By Carrie McKeown After an indulgent few weeks over the festive season, during which the majority of us tend to overdo it on several fronts, the New Year usually begins with a whole lot of good intentions. While you’re in a motivated mood and determined to ditch those pesky bad habits for 2016, why not start small and begin with your beauty routine? Here are my top 10 beauty resolutions to keep in mind for the year ahead.
By Carrie McKeown
After an indulgent few weeks over the festive season, during which the majority of us tend to overdo it on several fronts, the New Year usually begins with a whole lot of good intentions. While you’re in a motivated mood and determined to ditch those pesky bad habits for 2016, why not start small and begin with your beauty routine? Here are my top 10 beauty resolutions to keep in mind for the year ahead.
1. Remove all make-up before sleep
It’s a simple one, but also very important to keep in mind. Skin sheds and restores while we sleep, but pores clogged with the day’s make-up puts a spanner in the works of this natural process. Also, heavy eye make-up that is not properly removed can cause irritation around the sensitive eye area.
2. Get your beauty sleep
Again, it goes without saying, but regular early nights and plenty of shut eye is a must for healthy looking skin – and best of all, it’s completely free!
3. Clean as you go
We go to great lengths to keep our skin looking young and healthy, so don’t let something as easily avoidable as dirty make-up brushes undo all your good work. Clean all brushes at least once a fortnight with warm, soapy water (use Johnson’s Baby Shampoo for a more delicate alternative to soap) and allow to air dry to avoid a build-up of bacteria on the skin.
4. Be sun savvy
Treat yourself to a brand new moisturiser for the New Year using those Christmas gift vouchers, but make sure to invest in one that has an SPF of at least 15. No matter what the weather is like, you should never face the elements without ensuring your skin is protected from the sun’s rays.
5. Smile!
As the saying goes, ‘you’re never fully dressed without a smile’, so make sure your smile sparkles by flossing regularly after meals.
6. Step outside your comfort zone
Whether it’s trying out that bold red lipstick you’ve been mulling over or going for a dramatic smoky eye, experimentation will keep your beauty routine on its toes!
7. Get curly
Introduce an eyelash curler into your daily make-up ritual. The added curl followed by an application of mascara will enhance your natural look in a subtle but effective way.
8. Exfoliate regularly
Get rid of dead skin cells on your face and body by exfoliating once or twice a week. This will renew the skin and keep it in glowing condition.
9. Treat your tresses
Ensure your crowning glory always enhances your overall look by keeping it in top condition. Use a leave-in conditioning treatment once a week, apply heat protection spray before styling and give yourself a break from the straighteners and tongs every once in a while!
10. Ask questions!
When buying new products or looking to change up your regular make-up routine, don’t be afraid to ask the experts behind the beauty counter for their help and advice.
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