Top 20 Beauty & Health Resolutions to Consider for 2026

Each year I think about the top skincare tips that I plan to implement– or recommit to doing– and while some remain the same from year to year– given their importance– old ideas also give way to new ones. Here are the things that I resolve to continue to do, or to start doing in 2026.

1) Always Wear a Sunscreen: It might not be sunny outside, but your skin still needs SPF protection. We are not exempt from excessive UV exposure even during the cold months of the year. There are so many high quality sunscreens on the market that will not disturb your makeup, and that offer UVA and UVB protection. I was told by a dermatologist here in Los Angeles, who treats skin cancer on a daily basis, that one should never step foot outside without using a minimum SPF 30 on all exposed areas of the skin 12 months of the year. I apply sunscreen to my face, neck, décolleté and hands in the rain or shine. Tip: Check the expiration date on all of your sunscreens, and toss and replace those that have expired.

2) Do Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes and the delicate area around them. Skin cancer and melanoma are real concerns, and the delicate skin around your eyes is quite vulnerable to the rays of the sun.  Furthermore, excessive exposure ages the skin, and therefore bigger sunglasses that cover more surface area will definitely also help to stave-off unwanted premature fine lines and wrinkles.

3) Drink Plenty of Water: We all know that staying hydrated is very important, and drinking plenty of water is the best way to achieve this. Carrying a water bottle around with you is a great way to keep your body hydrated, and it also helps to flush out toxins, and this often translates to a much brighter complexion.

4) Get Plenty of Sleep: We all know that getting good sleep is vital to good health, and that sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on the body. So much happens in the body while we sleep, and often times things like puffy eyes, dark circles, a sallow complexion, fine lines and dull skin are a result of sleep deprivation. Rather than buying piles of products to treat each of these concerns, consider getting more sleep and let your body heal itself. Think about addressing the cause rather than treating the symptoms. It is also a very good idea to consult your doctor since there could be health concerns at issue.

5) Clean Your Makeup Brushes and Beauty Sponges Regularly: Using your beauty blender sponges and makeup brushes on a daily basis means that they obviously become dirty, but they also can harbor all sorts of bacteria that can cause breakouts and infections. Get in the habit of thoroughly cleaning them frequently to avoid contaminating the makeup that they touch, and your skin.

6) Sanitize Your Cell Phone: Think about how often you use your cell phone, and how many times it is placed on surfaces in public places. Dirty cell phones are bacteria magnets that we constantly place against our faces! From virus and bacterial transmission one can get sick or have breakouts from dirty cell phones. Clean your cell phone regularly!

7) Never Sleep in Your Makeup: This is bad for your skin for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you are impeding your bodies ability to naturally and effectively turnover dead skin cells at night when you have skin covered in makeup and all of the grime and pollution that you were exposed to during the day. Additionally, sleeping in eye makeup can actually encourage infections like pink eye, it also encourages swelling, and small particles of makeup can actually scratch the eye and cause more serious infections. Invest in a good makeup remover to use nightly before you go to sleep.

8) You Don't Need to Buy Everything that Your Favorite Bloggers Use, Review or Feature: You have to remember that beauty bloggers are not normal consumers. Sure, we still buy plenty of products and receive press samples, but testing lots and lots of products is very different than using your daily Holy Grail products. Part of what we do, is test things so that you can gather enough information about how a product performs to either consider getting it, or to rule it out. Furthermore, quality skincare and makeup products are expensive– so why waste your money buying things that you know you won't use.

9) Just Because it's Trending Doesn't Mean it's Good (or that you should do it): Let's face it, trends come and go. Some are good, and many are little more than marketing schemes to sell you stuff the you don't need in the first place. If you like a trend, and it works for you, then that's great, but exercise your free will not to jump on every bandwagon just because people claim that it's what's hot now.

10) Do Change Your Skincare Products Seasonally: Take a more pragmatic approach to your skincare routine. Evaluate the needs of your skin, and then select which products to use on any given day to tailor your routine. Just because your moisturizer works well for you the summer doesn't mean that it will in the winter. If you are prone to dehydration, then use a heavier lotion or cream, or add in a hydrating serum. The important thing is that you actually take a good look at your skin, determine any deficiencies or needs, and then add in or eliminate products accordingly.

