Contest Entry: Minute Maid Freshest Look Contest

How exactly does one define fresh? Allow me to quote Mr. Webster before I share with you what comes to mind when I hear the word.

1 a : having its original qualities unimpaired: as (1) : full of or renewed in vigor : refreshed (2) : not stale, sour, or decayed (3) : not faded (4) : not worn or rumpled b : not altered by processing
2 a : not salt b (1) : free from taint : pure (2) of wind : moderately strong
3 a (1) : experienced, made, or received newly or anew

(2) : additional, another b : original, vivid c : lacking experience : raw d : newly or just come or arrived e : having the milk flow recently established
4 [probably by folk etymology from German frech] : disposed to take liberties : impudent
5 slang : fashionable, cool

via

In my book, however, "fresh" is a word I'd associate with youthfulness, radiance, cleanliness, purity and health. But how does one remain fresh and radiant in an age where pollution is inevitable, vices are uncontrollable, and where sleep has become a luxury rather than a necessity?

Below are seven things I whipped up to help us look fresh under any circumstance.

1. A good night sleep. It’s not the quantity but the quality that makes for a good night sleep. You can sleep for a good 12hours and still feel worn out in the morning.
2. A healthy lifestyle. This is something people do not debate about. Living a healthy lifestyle leaves you more fit and feeling fresh 24/7. So stretch those muscles and kick those nasty habits that make you look ten years older than you actually are.
3. A balanced and healthy diet. No starvation or skipping meals. Eat in moderation. Load up on veggies especially the green leafy and the yellowy or orange-y ones. Oh, and don’t forget to drink up… water, of course.
4. A good skin care regimen. Know your skin and use products that are made for your skin type. Once you’ve found a regimen that works for you, stick to it. Your skin will thank you for it as you age. Don’t forget the basics of skin care --- cleanse, exfoliate (at least once a week), tone, moisturize and protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
5. A positive outlook in life. Negativity makes one look old, tired and worn out.
6. A sunny smile. Nothing brightens up a face like a big smile does.
7. A heart that’s at peace. Whatever you keep deep inside you will radiate through you. So if you’re holding grudges against someone or bottling up all your frustrations and worries inside you, you’re bound to look dull and torn.

If the aforementioned tips are not enough, then cosmetics are the next best thing to help us achieve a healthy and fresh look as pictured below.

The freshest face I can come up with in under 10minutes

Bask in your youth

Keep simple

Let your inner strength show through

Take control

To get my look in the photos, I used only a tinted moisturizer to give my skin a [healthy] dewy finish (tinted moisturizers feel light on the skin and do not mask the skin. After all, you want to glow with health), and concealed my horrible dark circles with my trusty concealer and correctors and set everything with an ultra high definition mineral primer from Bare Naturals (of course, mineral makeup is the way to go as it’s good for the skin). For the eyes, I used a shimmery pale gold, mixed with some more neutral ones to give the eyes a natural glow. For added definition, however, I lined my upper and lower rims with a black liner and coated my lashes with tons of mascara. For the cheeks, I used a shimmery multi-hued bronzer to give my face a beautiful glow and highlighted key areas with a subtlety shimmery highlighter. And for the lips, I used a rosy pink creamy lipstick whose shade is not too far from my actual lip color and topped it with a sparkly pale pink lipgloss.

Be proud of who you are

Stand tall and face the world with confidence, grace and poise

Achieving a fresh look should be effortless. So go ahead and get your much needed beauty rest, smile and let your confidence and inner beauty take center stage.

Thank you to my beloved for snapping these photos on an overly sunny and windy day.