This is in response to a user who posted asking if there were any subs recommended for leveling up physically. I thought I'd share my own regime and see what advice you all wanted to share to start 2021 looking our best selves.

(Note: I do love the fact that this sub is about loving ourselves internally rather than fixating on looks, but it's also true that feeling great in your own skin will allow your confidence to bloom.)

As women, there is actually very little we need to do to pass as 'attractive'. If you have clear skin, well-groomed brows, white teeth, no prominent dark circles and a flattering hairstyle, you will be considered attractive by society's standards, whatever Instagram may tell you.

Hair:
#1 Find a color and style that suit you. I cannot stress this enough. I spent my 20's painstakingly growing my hair, spending hours (and $) on maintenance because I was constantly being bombarded with messages that long hair = beauty. It was only recently I got a drastic chop that suited me so much better. Suddenly, I had enormous eyes and gamine features and could roll out of bed looking 'done'. Now, I still use a conditioning mask (coconut oil is amazing for hair and smells wonderful) while also using Moroccan/argon oil on the ends once a week to keep my hair looking sleek and shiny.

Skin:
I'm currently using Espa products (if you can afford them, they are divine) but the Ordinary range is excellent quality, affordable skincare, and easy to find. I also use castor oil on my eyelashes and brows at night. My eyelashes are slightly longer after about 6 months, but nothing miraculous. It's mostly good for conditioning lashes and keeping them strong. To combat dark circles, I use almond oil. If you want to reduce puffiness, the caffeine solution by The Ordinary is supposed to be very effective. I also never wear base or powder. Never. Not even blush. Exercise and eating well (and lots of water) will give you a natural glow.

Eyebrows:
Like hair, don't worry about current trends and find a shape and style that works for you. I adore the heavy brows that you see on actresses like Keira Knightley but they do not suit my face at all. I find that having a thin, slightly arched brow opens up my eye area and makes my face look delicate and feminine. Eyebrows can make or break a face (case in point: actress Nina Dobrev looked so much better with her old eyebrows).

Body:
I exercise 5-6 days a week. Usually outdoor running - nothing drastic, 20-30 minute's jog most days, and when I have time I'll try to do a 5k run. I go to fitness classes 2-3x a week for strength training and HIIT. I vary it up and keep it fun, so it doesn't feel like an effort. When it comes to weight, be in tune with your body more than fixating on the number on the scale. For me, 105 pounds seems to be my 'happy' weight - it takes little effort to maintain and is when I feel at my optimum. I eat healthily during the week (start the day with a homemade smoothie) but I don't diet or restrict. My best friend swears by intermittent fasting, but it's not for me (I generally need to eat about every 4 hours or I start to feel weak).

Makeup:
Covid got me used to my bare face for the first time in over a decade. I went from 'needing' makeup (i.e. wouldn't leave the house without it) to appreciating my natural face. I now just put a dab of concealer over dark circles, wear clear mascara (black mascara if I'm at work) and fill in my brows. That's it! I paint my nails every week which is a quick way to make you appear 'polished' (and judging from the ring photos on this sub, our nail game on FDS is A+). A ring and a pair of earrings add a touch of elegance. I spend maybe five minutes on my face in the morning now, and yet I feel more attractive than I did at 22 when I was painstakingly applying a full face of makeup.

Please share any tips/products/routines you use to stay looking (and feeling) wonderful! Were there any gamechangers you discovered? Did Covid change the way you see yourself? Did losing a LVM make you look 10 years younger?