New Year, New You: Beauty Habits, Tips, & Tricks!

I absolutely love New Years - and while it is somethings overwhelming how quickly it comes, it's certainly something to celebrate and embrace. What's past is past and we can take this time to better ourselves like never before! So, today I want to talk about the Beauty Habits we will be leaving behind in 2013, and what we can do to move forward in the new year. Are you ready for it, Beauty Mates?

Beauty Resolutions For The New Year

SMILE BRIGHT - 2013 went by in a blink of an eye, which is why I wasn't surprised to encounter lots of stressed out people and stressed out situations. And in those moments where things seem a little too hectic, a smile can definitely brighten up my day. SO, I challenge you to smile bright more often. If you aren't super confident in your current smile, 2014 is the perfect time to invest in a tooth-whitening system.

GO TO BED BAREFACED - I stress this one each and every year because it is absolutely essential. I know at times it can seem like a chore, but there are ways to pump up your nighttime makeup removal to make it seem more luxurious. I personally love using my Clarisonic MIA2 Skin Cleansing System with Epicuren's Herbal Cleanser. Each of these alone are great for breaking down makeup, but combined they make for a super-cleansing treat. As most of my Beauty Mates know, I always cleanse twice at night for an ultra-deep clean.

EYE LOVE THE NEW YEAR - If there is one feature I hear the most complaints about it has to be the eyes. From puffiness, to fine lines, dark spots, bags, wrinkles, and more. I have heard it all, and I want to help all of you say goodbye to whatever it is that may be bothering you! My two solutions? First: invest in a good eye cream, I personally love HydroPeptide's Eye Anti-Wrinkle Dark Circle Concentrate. Second: pick an eye-brightening concealer that is good for your skin. GloMinerals Brightener Highlight Concealer is a quick-and-easy option that is great on-the-go.

SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN - I stress this in almost each and every blog post. Why? Because it is one of the most important skincare steps you could ever have. Sun damage is one of the leading causes of aging, and beyond that it can cause some serious problems for your health. There are so many fabulous sunscreen options out there, and my Medical Estheticians would love to help you find the perfect one for you! Some of my favorite brands for sunscreen are: Epicuren, COOLA, Image Skincare, Lucrece, ColorScience, and more! Don't go SPF-free any longer!

STOP POPPING PIMPLES - I know how tempting it is - but I absolutely cannot stress how important it is to leave pimples alone. Even when you get the release through the top layer of skin, there is also a release below the skin that can cause more pimples, or worse, an infection. Beyond that, using your finger nails tears at your skin, making scarring much more likely. If you feel like you absolutely must take care of the pimple, I urge you to at least wash your hands thoroughly, and to wrap your fingers with cotton or tissue to avoid breakage of your skin. Some of my favorite brands for vanishing acne include: Medik8, Vivant Skin Care, and Image Skincare's Clear Cell Line.

EMBRACE EXFOLIATION - I have met an alarmingly large number of people this year who are too afraid to exfoliate or peel. My best advice for this is to not allow horror stories and hearsay effect your decision to peel or not to peel. There are so many formulas out there that are gentle yet effective, and will be perfect for your skin type. Again, my Medical Estheticians would be happy to help you find the perfect one for your skin! If you prefer a gentle cleanser that will assist in exfoliation, I highly recommend Rhonda Allison's Pumpkin Cleanser. For more targeted treatments or peels, feel free to call or email us for advice!

PUT DOWN THE PACK - I'm sure you don't need another lecture on "why smoking is bad". You've heard it all before, which is why I will simply list it without going into it. :)

CLEANSE AM & PM - I know a lot of people who choose to only cleanse at night. After all, that's when your face really needs it, right? If you cleanse nightly, it is true that your skin will likely still look great in the AM. But an AM cleansing will help get your skin into better shape, while making it more prepared to absorb your product. I personally love my AM cleansing, as it helps me to wake up.

CUT DOWN ON HEAT STYLING - I can personally say that my hair does not like heat styling. I know a lot of people who straighten or curl on a daily basis with beautiful locks, but I simply am not that lucky. If you are like me, try to set the heat styling tools down more often, in favor or your au natural "do". The perfect way to do this is to embrace hair oils, and even possibly a cut that most flatters your natural style. For me that means long layers, and I love it! Try a nourishing treat from DermOrganic and Agadir for soft, shiny, healthy hair year-round.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER - As soon as the weather cools off, I have to remind myself to keep up on my 8+ cups of water each day. Hydration is important to your overall health, but is also incredibly beneficial for healthy looking skin!

BE CONFIDENT - Don't forget to embrace yourself in the new year! Inner beauty is so important and loving yourself inside and out is one of the best things you could do as well bid farewell to 2013 and welcome 2014!