I’m doing it again. I love to write up pretty instructions. it’s so satisfying watching potential take shape in your mind and become graspable through action. it’s even more satisfying to follow such instructions and watch it actualize itself in flesh and perception/exchange. to grasp…

I understand it’s a childish modality, I do. to view every strech of time as potential montage material is mortifying. if I weren’t such a contrarian i’d write about the looksmaxxers and neurodivergence and beauty as expected from women and revered in men.

instead, i’ll break my methods down by category.

skin

the very first things that i would do are to start moisturizing with any lotion available twice a day and using a sugar scrub (equal parts sugar and vegetable oil) 2-3 times every week. sugar scrubs are so effective but take about two weeks to really get your skin feeling smooth

the next three things I would introduce are a salicylic acid wash (I like the one from neutrogena) and benzoyl peroxide face wash, about every other day each with a daily sunscreen to counter the photosensitvity from skincare products. I don’t struggle with acne but I do prefer a bit of a smoother skin texture than I have naturally and this routine is effective for that. I’ve also loved using retinol in the past, but it’s pretty expensive and just not necessary for me personally.

a final step in terms of topical products is a urea-based moisturizer for arms and legs, the sugar scrub mostly takes care of strawberry legs but if the air is especially dry, this is a lifesaver.

in addition, I would wax legs, armpits and bikini line, I do all this myself, and thread upper lip, maybe eyebrows too. I’d also recommend pushing back nail cuticles regularly, and my nails don’t really grow long but if they did I would file them.

hair

my hair is kinda bad right now and most my strategy is to wait for it to grow. in like three months it’ll be a cute bob. honestly just don’t cut your or dye your hair and eventually it will look pretty good. get long layers if you have really thick hair. learn to style it if it’s curly, I like volume over definition but whatever your preference is, figure out how to acheive it on your own hair. a blowout+straightener combo is also super effective and convenient, for heat protection I love love love the tressemme spray.

makeup

this is such a personal category, what looks great on one face etc etc. personally there are I few unique things I love to incorporate into a signature makeup look so I will put them here.

in terms of products I use a brown mascara, brown crayon eyeliner, pearl highlight, dark red lip pencil all from essence and satin lipstick in the shade rumberry from revlon.

I like to put a tiny bit of lipliner on my waterline before I do eyeliner because my eyes are green and the complimentary colour brightens them. I tightline the top of my eyes and the outer corner, I make sure that it is a little upturned but not in a consciously noticable way, just enough to lift my eyes a bit.

I line my lips in their natural shape, but I like to subtly add some eyeliner to the corners of my mouth to make the shadows deeper and my smile look wide. I dab on my lipstick for a sheerish stain and add a bit to my cheeks and nose.

I also like to use my brown eyeliner as a contour and just blend it out really well. It works well because it’s cool-toned and that’s so hard to find in a contour.

I will say that I hope to upgrade my products in the next few months, right now I’m using really really cheap ones. I love the fenty diamond dust highligher, that’s definitely next on my list.

body

I think there are so many approaches to this one and I would really love to claim that health is the most important thing and that you should be lifting weights and eating lots of protein. this is not entirely untrue, I’ve been sucessful with that before and it is both easier and less precarious than alternatives. but when it comes down to it, the times I have been happiest with my appearance have been when have simply lost weight the normal way, with a calorie deficit. I’m not about to give tips here get advice from someone with less of a death drive.

misc. appearance based

bleaching your teeth can make a pretty big difference and it’s so small. would reccomend

I can’t say that tanning is actually a good idea but it does look good if you have the time and the sun

personally I don’t get my nails done anymore, it’s a bridge too far and makes me feel bad about myself but I acknowlege that they can lengthen your fingers and look really pretty, so if you’ve never done it do consider

I’ll write another post about how to be stylish, it’s related but different. I really think most people’s perception of beauty is much more related to class and ingroup signifiers than anything about one’s bare appearance, so it’s actually essential.