The holidays are right around the corner, and you know what that means…photos, tons of photos!

These aren’t just normal everyday photos, these are photos that you will cherish for years to come.

Since your parents will most likely be hanging up your family holiday photo in their house, you’ll probably want to look and feel your best when these photos are taken, right?

Well, I thought I’d give you all a sneak peek into some beauty secrets that you might not know about – Just in time for the holidays!

Secret Tip #1: Face Masks

There’s just something about face masks that I crave…it’s probably the feeling of your face being stripped of the dirt, sweat, and grime from your everyday tasks, leaving your face feeling so refreshed.

There are some masks that you should not be doing every day – like clay masks or charcoal masks.

These types of masks can be harsh on your skin but they definitely get the job done!

Clay and charcoal masks help decrease the size of your pores and leave your face with a smooth finish.

Don’t let the “harshness” stop you from enjoying these types of masks…though these should only be done once or twice a week, as they will dry out your skin!

My absolute FAV clay mask is the Indian Healing Aztec Clay mask (shown in the photo above) – I do this mask every Sunday!

In addition to clay and charcoal masks, there are so many other face masks that can help you with your skincare concerns.

You’ll need to figure out what type of skin you have and what impurities you’re trying to get rid of before finding the perfect face mask.

If you need some tips for what products to use and what type of skin you have, check out How To Build A Daily Skincare Routine.

Secret Tip #2: Add Vaseline Before Perfume

Although photos don’t portray the way you smell, lol, this is a big secret that I think everyone should know about!

If you want your perfume or cologne to last longer, try adding vaseline or chapstick to your skin before spraying on your favorite fragrance.

This keeps the smell on your skin for longer since the vaseline acts as a moisturizing lock.

So your perfume gets “stuck” on your skin and won’t easily be wiped off.

Add this tip to your daily routine and you’ll be smelling good all throughout your holiday events!

Also, if you are searching for a great gift for your girlfriend, mom, friend, or grandma – I’d consider gifting them the Vera Wang Princess perfume!

And guess what?

It’s on sale for only $20 bucks (originally $75)!

Also, the Lucky You Perfume for women is a great choice as well – only $19!

If you are in need of a good cologne for that special man in your life, Light Blue By Dolce & Gabbana is a great choice!

I’d also recommend the Nautica Voyage By Nautica cologne for a cheaper option (only $13!). 

Secret Tip #3: Get Your Daily Dose of Self-Care

Making time for yourself EVERY DAY is essential for your well-being!

Go outdoors and enjoy nature, or spend some quality time reading a book or pampering yourself with a face mask or mani-pedi!

Also, if you haven’t noticed, when you take care of yourself you feel happier, and to others seems like it too!

Even if you aren’t smiling, you are giving off ~ positive vibes ~ to other people.

Trust me, they’ll be able to feel that!

So, why does this matter for the holiday photos?

Well, you know when you look at old photos of people, you can tell if they are genuinely happy when you look at their eyes and face.

Depending on the way your lips, eyebrows, nose, and eyes appear on your face can determine if the person is genuinely happy or not.

These are called microexpressions.

If you are not happy, it’s sort of hard to portray a (fake) happy smile when posing for photos – Although your smile might look real to you, your loved ones will see right through it.

So, let’s make this holiday season a cheerful, happy, and memorable one.

Just remember to take some time out of your day to focus on yourself and let positivity surround you.

Secret Tip #4: drink a full glass of water right when you wake up

As I’ve said in my previous post, 10 Wellness Tips That Will Change Your Life, this one is the top tip to doing so!

If you drink a glass of water every morning right after you wake up, you will see a difference in not only your mood and energy for the day but also a difference in your skin.

This can be to the touch (softer), visually (clearer, less bumpy), and mentally (feeling better in your own skin).

This is a perfect addition to your daily routine and will give you that “glow” when it’s photo time.

So don’t forget to drink your water!

Secret Tip #5: Have a healthier-looking smile

Here’s a BIG secret that most people don’t know about: If you want whiter teeth but don’t want to pay the big bucks to get them professionally whitened, try using a 3% concentration of hydrogen peroxide.

If you rinse your mouth out with one part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water once or twice a day for 60 seconds and then spit it out, you’ll see a difference in the color of your teeth immediately after spitting it out.

However, it only lasts a couple of hours…but if you continue to use it for several months consistently, you’ll begin to see the shade of your teeth turn whiter.

But, this is perfect for a holiday party photo if you need a quick whitening.

Not only does hydrogen peroxide help whiten teeth, but it also helps if you have a sore throat and your overall oral health.

When having a healthy smile, you’ll want to show them off.

The best part of showing them off is that smiling is actually very good for you!

Smiling releases the “feeling good” endorphins in your brain that essentially helps brighten your mood.

And, I mean, who doesn’t love to see pearly whites in photos and around your family and friends!?

There you have it – 5 secrets to feeling and looking your best this holiday season!