Follow these 9 beauty resolutions, to help you start the new year afresh, take better care of yourself and love the skin you are in.
At the start of a new year we all make some resolutions to start taking better care of ourselves.
These easy beauty resolutions will help you create a new self-care routine and start the new year with a fresh outlook.
Resolution #1. Clean Your Brushes
You pretty much use them every day, but how many times a year do you wash your make-up brushes? For most of us, it’s close to none.
The general rule is to wash your concealer and foundation sponges and brushes at least once a week.
Your eye shadow and liner brushes once a fortnight and all other brushes (including your hairbrush) once a month.
Gently wash the bristles with brush cleaner or a gentle facial cleanser, keeping the handle of the brushes dry then gently press out the excess water on some paper towel or a clean tissue and leave to air dry overnight.
Resolution #2 Wear Sunscreen Everyday
If there is one beauty resolution to live by, it should be to wear sunscreen every day, including cloudy days. While UVB – the rays which burn your skin – might not be as strong during the cooler months, the ageing UVA rays are present all year round.
With SPF50+ now available, increase your skin protection factor to the highest possible rating and save your complexion from unnecessary daily damage.
Resolution #3. Try out some new skin care products
Your skin gets used to the same products so switch it up every time the season changes. It takes time to achieve a flawless complexion, so give your products around 6 – 8 weeks to prove their efficacy.
Anti-ageing and targeted treatments like skin brightening serums usually take about 6 weeks of daily application to start showing results, while a total skin care regime overhaul should see improvements in around 4 – 6 weeks. Definitely try other products if you’re not getting any results after 8 weeks.
Resolution #4. Nourish your nails and cuticles
During the warmer months nails can become dehydrated just like your hair and skin. Factors like soaps, dish washing detergent, and too much fun in the sun will affect the strength of your nails, potentially causing them to become brittle and break, chip, or flake.
You can repair the damage with a good hand cream that you should apply at least (minimum) twice a day and a cuticle oil that you apply last thing at night before you go to bed.
Other helpful things you can do to repair some damage is to always wear gloves when doing your dishes and always use acetone-free nail polish remover.
When purchasing your next nail shade, look for nail polishes that are Formaldehyde, DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) and Toluene FREE.
Resolution #5. Shelve your shampoo
Do you wash your hair every day? It may be time to stop. Daily washing can strip your scalp of natural oils, leaving it dehydrated. In turn your scalp will produce more oil to help balance the moisture, making it even oilier.
Generally washing your hair every second day is fine. It might take a while for your scalp to readjust, so use a dry shampoo to soak up any unwanted sebum which will leave your hair looking clean and healthy between washes.
Resolution #6. Look after your cleavage
Ladies when it comes to anti-ageing and sun protection, your neck and your décolletage are a definite age giveaway so taking care of it is just as important as your face. In terms of skin texture and thickness, there’s little difference between your face, neck and chest.
The simple solution is to start using your face care products on your decolletage and slather any skin that the sun will see with SPF50+ sunscreen for added protection.
Resolution #7. Touch up the greys
Whether your hair colour is natural or chemically-enhanced, it will always benefit from a little TLC. For non-coloured hair, invest in a treatment or clear gloss every time you visit your hairdresser and if your hair is coloured, commit to touching up your roots when greys or regrowth appears.
Semi-permanent hair dyes will nourish your ends and add shine, while permanent shades will stand the test of time.
Ladies this also means looking after your brows. Brow maintenance is an extremely important part of looking young. Greying brows isn’t a good look on anyone so consider having your brows regularly groomed with a regular tint session or brow henna appointment.
Resolution #8. Embrace serums in your skin care routine
Unsure of what a serum does? Think of it as a vitamin kick for your skin. Cleansing eliminates dirt, oil and make-up from your skin, whilst moisturiser adds hydration.
Serums are best applied after you have cleansed and toned your skin but before your moisturiser. They target issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, wrinkle pigmentation and uneven texture by going deep into the skin’s surface and fixing the problem on a cellular level.
Serums are often the most technologically advanced skincare products in a range, so if you want a flawless complexion it’s time to invest in one.
Resolution #9. Check expiry dates
Like food, most beauty products have a use-by-date. As a rough guide, single dose products like single use samples should be discarded the day they are opened.
Most peels and masks are good for 3 months once opened.
While anything with salicylic or glycolic acid lasts around 6 months.
Moisturiser without anti-ageing ingredients can last years, but once ingredients like vitamin A or hydroquinone are added, the shelf life is reduced.
Sunscreen can last up to 2 years but don’t expose it to heat or direct sunlight as this causes UV filters to break down.
More Articles from our Blog…
9 strategies to help you manage your cravings
Rather than letting your reactions to stress control your eating habits, you can eat to help control your reactions to…
9 signs you are addicted to technology
You can reclaim your life, by being more present and noticing these 9 signs you are addicted to technology. Technology…
Conquering the Zit Zone
Conquering the zit zone is not easy, especially when you’re a teenager or when you’ve got your period. Pimples are…
