Beauty Girl talk

Quick confidence boosters

how-to-boost-your-confidence

how-to-boost-your-confidence

What is your go-to, quick pick-me-up that gives you a little confidence boost?

I’ll be honest here, it’s not always easy to write about makeup or other beauty products, news or routines. Especially when you’re PMSing and feel like you’ve gained 10 pounds overnight. I can’t go “Ermahgerd you guyssss, this new foundation is ahhhhmazing” when looking in the mirror and seeing red and blotchy mess that my skin turns to once a month.

Whenever I’m feeling a little down about myself- PMS or not- I do have a few little quick confidence boosters, that always seem to do the trick for me.

PERFUME

Whether it’s a new fragrance or your signature scent, a few spritz of perfume can boost your confidence and lift your mood. This is something that I do all the time, sometimes even when sitting in my home office, wearing leggings and a baggy sweater. It just makes me feel confident and ready to take on the world. Same thing goes for important meetings, or whenever I know I’ll be meeting someone new. Wearing my signature scent always eases up my anxiety. According to research conducted at Duke University Medical Center wearing any fragrance can boost your confidence.

LIPSTICK

In ancient Egypt, both men and women wore makeup and the wealthiest of people were buried with makeup, for use in the afterlife. When talking confidence, I mean particularly bright, intense color lipstick. I think that we’ve all head that wearing red lipstick is the best thing for boosting your confidence, but it’s important to find one that goes well with your skin tone- also, it doesn’t have to be red necessarily. Did you know that hundreds of years a go, lipstick was considered a sign of witchcraft? Nowadays, red lipstick is considered a source of strength and… you guessed it, confidence!

confidence-boosters

PRETTY LINGERIE

How good does it feel to be wearing not only matching lingerie, but also one that’s cute and flattering? This is probably one of my favorite ways of boosting my confidence when I’m feeling a little down. I recently splurged on a few sets and I happened to be with a friend when my order arrived (online shopping FTW). As I was opening my package and showing her what I got she goes “uuuuu what’s the occasion?” I started laughing and said that the occasion is me wanting to look cute. For myself. I think that anything that has pretty lace on it is a perfect little treat. By the way, if your chest is on the smaller side, like mine, and you can’t stand push-up and wired bras, like me, you have to check these out at Victoria’s Secret. They are so comfy and come in a few different colors.

A PAIR OF HEELS

Growing up and even in my late teens, I never considered myself a very girly or feminine girl- despite loving makeup. I didn’t like wearing dresses or skirts, just didn’t like dressing up in general. I also never owned a pair of heels until two years into dating my husband, when I was 19. Once I learned how to walk in them, I couldn’t get enough. I loved how my legs- who I always thought were a little too muscular- all of the sudden looked so long and slim. I used to have a friend at work, a smoking hot girl, but she was one of those people who just couldn’t take a compliment and as gorgeous as she was, she wasn’t very confident. But, she had this cool trick where she kept a pair of her favorite heels under desk and wore them, whenever she had to make an important call (she probably could wear them around the office, but chances are, she’d break her ankles). She told me that she read about this trick in Cosmo and asked me if I think she’s being silly. I actually thought it was pretty cool and hey,  studies actually confirm that wearing high heels is great for boosting your self-esteem and assertiveness.

how-to-boost-your-confidence

Another must for me? Freshly manicured nails. Taking care of your looks isn’t the only or most important thing to take care of when trying to boost your confidence though. This is why I also love meditating, using affirmations or listening to one of my favorite audiobooks to feel better and more confident about myself. Whenever I start hearing that little voice telling me that I can’t do something, I immediately start telling myself “I love myself, I love myself” over and over again. It might sound silly, but as I always say, the relationship you have with yourself is the most important relationship in your life. That’s why it’s so important to nourish it!

Do you guys have any quick confidence boosters that put an instant smile on your face?

58 Comments

  • Reply
    Heather Mcknight
    March 30, 2016 at 8:55 am

    I loved this post and completely agree with everything mentioned, I also find highlighter is quite the confidence booster, a good matte bold lip and dewy highlighter are essential when I’m feeling a little lacking in the confidence department!

