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Beauty Resolutions to Make & Keep in 2016

Can you believe that Christmas has passed, and the New Year is less than a week away?! Keeping up with the time honored tradition, I wanted to share some of my favorite Beauty Resolutions to make & keep for beautiful, healthy skin in the New Year! If you haven't hopped on these (in my opinion) essential practices just yet, there is no better time than the present to start. :)

beauty resolutions to make and keep in 2016

Wear SPF, EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. For some reason, SPF seems to be such a hassle for some! I promise, taking a handful of minutes to apply SPF throughout the day will pay off in the end. We are all aware of the dangers of the sun, the most serious of which is skin cancer. Sun exposure also happens to be one of the leading causes of aging, causing premature wrinkles, dark spots, and more. Resolve to apply an SPF daily (start with your face, and start adding in other commonly exposed body parts as you get used to the habit, such as hands), and to reapply every 2 hours (or more as needed). I have become an avid user of powdered SPF brushes (Colorescience, I love you!), as they provide a quick-and-easy solution for my SPF needs. Simply take it out of your purse, and dust it on in a pinch! Yes, you can even dust this over your makeup.

Get Your 8 Hours. As a business owner and busy mama of two, I know exactly how difficult it can be to nab 8 hours of sleep. There are times in our lives where we simply cannot get a full 8 hours of sleep, and that is okay. But if you do have the time, you should definitely consider taking advantage of it. Your skin does a majority of it's healing while you sleep, so fewer hours means less time for recovery. Lack of sleep is also a major culprit of stress, which is not good for your health (both physically and mentally). Plan ahead when possible for 8 hours of sleep, allowing yourself 15-30 minutes to actually fall asleep, depending on your sleep patterns.

Fall in Love with Eye Cream. Have you discovered your favorite eye cream yet? If not, make 2016 the year of the eye cream for yourself. I started wearing eye cream at 20, and recommend it to anyone who wishes to prevent signs of aging around the eye area. Many are surprised at just how much the eyes can indicate our age, and taking preventative measures is the best way to ensure that your eyes stay looking younger, longer. There are so many different eye creams on the market, so don't get discouraged if the first product you try isn't "the one".

Cleanse Your Face, AM & PM. I have met so many people who choose to cleanse only in the AM or PM, or only when they shower, and all I can say is: this has to stop! Cleansing is often written off as unnecessary, or as a "frill", but it is actually an essential step in the skin care process that must not be missed! Cleansing helps to rid your skin of dirt, oil, makeup, and oftentimes lingering dead skin cells, leaving a clean slate so your products can be properly absorbed into the skin. Make it a ritual to cleanse every day; once in the AM, and twice in the PM.

Embrace Exfoliation. I write about embracing exfoliation in multiple blog posts throughout the year. Why, you ask? Because it is so incredibly important. Exfoliation serves to remove dead skin cells, stimulating cellular turnover and prepping your skin for better product absorption. It is like an extra deep cleanse for your skin, with benefits that can be seen both immediately and in the long term. The best part about exfoliation is that you can achieve it in a number of different ways: chemical exfoliation, manual exfoliation, with powders, cleansers, masks, and more! There are so many different options out there, and I encourage you to find one that works for you. My number one piece of advice for exfoliation is this: follow directions. If your product indicates that you should use it once a week, use it once a week. Using it 7 days a week to achieve that beautiful post-treatment glow will likely cause irritation, rather than beauty. And when in doubt, ask an esthetician!

Find a Workout You Actually Enjoy. So many of us begin the year with a new gym membership in hand, and plans to finally get into going to said gym. And it works out great for a few weeks. But the honest truth is: if you don't love the gym, you will not continue to go to the gym, no matter how much you desire to stay active and healthy. So, what is a person to do? Start looking for exercise routines you can actually enjoy! Go for a walk, a hike, or a jog. Experiment with yoga, or use a free trial at a kick boxing gym. Whether it's joining a crossfit gym, or practicing yoga in the park, simply find something that you will actually enjoy, and then make the decision to invest in it.

Reach for Healthier Makeup Alternatives. If you are an avid lover of makeup, I encourage you to make 2016 a year of finding healthier alternatives. While the price point and convenience of drugstore makeup products may be alluring, they are not contributing to skin health in the long term, and can sometimes contain harsh ingredients. Instead, look for mineral makeup formulas that are free off common chemicals, preservatives, fragrances, etc. I have loved and used Glo Minerals, La Bella Donna, and YoungBlood for years, and plan to continue using them through 2016 and beyond. You may be surprised at the fabulous variety of products available, and your skin will thank you for the shift. Another option to consider is makeup made by reputable skin care brands. I have been absolutely loving Image Skincare's I Conceal Flawless Foundation SPF 30, a product that helps to provide beautiful coverage and SPF protection while healing and protecting your skin.

Practice Self Love. This is a very important resolution that I stress each and every year. Be kind to yourself and embrace your beauty, both inside and out. Focus less on the parts of yourself you are not happy with, and spend more time appreciating the parts of yourself that you like, or even love. Remember that none of us are perfect, and simply focus on being the best version of yourself that you can possibly be!

More Resolution Ideas to Consider

  • Clean Out Your Closet. It is important to remember that there are many out there who are in needing of proper clothing. Go through your closet and consider giving some items to your local Goodwill or Charity. Doing this seasonally, or twice a year will keep your closet organized while providing clothing for those in need!
  • Smile More. Smiling is proven to be healthy for you, and you'd be surprised at just how contagious a smile can be.
  • Drink More Water. Staying hydrated is important for both your skin and your overall health! If plain, old water just isn't cutting it for you, try adding berries, cucumber, and/or lemon to the mix.
  • Take the Stairs More Often. Less escalators and elevators = more cardio!
  • Put Your Phone Away More. Spend more time in the present and not on your smart phone. Keep your phone in a separate room during dinner time, bed time, etc. Let friends and family know that they should only contact you after a certain hour for emergencies.
  • Be More Positive. Focus more on what is good than what is bad. When you choose to focus on the positive, you will start to notice more and more good in your life, which is wonderful!

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