Pregnancy has always been a beautiful miracle. But now it is also considered sexy. When Vanity Fair put Demi Moore’s apparently naked and heavily pregnant body on the cover of its magazine in 1991, she made a lasting statement that a woman could be pregnant and beautiful.
If you’re not ready to brag that much, don’t worry. Here are ten beauty tips to help you look and feel great during your pregnancy.
1. Show your legacy. In summer, shorts and sundresses have never looked better. In winter, a miniskirt with tights and flat shoes are in style.
2. For a special night out, a pair of black velvet pants with an elasticated waist and a flared top looks romantic, even elegant. This is the time when you can rock a nice V neckline and show off your new voluptuous cleavage.
3. Raid your man’s closet for a shirt. Roll up the sleeves and add a piece of jewelry for a feminine touch. But not. Men’s fashion is long and loose, perfect for pregnancy.
4. Treat yourself to a new bra. Being pregnant means that your old size will no longer work, because you can gain up to five pounds in your breasts. For most women, a bra with wide straps that aren’t too skinny helps provide much-needed support. This is not only important to prevent sagging, but wearing the correct size bra will also make your clothes look better.
5. Add some highlights to your hair. Coloring all of your hair, such as dyeing or bleaching, is not recommended during pregnancy because the scalp absorbs some of the chemicals. (Can be identified in urine.) But adding highlights is safe, because the hair dye is applied a half to an inch from the scalp, so the chemicals can’t get into your bloodstream.
6. Keep your skin supplemented with pure cocoa butter. Using a natural moisturizer on your stomach and breasts is safe and will help prevent, or at least minimize, stretch marks. Equally important is to keep the weight gain slow and gradual so that the skin does not stretch too quickly.
7. Forget those old-fashioned tents that make you look even bigger than you are. It’s all the rage now to flaunt your baby bump, and stretchy tops and empire waists are flattering. Being pregnant is sexy!
8. Get a pair of cute ballerinas. In France, and throughout Hollywood, they are all the rage with pregnant and non-pregnant women alike. Invest in a good pair that provides arch support and is made of a breathable material like leather or canvas. A pair of shoes that have a low, wide heel (one to one and a half inches) is also a good choice. Remember, you may need a larger or wider shoe size during pregnancy, so try them on before you buy.
9. Wearing a monochrome outfit (all one color) or clothing with vertical lines creates the illusion of length and is flattering on all body types.
10. Buy yourself a chic new bag. It will make you look fashionable and you won’t have to worry about outgrowing it later!
And finally, everyone looks their best when rested and healthy. Get plenty of sleep, exercise, and “eat clean.” This is not the time for unhealthy junk food that makes you feel sluggish and doesn’t do your baby any good either. And remember, there are beauty benefits to being pregnant, too.
The “beauty glow” of pregnancy has the science to back it up. The increased blood volume and circulation during pregnancy enhances the skin and makes it beautifully luminescent. And thanks to hormonal changes, brittle nails become stronger and hair shinier. One last thing: never underestimate the glow that comes from being happy. Many moms-to-be say that they have never felt more beautiful or more alive than when they are pregnant!