How to look better in a week, without spending a penny

A holiday to the Bahamas, plastic surgery, a bespoke suit and eight weeks with a personal trainer and nutritionist aside, drastically changing your appearance in a short timespan isn’t an easy feat: more so without the billionaire’s bank balance to hand. There are, however, a small handful of lifestyle tips and hacks that can improve your appearance in just a few short days and none involve the proverbial snake oil, nor the swipe of a credit card.

Stand up straight. Your teachers in secondary school weren’t just trying to irritate your sullen teenage self when they told you to stop slouching. Good posture breeds a variety of health benefits, from increased energy to sparing spinal pain. It also has a slimming effect as well as projecting confidence. Pick up your chest, keep your head high and your shoulders back and others will see you in a new light. You’ll also start to feel better for it in yourself.

Starting or ending the day with sugar will result in dehydrated skin, poor complexion and quickly depleting energy. Sugars lead to a wealth of health problems if consumed in excess, restrict refined carbs to the occasional treat and you’ll look much better for it and after the withdrawal systems have subsided, feel healthier and more awake.

Washing under hot water, however enticing that may be, can serve to irritate and dry out skin. Using the same hot water to wash your body and face can also cause increased redness in your face, make veins more pronounced and of course, seriously dry out the skin on your face. Washing your face in a sink after a shower using tepid water and cupping technique is better in the short and long term, reducing skin damage and potentially, water usage.

Dehydration leads to dulled skin, poor concentration and general tiredness. Get at least 2 litres down you a day to keep your body functioning better: we are, after all, comprised of two-thirds water.

Regular exercise has far too many advantages to list here. Getting your blood pumping carries more oxygen and nutrients to your skin, as well as carrying away waste products. Endorphin release from exercise also reduces stress levels and generally makes you happier, improving your mood and making you look better in the process.

Easier said than done I can appreciate, but attempt to get a full 40 winks none the less. Sleep deprivation puts stress on the body and trigger skin issues. Getting enough rest triggers your skin’s repair mechanism, whilst also stopping puffy bags from forming under your eyes.