How to Look Pretty with No Makeup As a Preteen starts with embracing the natural features you already have and feeling confident in your own skin. A bare face is just as beautiful as one with makeup—sometimes even more so when you truly like the way you look. Follow the steps below to help you fully appreciate and highlight your natural beauty as a preteen.
Part1 Personal Hygiene
1. Be Clean and Hygienic
Staying clean helps you feel fresh, confident, and naturally beautiful—no makeup required.
Shower Regularly to Stay Fresh
Try to wash every day. A morning shower can help wake you up and remove any sweat from the night.
If your family shares one bathroom and mornings are busy, shower at night before bed instead.
On hot days, sleep with lighter sheets to stay cooler and reduce sweating.
Wash Your Hair as Needed
Most preteens only need to wash their hair every other day to keep it looking healthy without stripping natural oils.
If your hair looks oily between washes, try using a dry shampoo to refresh it.
Choose shampoos and conditioners meant for your hair type:
- Dry scalp → consider dandruff shampoo
- Curly hair → moisture-rich products
- Fine hair → lightweight conditioner
Avoid using too much gel, mousse, or styling product; it can make your hair look greasy instead of natural.
🔗 Helpful hair care resources:
- How Often Should You Wash Your Hair? – Healthline
- Choosing the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type – WebMD
2. Moisturize Your Skin
Moisturized skin always looks healthier, softer, and more radiant—naturally.
Choose a Moisturizer for Your Skin Type
- Oily skin: Use a lightweight or gel moisturizer, especially one labeled oil-free, non-comedogenic, or acne-friendly.
- Dry skin: Choose a thicker cream to keep moisture locked in throughout the day.
Staying hydrated helps too. Drink plenty of water to support smooth, glowing skin.
🔗 Skin care guidance:
3. Wash Your Face Twice Daily
A clean face helps prevent breakouts and keeps your skin looking bright and healthy.
Use a Face Wash That Won’t Clog Pores
Wash your face once in the morning and once at night. This removes dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells that build up throughout the day.
Look for cleansers labeled “non-comedogenic”, meaning they won’t clog your pores.
Treat Pimples the Right Way
If you start to get pimples, use over-the-counter acne treatments containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
If acne becomes more serious or painful, talk to a dermatologist, who can recommend or prescribe treatments.
🔗 Skin cleansing & acne resources:
Part2 Style
1. Have a Nice Hairstyle
Your hairstyle plays a big role in your overall appearance, even when you’re going makeup-free. A good cut can highlight your natural features and boost your confidence.
Choose a Length and Style That Fit Your Face
Ask a hairstylist which cuts work best for your face shape—round, oval, heart, or square.
Pick a style that:
- Compliments your facial structure
- Is easy for you to maintain
- Makes you feel happy and confident
Simple, low-maintenance cuts often look the freshest on preteens.
🔗 Helpful hairstyle guides:
- Best Haircuts for Your Face Shape – Allure
- Choosing a Kid- or Tween-Friendly Hairstyle – Verywell Family
2. Smell Pretty in a Natural Way
How you smell doesn’t determine how pretty you are, but feeling clean and fresh can boost your confidence.
Choose Soft, Gentle Scents
Instead of perfume—which can be strong—try:
- Lightly scented body lotion
- Fresh-smelling soap or body wash
- Deodorant with a soft scent
You can also skip scents altogether if you prefer. Feeling comfortable in your own skin is always more important than smelling like perfume.
🔗 More on safe fragrances for young skin:
3. Embrace Your Braces
Braces are extremely common, and many preteens wear them. They’re simply a part of your natural glow-up.
Choose Braces Colors That Look Fresh and Bright
The right color bands can make your smile stand out beautifully.
Colors to avoid:
- Yellow
- White
- Neon blue
(These colors can make your teeth appear more yellow.)