    Heather, Porcelain Beauty x

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 31, 2016 at 8:20 am

      Thanks so much Heather! I love a matte lip, too! Matched with a nice highlighter it’s definitely a great way to boost your confidence :)

  • Reply
    Beautylymin
    March 30, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Great post! I find fake tan and a blowdry are great confidence boosters! xx

    Beautylymin

  • Reply
    Darina
    March 30, 2016 at 9:04 am

    Defenitely lipstick :)

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    March 30, 2016 at 9:17 am

    I totally agree with all of these – a pair of heels always gives me a confidence boost! :)
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Erin
    March 30, 2016 at 9:43 am

    100% agree on taking care of your nails. I feel so much better when my nails look nice and definitely make them a priority.
    http://www.erincusackblog.com

  • Reply
    Missy Quigley
    March 30, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Everything on this list!

  • Reply
    Sophie Hill
    March 30, 2016 at 10:31 am

    I love these tips! Sometimes when I put no makeup on because I know I’ll be staying in all day and my skin is having a bad day, it makes me feel so gross! Just dedicating 10 minutes and a small amount of makeup can change my mood for the whole day so really it’s well worth it :)

    Sophie | Dreams and Colour Schemes

  • Reply
    Jessica Jade
    March 30, 2016 at 10:54 am

    Love this post, so many good tips!
    My ultimate confidence booster is a pamper session!

    https://jessicajadebeauty.wordpress.com
    Xx

  • Reply
    Kelsey
    March 30, 2016 at 11:00 am

    I love these!!! A fresh manicure can completely change my day and mood.
    Much needed and applicable for today haha

    Kelsey | kelssays.com

  • Reply
    Alexandra
    March 30, 2016 at 11:23 am

    I totally agree a pair of heels always make me feel so much more confident !
    http://littlefrenchblog.blogspot.fr

  • Reply
    Kim Petersen
    March 30, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    I am the same, I generally try to do an outfit post once a week but if I’m feeling crappy (or ate really poorly) I don’t feel like doing it! I LOVE the perfume idea, it does always give me a little boost of happiness to smell something nice so that’s a good one. I always do a face mask, it always makes me feel more refreshed and like I’ve done something good for myself. Great post! XO -Kim

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 31, 2016 at 8:17 am

      Same here Kim! Face mask is an awesome idea too, it’s definitely nice to treat yourself once in a while. :)

  • Reply
    Heidi
    March 30, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    Love this!!! I’ve been doing lot of these recently! Perfume today, nails are done, a few rings stacked on. It’s the little things that make us feel put together as a whole. Happy writing! http://notheidiho.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Aleksandra
    March 30, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    I’d say wearing matching underwear is not only great, but also extremely rare… :)

  • Reply
    Lauren Victoria
    March 30, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Lovely ideas! I love whipping out a bold lipstick to give me a little bit of confidence when I’m feeling rubbish. Also I love matching pretty underwear. Makes you feel so good :) xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Alina
    March 30, 2016 at 2:29 pm

    Feeling down about my appearance is something that happens on a regular basis so these are all great tips for me. I do agree that a bit of perfume and lipstick will instantly perk me off. Need to actually treat myself to some new lingerie soon, that sounds like a great idea :) x

    Beauty with charm

  • Reply
    Elizabeth Hisle
    March 30, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    Hah! I totally do most of these. Lipstick and perfume will make me instantly feel lifted. Heels are painful for me now, but matching underwear (and even matching lipstick!) can really make me feel like a million bucks.

    aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Paula Loreti
    March 30, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    For me is a pair of heels! I feel instantly good in the moment I put them on my feets haha

    http://www.blossomikebana.com

  • Reply
    Caro
    March 30, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    Loved all of these tips!! I’d say heels give me that boost of confidence I need!!

    Caroblogs.com

  • Reply
    Jess | The Indigo Hours
    March 30, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    I definitely agree that matching underwear is a huge confidence boost – it’s like a little secret that I can keep all to myself! :)

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

  • Reply
    Samileen
    March 30, 2016 at 8:45 pm

    Absolutely agree with you on this one, and its soo true a cute set of lingeries can literally boast your confidence to next level. I’ll have to add music too, it can literally make or brake your mood. But just to pick you up from a dull phase I think a peppy song and long drive is all you need.

