New Year Beauty Resolutions
New Year, new you? January is the perfect time to commence a beauty overhaul, so start 2014 as you mean to go on with our skin-savvy and make-up must-do resolutions...
Rex FeaturesI WILL detox my make-up bag and tools
Tut, tut. We beauty junkies often find ourselves hoarding when it comes to make-up, but most cosmetics have a shelf-life and will become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria if kept too long. A regular make-up bag detox is essential, and a good rule of thumb is anything older than a year should be tossed (though mascaras should be thrown out after 4 months). And honestly, when was the last time you washed your brushes? We’re not just talking the matter of cleanliness – although the obvious build up of grease, grime and bacteria is gross-out enough – but those unwashed brushes won’t perform as well as they should thanks to the build-up of make-up and oils. Wash in warm soapy water and allow to air dry once a fortnight.
Go RunwayI WILL cleanse, tone and moisturise
2014's hottest beauty trends are all about a fresh, crystal-clear glowing complexion, and there's only one way you'll achieve this: look after your skin. That healthy, dewy finish starts with a daily three-step skincare regime, so we'd recommend setting up a few appointments at different brands' counters, gathering in lots of samples and seeing what works best for you before splashing out.
Rex FeaturesI WILL NOT sleep in my make-up
You might have done so once or twice over party season (after all, you’re only human - and that last shot sent you on a one-way trip to zzzz-ville), but sleeping in your make-up is the biggest beauty no-no going. When you doze, you're getting more than rest - a secretion of hormones repairs skin tissues and cell protein production is increased, which helps reverse any damage from stress or UV rays. Your skin needs to breathe to allow the magic to happen, and that heavy layer of make-up will suffocate pores, leaving them vulnerable to the dirt and bacteria you’ve picked up during the day.
I WILL dare to wear
Stuck in a make-up rut? The start of a new year is the perfect time to break it, so dare to wear hot pink lipstick, neon nails or lavish false lashes! Simply sporting a splash of colour you’d usually shy away from can give a real confidence boost and completely transform your tired look.
I WILL wear SPF everyday
Any skin-savvy soul will tell you that SPF is the most effective means of slowing down the ageing process. Make sure your daily moisturiser contains at least SPF15, and for gawd’s sake, use it all year round! The sun may be weaker come winter, but those sneaky UVA rays (responsible for damage and ageing) are present whatever the weather.
I WILL remove my chipped polish
We love a painted nail, but the second that polish starts to chip, your formerly manicured mitts will look more at home on Courtney Love. We know it’s tricky to find the time, but all you need to set aside is five minutes to tidy - and if you can’t find the time to paint, and then at least take it all off and go au natural!
I WILL massage
Top facialists swear by facial massage, and it's something us mere mortals can easily slot into our daily beauty routine – your skin will look fresher, more evenly toned and instantly more radiant. Use a light facial oil and the pads of your fingers and simply massage with firm, circular movements. Start at the neck and work upwards over cheekbones, nose, around the eyes and finishing on your forehead.
I WILL curl my lashes
There’s a reason why top make-up artists wouldn’t leave the house without wielding their trusty lash curlers – it really is a make-up must-do! A simple 30 seconds of curling can really give lashes that irresistible flirty flutter we all hanker after. Choose a curler with padded cushions to protect your lashes and heat the pad first with your hairdryer - you’ll be left with a set of doe eyes even Bambi would covet.
Rex FeaturesI WILL exfoliate
It’s essential to scour off those dead skin cells if you want your skin to glow with radiance and health. By ridding your complexion and bod of dead surface skin, you’ll reveal the fresher, more luminous you that lies beneath. What’s more, regular exfoliation helps the skin to renew itself, as the older we get, the slower the skin’s own shedding process becomes. Do so once or twice a week and you’ll soon see the difference.
I WILL give up smoking
It may seem obvious to end with the most widespread resolution of all - but it’s also necessary. Smoking creates dull, lifeless skin, causes wrinkles, leaves nails and teeth discoloured, and hair dry and lacklustre. And when you think that cigarette smoke contains more than 4000 toxins, many of which are absorbed directly into the bloodstream and therefore taken straight into the structure of your skin, it’s hardly surprising, eh? So unless you think that sticking your blusher brush into an ashtray would be a good look, it might be time to stub out those cigs for good.
