In a world where social media is filled with photos of bros and babes sporting toned figures, the perfect highlight, and a caramel tan it is easy to believe the lie that you have to look like them in order to be beautiful. Though my self-confidence has undergone major reconstruction over the years, I’m still not immune to the snake-like charms of Instagram and Pinterest. Tanning beds, spray tans, acrylic nails, hair dyes, heavy makeup – You name it, I did it.

Now, I feel like I need to add a disclaimer here. There is nothing wrong with the above (though I do not promote tanning beds because of their treatment towards your skin), but too much of anything can be unhealthy. This is exactly the level I took focusing on my appearance to. Instead of nourishing and loving my natural body, I was trying to change it to look like something it wasn’t created to be which didn’t do any favors for my confidence in the long rung because all tans fade, all dye grows out, and all makeup is eventually removed.

With a newly developed mindset of wanting to truly embrace me, I took a break from all of these habits and the woman that was revealed was gorgeous. It took a couple of years for me to truly appreciate the beauty in all of my fair skin, fresh faced, dirty blonde-headed glory, but when I did I felt free. Not only free, but healthy too! My skin is happy, my nails are stronger and my hair is the healthiest its been since my teenage self discovered boxed dye.

I’m not saying to stop going to the salon or tanning, I’m saying not to lose the love you have for yourself in the process. Rock those highlights, pamper yourself with a mani-pedi, but do it to pamper yourself and enhance your natural glam instead of to cover it up completely. If you need to take a break and go au naturel like I did, then go for it! It takes some time and willpower, but I promise it’s a great way to give your body and your mind a reboot.

Speaking of reboot – Have you been dealing with #oilyskinprobs causing your face to breakout? Check out this SUPER easy DIY face mask recipe that I enjoy using when the bumps, lumps, and mumps get a little out of hand.

Click here for the recipe!