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7 New Year's Resolutions Truly worth Creating For Trend & Beautry
Have you made one of the "typical" New Year's resolutions? You know, lose weight, eat healthy, stress less, find more "me-time?" Not me.
Sorry, but those resolutions have a high potential for failure. And the mere thought of failing seriously stresses me out, which in turn sends me straight to the couch with a jumbo-sized bag of Lays (see where I'm going with this? to make Fashion Styles).
My alternative strategy for 2012: I'm going to start with the small stuff.
For example, my resolutions this year aren't dependent on total abstinence from chocolate and total adherence to follow. Instead, I am laser-focused on one area that desperately needs work: nixing my bad beauty habits. My theory? Reaching these little goals will help me gain the momentum I need to tackle the bigger stuff.
Resolution No. 1: Start exfoliating With the drying winter weather upon us, exfoliating once or twice a week is crucial. I know this -- and yet I still don't whip out my Clarisonic Mia, $119, as often as I know I should.
I also plan to try this homemade exfoliation recipe from Mila Kunis' esthetician Scott-Vincent Borba:
Start by exfoliating skin from head to toe with oatmeal and honey to soothe and condition skin. Next, soak in a lukewarm milk bath made with a half gallon of milk bath made with a half gallon of milk and two Alka-Seltzer tablets (to stimulate oxygen).
Resolution No. 2: Wear sunscreen every day I know, I know -- I shouldn't be cutting corners on this one. New York City-based dermatologist Ranella Hirsh, MD, reminds me that it's important to wear sunscreen every day -- even in the winter. UV damage can lead to brown spots, more wrinkles, and all sorts of not-so-pretty stuff in addition to the big C.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every two hours year-round on any exposed skin. At the very least, cover your face, chest, hands, and forearms at least 30 minutes before heading out the door.
Resolution No. 3: Stop popping my zits Even with these expert-approved pimple-popping instructions, waiting out a blemish is better than risking a scar -- even if it takes weeks. So, I'm essentially learning to be more patient (and perfect my concealer technique).
While I wait for a zit to clear, I'll rely on a salicylic-acid cleanser, an anti-blemish treatment, a calming moisturizer, and a good stick concealer. (Try OLAY Pro-X Clear Acne Protocol.
Resolution No. 4: Saturate my entire body with moisturizer -- daily I'm going to take a tip from Victoria Beckham and coat my entire body with a long-lasting body lotion to seal in moisture as soon as I get out of the shower.
Resolution No. 5. Stop touching my face Even if I'm militant about washing and moisturizing my hands, experts say my paws will still attract all kinds of bacteria throughout the day.
And what do I do more often than I'd like to think about? I smear that bacteria all over my face when I'm bored in a meeting and rest my cheek in my palm or when traffic gets bad and I start to massage my temples.
Since the average person touches her face three to five times per minute (OK, that stat is from the movie "Contagion,"but I believe it), I doubt I'll be able to quit cold turkey. But I can definitely start to be more conscious of where I put my hands throughout the day -- and I can wash them more often with this amazing gentle hand soap.
Resolution No. 6: Deep condition my hair weekly I rarely remember to do this. But I promise, 2012 will be the year I establish "Deep Conditioner Sunday" and follow the advice of almost every celebrity hairstylist I've ever met: Use a weekly hair mask.Beautry Inspiration Guides
Resolution No. 7: Clean out my makeup bag When's the last time I used that blue mascara or glittery lip balm? Oh, right -- New Year's Eve three years ago. Just like I always do a seasonal closet overhaul, my makeup bag needs the same kind of love.
Bonus: Cleaning out my makeup bag is the perfect excuse to reward myself with a brand new foundation or makeup brush. Who knows? Maybe this small-scale cleaning spree will inspire me to do the whole house?