Body & beauty

New year beauty resolutions

Of all the promises we make to ourselves for the new year, these ten are ones you’ll definitely want to keep

1. I WILL CLEANSE, TONE AND MOISTURISE

A simple skincare regime that we don’t all adhere to. Skincare expert Imedla Burke (beingcontent.com) explains why each step is so crucial for clear skin. “The twice daily ritual of cleansing, toning and moisturising the skin ensures that we have prepped it in the morning for make-up, and pollution, whereas the night ritual is geared towards repair and rejuvenation. Dual-purpose toners or elixirs that contain hyaluronic acid keep skin hydrated during the day and aid repair overnight.”

2. I WILL NOT SLEEP IN MY MAKEUP

Shocking but not uncommon as one in four women climbs into bed with their make up. “This will inevitably lead to clogged pores,” says dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams. (eudelo.com). “They can become easily inflamed, resulting in pimples. More importantly, not washing your face in the evening will leave harmful pollution chemicals contributing to oxidative stress. Don’t be tempted by the ‘easy’ option as face wipes sit somewhere between leave-on and rinse-off and don’t do

3. I WILL WEAR SPF EVERY DAY

Although we don’t see sun like Spain, wearing SPF every day is essential for preventing the ageing process. The ozone layer is depleting, therefore our skin needs protection from harmful rays, even when the sun isn’t shining. Whether you work inside or out, UVA penetrates through glass and can lead to spider veins, loss of fullness in lips and wrinkle formations on the face, neck, hands or chest. No thank you. Although make-up brands are now incorporating SPF in their products, don’t presume they all include them.

4. I WILL DETOX MY TOOLS

As one of the main culprits for skin break-outs, celebrity facialist Anastasia Achilleos tells us how we can keep it clean. “Sponges, make-up brushes, cloths, and absolutely anything that’s used to clean or touch your skin is loaded with bacteria and fungus if left too long. Without cleaning your tools you can’t get the best from them. Rinse after every use with warm soapy water, spray with anti-bacteria sprays and leave to dry out.”

5. I WILL BE KINDER TO MY HAIR

Twisted up or straightened down, we put our tresses through their paces. “One should approach haircare like skincare, remember to moisturise hair regularly for as long as possible,” says celebrity hairdresser Louise Galvin (louisegalvin.com). “Never comb the product through the hair until you’re ready to rinse. Add a little water to the hair to loosen the product then tease tangles out gently working from the bottom up. Avoid using products full of silicone as it weighs the hair down making it dull over time.”

6. I WILL MASSAGE

Face massage has been tried and tested for years, but why is it so good for our complexion? “In short, it plays an essential part in giving the skin that glow we all desperately want and keeps us looking young,” facialist Yvonne Martin explains. “It increases blood circulation whilst stimulating lymphatic flow and flushing out impurities and breaking down toxins which can lead to congestion. Ask your facialist for the best at-home techniques to release toxins and reveal glowing skin.”

7. I WILL UPGRADE MY REGIMEN

We’ve all got our fail-safe, desert-island must-haves but every now and again it’s good to be unfaithful to your beauty products and see what else is out there.

8. I WILL BE BOLD

Since supermodel Cara Delevingne strutted, eyebrows first, onto the catwalk, this trend isn’t going anywhere for 2016. “Bold brows look great on the runway but you never want to go overboard for an everyday look,” RMS Beauty founder and make-up artist Rose-Marie Swift tells us. “Do a subtle bold brow by using a fine angled brow brush and shadow or polish. Never square off the corners of the brow, as this looks too hard and unflattering.”

9. I WILL DARE TO BARE

The ‘no makeup-makeup’ look is big for 2016, but it’s not quite as naked as you think. “This look is all about your skin so ensure you prep it well by using a gentle scrub followed by a good moisturiser,” makeup artist Louise Dartford (louisedartford.com) tells us. “Use a lightweight foundation or BB cream and a concealer for anywhere that needs coverage. Add a healthy glow by applying a cream blusher along the cheekbones followed by a cream highlighter on the brow bones, inner corners of the eyes and eyelids. Try ‘pushing’ a dark matt shadow into the lash line with a flat liner brush and curl lashes. A slick of balm on the lips finishes the look.”

10. I WILL DRINK MORE WATER

“Your skin needs to stay moist in order to be healthy,” celebrity facialist Su-Man Hsu (su-man.com) tells us. “Without water it will be producing oil to compensate, which can lead to breakouts. Regularly replenishing your skin with liquids will help your skin stay soft and moisturised. Drinking lots of water will help give you a clearer complexion on the outside as well as keeping you cleansed on the inside.”