Beauty Secrets for Girls - Destiny S. Harris

This guide is written in clear, simple language so that everyone can understand and use these beauty secrets for girls easily.

Dedication

This book is for every person who wants to know more about being beautifully healthy from the inside out in the simplest way. I believe as you read this book, it will help provoke positive thoughts and prolific actions that you can take immediately to improve your well-being.

Thank You

Thank you to my family for encouraging me, being there for me, and helping me to realize, at such a young age, how passionate I am about writing. Lastly, I want to thank all the authors of the many books I have read to date; I would not be the person I am today without the wonderful gift of books.

Intro

1st Edition Intro (2004)

“Beauty Secrets for Girls” is a book from a pre-teen’s perspective regarding beauty secrets for women and girls. It is about teaching females how to take care of themselves. If you are interested in learning about health and beauty, then this book is for you.

This book will give you tips and facts that will help you be the healthiest you! You will learn how to take care of your skin, nails, and feet; how to develop the habit of exercising; how to build up your self-confidence and self-esteem; what to eat so you stay fit; and the importance of vitamins. I enjoyed writing this book, and I hope you enjoy reading this book.

2nd Edition Intro (2016)

This book is written from my perspective, at the age of 11, on holistic beauty and health. This book offers simple information about health and beauty for all who identify as female and find the information-laden in this book relevant to themselves or others close to them. If you are interested in learning about being beautifully healthy from the inside out, then this book is for you.

This book will give you tips and facts on body care, fitness, nutrition, internal health (mind, body, spirit), and more. You will learn how to take care of your body from the inside out because internal health is just as important as external health.

I enjoyed revisiting this book, and I hope that you, too, enjoy reading this book. As you read, I encourage you to jot down notes along the way or use the highlighter (if available on the format you are reading this book) to mark the parts of this book that speak the most to you so you can reference them again after you finish the book.

At the end of every chapter is a section called “EOC Activity,” which stands for “End of Chapter Activity.” This section is here to facilitate an environment for you to actively make positive changes and take notes along your journey through this book.

3rd Edition Intro (2020)

Here we are again almost two decades later, and I am happy to say, writing and producing these works for you is more exciting than ever.

Why Exercise

Why do our bodies need exercise? Well, there are many answers to this question, and there is no one correct answer. Not only does your body look better when you exercise, but your body feels better when you exercise.

Exercise reduces stress levels, helps balance hormones, detoxifies your skin, keeps your heart healthy, makes your body look better, clears your mind, enables you to sleep better, and much more. There are so many positive benefits to exercising. Exercise also provides a way to keep our emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being healthy and balanced.

If you love to eat, exercise provides a way for you to eat more of the pleasurable foods that you enjoy so dearly if you do not have the fastest metabolism. I often meet people who tell me the reason they exercise is so they can eat more or because they eat so much; this is perfectly fine, but exercising does so much more for you aside from helping you maintain your weight and burn calories.

So, if exercising is so advantageous for your internal and external body and provides these benefits I listed above (plus some), then why don’t more people engage in this practice?

Finding Time to Move

One of the most frequent excuses I hear from people is, “I wish I had time to work out,” or “I’m a single mom and just don’t have time to work out,” or “With my full-time job, I don’t see where I could fit in time to exercise.” These are all excuses.

Even the busiest person can find at least a few minutes each day to take care of their body and be active. It is straightforward to organize your life in a way that incorporates physical activity throughout the day.

Everyday Movement Ideas

Here are some examples of how you can implement more physical activity into your lifestyle:

Tip 1: Take the stairs wherever possible.
Tip 2: If you drive, park farther away from the entrance of your destination. If you do not drive, encourage your driver to park farther away from the entrance of your destination.
Tip 3: Do jumping jacks, sit-ups, or pushups during commercial breaks when you are watching television.
Tip 4: Walk with your partner, family, siblings, or friends for leisure instead of talking on the phone.
Tip 5: Walk on your breaks during work or school.
Tip 6: If you have stairs in your home, go up and down your stairs several times each day.

If you are looking for time to exercise, the first place to look for extra time is with everyday activities (social media, cell phones, TV, video games, etc.). If you start here, I guarantee you will find some time to exercise. Remember, it is simple to incorporate physical activity while you are engaging in entertainment.

Why It Matters

I see exercise as something I do to take care of myself; I exercise because I value my body and well-being. The more you value yourself, the better you will take care of your body. If you are currently not exercising at all right now, push yourself to get in at least 10 minutes of physical activity five days a week; you can increase this time on a daily or weekly basis.

