One of the latest trends the beauty industry is currently facing is a natural one. Women are embracing their natural beauty and foregoing the “done” look for something softer and much easier to pull off on an everyday basis. According to the Wall Street Journal, high-fashion brands such as Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, and Vogue are highlighting the “I woke up like this, no makeup used here!” look which actually required a whole team to create! I think this look is all about highlighting the “glow” from within and looking healthy and fresh-faced even if you barely got three hours of sleep.

The look involves big, bold brows, dewy complexion, and flushed cheeks. In response to this trend, cosmetic companies such as NARS, MAC, and countless other skincare companies are placing a greater emphasis on lighter foundations, tinted moisturizers, sheerer lip colors, and concealer for spot treatment when needed. The “no makeup makeup look” I don’t think is necessarily shunning color or swearing off eyeliner and mascara (both of which I could not live without!) for good but it’s really about emphasizing the beauty of our skin. This then requires healthy skin to start off with! Listed below are five ways to achieve healthy looking skin, always a perfect base for any look:

1. Drink lots of water! Staying hydrated from the inside is key for glowing, plump skin on the outside. Drinking more water is on my list for new years resolutions because I’ve got to admit I’m just now realizing how beneficial it is for my skin, way better than any miracle cream I could buy!
2. No smoking! No fumar! However you want to say it, everyone should know by now that smoking is horrible for our health and also has detrimental effects on our skin. It damages the collagen and elasticity in our skin causing premature wrinkles and dull skin. It’s not hot. Just don’t do it.
3. Avoid any cleansers, lotions, toners, etc. that are above or below the body’s ideal ph (measurement of hydrogen in our bodies) level, of 5.5, or slightly acidic. You may have purchased beauty products before which display “ph balanced” on the labels and did not quite understand what that meant. Anything above 7 on the scale is way too Alkaline for our skin, stripping away natural oils and causing dryness and acne breakouts. It helps to identify which ingredients, such as Sodium laureth sulfate, which has a ph level of 10 and is way too Alkaline and drying for our skin to avoid in products. Also being on the opposite end of the scale is not good for your skin either, being too acidic can cause your skin to be really sensitive and breakout easily.
4. Eat healthy. I know it’s a lot easier said than done but clear, healthy skin really does start from the inside. I’ve learned that eating for healthy skin doesn’t have to be very complicated. I’m definitely not one for diets, I love pizza, ice cream, and pop. But when I eat a lot of this stuff, dairy, sugar, processed foods, I do notice it in my skin and it’s not very pretty. Therefore, I’ve taken the motto of everything in moderation and incorporate veggies, fruits, lean meats, non processed foods as much as you can in your diet.
5.  Always wear sunscreen. Protecting your skin against harmful UV rays prevents premature wrinkles, brownspots, and skin discolorations not to mention skin cancer. This is something that can be easily added to your routine and will have amazing benefits in the long run.