11) Do Treat Your Hands, Neck and Décolleté as You Would Your Face: These three areas have a tendency to age faster because of their inherent exposure to the elements coupled with the neglect that they so often receive. The best thing that any of us can do early on is to nourish and protect these vulnerable areas. Pamper them with nourishing and hydrating serums and creams, and then slather them with sunscreen. Give them the same attention as you do your face.

12) Do Scrutinize the Ingredients in the Beauty Products You Use: There are many ingredients that we slather on our skin that may not be very healthy for us. Remember that the skin is our largest organ, and products that we use are absorbed into our bodies. It is worthwhile taking the time to learn about the safety of the ingredients that we introduce into our bodies. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a cosmetics database, called EWG Skin Deep that rates products for their levels of toxicity, as well as individual ingredients. To learn more, visit: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep

13) Do Consider Adding Some More Natural-Leaning Products into Your Beauty Routine: We live in a chemical-laden world, and unless you vow to live the life of a penitent monk living in a cave in the mountains, then you will likely be exposed to plenty of harmful chemicals in your lifetime. Try to rotate a few healthier products into your items into your daily routine to give yourself a break from all of the chemicals in the mainstream beauty products that we use. A really good place to start is by trying some of the many more natural deodorants.

14) Do Purge Expired Products: No better time than the beginning of the new year to toss out old expired makeup and skincare products. Old and expired products are germ-havens that can cause a whole host of infections– so don't risk it. Many skincare products lose efficacy when used beyond their expiration dates, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are contaminated and need to be tossed. Make sure to smell them, and if they seem in the least bit rancid then toss them. Old mascaras and lip glosses definitely harbor germs that you don't want to ingest or absorb into the skin, therefore when in doubt, toss it.

15) Do Consider Adding a Beauty Oil into Your Skincare Routine: You already know that I am a huge proponent of high quality beauty oils, and I have used them for many many years. However, in the last few years they have gained considerable traction in the marketplace, and as a result the market has been flooded with so many different varieties. If you have always been afraid to try one, or if you have oily skin and think it's counterintuitive to add oil to oily skin, then it's time to have a closer look at this phenomenon that has taken the beauty world by storm. First, there are different types of oils that address the needs of every imaginable skin type– including acne prone skin. Second, high quality oils deliver hydration deeper and faster than heavier creams, and can be exceedingly nourishing. There are wonderful beauty oils that range from the most affordable and easy to come by, to the ultra luxurious varieties with steep price tags.

16) Do Think Twice Before Applying Skincare and Makeup Testers to Your Skin: Tests have found store testers to contain bacteria (such as E. coli), viruses, fecal matter, mold, and more. This is enough to think twice before trying that lipstick on. If you really want to try it, ask the SA if it is possible to open a new product so that you are the first to us it.

17) Do Consider Adding Retinol into Your Beauty Routine: Retinol, which is a Vitamin A derivative, is a highly effective ingredient that lightens hyperpigmentation, softens fine lines, increases skin turn-over, fights dull skin, and boosts collagen production. Just be sure to start out with a very mild (low percentage) retinol and patch test it first. Since retinol causes photosensitivity, it is a product best used at night. For this reason you need to make sure to be diligent about using your sunscreen to keep your skin protected (and to avoid hyper and/or hypo-pigmentation). If you have any moles, discoloration, uneven texture, precancerous lesions, undiagnosed skin cancer or melanoma– or anything that doesn't seem quite right– then make an appointment to have your doctor or dermatologist evaluate your skin before you try a treatment like Retinol-based products, or any physical and chemical exfoliants.

