New year’s resolutions are anything but new. In fact, historians assert that the first new year’s resolutions were made by ancient Babylonians around 4,000 years ago. Wonder if they were any more successful at keeping them than we are today? By last calculation, 80 percent of these promises fail before February!
But here’s a
little good news. While we can’t assist you with losing weight, making new
friends or finding love, we can help you make 2019 your most beautiful year
yet. Consider these five resolutions that are simple enough to stick with
long-term.
1. Drink more water
Your body is
composed of about 60 percent water, so it’s not surprising that staying
properly hydrated is so important for good health. Not only does drinking
enough water help you feel more energetic and alert throughout the day, but it
is also essential for beautiful skin. Dermatologists frequently tell their
patients to drink 80 ounces of water a day to keep their skin hydrated, plump,
elastic and blemish free.
If you find
tracking your daily water intake difficult (or often forget to drink it at
all), there are a number of ‘smart’ bottles and gadgets on the market to help.
One such device, the Ulla, can be clipped to any water
bottle. It tracks when you drink and will even blink to remind you to hydrate.
2. Wear sunscreen every day
According to
the Skin
Cancer Foundation, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each
year than all other cancers combined, and one in five Americans will develop
skin cancer by the age of 70. But that’s not the only danger of unprotected sun
exposure. An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is also caused by UV rays.
Fortunately,
there’s an easy solution: applying sunscreen daily. A good sunscreen will
prevent UVA and UVB radiation from reaching your skin and causing sunburn, skin
cancer, sun spots and wrinkles. If you’re not spending time outdoors, a product
with SPF 15 is usually sufficient. For longer exposure times, choose sunscreens
with SPF 30 and above. Apply them to your face, neck, hands and any other exposed
skin—even on cloudy days.
3. Moisturize regularly
Dry skin
doesn’t just look dull and flaky, it can exacerbate acne issues and age-related
wrinkles as well—no matter what your age. Make a resolution to moisturize your
face (and body) regularly in 2019. Not only will doing so keep your complexion
looking fresh and healthy, but some products can also help you fight wrinkles
and age spots and provide sun protection.
Of course,
choosing the right moisturizer is important. If you’re not sure where to start,
the estheticians at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology can help. Call 888-569-1797
to book an appointment. New clients even receive 20 percent off their first
service.
4. Clean out your makeup bag
If your
makeup bag (or drawer) is stuffed to overflowing, you’re not alone. But you
don’t have to resign yourself to another year of wasted time searching through
half-used products for what you need. Instead, resolve to purge expired makeup
products every six months.
In general,
experts recommend tossing liquid makeup that is older than six months and
powdered makeup that is older than two years. The typical life expectancy of
mascara is only three months. The same goes for liquid eyeliners, though cream
and powdered eyeliners and eyeshadows should be good for two years. Lipsticks
and lip liners can last two years as well.
5. Give your hair a break
This is one of your easier resolutions to keep up! Daily shampooing, blow drying, and curling can really stress your hair, not to mention the damage that can be done by at-home bleaching and coloring. For a full calendar year of good hair days, resolve to give your tresses a break. How, you ask? Shampooing your hair less frequently can help, as can skipping the heat styling tools at least a few days a week.
For even better results, regularly pamper damaged hair with a moisturizing mask or deep conditioning treatment. At Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology, our stylists swear by Matrix’s line of hair masks. There’s one formulated for every hair type. We also offer a number of hair treatments in our on-campus salons starting at just $5. Check out our salon page for more information about our services
By Angela
Rose for Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology
