Resolutions are tough to keep, but these 11 tips will keep you happy and healthy for years to come!

1. Remove makeup before bed
You’ve had a long day at work, or taking care of the kids, before you know it, its time for bed or you’ve already dozed off with your makeup. Make this year of fully removing your makeup prior to retiring. By sleeping with your makeup on letting the day’s pollution, debris and makeup settle into your skin. You know what that means? Wrinkles, fine lines before your time, clogged pores and it prevents your skin from doing its night job, which is repairing itself.

You always seem to forget to take the make-up off right? Well change it up and make the routine work for you. You don’t need to remove your makeup right before bed. Do it at the same time as you brush your teeth. Do it after dinner. Do it at soon as you get home or as soon as you put the kids to bed. Think about what works for you and stick to it.

2. Cleanse regularly (This means at least once daily)
A clean face is a happy face. Even if you don’t wear makeup, the elements around us can wreak havoc on our skin, especially in the winter. Again, incorporate it into your routine. In the morning bring your facial cleanser in the shower and lather up your face while you wash your hair.

In the evening make it part of removing your makeup routine. For beauty resolutions 1 and 2, I find the disposable cleansing cloths invaluable. I use the inexpensive drugstore no name brand so regardless of how tired I am, I have that 2 minutes to cleanse and remove my makeup.

In addition to daily cleansing, at least once a week exfoliate to slough away dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion.

3. Drink water
The best way I found to increase my water intake is to carry a sport bottle that holds at least two cups of water at a time. I keep this at my desk throughout the day and refill several times a day. This works great at home too. You’ll find if you keep the water close to you, you’ll reach for it more often.

4. Clean you makeup brushes
If you use brushes to apply your makeup, you should be cleaning them regularly. There’s no need for those expensive brush cleaners. A mild soap works just as well and is more cost-effective.

5. Eat healthy
Over the holidays I indulged in my share of delectable goodies and as good as they tasted going down, the permanent home they’ve found in my hips is not pleasing. Now if you can’t live without your daily dose of chocolate or soda try cutting back. What I like to do for a fizzy sweet treat is use Crystal Light single serving packages and instead of regular water use either tonic or mineral. It gives you the fizz of a soda without the calories.

6. Chuck the makeup
There was a time where I had enough makeup to supply the Miss Universe pageant. All good things must come to end, and as much as I hated to part with my sheer blue lipstick that was all the rage years ago, it has no place for me today. Discard any cosmetic you have not worn in the past year. If you are saving it because you believe you will wear this color one day; honey, you won’t its why you haven’t worn the color since the sales lady convinced you to buy it. Make this the year you will not be influenced by the sales lady but will buy what makes you look good.

7. Moisturize
This is even more important during the winter especially if you live in a harsh climate. Don’t forget the rest of your body either.

8. Use sunscreen
Sunscreen is not just for summer, you should be using it year round to protect your skin from sun damage. Look for an SPF of 15 or more and reapply often if you spend more time out in the sun. Don’t forget that sun damage occurs even when it’s a cloudy day. Even though you might not be able to see the sun, the clouds are actually magnifying the intensity. In the winter the reflection of the snow does the same thing.

9. Exercise
Start simply, by doing little things such as not choosing the parking spot right by the front doors at McDonald's. Park a little further and enjoy the walk. The added bonus: you won’t feel guilty when you order the Big Mac.
Exercise helps your skin in many ways; commit yourself to build up to at least 30 minutes a day 3 times a week.


10. Pamper yourself
Make it a point this year to treat yourself more often. Whether it be once a week or once a month, do something nice for yourself. For some that could mean going to the spa or giving yourself an easy home pedicure. For others could mean taking the time to shut the world out and relax with a cup of tea and a good book. Whatever the case may be schedule yourself in!

11. Be confident
This is your year to be the diva you are. Admit it we all want to be someone special and the truth of the matter is you are. Make this the year you start believing it!