Admit it: there are many beauty-related things that you know you should do, but you don’t. Why not make this new year the time for that to change.

Not removing your makeup before bed: Probably one of the biggest sins, especially if like me you suffer from acne-prone skin, is not removing all your makeup and cleansing your face before you go to bed. I try to, but half the time I end up being too tired to care, whether it’s because I only got home from work close to midnight, or I was out with friends, or whatever the reason. Why is cleansing before sleep so important? It removes the grime from the day (especially oils and bacteria from unintentionally touching your face) and gives your skin a chance to rest and repair (important for slowing down the aging process!). This year I’m committing to turning that around. Key to busting my laziness is the use of easy, wash-free cleansers: these include cleansing wipes (great for when you’re not at home) and micellar waters (which you soak a cotton pad with and sweep all over your face).

Use sunscreen every day: In sunny South Africa, we are exposed to more UV radiation in winter than many European countries get in their summer! If you have been guilty of going outdoors without sun protection, make sure that your daily moisturizer has SPF. If you know you are going to be spending time in the sun, make sure you rub in a decent dose of sunscreen!

Be daring: If you find that you always stick to the same, “safe” beauty routine, why not vow to try something out of your comfort zone once a month like bright lipstick, nail art, perfecting a cat eye look – whatever it is. Maybe you’ll discover something new and exciting that will stick with you.

Update your skin regime: As you age, your skincare needs change. If your skin is not as oily as it used to be, using the same deep cleanser will no longer be serving your skincare needs. Maybe it’s time you add some eye cream to your routine, or switch to an anti-aging line of products. Realistically consider what will be best for your skin as it is now.

Drink more water: This one should come as no surprise. The easiest way of upping your water intake (very important if you have dehydrated or tired skin) is just to make water easily accessible. Keep a bottle of water on your desk, in your handbag, next to your bed, wherever. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time somewhere, make sure that there is always drinking water nearby.

And, one that’s not an obvious beauty tip, but really is:

Clean your cellphone regularly! Especially if you have a large touchscreen phone – just think about how much you touch it, and then think about how you press it up against your face for phone calls! (Have you ever noticed breakouts in this area? This is probably why!) I keep a tub of antibacterial wipes on my desk at work, and I make a point of swiping one over my phone every now and then. You can also use rubbing alcohol swabs.

Hopefully these beauty tips will help you as much as I know they will help me!

Article by: Laura Jane http://www.beautybulletin.com/blog-directory/our-bloggers/whimsy-is-forever