How To: Enhance Your Beauty

Before I begin, I feel like I need to add a disclaimer: today's post was born via conversations on Twitter and amongst friends who asked for advice. Wearing makeup isn't a requirement to be considered beautiful, nor is doing any of these suggestions listed below. True beauty comes from within, and shouldn't be dictated by what is worn on our bodies. However, wearing makeup shouldn't be viewed as a negative. I wholeheartedly admit I love makeup, and feel I look my best with it. So with that out of the way...If you're not a fan of makeup, but looking to enhance your natural beauty, check out these tips:

some drugstore faves to enhance natural beauty

• Shape Your Brows--Your brows shape your face and elevate your eyes! Try getting your brows shaped. This is usually done either by waxing or by threading. I prefer the latter method, as it doesn't irritate my skin. Once you get your brows shaped, you can easily keep that shape by tweezing away the new growth. I didn't do anything to my brows until I was in my twenties. I thought I looked fine and didn't need it. Yikes! Let's just say it really made a difference and that all of those pics prior to then need to be destroyed.

• Fill in Your Brows--Are you a tweeze-aholic? Step away from the tweezer for a sec and try filling in your brows. If you have no idea how to do this, try your local makeup store or counter and they can show you. Then, you can maintain it easily. In fact, my favorite eyebrow kit is only $3 from ELF. Check out other products to fill in your brows, all budgets!

• Tint Your Lashes--For my fair-haired ladies, you'll want to try this! It really makes a difference, and everyone I've ever recommended it to loved the results. It looks like mascara without having to wear any! Ask about it at your salon--eyebrows can be tinted too. Budget tip: If you still want to wear mascara but your lashes are too light, try a brown mascara instead of the harsh black. It will look more natural.

• I Mustache You to Remove Your Mustache--Be it hormones, age, or heredity, some of us have darker hair than others. Facial hair can be removed in a variety of ways and I've tried them all. Threading works for me, but I can do a review of every option if you'd like.

• Change Your Chapstick--So lip gloss and lipsticks aren't for you. I've got another idea! While Chapstick is amazing and has over a dozen uses (I seriously had this convo over the weekend while watching UGA beat FL), I don't always care for its texture. It's too waxy and sometimes it's an irritant to my skin (Burt's Bees, Carmex). And I don't care for Lip Smackers for the same reasons (sorry!). If you like to add a bit of color to your lips, and want to step out of your comfort zone, try Maybelline Baby Lips. They're very moisturizing (8 hours) without being greasy. They come in a variety of colors (nude, pink, red, coral, berry, and more) but don't let the colors intimidate you. The shades are totally buildable! Some have spf 20 and you can even get them in clear or shimmer, if your natural lip color is pretty. I wish mine was!

• Paint Your Nails--Don't worry--you don't have to get a mani or try wacky nail art or keep up with the latest color trends! A coat of clear or light pink polish truly makes a difference. Try it! 

• Whiten Your Teeth--Having a white smile is an easy and vital way to enhance your beauty. It can be done cheaply or professionally. Check out my Teeth Whitening Routine.

How do you enhance your natural beauty?