IT’S a new year! Which means we’re thinking of ways to improve ourselves by jotting down resolutions to (hopefully) stick to.
Let’s face it, resolutions are hard to keep but what’s important is that we try. Going to the gym or eating healthier meals would be some of the common resolutions but beauty is something we should include as well.
Ladies, 2017 has just begun so it’s time for a fresh start. Why not refresh some of our old beauty habits to make this year the best year yet with these get-gorgeous goals? These are some of the beauty resolutions I’m adopting and I hope you will too!
#1: I WILL NOT SLEEP WITH MY MAKE-UP ON
This is probably one of the most important rules in the world of make-up but we’re all guilty of doing this more than once. After all, we’re only human. But constantly dozing off without removing make-up will send you on a trip to zit-land. If pimples don’t start popping up, best believe pores are blocked with a hefty amount of bacteria from all the unwashed cosmetics.
When you sleep, you’re getting more than rest. A secretion of hormones repairs skin tissues and this helps reverse any damage from stress of UV rays.
For this magic to happen, you must allow your skin to breathe. Sorry to burst your bubble but heavy or thin layers of make-up will suffocate your pores. Plus, your skin will feel extra sluggish after you wake up from your sleep if you don’t wash them off. Why put yourself in that situation? Put a reminder on your phone every night to wash off, in case you forget.
#2: I WILL DECLUTTER MY MAKE-UP BAG
Do a make-up bag detox. You need to know that most cosmetics products have a shelf-life and will breed bacteria if kept too long. So you know what you need to do.
Throw away old foundations and lipstick that you have not used in months. Plus, it’s time to make way for new products you would like to try this year! Chuck out what you don’t need and only keep products that you are sure are still in safe-on-skin conditions.
#3: I WILL APPLY BASIC FOUNDATION SKINCARE
We’re all familiar with the three-step routine. Cleanse, tone and moisturise. After you moisturise and before you wear make-up, be sure to apply sunscreen.
We may not feel the effects of not wearing SPF daily now but it will hit us later in life. There are still some sneaky UV rays present in whatever weather, so don’t let it get to you.
After the sunblock, apply a primer. A primer is great because it creates a barrier between the skin and the makeup. It also prevents foundations streaks, discolouration and breakouts. Plus, it’ll help keep your make-up last longer throughout the day.
#4: I WILL CLEAN MY MAKE-UP BRUSHES
While it’s not necessary to throw away make-up brushes, it is super important to wash them. These brushes won’t perform as well as you’d like them to if the build-up of makeup and bacteria are too much.
Be sure to wash them weekly (or daily if you like) to prevent your skin from experiencing breakouts. Washing them also helps to keep the brushes stay in the best shape.
#5: I WILL TRY A NEW LOOK
If you’re stuck in a make-up rut, now is the time to break out of it. If you’ve been wanting to sport that striking pink lip colour for the longest time but never had the courage to do so, now is the time.
Even as little as sporting a fresh new lip colour would boost your confidence and completely transform your look. Master a new technique. If you’re tired of drawing the cat eyeliner, go for the Korean puppy liner look. If you’ve never done your eyebrows before, buy yourself some eyebrow make-up and practise shaping your eyebrows the way you want them to appear. Be daring enough to try something new, ladies. This is your year to shine!
VANITY SYA-NANIGANS
An average Jane with a make-up obsession, Syahirah Mokhtazar believes that the journey to the right lipstick shade is akin to finding your soulmate. Join her as she explores the beauty world, one lipstick swipe at a time. She can be reached at syahirah.mokhtazar@nst.com.my.