9 Style & Beauty Lessons To Learn From FLOTUS

In my humble opinion as a woman of color in America, Michelle Obama is absolutely amazing. Actually, that's an understatement: She's the bomb dot com. Let me break it down for you: She serves all the queendom of Beyonce on stage in the middle of singing "Sorry," combined with all the grace and feels of a modern day Jackie O. Her grace is so effortless, so regal, that I don't doubt her ability to sing to woodland animals, and charmingly convince them to literally help clean up the whole of the United States of America, just as Snow White did for the seven dwarves.

OK, that might be a slight exaggeration: But can you tell that she's one of my absolute faves?

Not only is Mrs. Obama smart, elegant, and one of my favorite role models of all time, she's also drop dead gorgeous and has a flair for fashion. The following lessons I learned from Michelle Obama are an ode to her excellence, and a eulogy for how much I'll miss her werking (yes, with an "e") the White House next year.

These major beauty lessons encompass the very definition of #BlackGirlMagic from the inside out. Simply put, there will never be another one like her, and here's what she's taught me about looking and feeling your best.

1. Don't Be Afraid To Show Off

Michelle Obama is often celebrated for her charm, class, and strong arms. She doesn't try to hide her muscles, but instead flaunts them with sleeveless dresses and shirts, even when doing so causes a bit of controversy.

2. Smiling is the Fastest Way to Let Your Inner Beauty Show

When it comes to smiling, I'm one of those people who can't help but do it, and I like to imagine that Michelle is, too. She's also moved by a bright smile in others: Remember when she wrote Barack that adorable 55th birthday card? It read, “55 years young and that smile still gets me every single day."

3. You Can Change Your Mood With Your Hair

Michelle is always on point, and that certainly goes for her luxurious locks as well. As African-American women, the presentation of our hair is super important to many of us. Luckily, we've been treated to many tips from Obama's hairstylist over the years so we can emulate her many wonderful looks.

4. Wearing Makeup Can Be Glam Or Simple

Makeup is something that's meant to enhance beauty, not cover it up. FLOTUS does an excellent job of finding the perfect balance between elegance and natural beauty, and she seems to embody every fierce look she tries.

5. Nice Eye Makeup Isn't Difficult To Achieve

"I like black eyeliner and I like pencil," said Obama's makeup artist, Carl Ray, in an interview with Elle about how he does the First Lady's makeup. "I like it with a combination of both. A pencil liner with a liquid felt-tipped pen on top really makes a really nice line." The fact that she's rocking something so simple to achieve serves as a comfort to many makeup novices out there.

6. Skincare Is Key But Doesn't Have To Be Fussy

Usually, it's harder to "give good face" under your makeup if you don't have a solid skin care routine. With her consistent glow and virtually blemish-free skin, FLOTUS takes care of her visage, even if that does just mean keeping it simple. "It's really pretty basic," Obama told health website Prevention about her skincare routine. "I wash my face with a good cleanser, and I use a moisturizer with an SPF. Every now and then I'll go to a dermatologist for microderm or a facial, but I don't have time to do that all the time."

7. Get Your Beauty Sleep

How do you think the First Lady of the United States takes care of two children, and pitches in with initiatives around the USA, all while looking staying completely flawless? Michelle recently confirmed to Prevention that she is "a sleeper," and I don't blame her. She gets her beauty sleep on, and so should you.

8. Daily Exercise is Super Important

Rome wasn't built in a day, and Michelle's biceps weren't either. The First Lady has been very vocal about exercise over the years — in her own life, as well in the lives of Americans. Although exercise isn't 100% necessary to achieve happiness, we could all use a few extra endorphins from time to time.

9. Don't Always Follow the Trends

Michelle Obama is a classic beauty, and she wears that title well in her beauty routine. It's not always necessary to follow all of the trends to stay that way. In a recent interview with InStyle, Michelle explains that she "tends not to worry about the trends, because what works for an 18-year-old selfie queen may not for a 52-year-old First Lady who is a mom of teenagers she is trying to be a good role model for."

FLOTUS has the beauty and style game, like every other area in her life, on lock. She's done amazing things during her last eight years in the White House, and will surely go on to do many more — including continuing to move me with her elegance, style, and poise.