Beauty Tips for each Phase of your Menstrual Cycle

All female primates go through a menstrual cycle, and the efficiency of this cycle is reliant upon a symphony of hormones that dictates our reproductive capacity throughout the month, but also has a say in our energy levels, mood, appetite, sleep, and even our beauty. Here’s how you can feel your most beautiful at all stages of your cycle

Menstrual Phase

Feeling pretty on your period can be hard. Between the cramps, bloating, and low energy, going into goblin mode sounds like the only option during this phase. It’s a good idea to rest, but there are things we can do as well. Water retention is a common symptom of the menstrual phase, so things like proper hydration (water AND electrolytes), gua sha, and support for lymphatic drainage pathways can move fluids through your body better, and relieve the heaviness that comes with your period. Sleep with a pillow under your head to keep fluid from pooling in your face, and now might be the time to put an extra drop of blush on to keep your skin looking bright and youthful. Steer clear of tight hairstyles, as the sudden estrogen dip can cause your follicles to weaken, causing unnecessary hair loss, so pulling at your hair is the last thing you should do. A loose, romantic braid can keep your tresses in place without tugging them.

Follicular Phase

Your period ended, and your hormones are on the rise again, specifically estrogen and testosterone, meaning you’re feeling motivated and high energy. You're in your "spring", coming out of your cocoon to say hello again. This is the time to put on that red lipstick and be bold with your beauty. Being experimental is best during this phase, so try styling your hair differently or throwing on that pair of heels that’s been sitting in your closet. Your skin can freak out, either exhibiting dryness or acne because of the sudden hormonal increase, so keep calm and don’t stress it out, just use a gentle cleanser and light moisturizer.

Ovulatory Phase

You’re feeling at your most beautiful, powerful, and motivated, and people are starting to notice. Go get it, tiger! The boys might think you look a little extra pretty lately (there’s science for this), so why not capitalize on it? A slightly more rosy complexion at this time is an evolutionary attraction signal that you’re at your most fertile, so don’t hide your stunning face behind a mask of makeup, let your natural beauty shine! Sumptuous materials like silk, lace, and feminine dresses will be the cherry on top of your look. Your perfume might give you a headache though; as your sense of smell heightens when you’re ovulating, so use discretion when spraying. Besides, your pheromones are at their strongest, so no need to override your natural scent.

Luteal phase

Your hormones can leave your skin feeling greasy and congested, so clay masks and water-based moisturizers are your friend. Your scalp may also be a bit greasier, so a dry shampoo and voluminous hairstyle might be the way to go, or even a slick bun. However, this is a good time to get your hair dyed, as the sebum may protect your scalp from being tender from irritation. Not a good time to wax your body hair, though as you’re more sensitive to pain, so better off waiting until after your period. Flowy dresses are your friend, as this is when some of the bloat and breast tenderness starts, so you don’t want to be constricted in your pants or a tight bra. Your inner wolf may be starting to snarl, prepping you for the dark winter of your period. A study shows that facial asymmetry is more likely in the Luteal phase. This makes sense, because the Luteal phase is before your period, and your body is secreting hormones to soften your muscles and tissues, which may cause your face to feel a bit less firm than usual. Be delicate with your skin, and it may even benefit from a massage to allow for more even blood flow into your facial muscles and perk them up.

Source

Marcinkowska U. M. and Holzleitner I. J. 2020, Stability of women's facial shape throughout the menstrual cycle Proc. R. Soc. B.2872019291020192910 https://doi.org/10.1098%2Frspb.2019.2910

There are multiple studies on aspects of attractiveness and fertility that come to the same conclusions, but this one is comprehensive and contains multiple elements of this theory, so this is the source I used