With New Year’s around the corner, it’s the perfect time to begin the year with a fresh start. While most people think of New Year’s Resolutions as solutions to tackle issues like losing weight or changing mindsets, this season is also great for kickstarting beauty resolutions.
Similar to more traditional resolutions, you’ll want to create goals that you’re likely to stick to. The overarching goal should be to turn goals into habits that become effective behaviors. So, if you need a little beauty resolution inspo before the New Year begins, keep reading.
Fresh Face Every Night
Whether you’re team #fullfaceofmakeup or not, resolve to invest in a great nighttime skincare routine. While this doesn’t have to be an elaborate 11-step process inspired by the most dedicated K-Beauty converts, a good skincare routine can help minimize acne flare-ups, control oil production, and even improve the look and feel of your skin’s texture.
Resolve to not just go to bed with a bare face every night, but put the time in to properly cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Likewise, add a few serums in there to tackle your specific skin care concerns, and pick a few days a week to dedicate to exfoliation. A bonus is that this can also serve as a great bit of self-care every night.
Do a Weekly Brush Cleanse
Just like your face needs to be properly cleansed, so do your brushes. Continuing to use dirty brushes for extended periods simply reintroduces dirt, bacteria, oils, dead skin, and other unimaginable grime back into your skin with every swipe of that brush head. Ideally, people should clean their brushes after every use. But at a minimum, you should clean your brushes once a week. Pick a day, and stick to that routine. Best of all, when you maintain a weekly brush cleansing schedule, it takes less time versus waiting until every brush you own is filthy.
Get More Sleep
The best hack to nailing makeup routines is to have a healthy canvas — i.e. your face. While some skin concerns can’t be corrected by getting more rest, tiredness and dryness can both be linked to poor sleep. Aim to go to bed earlier if needed, and create an environment that’s conducive to rest. Keep your room’s temperature between 68 and 72 degrees. Avoid using electronics too close to bedtime, and ensure that your space is sufficiently dark to help you drift off to dreamland.
Drink More Water
Proper hydration is another key habit that can often impact your complexion. Again, dry or dull skin can also be improved by making sure that you’re getting enough water. While not everyone likes the taste of plain water, consider incorporating citrus slices, or other fresh fruit for a naturally sweetened burst of flavor. Likewise, consider unsweetened teas as another great source of healthy hydration.
Purge Your Vanity
Even if you’re a makeup junkie, know when to let go of products that are past their prime. At best, old makeup can be more difficult to apply because the formulas have started to break down. But in a worst-case scenario, old makeup can harbor bacteria — encouraging terrible reactions or infections.
Although most makeup isn’t stamped with official use-by dates, they usually feature a general timeline for when to toss it once opened. In most cases, this ranges from three to 12 or even 24 months depending on the formula. But as a general guide, if it’s been several months since you’ve cracked open a previously opened makeup product, it might be a good idea to toss it.
Likewise, brushes also have a finite shelf life. While it’s a bit less appealing to toss a makeup brush a few months after purchasing, your skin might thank you for the refresh. But if you need a sign that it’s time to get new brushes, if the bristles are falling out, or the ferrule is damaged, you’ll want to upgrade to a fresh brush.