Colors that look great:
- Navy blue
- Purple (helps teeth look whiter)
- Pastels like light pink or baby blue (brighten your smile)
- Neutrals for a soft, clean look
Try not to choose more than two colors at once to keep your smile looking neat and balanced.
🔗 Braces color inspiration:
Part3 Clothes
Dress Well Without Makeup
1. Choose Well-Fitted Clothes
Wearing clothes that fit you properly is one of the easiest ways to look polished and naturally pretty. Clothes that are comfortable and fit your body shape well will always help you show your best self.
Dress according to the season—light, breathable outfits for summer and warm layers for winter.
External Resources:
- How to choose the right clothing fit: https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Clothes (external)
- Guide to seasonal dressing: https://www.stylecaster.com/seasonal-style-tips (external)
Wear Colors That Complement Your Features
2. Pick Colors That Suit Your Skin Tone and Hair Color
The right colors can brighten your face and even give the illusion of makeup. Different shades flatter different complexions, so experiment with what looks best on you.
- Blues, greens, and browns can make your eyes pop.
- Soft pinks can naturally enhance your cheeks.
- Redheads often look great in deep greens (avoid neon or lime shades).
- If your skin has warm yellow undertones, use caution with oranges and bright yellows.
External Resources:
- Color matching guide for skin tones: https://www.colormebeautiful.com/color-analysis (external)
- How to determine your undertone: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/undertones (external)
References:
- Study on color psychology and appearance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4383146/ (reference)
- Fashion tone-matching basics: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-color-matching (reference)
Choose Footwear That Enhances Your Style
3. Own at Least One Cute Pair of Shoes
A stylish pair of shoes can elevate your entire outfit and help you look extra put-together even without makeup. Wear shoes appropriate for your climate—avoid flip-flops in the winter if you live somewhere cold.
Try building a small shoe collection based on seasons:
- Sneakers for everyday casual wear
- Cute flats for school or outings
- Boots for cold weather
- Sandals for warm seasons
External Resources:
- Beginner shoe styling guide: https://www.whowhatwear.com/shoe-style-basics (external)
References:
- Footwear and overall outfit balance research: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/clo (reference)
Part4 Personality
Boost Your Natural Beauty Without Makeup
1. Smile Often
A genuine smile is one of the prettiest things you can wear. Brush your teeth at least twice daily to keep your smile bright and clean.
If brushing after meals isn’t possible, chew sugar-free gum—this freshens your breath and helps remove food particles on your teeth.
External Resources:
- Tips for maintaining a healthy smile: https://www.colgate.com/oral-health/how-to-brush (external)
- Benefits of sugar-free gum: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/family-resources/sugarless-gum (external)
References:
- ADA on oral hygiene recommendations: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-hygiene (reference)
Build Confidence from Within
2. Strengthen Your Self-Confidence
Confidence is one of the most attractive qualities a person can have. Stand tall with your shoulders back and your chin up. Keep your hair out of your face and smile—these small habits can instantly boost how you feel and how others perceive you.
Celebrity Insight — Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez, the founder of Rare Beauty, encourages embracing your natural beauty:
“Makeup is something to have fun with, but not something you need. I used to think I needed to wear makeup to feel pretty, and I can definitely say that has changed as I’ve gotten older.”
External Resources:
- Confidence-building basics: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/self-esteem (external)
- Body language and confidence: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/body-language-confidence (external)
References:
- Research on posture and emotional state: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30148650/ (reference)
Embrace Your Uniqueness
3. Be Proud of Yourself
Everyone has something that makes them special—your features and quirks are part of what make you uniquely YOU. Avoid criticizing your appearance or comparing yourself to others. Instead, focus on your strengths and remind yourself daily of the people who care about you—your family, friends, teachers, or even your pets.
External Resources:
- How to practice self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/practice/ (external)
- Healthy ways to build self-esteem: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/self-esteem.html (external)
References:
- Psychological study on self-acceptance: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/01/self-acceptance (reference)