10 beauty resolutions that will transform your skin, make-up and confidence in 2019

resolutions
resolutions

New year, new you, or so the saying goes. But what does this actually mean in real terms? Are there new year's resolutions that we'll actually stick to, or drop by the end of January? Luckily in the beauty world, there are some very easy changes to adopt in the new year that will actually make a difference, from the way to cleanse to the way you approach your diet. Her are our ten beauty commandments that will transform your skin, hair, nails and confidence in 2019.

Double cleanse

Contrary to popular, somewhat cynical, belief, double cleansing isn’t just a gimmick to get us to buy twice the product but in fact what the dermatologists recommend. Why? The first cleanse will wipe of grime, bacteria and make-up (now so advanced that it takes a far more mighty cleanse to remove), the second cleanse removing any signs of make-up remover, while softening skin and deep cleaning pores.  Research by Lanc?me suggests that any product that you treat skin with will work twice as hard if it follows a double cleanse.  Sounds like the perfect beauty economy to us.

Use proper make-brushes

If you spend money on make-up, spend a little extra on brushes to get the most out of it.  Using brushes is the one major difference between professional and amateur make-up, because while it may take longer and cost a little more, nothing gives a better blend, or such a real-skin finish that lasts.  Our latest obsession are the MyKit brushes by James Molloy.  Start out with a foundation brush to get your confidence.

And then clean them... 

Speaking of brushes, we’d like to mention their somewhat high maintenance nature.  Yes they give good make-up, but they also give bad bacteria if you don’t wash them often enough.  If you don't wash your brushes regularly, not only are you leaving them open to bacteria, which leads to possible breakouts, it also means that your brushes won't pick up pigment and work as well.  The make-up artist Alex Babsky agrees. "I always clean my brushes after every job - since I'm working on different faces everyday, hygiene is super-important. If you only use your brushes on yourself you can be less strict - I'd advise washing them at least once a month though." Try Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo & Bodywash, £2.45 for 20ml as your gentle shampoo cleanser. Or take the easy route with a brush-cleansing waters by Estee Lauder, Clinique or MAC.

Go for regular trims at the salon

Okay, while it’s not strictly true that cutting your hair often will make it grow faster, trimming ends will stop any fraying and breakage travelling up the hair shaft so that you can grow it longer.  Plus, thicker, blunter ends give the appearance of longer, healthier hair.  So avoid the classic mistake of foregoing regular trims when you’re growing your hair long, as that’s exactly when you need it most. Every six to eight weeks is perfect.

Practice the mantra, healthy looks better than thin 

As clinical hypnotherapist Jacqueline Hurst so rightly says, "healthy is beautiful." Start thinking about ‘health’ rather than ‘size’.”  She implores us to “focus on getting cool with your perfect imperfections. We are all perfectly imperfect and trust me, in the years of coaching I have done, the thousands of clients I have seen, I am yet to meet a ‘perfect’ one. So if you think you know someone who is perfect, I would suggest stepping out of your imaginary world and looking at the facts.”

Liz Earle's facial studio - Credit: Instagram /@abigailjames1
Liz Earle's facial studio Credit: Instagram /@abigailjames1

Book in for regular facials

Looking after your skin is a bit like looking after your teeth – while you may brush and floss regularly, you still need to see the dentist for a deep clean and check up.  Step forward the professional aestheticians who between your DIY daily cleansing and treatment will give your skin a deep clean to flush out blocked pores (which by the way, should not be attempted at home), carry out a little extraction, and use a whole realm of lasers and LED light therapy to bring your skin back to health.  Plus, any good facialist should also help you understand your own skin a little better so that you can look after it with the right products between facials.

Sort your brows in 2016 - Credit: Instagram /@blinkbrowbar
Sort your brows in 2016 Credit: Instagram /@blinkbrowbar

Get your brows sorted

How many times have you vowed to sort your arches out only to resort to late night tweezer action in front of your mirror? Well, it’s time to get your face framers perfectly groomed, set and match by the professionals (try Blink, Shavata or Vaishaly).  Even if you visit just once, a professional brow groomer will help you get your eye in as to what shape, thickness and length looks best. Trust us.

Swap anti ageing for skin health

Still using the phrase anti-ageing? Pah, you’re behind the pro-ageing times.  Instead focus your attention on creams, tinctures and oils that improves texture, tone and shape for better skin health.  The beauty ideal now is the best version of yourself, regardless of age. Beauty company L’Oreal has already dropped the phrase from numerous product boxes, so we’re following suit to ring in the positive change.

Power nails, your new essential luxury - Credit: Instagram /@nailsinc
Power nails, your new essential luxury Credit: Instagram /@nailsinc

Look after your nails

As ridiculous as it sounds, a manicure is one of the first things people will notice about your appearance, particularly in the workplace where the handshake prevails (note to self: keep nails short). We think a manicure simply makes us feel better, as does the 30 minutes a week spent in the salon investing in ourselves. It’s a beauty win win.  Think of it as your one luxurious necessity.

Stop dieting 

The moment we stopped dieting, we dropped pounds.  Why? Because you stop letting your head control your portion size, and start tuning into your body which is a far more efficient than any rulebook. Hurst adds, “Stressing out about your body is not helping you. Take a breath and relax. The first thing you need to learn to do is get your head right. If you are constantly judging yourself and being mean to yourself it is going to make everything worse.”  On the science side of the argument, it’s also worth pointing out that stress boosts levels of cortisol in the body, which helps the body store fat, particularly around the midriff.  Take our advice and relax, while enjoying food and the body your in.