We’ve reached the last quarter of the year and that means the holiday season draws ever closer. We’ll be seeing more and more people than we have over the last few months, if not years, and somehow, some of us (myself included) want to just update how we look.

When it comes to changing our appearance, most people think of dramatic transformations, which may include chopping off one’s hair, dyeing it a vibrant shade, or perhaps in this age of countless facial enhancements, a face treatment here and there, invasive or otherwise. There’s nothing wrong with those, but for a lot of us, we just want something more subtle, which are not only more practical, they’re also just as effective. You don’t have to go big to get prettier. The devil is often in the details. Focusing on small changes can go a long way in making you look refreshed, youthful, more radiant, more alert, and more relaxed—if these are the effects you’re after.

In the spirit of less is more, what changes can you make to your face that will instantly give you the glow you need? There are so many, but here are five ideas to get you started:

Photo courtesy of Maybelline

1. Update your skincare products

Investing in quality skincare products that work for us can be a game-changer. As we grow older, how to keep our skin glowing and hydrated is not the only problem we need to manage. If you have not taken good care of your skin in your younger years, your skin can show unpleasant signs of neglect, such as dark spots, under-eye circles, and wrinkles from loss of collagen as early as in your 30s. Some of the most common issues you might face in your 30s and later include dull skin and sagging of the fragile skin under your eyes.

It’s never too late to look after your skin, and switching to products that work better for your changing skin concerns can take some years of neglect off your face. The right products can help heal your skin at its present state and restore its strength and hydration, giving you a refreshed glow.

2. Experiment with facial jewelry

Do you already have an existing eye, nose, or lip piercing, or maybe even multiple piercings on your earlobes? Or maybe you’ve been considering getting one but haven’t yet? Trying out a new jewelry piece is definitely an interesting change you can make to your look. The difference may be subtle, but new nose piercing studs could completely transform your appearance, for instance. As a rule of thumb, you want to cleanse facial jewelry frequently to avoid issues. So, the next time you what to change up your piercing, why not look at alternative styles?

Unsplash – CC0 License

3. Switch up your go-to lipstick color

A lot of us already have a favorite brand and shade of lipstick. Wearing lipstick has the effect of making some of us feel more confident and empowered. However, when you always wear the same shade, it can get dull and boring, don’t you think so? Some may even get so used to the color, it becomes an expected part of our face that we don’t even notice. One of the easiest changes you can make to give yourself a new look is to try a new lip color.

When it comes to finding the right shade and style, it’s important to pay close attention to your lips and skin tone. Too-often chapped lips can benefit from a moisturizing and protective lipstick. If you’re used to wearing only a light hint of color, why not try highly pigmented lipsticks for a change?

4. Learn some new eyeliner tricks

Eye makeup is a definite eye-catcher if you want to enhance your look, but let’s admit it: Doing eye makeup on a regular basis can be too demanding of our ever dwindling time. Nobody’s got time to make the perfect smoky eyes before heading to the office in the morning—especially not moms who had to tend to their toddlers first! So rather than going for a full look, it can be easier to change the focus on your eyes with just some nifty eyeliner techniques.

Photo courtesy of Maybelline

The popular natural line on the upper lid is a simple look to master and one you can reproduce daily. But you can also spice things up a bit with new and exciting methods like the following:

• Fishtail liner, which uses a skinny gel eyeliner to draw two clean lines around the eye, inspired by the Ancient Egyptian look (see left photo above)
• Thick winged liner, which has a playful ‘60s edge to it (see first photo at the top of the article)
• Using colored liquid liner on the upper lash line or framing the eyes in different vibrant shades of blue, green, or more (right photo above)

5. Hair accessories

Hair accessories can be a playful addition to a ponytail or loose locks to help frame your face. You can change your look just by wearing your hair differently, like using pretty hairpins and hair ties to create an elevated ponytail to highlight your face and make you look more youthful, or letting your hair down and just putting on a cute hair clip on one side when you’re used to just pulling all your hair back in a bun. The options are endless when it comes to hairstyling! You may even opt to either straighten your hair or wear subtle curls if you have the time to spare.

Playing on focal points, skin health, and proportions can transform your face without doing anything drastic. Whatever the occasion, be it an upcoming big reunion or you really just want a fresh new look at work or to a dinner date, there is so much you can achieve with the right accessories and routine.