Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm a little bit beauty obsessed. I love everything to do with makeup, hair, skincare and nails. I used to get up at 6AM in high school to make sure my hair was perfectly straight or that my face looked airbrushed. I'd go through this 1 & 1/2 - 2 hour routine every single day, even on weekends. These habits stuck with me into college and yes, I've fallen victim to making the mistake of wearing too much makeup or wearing my hair too wild.

Some of that was due to the environment I was in: every girl in my school seemed to look models or as if they'd spent weeks on a tropical getaway when they'd walk the halls. I felt like I should look that way too – and changing my makeup or hair was the easiest way to do just that. Sometimes my intense emotions would get the best of me and I'd pile on makeup, leave my nails half-hazard and tease out my hair because I thought that how I was feeling on the inside should be reflected on the outside. I mean, how you look is an expression of you, right?

I used to think I'd never be the girl without makeup or my hair done. Until one day, I went without all the glam. Then one day turned into one week. And now, my view on looking good has changed so much in such a short amount of time. I wish I could tell my high school self these lessons I've learned, but I think writing this article is the closest thing I can do. Don't do what I did – and maybe these thoughts can help you out if you've ever felt the same pressures.

Make sure you wear makeup or do your hair/nails for the right reasons.

Like I said above, I began to pile on products to look picture-perfect. But you really should use makeup/hair/nail products as a way to express yourself If you're freaking out over your nails being chipped or feel the need to redo a stray curl each day, then maybe you need to take a step back. It's not supposed to stress you out, it's supposed to be something that's fun.

Not getting glammed up = way more time in the mornings/nights.

You won't believe the amount of time you'll save without all the primping. You can sleep in, check social media, read a book or finish homework. You'll love how easy it is to just wash your face with soap and water and be done. Plus you can rub your eyes or fix your hair and not worry about ruining any work you already would have done.

You start to redefine your idea of beauty and image.

I used to think that I had to wear a smokey eye 24/7, even during the day. While there are ways to make it daytime appropriate, I thought it had to be all or nothing. I'd contour, highlight and use blush on a daily basis, and never went without my eyeliner and mascara. Sometimes I'd even wear red lips with all of that other stuff. Too much? Yes. Did I know of another way? Not really.

But now I see smokey eyes as a sometimes thing, and my day to day look is way less of an overhaul. While I'll always love my black liner, I now know that a little bit can go a long way. Besides, people really don't look at you any different if you don't wear makeup or use hairspray one day. Plus you start to feel more comfortable in your own skin and it's easier to accept flaws.

Sometimes your skin deserves a break and your hair needs a detox. You'll feel better in no time, I promise.

Without layers of foundation and powder, your skin can breathe. Without tons of hair gel and serums, your natural texture can be restored. Plus, it's just nice to be able to wake up on a Saturday morning feel refreshed and not have black smudges under your eyes or lines on your pillow from foundation. Your hair will feel soft and manageable instead of crispy or crunchy. Learning to love the natural look can be a challenge, but I went from going 8-5 with a full face to being fresh faced most days for lectures. Even one day can help, so just try it.