Beauty Tips for the New Year and a New You

Ladies, does the way you look on the outside reflect how you feel on the inside?  I think it does… at least to some degree.  Now this doesn’t mean I think you have to get all dolled up every day; but we should take the time to pamper ourselves everyday.  Because we are worth it! 

Personally, I can be feeling a little down and go put on some makeup and fix my hair and I’ll feel better.  So even if you don’t go out of the house, use a moisturizer (with an SPF) every day and don’t get in a rut of wearing the worst clothes you have.  You know the ones – the sweat pants with paint stains.

Here are some tips and ideas to start the 2009 year out with that will help you to feel better by looking better.  If you just want to freshen your look up this year these tips are classic and will never go out of style.

Look your best and indulge yourself every day by experimenting with colors, a new shade of lipstick or gloss, or maybe a bronzer for a healthy glow.  Try a new hairstyle or if you really want to be bold a new hair color.  The key is to start with healthy skin and hair and then make the most of it for added beauty.

Learn to make the most with your assets! 

If your best asset is your lips try having fun with lip color.  Lips are one of the easiest ways to be adventurous…after all you can take it off as easy as you put it on:

  • Begin with a lip liner to define your lips and reduce feathering around your lip line.  Choose a liner close to your lip’s natural color, or choose one that matches your lip color.
  • Experiment with color, even if you’ve always thought you couldn’t go bold.  Believe it or not there is a red that’s right for you.  But bold isn’t your only option…it’s also sexy to go nude.  Let your mood define your color…After all why should all your moods share the same shade?
  • Finally, choose a gloss for added shine and radiance.

Have fun with your cosmetics: 

  • Start with a flawless canvas – make sure your skin is clean and moisturized.
  • How much coverage – if you have blemishes or unevenness, use foundation to give you coverage to even out your complexion.  Healthy, unblemished skin doesn’t need to be totally covered.  apply face products selectively in areas of uneven skin tone, usually along your nose and cheeks.  For a more natural look apply concealer to hide small imperfections and add blush or bronzer to brighten your entire face.  If you have oily skin add a translucent powder.
  • Add drama to your eyes and lips – since eyes are so expressive, you can bring attention to their natural beauty with a simple application of shadow, liner, and mascara for lush, full lashes.  Or, for evening drama try a trendy iridescent shadow or layer colors for added effect.

Just as we take care to moisturize and protect our skin, we can’t forget our hair:

  • Cleanse and protect your hair – use a shampoo that is made for your ‘type’ of hair.  If you have oily skin you will probably have an oily scalp, the same for dry skin and hair.  You can get shampoos for color-treated hair, volumizing shampoos for limp hair and etc.  The important thing is to generously shampoo your hair with warm water.  Finish with a good conditioner to lock in moisture and protect your hair from environmental influences.

Make the most of your hairstyle.  We’ve all seen a gorgeous hairstyle in a magazine and wondered how it would look on us.  A good hairstylist will work with you to achieve the look you want, taking into account the following:

  • Your hair’s basic texture – if your hair is straight and fine, a curly style may not be your best choice.  You can work with your stylist to learn tricks to boost your hair’s volume to achieve the look you desire.
  • How much time and talent do you have? – this is important.  Be realistic!  If you are typically a ‘wash and go’ type be sure to be honest with your stylist what you are willing and able to do to make a style work.

Finally, here are some helpful makeup tips to follow:

  • Keep cosmetics and applicators ( brushes, sponges ) clean and bacteria-free – when dirty or worn replace them.
  • Never share applicators or products with friends or family – bacteria can easily spread.
  • Replace mascara every 3 months – most tube and wand mascaras have an antibacterial agent in them that will seep you safe for 2 – 3 months, but the longer you keep the mascara, the more you risk eye infections.

Just experiment and try something new this year with your hair and makeup.  If you want to look fresh, new and trendy give some of these suggestions a try.  Also, check out this homemade facial scrubs and this chai sugar scrub.

Do you have a beauty tip you’d like to share?  We would love to hear it!