January 7, 2016

5 Beauty Resolutions for 2016

New Year’s resolutions can often feel like a chore and by the end of the month become abandoned promises. Instead we should be making minor alterations that soon enough become part of our daily routine. These 5 resolutions will do just that, they require minimal effort, will leave your skin feeling great and soon enough will become second nature.

1. Drink more water

This one is probably obvious, but it doesn’t hurt to make a conscious effort! Water is key to healthy glowing skin, so why not hit the January sales and grab yourself a reusable bottle to pop in your bag and keep on the go? Just because the weather is dull and miserable doesn’t mean your skin needs to be too!

2. Remove make-up before bed

How many times do you lie in bed after a long day and think, “I really should take my make-up off” but leave it to the morning instead? This year make things easy for yourself and leave a pack of make-up wipes by your bed – this way you have no excuse! Leaving your make-up on doesn’t allow your skin to breathe which can lead to early, unwanted wrinkles. This resolution will save your pillowcases from black smudges too – win win!

3. Stop picking

Sometimes the urge to pop a spot is too strong, but we really must stop. Some of us our convinced it helps, but popping spots causes more damage than you realise. Squeezing spots can cause enlarged pores and broken capillaries, not to mention they hang around A LOT longer. This year let them do their thing and invest in a good concealer instead.

4. Clean your make-up brushes

We know we should all do it, but amongst our busy lives, cleaning make-up brushes doesn’t seem like a priority. However, our make-up brushes are full of bacteria that lead to unwanted breakouts and blocked pores. So make this a priority for 2016, and find 10 mins once a week to wash those grubby brushes.

5. Say yes to SPF

Usually we only think about sunscreen when we are on holiday or on those few days in July and August where London creeps over the 20 degree point. However, we should be protecting ourselves from harmful UV damage all year round. It’s now near on impossible to find a daily a moisturiser without an SPF. This will help prevent you from skin cancers, premature winkles and any unwanted blemishes – you’ve been warned!

So there we have it, make 2016 the year of fabulous skin!

Katy Ashford

@KatyJAshford