative emotions, identify them and why you feel that way. Then, release your emotions by sharing them. This will help you move on.^{[20]
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- Release your emotions by talking to someone, by journaling, or by exercising when you feel upset. You might also find that being creative helps you find peace.
- If you’re struggling to let go of something that happened to you, write a letter to the person responsible, but don’t send it. Instead, tear up or burn the letter to release your feelings.
- If you’re struggling to let go of bad feelings, it may be best to see a counselor or therapist.
6
Get involved in your community by volunteering. Helping others and giving back are both great ways to develop inner beauty. Not only will other people recognize your goodness, you’ll also feel better about yourself. Here are some great ways to get involved:^{[21]
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- Raise money for a local animal shelter.
- Buy from local businesses to help your community thrive.
- Volunteer at a local festival.
- Throw a block party for your neighbors.
- Start a book club for your community.
- Volunteer as a reading tutor at your local library or community center.
7
Look for spiritual truth. You can choose to follow a religious path or to look within yourself for what feels like the truth. Connect with your inner spirit by meditating, praying, or reflecting on your values. Decide what’s important to you and then pursue your own version of the truth. This will help you develop your inner beauty.^{[22]
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- If you have a chosen religious or spiritual path, read or listen to the great teachers who share your beliefs.
- Learn about different spiritual paths if you’re comfortable broadening your horizons.
- Find a way to see yourself as part of something larger so that you can be more compassionate toward your fellow humans.
8
Seek wisdom by learning more and keeping an open mind. Inner beauty means developing understanding and being open to how others experience life. Be a lifetime learner by constantly reading and listening to others. Additionally, allow others to be who they are and try to learn from their experiences.^{[23]
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- Meditate or reflect on your actions.^{[24]
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- Read the works of wise people. You can learn a lot from novelists, poets, or historians. Reading can help you gain knowledge and put your ideas into perspective.
- Listen carefully to the ideas of people you genuinely respect.
- Explore different cultures through books, movies, and museums. You might even decide to learn a new language!

Warnings

If you're being bullied because of the way you look or act, then talk to someone right away. Remember that people do love you, and it does get better.

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