The goal is to start with something because even the smallest amount of time can make the most significant difference. After a while, you will notice that you feel better and that it is easier to find time to get in physical activity. Once you start to feel and see the results that come about from being consistently active, you will begin to develop the healthy habit of staying physically active. This will inevitably enhance your life in every way. Try it, and you will understand what I mean.

Building a Habit

If you are active now or have previously been active, you probably already have an idea of how beneficial physical activity can be for your life in multiple areas. When you first start working out, it may seem hard, painful, and uncomfortable, but the feeling of consistently being physically active is so worth the temporary struggle!

Environment

Some people get motivated to work out when they have a lot of other people around them. If this sounds like you, then join a gym, attend some fitness classes, or start your own fitness group.

If you are more on the introverted side, or simply enjoy working out solo, then utilize the great outdoors, smaller gyms, personal one-on-one training, or at-home workouts. You have many options to reach your fitness goals; figure out what works best for you and get started.

Weightlifting

I decided to join a gym when I was fourteen years old (many gyms now allow even younger people to join if an adult accompanies them), and it has remained one of the best life decisions I have ever made. I will admit that I was often intimidated by strength training equipment (the free weights area where males mainly work out), but over time I realized the importance of resistance training, and when I did, there was no turning back.

Resistance training not only enhances your body definition, but it also helps your body to become stronger. You can change your physique by incorporating resistance training into your exercise routine.

Getting Started

Strength and resistance training do not have to be complicated or daunting endeavors. You can simply watch videos and do research on how to approach different exercises. Usually, exercises get simpler after you perform them and try them out a couple of times.

If you happen to be a part of a gym, then you can ask personal trainers for assistance with different exercises and equipment, and they usually will be happy to assist you (after all, it is their job).

Many online clips and videos show how to perform specific exercises if you are ever unsure about a particular technique or muscle group. When it comes to fitness, don’t let ignorance or inexperience prevent you from elevating your health.

If you have never performed resistance and strength training and you want to start doing it, then start by incorporating strength exercises 2–3 times a week. You can always build and add more days from here. Ensure that you track your progress to note how your body responds.

Entertainment Watchers

If you are like many, then you may consciously or subconsciously be aware of how engaging in entertainment can often prompt you to want to snack on foods, even if you are not hungry. I often immediately wish to snack on something as soon as a movie starts.

However, it is important to be aware of what you eat and when you eat. If you must snack during movies, try balancing the snacks you eat with some nutritional options as well (e.g., air-popped popcorn with no added ingredients, grilled chicken tenders, healthy tortilla chips, and homemade guacamole dip).

Of course, there will be times where you simply pig out, but every time you eat does not have to be a “pig-out” session—moderation is key.

Conscious Eating

Ultimately, an admirable goal to have is to be a conscious eater. When you eat, focus your attention on this one task; by doing this, you will be able to monitor how your body responds to what you eat more adequately and possibly eat even less than you would if you were mindlessly eating.

What you eat and how much you eat either benefits you or does not benefit you. If you consistently overeat, or eat the wrong types of foods, then exercise most likely will not bring you the most optimal results. Team up quality exercise with a quality diet.

A good rule to incorporate: For every 1 hour of television = do 15 minutes of physical activity.

Losing Weight

If you are trying to lose weight, then paying careful attention to your diet is going to be the determinant of reaching this outcome. Most people think that how much you exercise is the single predictor of how much weight you lose, but losing weight and how your body looks are often determined by about 80–90 percent of your diet.

Exercise is just the icing on the cake. I utilize exercise to keep my body healthy and robust, not for maintaining my weight, but everyone’s body is different.

Food First

Exercise can certainly help you maintain the weight that you want to stay at (if this is one of your goals), but the diet aspect is much more critical. Mastering the habit of exercise can be simple compared to mastering your diet. Diet is something that you must pay more attention to since most people eat more often than they work out.

We feed our bodies throughout the day, which means that we must be consistently more cognizant of what we are ingesting into our bodies. It takes consistent discipline to ensure our diets are on point.

If you are trying to lose weight, then first look at your diet. You can often shed many pounds or inches by merely changing your diet and by also being more aware of what you regularly put into your body.

I know one woman who lost over 50 pounds solely by changing her diet; she did not work out a single time during the process. However, exercise is still essential.

To expedite the weight loss process, adding in an exercise regimen, in addition to a disciplined and healthy diet, will be of great benefit to you.

