"Anti-aging" conjures up pricey treatments and (yikes!) needles but you can fight fine lines and look younger with some simple lifestyle changes too. Here, some easy fixes to shave off a few years fast, and several more to keep them off longer-term. Do them all, and you might just get carded.
Start looking younger...
Right Now!
Experiment with an artfully messy part. It adds volume while masking gray or grown-out roots. When your hair is damp, rake your fingers through, haphazardly pulling a few tendrils from one side of your part to another. Imperfection is the goal - if it takes you longer than 30 seconds, you're trying to hard. Another hairstyle to keep you looking younger? Try girly braids (with a grown-up twist).
Wear blush. It creates cheekbones, makes your eyes sparkle, and warms up your whole face. Our favorite look-young trick from Bobbi Brown: Dust a bronzer along cheekbones with an extra-big fluffy brush, then swipe a bright pink on the apples of the cheeks. Start with these age-defying makeup bag essentials.
In 30 Minutes
Take a brisk half-hour walk whenever you can sneak one in. You'll jump-start your metabolism and circulation - plus you'll get an "I'm just naturally this rosy" glow. Don't have time to sneak in a walk right now? Also try this for glowing skin.
Work a deep-conditioning mask into your hair, then wrap it up in a towel and leave it in for 20 minutes. When you rinse it out, you'll have that shiny toddler hair. Plus, here's how to tell if your hair is healthy, and how to get (and keep) it that way!
Keep your eye cream in the fridge for quick undereye depuffing. The cold constricts blood vessels to help swelling go down - and it feels extra-refreshing. Top with a brightener to combat dark circles.
By Tomorrow
Get a good night's sleep. It's crucial to your skin's ability to repair. Turn the thermostat down so your bedroom is cool (you sleep best at about 65 degrees) and invest in a humidifier to maintain your skin's moisture levels all through the night. And your skin isn't the only thing to benefit from beauty rest: Skimping on sleep can lead to a whole host of health issues too.
Self-tan before you sleep, and wake up looking like you've been on vacation. Towelettes dry quickly, so you don't have to wait forever before slipping under the sheets. Not only will it give you a great glow, but it's an easy, no-diet way to look thinner.
In a Week
Swap your afternoon coffee for green tea. There's no need to deny yourself a morning cup of joe, but for the 4 p.m. slump, green tea is less dehydrating, revs the metabolism, and is packed with tons of free-radical-neutralizing polyphenols. Bonus? Green tea is one of the easy things you can do to boost your live-long potential.
Every night, apply a foot cream and you'll get back to baby feet (well, almost). Choose one with a hefty dose of AHAs, salicylic acid, or urea. These exfoliants are heavy-duty enough to soften even the thickest skin. To keep feet even prettier, give yourself the perfect at-home pedicure.
In a Month
Use a daily hand scrub to lighten dark spots; the exfoliation spurs production of new, clear cells. Keeping hands and cuticles moisturized will also work wonders.
Good posture takes years off (think of how a wizened old lady hunches over), and has some other great health benefits. Align your body so ears are over shoulders and shoulders are over hips; a dancer's trick is to imagine a thread running up your spine and out the crown of your head, gently tugging you upward. It'll help you achieve flat abs too, as will these other tips.
By Spring
Up your intake of anti-inflammatory spices, such as turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Every time inflammation is triggered inside your body (say, when you're exposed to air pollution), it puts a strain on your system, including skin. It seems surprising, but ingesting ingredients that ease inflammation can have an effect on fine lines, according to dermatologists. And don't forget skin care... Here's what's new.
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