The Best Beauty Resolutions to Make and Keep in 2019

Embrace your face — au naturel in 2019. So do as the Parisians do and embrace that natural beauty you’ve been hiding under layers of so-called anti-aging creams and heavy mattifying makeup. For your best natural beauty base yet, skip the makeup a few times a month to give your skin a little time to breathe and reset.

Get ready for some serious budget-beauty finds with our list of the best products under $10!

We’re all guilty of putting ourselves at the bottom of the to-do list now and then — but when is it ever a good time to indulge a little? Stop waiting for the perfect moment and make a point to carve yourself out some “me time” in advance. Commit to making time for yourself, whether that means a spa date or at-home treatment — whatever it takes to relax and recharge — you deserve it!

Odds are, you aren’t drinking enough water. An article for Healthline.com suggests aiming for the 8x8 rule when it comes to hydrating: consuming eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

Healthy hydration is not only good for your skin, but helps to manage and optimize energy levels, brain function, also aiding in the prevention of things like diarrhea and kidney stones — the list goes on. Do your body — and the planet — some good in the New Year by purchasing some eco-friendly water bottles to keep with you for on-the-go H20. We love the Asobu Nature’s Way glass bottles (available in a variety of colours) from Amazon.ca!

Getting into good habits now when it comes to moisturizing regularly will not only keep your skin feeling soft and healthy, but will also do wonders in preventing things like premature wrinkles in the future. Not to mention, your skin should never be exposed to the elements without the proper moisture barrier to shield and protect it. Love your skin, and it will love you right back.

Mask and make up — with your hair in 2019 by investing in some hydrating in-shower masks. Easy to apply and effective in preventing and treating damaged hair, these masks go the extra mile in nourishing and protecting hair against the effects of hot styling tools, breakage and weather.

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According to an article on WebMD and sleep specialist Michael Breus, PhD, you should be getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. For those getting less than 6 hours, notes Breus, the lack of sleep is probably already taking a toll on your appearance, amongst other things.

Don’t be afraid to mix things up in 2019. When it comes to beauty products, finding the perfect combination for your daily routine may take some trial and error. As new products, ingredients and technologies continue to emerge, it’s worth the effort to familiarize yourself with what’s out there and introduce a few new products periodically. Sub out old products where you can for those that qualify as cruelty-free, and introduce products with simpler, more natural ingredients whenever possible. With the perfect lineup of products for your skin’s unique needs, you’ll discover your best beauty yet in the New Year.

Have you heard of these 18 cruelty-free beauty brands?

Between the harsh effects of winter weather and cosmetics that are drying out your pout with their mattifying properties, your lips may be getting seriously neglected. Treat them better in 2019 with sugar scrubs and hydrating balms to protect and plump them between lipstick applications.

Check out the best moisturizing lipsticks for dry, chapped lips.

Get organized and make better use of your products in the New Year. Take a day to do an inventory of what you have, and what might be lacking from your routine. From there, decide what from your current stock is still good, what should be tossed and how you can organize it so that everything is visible, and easy to store after use. The expiration dates of products and cosmetics vary, so it’s important to double-check if you aren’t sure. Using out-of-date products may not only be less-effective, but may also do damage to your skin if the ingredients are past-due.

Need some help getting clear on expiration dates? Check out CheckCosmetic.net for expiration dates on countless beauty and cosmetic products.

Applying SPF year-round, and opting for products that include SPF properties is a must for healthy skin. Finding the right formula for daily use can be tricky, but there’s a lot out there to choose from. We like the technology behind dermatologist-recommended Color Science Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen. Unlike traditional creams which can be thick or flaky, this product comes as a compact applicator brush and offers natural-looking foundation-style coverage for your skin.

These are the most common health concerns for Canadians in 2019.

In a post on Prevention.com, dermatologist Jessica Wu notes, “What you eat can affect your hormone balance, cause acne, and create or lessen inflammation.”

So what foods should you be eating for your best skin yet? Some popular items that dermatologists across the board seem to agree on include green tea (an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory), tomatoes (rich in lypocene, an antioxidant that protects from UV damage), and olive oil (for its monounsaturated fatty acids).

Check out these 10 foods for clear and glowing skin.

In the age of social media, it can be easy to find yourself feeling overwhelmed — and insecure — by the countless images of seemingly perfect people and lifestyles. While we’re happy to say that 2018 definitely brought on a movement towards change when it comes to mental health and being body-positive, we still have a long way to go. Take control of your mindset and minimize exposure to anything that might hinder your self-confidence whenever possible. That might mean limiting your time on social media or taking extra steps to follow only those accounts that make you feel good about yourself — whatever it takes to nurture your own sense of self-worth.

Take a break from all the screen time and settle in with a book that’s sure to boost your mood. Or curl up and plug in those ear buds with an uplifting podcast. What’s on our playlist? We’re loving Happiness, narrated by Gretchen Rubin, author of the bestselling book The Happiness Project.

Your sleep-space should be your sanctuary; a place for you to relax and unwind, getting your best rest and enabling you to reset for the next day. Your bed should also be a place that promotes your best — and most beautifying — sleep. How to achieve this? The right bed linens is a great place to start. Silk sheets have been growing in popularity for a while now, given that the breathable material is a hit for anyone with sensitive skin. Silk pillowcases are also a favourite, often praised for being less likely to cause hair breakage or frizz as you move around while you sleep.

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating — you should never, ever, go to bed without taking off your makeup and cleansing your face. Forget the dry-cleaning bill, the effects of letting day-old makeup settle into your skin as you sleep are as bad as you’d imagine. That dry mascara will wreak havoc on your lashes and can cause them to fall out. Your foundation will settle into your pores, clogging them and building up bacteria. Your long-lasting lipstick causes breakouts or blackheads on the skin around your lips. Just don’t do it!

If you find you’re always exhausted by the time you start your pre-bed routine, take action and make the effort to head to bed earlier, giving yourself the extra bit of energy to allow you to go to bed with a freshly cleansed face. You’ll see — and feel — the difference by the morning.

Read up on the 10 cleansing mistakes you might be making.

Aside from the fact that it’s a great way to relax and indulge mid-week, there are many other benefits to regularly masking your face. Masks with hydrating properties will help to seal in moisture for parched skin, while cleansing masks will go a long way in unclogging those pores. For that instant-glow, looks for masks that boast mint properties and “tingly” sensations. Not to mention, applying a mask before your other creams and serums will ensure those products are better absorbed and more effective on your skin.

Check out these DIY natural beauty hacks and products.