5 Beauty Resolutions for 2012
Ah, a new year full of hope and big resolutions. However, resolutions notoriously tend to fall by the wayside before February because grand designs don’t always translate out to reality. Instead of generalities like “I want to look better this year,” you’re more likely to see resolutions through to 2013 if you craft reasonable, specific beauty goals for 2012, ones that will increase your global wellbeing and confidence, like these!
End the Raccoon Cycle
You’re busy. It’s understandable. But please, please remember that if you heed those “Sleep when you’re dead” T-shirts, you’ll get there a lot sooner. A good under-eye concealer can make you look alert, but it won’t take care of all the other restorative processes that your body undergoes while you get your recommended eight hours a night. If you don’t believe it, just try creating a sleep schedule and sticking to it for one week. The experiment might astonish you.
Stay Clean
For the love of all that is good and holy, swab your eye makeup off with gentle, soft cotton pads and a makeup remover. Cleanse with a washcloth and non-abrasive or foaming facial soap. Every night. Period. Your gasping pores don’t get a night off, so, sorry, neither do you. Wash your brushes regularly: you can use either a fancy brush cleaner or simply go for baby shampoo which works almost as well. Congratulations, you’re on your way to eliminating breakouts.
Create a Beauty Routine that Won’t Kill You
Unfortunately, we’re all tempted by the expediency of, “if it’s pretty, it’s fine by me.” Years and years of putting harsh but supposedly beneficial products on the skin can have frightening repercussions, so buy products with ingredients that you recognize as being beneficial or at least innocuous. If the idea of overhauling your entire skin and beauty regimen daunts you, start small. Replace one key product with one that has better ingredients or health benefits. For instance, the skincare line by Aveeno offers a wide range of products with wholesome ingredients like soy and vitamin E. And remember, just because something claims that it comprises only “natural” ingredients doesn’t mean you have to trust that it will improve your skin or body. Plenty of harmful compounds occur in nature. Dare to be bright and beautiful: research ingredients. Another rule of thumb: if it doesn’t feel good, than it’s probably not good for you. You might really love the smell of that shower gel, but if it leaves your skin irritated and flakey, purchase a better product and let a perfume or an essential oil dispenser take care of aromatherapy.
Stay Hydrated
The Mayo Clinic recommends about nine cups of hydrating liquids for adult women per day. That means water and juice, but caffeinated beverages don’t help as much. To make sure that your face stays dewy instead of prune-like, invest in a good moisturizer and block out aging dryness. If you like an alcoholic drink now and again, be sure to temper that with at least an equal amount of water around the same time since too much merry making dehydrates your whole body. In fact, that’s what a hangover is. Your skin and your brain will thank you for years to come…
Brush Up on Your Technique
All the best makeup and beauty products in the world won’t amount to a hill of beans if you don’t know how to apply them. Read instructions! It may sound self explanatory, but please get the details right before you slather your face in a peeling, firming, super anti-oxidizing mask. Learn how to give yourself a brush massage or how to put on moisturizers in smooth, circular movement in order to invigorate the skin. The ultimate master class for this is the facial: book an appointment at your favorite spa and justify the expense by really paying attention to what the skincare professional is doing. Chances are, you can easily replicate the motions designed to revive and stimulate your tired skin. Another pampering, but instructive way to gain some perspective on your strategies for using that goldmine of cosmetics you’ve stowed away, having your makeup done by a career beautician can really open your eyes to small tricks that make a big difference, especially with an array of quality brushes. Just ask that the session take place in front of a mirror and be sure to ask lots of questions for your money’s worth!