Skin Care

Hydrate

The main thing I do to take care of my skin is to drink a lot of water. I usually drink a minimum of half my weight in ounces of water each day. Drinking water cleanses the body, keeps the skin moisturized, and keeps the body well-hydrated and energized. If you are active, it is important to intake more than half of your weight in water.

Sunscreen

When you’re in the sun, it is a good idea to utilize sunscreen—independent of your skin tone—to ensure that you prevent any sun damage from occurring.

Face Wash

Always use lukewarm or cool water when you wash your face; using hot water strips away the natural oils from your face. Even young females need natural oils to keep their skin balanced and beautiful. A good, all-natural mask can help clean your pores, absorb oils, and give your skin a beautiful, radiant glow.

Sugar

Eat sugar and sweets in moderation. Doing this is beneficial for your skin and helps ensure the optimal function of your entire body.

Choosing the Right Skin Products

There are a lot of different products for the skin, but not all of these products will be right for you and your skin. Sometimes it will take more time to find the right skin product but be patient. When you go to the store to buy a skin product, make sure you check the expiration date and follow the directions carefully to get the best results.

Sleep

Each person has different sleep requirements that are unique to their body, but a reasonable baseline requirement falls between the range of 6–10 hours of sleep each night. Make it a habit to listen to your body each day to determine the amount of sleep that is best for you.

When you get the right amount of sleep for your body, you will ensure that your skin repairs and heals itself properly, functions properly, and stays healthy. Sleeping also helps your body perform at its best.

Skin Types

Everyone has different skin types (e.g., normal, sensitive, dry, combination, etc.). Your skin type will help determine the steps that you need to take to ensure you care for your skin correctly.

If you are struggling with any severe skin issues, then consult a doctor or dermatologist. You can also look at your diet to make improvements; often, our bodies (especially our skin) let us know what changes we need to make by how it responds to the foods we eat.

Tip: If you have dry skin, try using Cerave cream, Cetaphil cream, coconut oil, or olive oil.

Makeup

If you consistently wear makeup, it can dry your skin out and cause flare-ups if you do not remove it properly or use the wrong kind of makeup products for your skin. Always remove your makeup before going to bed by washing your face, using a makeup removal wipe, or whatever works best for you.

Try to use more natural makeup products for your skin. Also, if you are recovering from a breakout or dealing with any type of skin issue, it is a good idea to take a break from all makeup to give your skin time to heal properly.

Baths

Another way to moisturize and take good care of your skin is by taking regular baths. Use different oils like:

Coconut Oil
Jojoba Oil
Sweet Almond Oil
Olive Oil
Lavender, Peppermint, and Lemongrass

These oils are all excellent to mix into your bath. If you want a certain bodily effect, then research which oil is best for you and your needs.

Showers

After every shower you take, unless your soap does not dry your skin out, it is a good practice to moisturize your entire body. Often, water strips the moisture out of our skin. It is your job to add that moisture back to your skin.

Nail Care

Who loves having well-groomed finger and toenails? I do. If you can afford it and have the desire to, then a good practice is to get a manicure and pedicure every 2–4 weeks by a reputable nail salon.

You can also give yourself quality manicures and pedicures and get the same results—if not better—than a professional salon.

Your Personal Nail Kit

Grooming your nails every 2–4 weeks will keep your finger and toenails clean, healthy, and attractive. File your nails with a slight taper to keep them strong.

If you are going to be doing your own manicures and pedicures, then here is a list of items that are essentials for your personal nail kit:

Nail Clippers
Nail File
Cuticle Stick
Cuticle Oil
Nail Buffer
Hand Crème
Polish Remover
Your favorite nail polish colors + topcoat

Foot Care

It is important to treat your feet well because you are often on them. Make it a habit to moisturize your feet and get a pedicure (professionally or non-professionally) every 2–4 weeks.

If you take good care of your feet, then your feet will take good care of you.

Support and Comfort

If you wear heels often, then make sure you wear quality heels that support your feet well. The consequences of not taking care of your feet could result in bunions, calluses, or corns.

Always wear the right size shoe that is most comfortable for you—you will thank yourself in the end.

Hair Care

Shampooing

Keeping your hair clean is one of the main reasons to shampoo your hair, but you must also ensure that you find the right shampoo. For example, if you have problems with a dry scalp or dandruff, then you want to be sure to utilize a shampoo that is good for that specific issue.

Depending on your hair type will determine how often you need to shampoo your hair. Some people need to wash their hair daily while others may not need to wash their hair for a couple of weeks at a time.

