Time has a way of teaching us lessons – especially when it comes to beauty. Looking back, there are so many things I wish I could tell my younger self. Some mistakes were harmless (hello, overplucked brows), while others came with long-term consequences.
If I had the chance to rewind, here’s the beauty wisdom I’d pass along to my 20-something self – and maybe it’ll help you skip a few detours on your own beauty journey.
Intermittent Fasting Changed How I Think About Beauty
When I was younger, I thought beauty was mostly about what I put on my skin. Over time, I began looking at wellness differently. For me, intermittent fasting became less about appearance and more about discipline, simplicity, and becoming more intentional about when I eat.
Intermittent fasting simply means cycling between periods of eating and fasting. Research has explored its potential effects on weight management and metabolic health, although results vary depending on the person and the fasting approach. It is not a magic beauty treatment, and longer or more restrictive fasting is not automatically better. Still, I wish my younger self had understood sooner that beauty is connected to the way we care for the entire body—not simply the products sitting on our bathroom counter.
Pray to Jesus Every Day
The greatest beauty lesson I would give my younger self actually has nothing to do with beauty products. I would tell her to pray to Jesus every single day.
There is something far more valuable than perfect skin, beautiful hair, or looking younger: becoming the woman God created you to be. Prayer keeps my attention on what matters most—faith, character, wisdom, humility, gratitude, and my relationship with Jesus Christ. The world can make women feel as though their value depends on their appearance, but Scripture teaches us to look deeper.
As 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Taking care of your appearance can be enjoyable, but it should never become the source of your identity. If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her: take care of your skin, take care of your body, but above everything else, take care of your relationship with God.
Sunscreen Is Your Real Best Friend
Back then, I thought bronzed skin was the pinnacle of beauty. Now I know better: the sun is the single biggest factor in premature ageing. Fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation- up to 80% of it is caused by UV exposure. And the kicker? Damage happens long before the burn shows up.
Today, SPF is my holy grail. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or 50 is essential year-round, and luckily, so many formulas now come in lightweight, tinted moisturisers or BB creams that blend seamlessly into your routine. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: the glow you want at 40 starts with sunscreen at 20.
Skip the Waxing, Go Straight to Laser
The cycle of endless waxing appointments and razor burn felt normal when I was younger. What I didn’t realise is that laser hair removal would save me time, money, and pain in the long run.
A course of 6–8 treatments with a laser hair removal machine drastically reduces regrowth, targeting hair follicles directly and preventing them from producing new hair. The best part? It’s fast and far less painful than waxing. If only I had started sooner, I would’ve spared myself years of ingrown hairs and irritation.
Let God Renew Your Beauty From Within
One of the most important beauty lessons I would give my younger self has nothing to do with skincare, makeup, or cosmetic treatments. True beauty also comes from what God is doing within us. As we grow older, our appearance naturally changes, but Scripture reminds us that spiritual renewal can continue every single day.
Psalm 103:5 beautifully describes God as the One “who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” This does not mean our physical bodies never age. Instead, it paints a beautiful picture of the strength, vitality, and renewal that come from God.
The Lord also cares for the condition of our inner lives. Psalm 23:3 simply declares, “He restores my soul.” Prayer, worship, repentance, gratitude, and spending time with Jesus can restore something within us that no beauty treatment could ever reach.
And that inner restoration can create its own kind of radiance. Psalm 34:5 says, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.” Proverbs 15:13 adds, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” There is something undeniably beautiful about a woman filled with genuine peace, joy, hope, and confidence in God.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful perspectives on aging comes from 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” We can care for our skin, nourish our bodies, and enjoy looking our best while remembering that physical youth was never meant to last forever. Spiritual renewal can continue throughout our entire lives.
If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell her this: pursue the beauty that comes from knowing Jesus just as intentionally as you pursue outward beauty. Let God restore your soul, renew your strength, and fill your heart with His peace. That kind of spiritual glow cannot be purchased in a bottle—it radiates from within.
Stop Picking – Let Skin Heal
I cringe thinking of all the times I attacked a pimple in the mirror. What I didn’t know is that popping can create scars that last years longer than the blemish itself. Even untreated acne can leave marks known as post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Modern treatments like microneedling (aka Collagen Induction Therapy) can work wonders on scars and texture. By creating tiny controlled injuries in the skin, microneedling kickstarts collagen production, softening fine lines, filling pitted scars, and improving overall smoothness. If I’d left my skin alone and trusted the science, I’d have avoided a lot of those stubborn reminders.
Good Skincare Is Worth Every Cent
Back in the day, I bounced between random products without much thought. Now I know that a simple, consistent routine beats a cabinet full of half-used bottles. A solid cleanser, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen are the foundation.
And if you’re serious? Book a professional skin consultation. Dermatologists and dermal therapists can pinpoint what your skin actually needs and save you years of trial and error. Younger me would’ve saved a lot of money (and frustration) by skipping the guesswork.
Tattoos Last Longer Than Regret
Body art can be stunning, but impulse tattoos are another story. The wrong artist, a design you’ve outgrown, or a youthful decision that doesn’t age well can all become a permanent reminder. Yes, laser tattoo removal is highly effective – but it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Treatments usually take 6–12 sessions, and while quick, they can be uncomfortable.
Laser tattoo removal machines work by breaking tattoo ink into microscopic fragments that your body gradually clears away. Fascinating technology, but also a pricey and sometimes painful lesson. Younger me? Think it through before committing that ex’s name to your wrist.
Confidence Is the Ultimate Beauty Secret
The biggest shift of all? Learning to appreciate the skin I’m in. Beauty isn’t about fitting into one ideal – it’s about embracing individuality. We all compare ourselves to others, but it only steals joy.
Confidence, self-acceptance, and kindness toward yourself are what truly make you glow. No cream, serum, or treatment can replicate that.
Looking Ahead
If I could rewind, these are the lessons I’d hammer into my younger self: wear SPF daily, invest in skincare, think twice about tattoos, and never underestimate the power of self-love. But the beauty of it all? It’s never too late to start. Whether you’re 22 or 62, these changes can transform not only your skin but how you feel about yourself.
Because the real secret to timeless beauty isn’t just in products or treatments – it’s in the choices you make every single day.
