You know one way to keep yourself accountable when it comes to New Year's beauty resolutions? Write an article about 'em, of course. While you're at it, why not solidify them on a podcast, too.
In all seriousness, no one actually needs to change their entire beauty routine every time a new year rolls by. Nah. Beauty is a 'you do you' kinda game — and, as I've said more times than necessary, there are no rules when it comes to what you put on your face/body/hair.
Watch: One fun thing I tried this year? 10 pumps of foundation. Post continues below.
But as someone who dabbles in a lot of beauty products and trends every year, I wanted to pull together the five things I actually really want to change about my beauty routine this year. Here we go:
1. Be consistent with LED mask.
While typical light therapy in a clinic would set you back a couple of hundred dollars, there are a ton of handy LED devices popping up on the market. Some of them cost a fraction of the price of in-clinic treatments, while other devices are what's considered a "skinvestment."
I have a great quality LED mask (I got the Therabody Theraface Mask, $899 — and it might just be the most expensive beauty tool I own) but the issue is, I'm just so wildly inconsistent with it. Which is unhelpful, really. Because everyone knows that when it comes to at-home LED devices, the name of the game is consistency.
In the lead-up to my wedding, I was using my LED mask every single day, and my skin was GLOWING. So my first resolution is to get back on the DIY LED wagon. I'm going to start using it every second night on clean skin (can do it while watching telly), followed by my usual skincare routine.
So if you're a gal with an LED mask that you use like, once every two months and wonder why it's not... working — this is your sign. Because using it consistently will do lots of good things for your skin — from clearing breakouts (the blue light helps with this) or minimise creases and dark spots (opt for red light).
2. Cut my hair shorter.
I wanna do it. I do. Leigh Campbell's short, chin-grazing bob has officially inspired me. I recently had a hefty chop and my hair currently touches my shoulders, but I'm itching to go even shorter. And what screams new year like a new 'do?
If you're looking to join me, the good news is that the short, clean, chin-length bob is one of the biggest trending hairstyles for 2024. Timeless and versatile, it's a simple and elegant look that can frame your features and bring attention to your jawline and cheekbones.
Just remember to have a chat with your hairstylist first so you can decide on which kind of bob will suit your face shape and style.
3. Become a lipstick girl.
This was on my beauty resolution list last year and no, I didn't become a lipstick girl. But it's back on the list, because I started dabbling with a red lip, and I think I can get there.
I'm usually just a boring balm girl, but these days there are so many hybrid formulas that give you the best of both worlds (a pop of colour AND hydration). Meaning? You don't have to worry about chapped, flaky lips.
Some of my favourites include the cult Clinique Almost Lipstick Black Honey, $46, Charlotte Tilbury Hyaluronic Happikiss, $53 and Maybelline Lifter Gloss, $20.99.
If you're not a fan of lipsticks, one trick I like to use is the 'gym lips' hack — where you basically line your lips with lip liner and pop a balm or gloss over the top. It's such an easy subtle lip look without having to wear lipstick.
4. Prioritise sleep.
A constant lack of sleep can wreak some major havoc on your skin. Like, it can literally mess with your skin's cell turnover, and cause a build-up of cells on your skin's surface, making it look dull, dry and... meh.
My nighttime routine has been getting worse towards the end of the year, and I'm finding myself staying up way later than necessary — and my skin has taken a real hit. (See: breakouts and dull skin).
That's why one of my big beauty resolutions is to go to bed earlier and ditch the whole phone-in-bed thing. In fact, I might even invest in a 'phone safe' like my colleague Clare Stephens, to stop it from sucking hours of my sleep away every night.
Phone addiction aside, another small but significant thing I've been doing is leaving my blinds open for the natural light to come through in the morning — and I swear it's making a difference. Science says it's supposed to help you sleep better and alter your body's internal clock that regulates your sleep-wake cycle — so I'm going to keep it up.
5. Be consistent with in-clinic skin treatments.
I've tried a hell of a lot of skin treatments over the year, but none have been more effective and more painful than the infamous Morpheus8 skin needling treatment. It's a radio-frequency micro-needling treatment and look, I love to hate it.
Similar to micro-needling, the procedure uses tiny needles to inflict micro 'wounds' in the skin which trigger your body’s natural healing response, resulting in the production of new collagen and elastin. The result? Firmer and plumper skin, and an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.
The only drawback? It can be pretty painful.
I've had one round out of three (it's what's recommended for best results) and a big part of me deeply doesn't want to put myself through another two sessions involving both numbing cream and happy gas again. For obvious reasons. (It hurts). But it's supposed to work really well in terms of rejuvenation — and I am HERE for results.
In fact, beauty genius Caroline Hirons told Mia Freedman it was the skin treatment she wanted to try most.
She said, "I would say it's like shaking up the quilt — you flip it to get everything back up to the top. It kind of gives you a bit of a 'zhoosh' and tightens things up. That might be the next step."
So I'm officially going to stop putting it off and complete my round of treatments.
Of course, every skin is different and if you're looking for the best treatment for your skin, the best thing to do is to see a skin expert for consultation to discuss your individual concerns.
6. Stop squeezing my pimples.
Are you a pimple squeezer? I am. But I need to stop being so touchy on the facey.
We all know what ends up happening when you try to pick at that blackhead/pimple to make it 'better' — it almost always ends up looking a thousand times worse. All red, inflamed and stuff.
While picking at spots and squeezing pimples on your face is very satisfying, it pretty much just drives that nasty bacteria farther into your skin, not only making it look a lot worse but potentially spreading the bacteria and gifting you more pimples.
Not only this, but you risk scarring and inflammation.
Instead of picking at your skin, opt for a light therapy treatment (such as blue light therapy on an LED mask), a pimple patch (TBH Patch It Up Pimple Patches, $20, are great) or keep a spot treatment handy (like Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Medicated Gel for Acne). We've got this.
7. Lean towards minimalist nails.
I've always kinda been pretty simple when it comes to my nail game (hey, OPI Bubble Bath), but after the explosion of Japanese manicures and 'clean nails', I'm firmly sticking with the minimalist nail game in 2024.
The health of my nails always seems to go left field whenever I start getting regular SNS, shellac or BIAB and it takes ages to repair the flaking, brittle nails.
So from here on in I'm going to lean towards the DIY route and opt for chic simple nails and modern French designs that don't require drilling, shaving or any of that BS. Not only are shorter nails easier to maintain, but it also means less time spent in a salon chair (it's way more affordable too).
Plus, there are now more options than ever if you want to jazz up your nails without damaging your natural nails. For example, press-on nails have had a huge glow-up (brands like Instant Mani Co and OPI have great options), helping you score a pretty mani without breaking the bank or annihilating the health of your nails.
So watch this space.
Want to hear more from Erin? Really?? You can find her on Instagram here.
What are your beauty resolutions for 2024? Share them with us in the comment section below.
Featured image: Supplied.
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