We all know that old habits die hard, and with a new year upon us most people are trying to make their old habits die hard with a vengeance (shout out to Bruce Willis). While we all feel the urge to scramble straight to the gym, following what I presume was a month where nary a calorie was counted, don’t forget that just like people new year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes (I’ve clearly watched too many feel-good Christmas specials). So with that in mind, make 2014 your best beauty year yet with these practical resolutions.
Spend time saving face
No matter how in denial we are about the fact that we are now in the throes of winter, you better believe that your skin never forgets. We’ve seen the havoc the winter can wreak on the city, and it can have disparaging effects on our skin as well. So this year make it a priority to pamper your skin, whether you visit a spa or do it yourself, and I can assure you that your efforts will not go unrewarded.
Fall asleep fresh-faced
I know it can be hard to take that extra step, especially after an exhausting day, but your skin will thank you in the end. Although many beauty items boast all-day wear, they can be particularly drying to skin and can clog pores if kept on overnight. Contrary to all television and movies, going to sleep in makeup does not ensure you will wake up with a flawless face of make-up and freshly done hair – so it’s best to stay grounded in reality and take those extra few minutes to give your face a good scrub every night.
Out with the old, in with the effective
While it may be tempting to hold on to the extremely cheap drug store product that has lasted you since first year university, sometimes your best bet is to give it up (like all the fried food you promised to oust after Christmas). While your makeup might not be teeming with mold, it’s important to remember that just like food, makeup does have an expiry date and mo matter how hard it is you’ve got to let some stuff go. So if your makeup bag looks like it could be featured on Hoarders then something’s got to give. Prioritize quality over quantity and stick to products that you can wholly stand behind.
Try something trendy
While it’s always a good philosophy to stick to the shades that you know look good, it never hurts to switch it up every so often. Today’s trendsetters are stepping outside of the box, bringing with them an array of fun and sophisticated options to try. Whether you opt for a bold lip in a different shade than usual, or add a bit of winged liner to your daytime look for a subtle statement, you’ve got 12 brand new months to discover some new favourites and expand your beauty arsenal.