2015 is here, so of course we’re starting the year off with some resolutions, but we’re not going to ask you to “eat healthily” because we know that will all go out the window at lunch this weekend. Instead, we have eight realistic beauty resolutions for you to live by this year:
Mark & Estel New York Spring 15
#1 I WILL STOP NITPICKING AT MY ‘FLAWS”
So you don’t like your eyelids, and your nose, oh, and your frizzy hair, but you know what? No one is actually looking at it or saying that one of your eyes is bigger than the other, and you shouldn’t too.
Makeup is here for us to enhance what we have and make slight changes to what we don’t like, so use it if it makes you feel better, but don’t beat yourself up about it.
#2 I WILL CLEAN MY MAKEUP BRUSHES DAILY
Now this is one big beauty boo boo we’re all guilty of. Stop giving the excuse of not having the time to clean your brushes in the morning and invest in a good brush cleanser. It’ll only take a minute to clean those dirty bristles!
M.A.C and Make Up For Ever both offer brush cleansers that are quick to clear out the gunk and easy to use. Swirl your brush in a little dish with the cleansing solution or spray it onto your brush. Then, sweep it over a paper towel – voila!
If not, risk brushing bacteria onto your face. Don’t say that we didn’t warn you.
#3 I WILL EXPERIMENT WITH EYESHADOW
There are only two styles of eye makeup on the streets of Singapore – eyeliner, and more eyeliner. Where’s the fun in that? If you’re able to perfect the angle of your cat-eye flick in the morning, you’re able to add some colour to your eyes with eyeshadow. Oh, and runway looks being too difficult to pull off isn’t a valid reason either, because they’ve gotten a lot easier – see for yourself.
Clockwise from top left: Simonetta Ravizza Milan Spring 15, Emporio Armani Milan Spring 15 and Mara Hoffman New York Spring 15
So easy.
#4 I WILL PUT SUNSCREEN ON MY HANDS
We neglect this because most of us can’t stand the thought of putting sunscreen on our hands and washing it off just 10 minutes after, but hey, beauty doesn’t come easily. Start slapping on the sunscreen now if you don’t want pigmentation spots appearing on your hands 10 years down the road.
Opt for a fast-absorbing formula like Biore’s UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA+++, which also leaves a light citrus scent. You don’t have to worry about going through tubes of this since it’s so affordable!
#5 I WILL LEARN TO STYLE MY HAIR
Again, refer to point #3. There’s pretty much only two ways we’ve all been wearing our hair and that’s air-dried or in a ponytail. I know, because I’m guilty of this too.
I'm Isola Marras Milan Spring 15 and Suno New York Sping 15
Take the time to learn new styles this year – tie your ponytail low, or whip up a simple braid in minutes. You can also ask your hairstylist for tips on how you can easily switch up your hairstyle.
#6 I WILL STOP HOARDING BEAUTY PRODUCTS
How old is that mascara? Chances are, it’s two years old. Mascaras can only last for about six months, so throw it out already! Oh, and that $100 toner which breaks you out needs to go too, since it’ll cost you more to get rid of angry acne in the long run.
Make it a point to stop hoarding beauty products this year – how else are you going to make way for new stuff? (Buying new storage space is not the answer, by the way.)
#7 I WILL STOP BUYING IMPULSIVELY
Speaking of new stuff, resist the urge to splurge on a new product just because it’s limited edition. Ask yourself these questions: Will I use this? Will it take too much effort to wear? Is there anything else I need to finish using first?
Then again, who can say no to pretty packaging. I mean, you’ll get to it somehow, just make sure you’re not doing it too often, or not. (All right, I just can’t help it, okay?)
#8 I WILL TAKE CARE OF MY NAILS
Ugh, chipped nail polish a la Lindsay Lohan and the Olsen twins is so 2008. (Don’t lie, that’s not the way to do negative space nail art.)
Now, this is negative space nail art.
Besides, keeping your nail polish on for too long allows for fungal nail infections, so remove your nail polish after a maximum of two weeks and give your nails time to “breathe” in between gel manicures.
Nothing too difficult, right? Happy new year, everyone!
M.A.C Brush Cleanser, $33, is available at all M.A.C stores and counters. For more information, visit www.maccosmetics.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
Make Up For Ever Instant Brush Cleanser, $35, is available at the Make Up For Ever Academy & Pro Loft and Sephora. For more information, visit www.makeupforever.com.sg, and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+ PA+++, $18.90, is available at all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.kao.com/sg/biore/ and follow the brand on Facebook.