BEAUTY RESOLUITONS

Happy, Happy New Year Beauties! I hope your 2015 is off to a great start! I love January because it is a fresh start and a great time to map out the year. One of my main goals this year, and my husband’s as well, is to launch our skin care line. We created products which are effective, medical grade, affordable and easy to use. I am happy to say we are nearly there! How are your resolutions going? Below are some beauty resolutions that I have made for 2015 and so far, so good! Try incorporating some of my beauty resolutions into your daily, weekly, or monthly beauty routine to honor your skin, hair and beauty space.

Wash my makeup brushes every other night

Yes, this a lofty goal but it is worth it. Make-up brushes can be breeding grounds for bacteria and swiping bacteria laden make-up brushes all over your face is a recipe for clogged pores and acne. Good make-up brushes are worth investing in and consistently cleaning them will help protect your investment by making sure they last for as long as possible.

How to clean make-up brushes- Wet the bristles with warm water and wash with a shampoo or a mild soap. You can always purchase a brush cleanser, but I personally prefer to use shampoo. And, better yet, it’s one less thing you have to buy especially since most of us beauty addicts have our favorite shampoo nearby at all times. After washing, lay the brush on a clean and flat surface to dry. If you prop the brush up or put it into a cup while wet, water can leak into the handle. This can lead to rust and cause the handle to eventually crack. Helpful hint- Before you lay the brushes down for drying, make sure to shape the bristles!

Remove my face makeup as soon as I get home

Even though running to the sink to wash your makeup off immediately after you get home would be best I can rarely muster the energy or make the time to do that. A good compromise? Just wipe it off with a makeup removing cloth. My favorite ones are by Ponds. They are gentle, great for all skin types and they remove my foundation and concealer in under 30 seconds. I wash my entire face before I go to bed and that removes my eye makeup and mascara. Why is this important? Because the less time you spend with makeup on your skin the healthier your skin will be. Also, because some of us, not you of course, forget to wash our faces all together if you have most of it off before you fall asleep the less likely it is that you will breakout or clog your pores. Sleeping with makeup on is terrible for your skin, incorporating this simple habit into your daily routine will help prevent that.

Do a weekly facial and hair mask at home

As many of you may know I have acne prone skin but by committing to a great skin care routine I have been able to maintain clear healthy skin. Do I still breakout here and there absolutely but when I do things like a weekly mask they happen less. Do you have dry skin? Lackluster skin? Healthy skin? Then you are a great candidate for a weekly mask! Everyone can benefit from a weekly mask, that includes men too!

I love when my hair looks shiny and healthy. How do I get it to stay that way? A weekly deep conditioning mask! My favorite ones are reparative or super moisturizing ones. Stay tuned for my favorite facial and hair masks- blog post coming soon!

Do a monthly professional treatment

It is worth investing in your skin. Women in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond should do this. A professional cleaning and exfoliation of your skin helps with fine lines, wrinkles, texture, hyperpigmentation, acne and overall skin health. Look at how much you are spending on your daily coffee, makeup, hair coloring/cutting/straightening/extensions, eyelash extensions, happy hours etc. etc. and figure out how to include a monthly professional skin care treatment in your budget. A couple of my favorite treatments are the HydraFacial and microdermabrasion. Do some research and find a medical office that offers these treatments in your area. Your skin will look noticeably more beautiful and youthful.

Throw Away Old Make-up

Nothing is more cleansing or therapeutic for me than throwing away old things. Using old makeup can make you sick and a cluttered beauty space can be anxiety inducing. So out with the old and in with the new! As soon as I start to get sentimental my mantra is: “Throw away what you no longer need to make room for what you want.” There is a lot conflicting advice on the expiration date of makeup and when you should throw it out. I think erring on the side of caution is always best. Lipstick, mascara and other types of makeup are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. A good rule of thumb is to throw anything away that looks or smells differently than it did when you bought it. Below is a breakdown of what works for me.