The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and kick some of those bad habits you’ve been nursing throughout 2021. Whether it’s your health, lifestyle or relationships, it’s time to take the reins and turn things around for the better; ‘new year, new me’ – right?
Although it sounds easy, sitting down and coming up with a million ways to reinvent yourself just because the calendar has flipped into a new year isn’t the simplest task. It can be a lot of pressure to change your routine, which probably explains why only 25% of people in Britain stuck to their resolutions last year. To provide some inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 beauty resolutions to get 2022 started right. You don’t have to change the world – just start small and see where you end up!
This might be an unpopular one to start off with, but it’s definitely time for us all to kiss goodbye to our beloved makeup-removing wipes. While they are insanely convenient, cheap, and quick to use, it’s no secret that they wreak havoc on your skin’s moisture barrier. With regular use, you’ll notice skin becoming red, dried out, and more prone to breakouts and blemishes. Even face wipes marketed as ‘skin-friendly’ or ‘sensitive’ are stripping your skin of all its moisture and natural oils. As much as it might pain you, it’s time to say goodbye.
If you’re looking for an alternative, consider the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. It cleanses your skin deeply but gently, ensuring all makeup is gone without stripping your face entirely. It’ll take an extra five minutes to remove your makeup with this, but your skin will thank you. After first use, you’ll likely notice a more radiant complexion and clearer skin. If the Liz Earle seems a little steep in terms of price, Aldi’s Lacura range offers an amazing dupe with an almost identical formula – this cult product will save you money and save your skin!
Okay, 2022 should certainly be the year that we all start taking climate change more seriously. With rising temperatures and sea levels, anything that we can do to make a positive impact on the planet has to be a good thing, right? But what can we do as beauty lovers to lessen our carbon footprint? Well, your options are overwhelming – check out our previous post on sustainable beauty to find out what you can do! Even if you don’t adopt all the advice mentioned, just making a few small changes, like opting for reusable cotton pads or a bamboo toothbrush, can affect the planet.
This resolution is perfect for anyone who wants 2022 to be the year of positivity and optimism. Let’s face it, it’s been a rough few years up until now, so let’s inject some light back into our thinking wherever possible. But ‘staying positive’ is much easier said than done, isn’t it? How can you practically become more optimistic and positive in your day-to-day life? Well, a mantra is a great place to start.
For those who don’t know, a mantra is a simple statement made to be recited frequently with the aim of affirming and encouraging you in all aspects of your life. Spend some time coming up with or finding a phrase that brings you peace and comfort, then write it down somewhere you need it. Keep your mantra short and memorable, and be sure to include strong, first-person language, like ‘I can’ or ‘I will’. Maybe you could keep it in your wallet, or next to your computer at work – just make sure it’s somewhere you will see it frequently.
When things become stressful, repeat your mantra to yourself and try to draw strength from its significance. It may sound silly at first, but when you find a mantra, it can develop real significance over time and become a source of strength and inspiration in difficult patches.
Self-care is the trend of 2022 for sure – but how can you practice self-care without spending a ton of money on bath bombs and nail appointments? As fun as it is to financially splurge on luxurious things, the most important aspect of self-care is the time you devote to doing something nice for yourself.
Set aside a half-hour before bed to give yourself a hand massage with some cheap hand cream and olive oil for your cuticles, or treat yourself to an extra-long bath with some cheap candles and your favourite music for a relaxing ambiance. Creating time for these nice activities is the best way to ensure you stay healthy and happy while you’re busy with hectic schedules and obligations throughout 2022.
When sorting out a full makeup and skincare regimen, haircare tends to get ignored. Let 2022 be the year you finally treat your tresses to some TLC – you can invest in a silk pillowcase to decrease breakage, or, if your budget is a little tighter, just opt for some homemade hair masks to do before you hop in the shower! It’s a super easy way to pamper yourself and tame any signs of frizz or damage that your hair is showing.
Every year, millions of people sign up for gyms or flood their local parks in an attempt to fulfill their resolution to get fitter. But this pressure often results in a quick burst of motivation that burns out after a few weeks and leaves you feeling disappointed and negative about yourself.
Rather than punish yourself into signing up for a gym membership that you don’t really want, think of constructive ways that you can actually improve your physical or mental health. Perhaps 2022 can be the year of trying a new food every month, or the year that you try to get out for some fresh air at least once a day. With so many of us working from home, it’s hard to break out of a sluggish routine, so avoid the pressure and give yourself achievable tasks that will motivate you to fulfill your resolution throughout 2022!
This one might be tough, but if you’re guilty of purchasing a load of trendy TikTok or Instagram fads, try to make 2022 a year of conscious shopping. Think twice before ordering something, even if it costs relatively little. Saving on lots of small frivolous purchases can really add up over time, not to mention that hopping on these trends can be really rough on the environment.
Here’s a good tip for finding out if you really need something – ask yourself for five examples of when and how you could use this item in the next month. If you can come up with five good cases, then it’s probably worth a buy. If not, avoid the temptation and let that trend pass on by.
This resolution might seem a little boring, but totting up all the numbers on your beauty spending is a great way to economise and make small savings wherever possible. Even if you’re not a spreadsheet type of person, just keep a rough estimate in your head of how much you want to spend on beauty every month, and do your best to stick to it – you might be surprised to see how much you could be saving if you work it all out!
A new year is the perfect time to switch up your skincare or makeup routine. If there are some new products you’ve been desperate to try out, look out for them and try to incorporate them into your day-to-day arsenal of products. To really benefit your skin, make sure you have sunscreen in your daily routine to ensure your skin is protected from harmful UV rays and to decrease early signs of aging.
Another resolution many people often make is to get more sleep throughout the year. Again, this is certainly either said than done; plus there’s nothing worse for a good night’s sleep than stressing about how much sleep you’ll get! Rather than pressure yourself to constantly be in bed by 10 pm, try to establish a routine wherever possible.
If you want to improve your sleeping patterns, perhaps try setting a two hour wake-up window for yourself, so even on the weekends, you can take advantage of the whole day. You’ll develop a better sleep rhythm and will likely get a better quality night’s sleep by waking up at a relatively similar time every day. But make sure you allow yourself some late nights and lie-ins when needed – we all deserve them every once in a while!
