oh! tillie

Even though it’s not the 31^st of December when everyone vows to make some changes as soon as the 1^st January arrives and lets face it and most of us aren’t making too many resolutions at this time of year; it is still important to have Beauty Resolutions that we stick to all year round in order to maintain a healthy glow.

Here are some resolutions that are simple and easy to follow through with:

I will take my make-up off every night 

There’s no point looking glamorous on a night out only to wake up with clogged pores and blemishes the next day because you have forgotten or have been too lazy to take off your make-up. Fiddling around with different cleansers can be annoying after a late night but with facial wipes available to suit all skin types, there really is no excuse to fall asleep with a full face of make-up.

I will NOT wear make-up to the gym 

As tempting as it may be to walk into the gym looking fabulous and to try and fool the spunky guy in the boxing class that this is how you naturally look; wearing make-up to the gym is kind of silly. Not only does it come across as though you’re slightly vain and trying just that little bit too hard, but it’s also not a wise move in regards to the upkeep of your skin. Think about it, the more make-up you wear the greater the chance of your skin becoming oily, therefore producing blemishes, therefore resulting in you having to wear more make-up to the gym to impress boxing class guy. It’s a vicious circle. If you really can’t bare the thought of leaving the house without any make-up, limit the application to clear mascara, perhaps a light brown or white eye-liner to brighten your eyes and a tinted lip balm. That’s it. You don’t want to be the woman with the ruby red lipstick and rouge in the corner of the gym doing squats. Not a good look my friends, not a good look.

I will exfoliate once a week 

Exfoliating isn’t as essential as cleansing and moisturising but it should still be an integral part of any skin-care routine. The reason being is because as we get older, the process of skin renewal slows down and dead skin cells can build up, leaving your face look grey and tired. To help new skin cells push their way up to the surface of the skin from the lowest level of the epidermis we need to exfoliate weekly. You’ll notice that it reveals a plumper, fresher, smoother, more radiant skin surface. Just remember to always use a facial exfoliator and never one intended for your body, it will be too harsh for the delicate facial skin. Exfoliating should never hurt and always rinse your face properly.

I will have a weekly facial mask 

There is no need to spend hours at the beauticians or spend hundreds of dollars on expensive facial treatments. These days store-bought masks are of excellent quality and are quick and effective. Just make sure you are using the correct mask for your skin type. If you have oily skin, look for a clay or mud mask which is deep cleansing in order to stop blocked pores forming. If you have dry skin apply a hydrating, moisture-boosting gel or cream mask to plump up skin cells, while combination skin types can use both deep cleansing and hydrating mask or a light exfoliating peel mask. Just remember to leave to mask on for no longer than 20 minutes and don’t fall asleep with it on as you don’t want to appear as though as you have had an at home chemical peel.

I will always moisturise 

Apart from the obvious benefits to using a moisturiser such as smoothing and hydrating your skin, moisturising makes blending foundation and concealer easier. There are so many moisturisers available on the market that there is really no excuse for running out of the house moisturiser-free. Even if your face feels soft and supple after cleansing and you probably don’t feel like applying a moisturiser especially in the warmer months, it’s still a really important part of looking after your skin. Opt for an oil-free gel formulation or non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) moisturiser if you don’t like the weight of more common moisturisers on your skin. Follow the product’s instructions (rather than just slapping onto your face) by massaging it all over your skin with your fingertips to boost circulation and remember to apply the moisturiser onto your neck as well, as your neck often shows the first signs of aging. And if you can, try and purchase a moisturiser containing SPF 15 or higher.

I will stop smoking which in turn will benefit my skin 

This resolution may sound more like a New Years resolution but there is no need to wait until January to start improving your health and your skin.

Smoking really does have a harmful effect on skin; it is the second largest cause of skin damage (after sun exposure). How this works is: Nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the face and decreases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the epidermis. Smoking also causes wrinkles around the mouth and eyes from repeated pursing of the lips and squinting. Let’s not forget smoker’s breath either. So if the nasty pictures on cigarette packets aren’t enough to turn you off smoking then maybe the damage it’s causing to your youthful good looks is enough to make you give up forever.

I will learn to apply the perfect fake tan to my face 

Anyone that is educated in regards to UV rays has probably sworn off tanning in the sun for any length of time, but it still feels good to know that you have a slightly bronzed complexion. But applying fake tan to your face can be ultra tricky and can look as though you’ve just applied bright orange foundation. If going to a tanning salon isn’t your thing, then make sure you exfoliate first, apply oil-free moisturiser and allow half an hour for your skin to settle before even attempting the at-home fake face tan. For the most realistic self-tanning results, choose a colour and formula suited to your complexion, dilute the self-tanning lotion with an equal part moisturiser and apply to your face evenly from the centre of your face outward as you would any lotion or liquid foundation, make sure you blend evenly around your jaw line and your neck. Scrub your hands thoroughly.

I will actually use my make-up brushes 

Everyone has purchased make-up brushes at one stage or another vowing to use them to achieve make-up artist perfection at home, but the reality is that we are often in a rush and that one ancient eye-shadow applicator becomes a multi-purpose tool. Brushes are actually designed to simplify the make-up application process. Using the correct brushes is a guaranteed way to enhance your image and make your make-up look smoother and more precise and professional. Just makes sure you wash the brushes regularly, normal everyday shampoo works wonders.

If my hair is colour treated I will use a colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner 

There’s no point spending possibly hundreds of dollars on dying your hair if you immediately start stripping away the colour with a shampoo and conditioner that is not suitable for colour treated hair. Even if you use an at home hair colour it is still important to maintain the look you have achieved despite the fact you haven’t been sitting in a salon for hours. Colour-protecting shampoos contain extra moisturisers which help to restore shine by hydrating your hair; they are also less likely to strip the colour as they contain fewer harsh cleansers than regular shampoos. Use conditioners that are formulated for colour treated hair as well, but make sure you avoid ones that contain silicone, which can strip colour.

I will not neglect my feet 

Sometimes our feet tend to get a little abused, though only through neglect. But never fear you can still have them looking and feeling beautiful again, especially in the lead up to spring and summer, all it takes is regular care. First of all shape, file and buff just as you would your hands, then tidy the cuticles, by gently pushing them back with an orange stick, exfoliate with a foot scrub, them moisturise with a rich moisturising cream or oil, massage well paying special attention to your heals. Keeping your feet happy is simple!

Till next time……..Oh! tillie xxxx