18) Add Hyaluronic Acid into Your Beauty Routine: If you find that your skin is prone to dehydration, then adding topical Hyaluronic Acid into your beauty routine is a great solution for thirsty skin. It is an astonishingly effective humectant that attracts and retains water molecules from the environment and it rehydrates the surface of the skin swiftly. If you are a beauty blogger who repeatedly swatches on your arm, then be sure to add some Hyaluronic Acid underneath your moisturizer before you start your swatch-fest, your skin will thank you. Many products on the market contain Hyaluronic Acid, but you can also buy it separately.You only need to use a small amount, and the results are immediate.

19) Try to Stop Picking Pimples, Blackheads and Whiteheads: It's not just that you can damage the skin and cause scarring, but also because you transfer the germs from your fingers and nails right into your skin which can really exacerbate the situation. Use a spot treatment product to rid yourself of the breakout rather than turning a mole hill into a mountain. If you are looking to have extractions performed properly, get a facial from a licensed and reputable esthetician or from a reputable esthetics dermatologist.

20) Try Reducing the Number of Times Using Heated Hair Styling Devices: Even if you only reduce using your hair dryer or flat iron once a week, your hair will thank you. Repeated use of these tools can cause damage to the hair, and therefore doing it a bit less often will to prevent your hair from getting dried out, becoming brittle, and it will discourage the proliferation of split ends. Using a good quality deep moisture mask will also help.

What beauty & health resolutions do you have for 2026?! Do tell!
Copyright © 2025 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Beauty & Health Resolutions for 2020

Each year I think about the top skincare tips to consider. and while some remain the same from year to year– given their importance– old ideas also give way to new ones. Here are the things that I resolve to continue to do, or to start doing in 2020.

1) Always Wear a Sunscreen: It might not be sunny outside, but your skin still needs SPF protection. We are not exempt from excessive UV exposure even during the cold months of the year. There are so many high quality sunscreens on the market that will not disturb your makeup, and that offer UVA and UVB protection. I was told by a dermatologist here in Los Angeles, who treats skin cancer on a daily basis, that one should never step foot outside without using a minimum SPF 30 on all exposed areas of the skin 12 months of the year. I apply sunscreen to my face, neck, décolleté and hands in the rain or shine. Tip: Check the expiration date on all of your sunscreens, and toss and replace those that have expired.

2) Do Wear Sunglasses: Protect your eyes and the delicate area around them. Skin cancer and melanoma are real concerns, and the delicate skin around your eyes is quite vulnerable to the rays of the sun.  Furthermore, excessive exposure ages the skin, and therefore bigger sunglasses that cover more surface area will definitely help to stave-off unwanted premature fine lines and wrinkles.

3) Drink Plenty of Water: We all know that staying hydrated is very important, and drinking plenty of water is the best way to achieve this. Carrying a water bottle around with you is a great way to keep your body hydrated, and it also helps to flush out toxins, and this often translates to a much brighter complexion.

4) Get Plenty of Sleep: We all know that getting good sleep is vital to good health, and that sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on the body. So much happens in the body while we sleep, and often times things like puffy eyes, dark circles, a sallow complexion, fine lines and dull skin are a result of sleep deprivation. Rather than buying piles of products to treat each of these concerns, consider getting more sleep and let your body heal itself. Think about addressing the cause rather than treating the symptoms.

5) Clean Your Makeup Brushes and Beauty Sponges Regularly: Using your beauty blender sponges and makeup brushes on a daily basis means that they obviously become dirty, but they also can harbor all sorts of bacteria that can cause breakouts and infections. Get in the habit of thoroughly cleaning them frequently to avoid contaminating the makeup that they touch, and your skin.

6) Sanitize Your Cell Phone: Think about how often you use your cell phone, and how many times it is placed on surfaces in public places. If you actually knew how dirty cell phones are, they are bacteria magnets that are probably dirtier than a toilet seat at a gas station, then you might think twice about putting yours against your face. If you notice that you are having breakouts on your cheek, there is a good chance that your cell phone is the culprit. Clean your cell phone regularly!

7) Never Sleep in Your Makeup: This is bad for your skin for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you are impeding your bodies ability to naturally and effectively turnover dead skin cells at night when you have skin covered in makeup and all of the grime and pollution that you were exposed to during the day. Additionally, sleeping in eye makeup can actually encourage infections like pink eye, it encourages swelling, and small particles of makeup can actually scratch the eye and cause more serious infections. Invest in some good makeup wipes to remove your makeup before you go to sleep when you are too tired to do a proper job of washing your face. I always have several varieties on hand for just that reason.

8) You Don't Need to Buy Everything that Your Favorite Bloggers Use, Review or Feature: You have to remember that beauty bloggers are not normal consumers. Sure, we still buy plenty of products and receive press samples, but testing lots and lots of products is very different than using your daily Holy Grail products. Part of what we do, is test things so that you can gather enough information about how a product performs to either consider getting it, or to rule it out. Furthermore, quality skincare and makeup products are expensive– so why waste your money buying things that you know you won't use.

9) Just Because it's Trending Doesn't Mean it's Good (or that you should do it): Let's face it, trends come and go. Some are good, while others are regrettable and in hindsight end up downright embarrassing, and many are little more than marketing schemes to sell you stuff the you don't need in the first place. Just because it's the Pantone Color of the year doesn't mean that you have to paint your house that color, or wear it from head to toe. If you like a trend, and it works for you, then that's great, but exercise your free will not to jump on every bandwagon just because people claim that it's what's hot now.

10) Do Change Your Skincare Products Seasonally: Take a more pragmatic approach to your skincare routine. Evaluate the needs of your skin, and then select which products to use on any given day to tailor your routine. Just because your moisturizer works well for you the summer doesn't mean that it will in the winter. If you are prone to dehydration, then use a heavier lotion or cream, or add in a hydrating serum. The important thing is that you actually take a good look at your skin, determine any deficiencies or needs, and then add in or eliminate products accordingly.

11) Do Treat Your Hands, Neck and Décolleté as You Would Your Face: These three areas have a tendency to age faster, and show the ravages of time because of their inherent exposure to the elements coupled with the neglect that they receive. Why is it that they are so often an afterthought in our beauty routines?! The best thing that any of us can do early on is to nourish and protect these vulnerable areas. Pamper them with nourishing and hydrating serums and creams, and then slather them with sunscreen.

12) Do Scrutinize the Ingredients in the Beauty Products You Use: There are many ingredients that we slather on our skin that may not be very healthy for us. Remember that the skin is our largest organ, and products that we use are absorbed into our bodies. It is worthwhile taking the time to learn about the safety of the ingredients that we introduce into our bodies. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has a cosmetics database, called EWG Skin Deep that rates products for their levels of toxicity, as well as individual ingredients. To learn more, visit: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep

13) Do Consider Adding Some Natural Products into Your Beauty Routine: We live in a chemical-laden world, and unless you vow to live the life of a penitent monk living in a cave in the mountains, then you will likely be exposed to plenty of harmful chemicals in your lifetime. Try to rotate a few healthy lipsticks, lip glosses, skincare etc. items into your beauty routine to give yourself a break from all of the chemicals in the mainstream beauty products that we use.

14) Do Exfoliate: Exfoliating is a wonderful way to remove dead skin cells from head to toe, and this allows your skincare products to work more effectively by allowing them to absorb more efficiently. Sometimes there is a tendency to over-exfoliate (by applying too much pressure), or to do it too often– refrain from doing either because you can actually injure the skin, break capillaries or cause irritation. Take a less is more approach and select a gentle exfoliator that does a great job without traumatizing the skin.

15) Do Purge Expired Products: No better time than the beginning of the new year to toss out old expired makeup and skincare products. Old and expired products are germ-havens that can cause a whole host of infections– so don't risk it. Many skincare products lose efficacy when used beyond their expiration dates, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are contaminated and need to be tossed. Make sure to smell them, and if they seem in the least bit rancid then toss them. Old mascaras and lip glosses definitely harbor germs that you don't want to ingest or absorb into the skin, therefore when in doubt, toss it.

16) Do Consider Adding a Beauty Oil into Your Skincare Routine: You already know that I am a huge proponent of high quality beauty oils, and I have used them for many many years. However, in the last few years they have gained considerable traction in the marketplace, and as a result the market has been flooded with so many different varieties. If you have always been afraid to try one, or if you have oily skin and think it's counterintuitive to add oil to oily skin, then it's time to have a closer look at this phenomenon that has taken the beauty world by storm. First, there are different types of oils that address the needs of every imaginable skin type– including acne prone skin. Second, high quality oils deliver hydration deeper and faster than heavier creams, and can be exceedingly nourishing. There are wonderful beauty oils that range from the most affordable and easy to come by, to the ultra luxurious varieties with steep price tags. It's worth taking a deeper look, and if you don't know where to start, have a look at my Luxury Oils tab at the top of this website.

17) Do Think Twice Before Applying Skincare and Makeup Testers to Your Skin: Tests have found store testers to contain bacteria (such as E. coli), viruses, fecal matter, mold, and more. This is enough to think twice before trying that lipstick on. If you really want to try it, ask the SA if it is possible to open a new product so that you are the first to us it.

18) Do Consider Adding Retinol into Your Beauty Routine: Retinol, which is a Vitamin A derivative, is a highly effective ingredient that lightens hyperpigmentation, softens fine lines, increases skin turn-over, fights dull skin, and boosts collagen production. Just be sure to start out with a very mild (low percentage) retinol and patch test it first. Since retinol causes photosensitivity, it is a product best used at night. For this reason you need to make sure to be diligent about using your sunscreen to keep your skin protected (and to avoid hyper and/or hypo-pigmentation). If you have any moles, discoloration, uneven texture, precancerous lesions, undiagnosed skin cancer or melanoma– or anything that doesn't seem quite right– then make an appointment to have your doctor or dermatologist evaluate your skin before you try a treatment like Retinol-based products, or any physical and chemical exfoliants.

19) Add Hyaluronic Acid into Your Beauty Routine: If you find that your skin is prone to dehydration, then adding topical Hyaluronic Acid into your beauty routine is a great solution for thirsty skin. It is an astonishingly effective humectant that attracts and retains water molecules from the environment and it rehydrates the surface of the skin swiftly. If you are a beauty blogger who repeatedly swatches on your arm, then be sure to add some Hyaluronic Acid underneath your moisturizer before you start your swatch-fest, your skin will thank you. Many products on the market contain Hyaluronic Acid, but you can also buy it separately.You only need to use a small amount, and the results are immediate.

20) Try to Stop Picking Pimples, Blackheads and Whiteheads: It's not just that you can damage the skin and cause scarring, but also because you transfer the germs from your fingers and nails right into your skin which can really exacerbate the situation. Use a spot treatment product to rid yourself of the breakout rather than turning a mole hill into a mountain. If you are looking to have extractions performed properly, get a facial from a licensed and reputable esthetician or from a reputable esthetics dermatologist. You can also ask them for a lesson on the proper technique for at-home extractions for your particular skin.

What beauty & health resolutions do you have for 2020?! Do tell!
Copyright © 2019 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Top 20 Beauty Resolutions to Live By in 2016

1) Always Wear a Sunscreen: It might not be sunny outside, but your skin still needs SPF protection. We are not exempt from excessive UV exposure even during the cold months of the year. There are so many high quality sunscreens on the market that will not disturb your makeup, and that offer UVA and UVB protection. I was told by a dermatologist here in Los Angeles, who treats skin cancer on a daily basis, that one should never step foot outside without using a minimum SPF 30 on all exposed areas of the skin 12 months of the year. I apply sunscreen to my face, neck, décolleté and hands in the rain or shine.

2) Never Sleep in Your Makeup: This is bad for your skin for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you are impeding your bodies ability to naturally and effectively turnover dead skin cells at night when you have skin covered in makeup and all of the grime and pollution that you were exposed to during the day. Additionally, sleeping in eye makeup can actually encourage infections like pink eye, it encourages swelling, and small particles of makeup can actually scratch the eye and cause more serious infections. Invest in some good makeup wipes to remove your makeup before you go to sleep when you are too tired to do a proper job of washing your face. I always have several varieties on hand for just that reason.

3) Use a Rich Hand Cream Everyday: During the colder months of the year, and especially during the cold and flu season, I wash my hands an astonishing number of times. Being a college professor, during midterms and finals especially, is a super germy enterprise. Students come to class and office hours sick– to the extent that I often have to tell them to go to student health immediately because they need to be seen. I also am handed piles of germ saturated term papers after watching them get sneezed on. You get the picture, working at a university is like working in a petri dish. So I wash my hands all of the time which leaves them very dry. I not only carry around rich hand cream everywhere that I go, but I also leave a few tubes on my nightstand and use them on my feet and hands before I go to sleep every night.

4) Just Because it's Trending Doesn't Mean it's Good (or that you should do it): Let's face it, trends come and go. Some are good, while others are regrettable and in hindsight end up downright embarrassing, and many are little more than marketing schemes to sell you stuff the you don't need in the first place. Just because it's the Pantone Color of the year doesn't mean that you have to paint your house that color, or wear it from head to toe. If you like a trend, and it works for you, then that's great, but exercise your free will not to jump on every bandwagon just because people claim that it's what's hot now. Take for instance the whole concept of contouring, when done well, and with some subtlety, it can really enhance facial features, but when done with a heavy hand it looks utterly ridiculous.

5) You Don't Need to Buy Everything that Your Favorite Bloggers Use, Review or Feature: You have to remember that beauty bloggers are not normal consumers. Sure, we still buy plenty of products and receive press samples, but testing lots and lots of products is very different than using your daily Holy Grail products. Part of what we do, is test things so that you can gather enough information about how a product performs to either consider getting it, or to rule it out. Furthermore, quality skincare and makeup products are expensive– so why waste your money buying things that you know you won't use.

6) Consider Adding a Beauty Oil into Your Skincare Routine: You already know that I am a huge proponent of high quality beauty oils, and I have used them for many many years. However, in the last few years they have gained considerable traction in the marketplace, and as a result the market has been flooded with so many different varieties. If you have always been afraid to try one, or if you have oily skin and think it's counterintuitive to add oil to oily skin, then it's time to have a closer look at this phenomenon that has taken the beauty world by storm. First, there are different types of oils that address the needs of every imaginable skin type– including acne prone skin. Second, high quality oils deliver hydration deeper and faster than heavier creams, and can be exceedingly nourishing. There are wonderful beauty oils that range from the most affordable and easy to come by, to the ultra luxurious varieties with steep price tags. It's worth taking a deeper look, and if you don't know where to start, have a look at my Luxury Oils tab at the top of this website.

7) Change Your Skincare Products Seasonally: Take a more pragmatic approach to your skincare routine. Evaluate the needs of your skin, and then select which products to use on any given day to tailor your routine. Just because your moisturizer works well for you the summer doesn't mean that it will in the winter. If you are prone to dehydration, then use a heavier lotion or cream, or add in a hydrating serum. The important thing is that you actually take a good look at your skin, determine any deficiencies or needs, and then add in or eliminate products accordingly.

8) Treat Your Hands, Neck and Décolleté as You Would Your Face: These three areas have a tendency to age faster, and show the ravages of time because of their inherent exposure to the elements coupled with the neglect that they receive. Why is it that they are so often an afterthought in our beauty routines?! The best thing that any of us can do early on is to nourish and protect these vulnerable areas. Pamper them with nourishing and hydrating serums and creams, and then slather them with sunscreen. Be sure to remember to reapply your sunscreen as you would to your face. Your skin will thank you, and so will your 70 year old self with skin like a 40 year old!

9) Add Hyaluronic Acid into Your Beauty Routine: If you find that your skin is prone to dehydration, then adding topical Hyaluronic Acid into your beauty routine is a great solution for thirsty skin. It is an astonishingly effective humectant that attracts and retains water molecules from  the environment and it rehydrates the surface of the skin swiftly. If you are a beauty blogger who repeatedly swatches on your arm, then be sure to add some hyaluronic acid underneath your moisturizer before you start your swatch-fest, your skin will thank you. Many products on the market contain Hyaluronic Acid, but you can also buy it separately.You only need to use a small amount, and the results are immediate.

