Have you resolved to make 2012 a year of looking your best? Whether you have decided to eat right, work out, follow a beauty regimen or simply feel better about yourself, the following are easy ways to look and feel your best throughout the new year.
1. Getting manicures and pedicures is a great beauty pick-me-up. You'll have pretty, polished fingers and toes plus your cuticles and skin will be in better condition. Not to mention the pampering hour or so that you get to spend getting the services!
Make your manicures and pedicures last longer:
- Try the Extended Wear gel polish. It gives a shiny, chip-free finish with zero dry time and lasts for up to two weeks (sometimes longer!). Light colors are less obvious as they grow out, so this can be a good option for less maintenance.
- Use a cuticle oil daily or every other day. This helps keep your nails well-conditioned so they avoid chips, cracks, and splits.
- Keep heels from getting rough and calloused with Alpha Beta lotion. The 15% alpha beta in this product gently exfoliates the skin, prolonging your pedicure results.
2. Dry skin is a winter woe that few people can avoid. It can have varying degrees of effects, but dry, itchy skin is never comfortable!
Avoid dry skin by following these simple steps:
- Shower in warm, not hot, water. Even though your house may be cold, cranking up the shower temperature will do more harm to your skin than is worth it from that hot, steamy shower.
- Moisturize your skin frequently with a high-quality lotion, such as our Extreme Hydration. Look for ingredients such as natural oils and hyaluronic acid to pamper your skin. Bonus: the better quality of product, the less you have to use AND the better it absorbs into your skin, saving you time!
3. Feeling pale? It's been a long time since most of us have seen the sun and our skin is looking pale and pasty. Resist the urge of visiting a tanning bed and use a sunless self-tanner instead. The risks of tanning beds are too numerous to make it worth that tan -- and sunless tanners have improved dramatically in the last few years, so they can look just as natural.
- Tip: make sure your skin is well-moisturized before applying sunless tanner, and always apply thin layers. If you do have some streaking, exfoliate the area gently to remove the excess buildup of color.
- Don't forget to wear gloves or wash hands immediately after applying to avoid orange palms!
4. Wash your makeup off completely every night. Sure, we all know we're supposed to do this, but did you know that for every night you sleep with your makeup on your skin can age the equivalent of up to 8 days? That's worth making yourself do it!
- Some facial cleansers, such as HydroPeptide Cleansing Gel, contain gentle eye-makeup removing properties, so you don't have to use a separate product to get your eye makeup off. This can save time and an extra step before bed -- getting you more beauty sleep!
5. Faking a good night's sleep is difficult to do, but with a few steps you can look well-rested even if you're exhausted.
- Splash your face with cool water in the morning to reduce water retention and puffiness, then apply an eye cream with brightening properties, such as HydroPeptide Eye, which has crushed pearls to brighten up the dark circles.
- Make sure you apply plenty of concealer to your undereye area -- it should be a few shades lighter than your skin to cover circles.
- Go easy on the eye makeup, sticking with neutral shadows in cool tones, and finish with eyeliner and mascara on top lashes only.
6. Get your hair done regularly. How many of us have looked in the mirror, thought about scheduling a haircut or color, then waited an extra few weeks to actually do it? Those extra weeks are spent struggling with your overgrown style and trying to hide regrowth that refuses to be camoflouged. Make your life easier and ask your stylist (if he or she hasn't already told you) when you should be coming back to have your style refreshed. Then, make your apppoinment as you're leaving the salon -- even if you end up having to change it closer to the date, at least you'll remember the approximate date when you should return. Your hair will thank you, and so will your getting-ready routine, since you won't be fighting with a style that has lost its luster.
7. Schedule a massage. The health benefits alone should motivate you to visit a licensed massage therapist, but let's face it, it's also a great way to relax. Kenneth's offers a variety of massage options to appeal to everyone, but the most important benefits are the same no matter which one you choose:
- Relieve muscle tightness/tension
- Work on any nagging or lingering injuries or sore spots
- Improve your body's functions, including the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems
- Get tips for better posture and taking care of yourself on a daily basis
8. Commit to feeling better about yourself. Even if there are things you'd like to change about your appearance, focus on the positives first. It's easier to change small things one at a time instead of looking at the big picture and wanting an entirely new appearance. Chances are you have a few features that you like -- play them up and focus on them, while working to steadily improve the things you don't like.
