Force of Habits
Michelle Martin looks at the eight beauty resolutions you need to make this year...
2 Give your products time to work
With so many exciting new skincare launches, it’s tempting to buy new products whenever they’re released — all in the quest for glowing skin, right?
Well, Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, founder and medical director of the Adonia Medical Clinic, wants you to break out of the cycle in 2023.
“You will not product-hop this year, but give your skincare products 12 weeks to see optional results,”is the resolution she wants people to adopt.
“This will save money and allow you to get the maximum benefits for your skin.”
3 Incorporate an active ingredient
“If you wish to keep your skin healthy and glowing this year, make it a Newyear’s resolution to follow a simple skincare routine with good active ingredients,” advises Dr Pamela Benito, aesthetic medicine specialist.
“Depending on your skin’s specific needs, different products can be introduced but whatever your skin type — I love vitamin C for its brightening and glow-boosting effects,” she adds.
“When formulated correctly, it is a potent antioxidant and works perfectly layered under your sunscreen. So if a great complexion is one of your goals this year, make sure you cleanse twice daily as your first step, following with a vitamin C serum and SPF every morning.”
Try: Ole Henriksen The Let’s Get Luminous Set, €51, SKIN CITY
4 Stop using heat without protection
This is a real bugbear for Lydia Wolfe, co-founder of Jack & The Wolfe.
“It’s amazing how many clients I speak to who are concerned about improving the condition of their hair, who confess they have never used a heat protection spray, or have one at home that never comes out of the cupboard,”she says.
“Even just blow-drying can cause heat damage, and the great thing is so many products now have heatprotective ingredients as well as styling performance, so you don’t have to have a whole separate product on the shelf. Stop using heat without protection!”
Infused with pro-vitamin B5, Philip Kingsley’s Perfecting Primer Heat Protection Spray conditions your strands from root to tip, while shielding against styling damage. Enriched with a blend of glycerin, lactitol and xylitol, this priming spray deeply nourishes the scalp, while polymers add body and bounce every time you blow-dry.
Try: Philip Kingsley Perfecting Primer Heat Protection Spray, €20.95, LOOK FANTASTIC
5 Change up your look with the seasons
“Committing to changing your look with the season would be a great new year resolution,” says Jose Domene, Hare & Bone artistic team member.
“Create a golden blonde for the summer or add a shorter fringe in the winter, or try that beautiful copper for the autumn. Top tip — save any images you find inspiring on your phone to show to your hairstylist during your appointment.”
6 Learn a new skill
January and February can be a bit dull, so why not use the time to learn a new skill and change up your regular hairstyle?
“It’s time to master that LA wave with your hair tongs once and for all, or maybe you really want to learn to create mermaid hair,”says Domene.
“The new year is the perfect time to learn a new skill. Ask your hairdresser to show you on your next visit and then just practise every time you have a chance.”
Try: Cerasilk Curling Wand, €79.99, INSTYLER (above)
7 Stop picking off your gel manicure
A gel mani looks gorgeous when it’s freshly done, but after a few weeks — when your nails have started growing out and it’s collected a few chips — it’s easy to want it off immediately.
Claire Aggarwal, COO at Bio Sculpture warns against picking it off yourself — as you could risk ruining your nails.
“Either have it removed professionally, or follow these steps to remove it yourself,” she says.
“Using a file, buff off the top layer of your gel manicure. Apply acetone to a cotton pad and place it over the nail. Wrap this in tinfoil and wait for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and you should see that the gel is coming away from the nail plate, gently ease it off.”
8 Start using cuticle oil
Whether you’re a regular in the salon or prefer to keep your nails au natural, there’s one thing Aggarwal wants everyone to start doing this year.
“Use a cuticle oil every day, to help nourish your nails and cuticles.”
Sally Hansen’s cuticle oil is brimming with vitamin E, apricot kernel and aloe to gently condition your cuticles while also increasing nail flexibility.
Try: Sally Hansen Cuticle Care
Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil, €7.49, MCCABES PHARMACY