Tip: Use apple cider vinegar (1-part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water) to clean your hair of dirt and oil. Leave the apple cider vinegar on your hair overnight with a shower cap for the best effects. Using apple cider vinegar on your hair keeps it naturally shiny and healthy.

Conditioning

Keeping your hair conditioned helps keep your hair beautifully healthy and moisturized. Some people co-wash their hair with only conditioner instead of using shampoo at all; this is a reliable method that I have tried myself.

There are three main things that conditioner does for your hair:

It moisturizes your hair.
Helps decrease breakage.
It adds shine to your hair.
It causes your hair to be less tangled.

When you condition your hair, massage your scalp thoroughly. Massaging your scalp initiates blood and oxygen flow to the roots of your hair, which helps your hair stay healthy and grow.

Tip: Start conditioning your hair from the scalp of your head to the ends of your hair.

Many people believe that just conditioning the hair is the key to having moisturized hair, but the key is having the moisture disseminate from the scalp to the hair. If your scalp is truly moisturized, then your hair will be moisturized as well.

Dry Naturally

Blow dryers are convenient, and sometimes we need to use them to achieve a certain style or for quick drying. However, letting your hair dry naturally will prevent your hair from drying out and developing unnecessary damage. Let your hair dry in the sun when possible.

Hair Types

Everyone’s hair is different, but there is a hair system that covers most hair types ranging from 1 to 4C. Depending on your hair type will determine how to take care of your hair best.

For example, if you have Level 4 hair, then you may have a dryer and more delicate hair type that can get knotted and tangled more easily than Level 1 or Level 2 hair.

General Tips for Level 3–4 Hair

Moderate brushing, combing, and detangling will keep your hair from getting knots. Finger detangling is the best consistent method for this hair type versus brushing and combing.
Co-wash more than you shampoo. Wash your hair with conditioner more than shampoo to keep your hair moisturized.
Oil your scalp and hair at least once a week with a light oil (e.g., coconut oil).

General Tips for Level 1–2 Hair

Your hair likely doesn’t get as dry as Level 3–4 hair. Due to your hair type, your scalp may produce a lot of oils, which may require you to wash your hair daily or several times a week.

Since you must wash your hair frequently, it is critical to find a shampoo that is not too harsh on your hair and scalp. Sample different shampoos until you find the right one. Let your hair dry naturally to keep it healthy, free of heat damage, and to enhance your natural pattern.

Beauty Secrets

Foundational Tips 1-10

Tip 1

The skin is the largest organ of the body; it often reflects what is going on internally. Hence, if you take care of your internal body, your skin will reflect your inner health positively.

Tip 2

Water can help you lose weight, maintain stable energy levels, and cleanse the body.

Tip 3

Multivitamins can help you look great, feel great, and stay healthy.

Tip 4

Your body can last weeks without food but only days without water.

Tip 5

Steaming your face cleans out the pores.

Tip 6

When you wake up, drink a glass of water to rehydrate your body. Doing this can also be a natural energy booster.

Tip 7

The herb rosehip is a superb source of vitamin C.

Tip 8
Open your pores first by splashing warm water on your face. Then finish rinsing your face with cool water to close your pores.

Tip 9

Three-fourths of the human body consists of water. Drink more water.

Tip 10

Milk and yogurt applied to the skin will lessen redness.

Foundational Tips 11-21

Tip 11

Applying apple-cider vinegar to the hair adds a natural shine and cleanses the scalp.

Tip 12

Drinking apple-cider vinegar is a natural probiotic.

Tip 13

On average, people do not eat enough vegetables. To ensure you get enough, eat them with every meal or snack.

Tip 14

Most modern foods lack the nutrients our bodies need. Taking a multivitamin is a good way to fill the gaps.

Tip 15

Completing a 24-hour fast can give your digestive system a healthy break and promote healing and rest. (Always take precaution based on your age and health status.)

Tip 16

Try eating meatless meals throughout the week. Eating vegan or vegetarian not only saves animals but also gives your body a break from animal products. Ultimately, this helps your kidneys and digestion.

Tip 17

Wash your pillowcases at least once per week to ensure you’re sleeping clean surfaces each night.

Tip 18

Lemon water serves as a cleansing tonic.

Tip 19

Moisturize your body immediately after showering to lock in moisture and maintain soft skin.

Tip 20

Drink one cup of ginger tea after your last meal to help digestion. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and digestive aid.

Tip 21

Living a healthy lifestyle is a sign of self-respect and high self-esteem.

What Foods Are Healthy for the Body?

There are many foods you can eat, but if you want to stay fit and feel good, you must eat the right foods for your body consistently. If you consistently don’t, there will be negative ramifications that cause your body to be in an unhealthy state.

Below are example meals you can eat throughout the day (not based on a vegan diet).

Daily Guidelines

Tip: To get enough vegetables, eat them with each meal or have two servings per meal.

Breakfast Ideas

Breakfast 1: 1–2 boiled eggs, 1–2 slices of 100 % whole-grain toast, 1 cup of tea or coffee.
Breakfast 2: 1 cup gluten-free oatmeal with cinnamon, a handful of blueberries, 1 cup of water with lemon.

Snack Ideas

Snack 1: 1 apple, a handful of pistachios or other nuts, and 1 cup of raw leafy greens.
Snack 2: 1 serving of air-popped white popcorn and 1 cup of raw leafy greens.

Lunch Options

Lunch 1: 1 cup raw leafy greens, 1 cup lightly cooked vegetables, 1 cup beans or lentils, ½ cup brown rice.
Lunch 2: 1–2 pieces salmon, ¼ cup avocado, 1 small sweet potato, 1 cup leafy greens, 1 cup cooked broccoli.

Dinner Options

Dinner 1: 1 cup cooked veggies (broccoli, cabbage, squash), 1–2 pieces of fish or lean meat, 1 small sweet potato, 1 cup ginger tea.
Dinner 2: 1 cup raw leafy greens, 1 cup red cabbage, 1 cup beans.

Tip: None of these meals follow food-combining rules. Modify as needed if you have sensitivities—the goal is to give you a flexible template.

A Brief Overview of Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are crucial for staying healthy and functioning optimally. If you consistently don’t get enough, your body will be affected.

For example, not getting enough iron can cause anemia, which is common among women. Below are several essential vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin A

Benefits skin, vision, and the immune system.
Sources: sweet potatoes, leafy greens, carrots.

Vitamin B Complex

Supports energy and metabolism.
Sources: eggs, meat, fish, legumes, vegetables.

Vitamin C

Fights the common cold and boosts the immune system. Also aids iron absorption.
Sources: peppers, green vegetables, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits.

Vitamin D

Vital for bone strength and immune support.
Sources: milk, fortified nut milks, sunlight.

Vitamin E

Protects against heart disease and supports skin health.
Sources: vegetable oils, nuts, leafy greens.

Vitamin K

Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
Sources: spinach, Brussels sprouts, cabbage.

Calcium

Strengthens bones and teeth.
Sources: leafy greens, dairy, almonds.

Iron

Carries oxygen throughout the body and prevents fatigue.
Sources: meat, legumes, green leafy vegetables.

Zinc

Aids wound healing and boosts the immune system.
Sources: oysters, beef, meat, seeds.

Every vitamin works differently, but many operate together to keep your body balanced. Finding a quality multivitamin can help ensure you get all necessary nutrients daily.

Increase Your Confidence & Self-Esteem

You are a unique individual, and it is important that you simply be yourself; this sounds easier said than done, but if you desire a content and fulfilling life, this is the way to proceed.

Being yourself daily demonstrates that you are confident and comfortable in your own skin. It’s a beautiful thing to witness—and inspiring for others who struggle with confidence. When you are comfortable in your own skin, no one can bring you down.

Simple Daily Habits

If you don’t have high self-esteem, it will affect your life and relationships. It can take time to build confidence, but with practice, you can consistently increase both. Here are some starting points:

Don’t slouch when walking or sitting. Good posture projects confidence.
Tell yourself that you like and love yourself every single day.
Speak affirmations such as:
- I am a likable person.
- I am confident.
- I am assertive.
- I feel terrific.
- I am happy and content.
- Great things are happening for me daily.
Take care of your body both externally and internally; this shows that you value and respect yourself.
Project your voice. It doesn’t have to be loud—just steady and sure.

Defining Your Own Standard

Always remember that you are more than just your body. There is no need to get caught up with being “pretty enough” by societal standards. No one stays perfect forever.

The only standards that matter are the ones you set for yourself. The better you feel about yourself now, the better you will feel tomorrow. As your confidence grows, others will sense it too.

Final Thoughts

Your internal body (what people do not see) is just as important as your external body (what people do see). Many people neglect their internal well-being, but to maintain balance, good health, and contentment, you must give attention to both.

Four Core Areas of Health

The healthier you are in each of these areas, the more successful and fulfilled you will be:

Spiritual well-being
Mental well-being
Emotional well-being
Physical well-being

Learn how you can improve these different areas of your life each day, and you will experience greater strength, peace, and success in all aspects of life.