    Sam || Beautydetour

  • Reply
    SavBanav
    March 30, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    I love wearing matching lingerie! Finally someone said it. I always loved shopping at VS or PINK to get lingerie even though it is pricey, but it sure boosts your confidence. :) I’ve also been giving myself little manicures and keeping my nails painted recently, and that feels good as well. I totally agree with all of these!

    Savannah xx
    savbanav.wordpress.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 31, 2016 at 8:04 am

      Haha, let’s face it, it rarely matches! I think that’s why it feels so nice when you actually wear something not only pretty, but also something that’s comfortable and actually matches.

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    March 31, 2016 at 2:23 am

    Freshly painted nails always makes me feel like I have my life together? So weird but true. I also find trying out a new makeup product (specifically eyeshadow or lipstick) is a surefire way to up my confidence.

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 31, 2016 at 8:03 am

      Hahaha I don’t know what is it about a fresh mani, but it just makes you feel like a completely new person haha :)

  • Reply
    Serein
    March 31, 2016 at 4:57 am

    Fragrance is such a mood booster for me! I get headaches with a lot of them, so I have curated a few that work with my chemistry and sensitive head. Love what you said about lingerie. SO TRUE! I am about to go and re do my whole bra and undies collection, it is time to revamp and feel sexy and confidant again. My go to is a bold red lipstick, I like Chanel Pirate, Kat Von D liquid lipstick in nosforatu, and Jouer in Grace (my mom’s name).
    xoxo
    Serein
    http://sereinwu.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 31, 2016 at 7:58 am

      Same here! Perfume always acts like such a quick pick-me-up for me. I recently did the same thing with my lingerie, bought a whole bunch of new, pretty stuff, feels so good! :)

  • Reply
    Dara - Champagneinateacup
    March 31, 2016 at 5:20 am

    Agree totally on the underwear suggestion xo

  • Reply
    Kelly
    March 31, 2016 at 7:24 am

    I love reading affirmations to boost my confidence, I feel like reading positive quotes really inspire me.

    Perfect Shade of Mauve

  • Reply
    Biana Perez
    March 31, 2016 at 8:35 am

    Oh gosh if my nails aren’t done I feel undone!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

  • Reply
    Charlotte
    March 31, 2016 at 10:05 am

    I love this post! Definitely agree with perfume and lipstick giving you a boost, they do so much for my confidence x
    http://asecondswatch.blogspot.co.uk/

  • Reply
    Katie
    March 31, 2016 at 11:00 am

    PERFUME PERFUME PERFUME. So true. I always used to save it for special occasions but now I slap the stuff on after my shower and before bed because it genuinely makes me feel – cringe – happier and more confident. Who knows who I’m gonna meet in my dreams anyway ;)

    Katie.
    xx La Coco Noire

  • Reply
    Ela BellaWorld
    March 31, 2016 at 4:34 pm

    All of these are definitely confidence boosters! When I’m feeling down, I seem to go towards not so pretty looking lingerie, however changing it to something flattering, it makes me feel better instantly. Heels and gorgeous lippie are great for feeling girly! I didn’t know that men wore makeup too, I mean all the mummy graves had fancy looking paintings, I should have guessed that ha ha :)

    Ela BellaWorld

  • Reply
    Dagmara Klich
    March 31, 2016 at 5:07 pm

    I agree with all of these! In general wearing some makeup and perfume makes me feel instantly better and more confident. As for high heels and matching, nice underwear, hell yes! they make me feel like I can conquer the world, well… maybe not as much but pretty close, haha! I’d say even nice silky PJs boost my confidence, lol! x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

  • Reply
    Nereyda @This Girl Is Obsessed
    April 2, 2016 at 1:13 am

    High heels, lipstick and nice underwear are my favorite confidence boosters. So easy!

    Nereyda│ This Girl Is Obsessed

  • Reply
    Joules
    April 7, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    HEELS. Wearing heels always amps up my confidence.

    Lifestyle by Joules

  • Reply
    Blondie Takes Big Island
    April 19, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Ah yes. nothing puts more pep in my step than a bold lip color.

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