10) Exfoliate!: Exfoliating is a wonderful way to remove dead skin cells from head to toe, and this allows your skincare products to work more effectively by allowing them to absorb more efficiently. Sometimes there is a tendency to over-exfoliate (by applying too much pressure), or to do it too often– refrain from doing either because you can actually break the skin, break capillaries or cause irritation. Take a less is more approach and select a gentle exfoliator that does a great job without traumatizing the skin.

11) Drink Plenty of Water: We all know that staying hydrated is very important, and drinking plenty of water is the best way to achieve this. Carrying a water bottle around with you is a great way to keep your body hydrated, and it also helps to flush out toxins, and this often translates to a much brighter complexion.

12) Add Some Natural Products into Your Beauty Routine: We live in a chemical-laden world, and unless you vow to live the life of a penitent monk living in a cave in the mountains, then you will likely be exposed to plenty of harmful chemicals in your lifetime. Try to rotate a few healthy lipsticks, lip glosses, skincare etc. items into your beauty routine to give yourself a break from all of the chemicals in the mainstream beauty products that we use.

13) Pamper Your Tresses: If you chemically treat your hair, use heated styling tools or otherwise abuse your hair as most of us do– then give it a break. Whenever possible, forgo your heated styling tools (even if only for a couple of days). Avoid washing your hair every single day, and periodically stop using your styling products. Once in a while use a clarifying shampoo to remove all product buildup, and then use a nourishing and hydrating mask to deep condition your hair. Using a suitable oils for hair and scalp is also a great way to nourish and hydrate those tresses.

14) Get Plenty of Sleep: We all know that getting good sleep is vital to good health, and that sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on the body. So much happens in the body while we sleep, and often times things like puffy eyes, dark circles, a sallow complexion, fine lines and dull skin are a result of sleep deprivation. Rather than buying piles of products to treat each of these concerns, consider getting more sleep and let your body heal itself. Think about addressing the cause rather than treating the symptoms.

15) Purge, Purge, Purge: No better time than the beginning of the new year to toss out old expired makeup and skincare products. Old and expired products are germ-havens that can cause a whole host of infections– so don't risk it. Many skincare products lose efficacy when used beyond their expiration date, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are contaminated and need to be tossed. Make sure to smell them, and if they seem in the least bit rancid then toss them. Old mascaras and lip glosses definitely harbor germs that you don't want to ingest or absorb into the skin, therefore when in doubt, toss it.

16) Clean Your Makeup Brushes and Beauty Sponges Regularly: Using your beauty blender sponges and makeup brushes on a daily basis means that they obviously become dirty, but they also can harbor all sorts of bacteria that can cause breakouts and infections. Get in the habit of thoroughly cleaning them frequently to avoid contaminating the makeup that they touch, and your skin.

17) Stop Picking Pimples!: It's not just that you can damage the skin and cause scarring, but also because you transfer the germs from your fingers and nails right into your skin which can really exacerbate the situation. Use a spot treatment product to rid yourself of the breakout rather than turning a mole hill into a mountain.

18) Sanitize Your Cell Phone: Think about how often you use your cell phone, and how many times it is placed on surfaces in public places. If you actually knew how dirty cell phones are, they are bacteria magnets that are probably dirtier than a toilet seat at a gas station, then you might think twice about putting yours against your face. If you notice that you are having breakouts on your cheek, there is a good chance that your cell phone is the culprit. Clean your cell phone regularly!

19) Wear Sunglasses!: If you think for a second that repeatedly squinting in the bright light isn't a breeding-ground for crow's feet, then think again! Bigger glasses that cover more surface area will definitely help to stave-off unwanted premature fine lines and wrinkles.

20) Consider Adding Retinol into Your Beauty Routine: Retinol, which is a Vitamin A derivative, is a highly effective ingredient that lightens hyperpigmentation, softens fine lines, increases skin turn-over, fights dull skin, and boosts collagen production. Just be sure to start out with a very mild (low percentage) retinol and patch test it first. Since retinol causes photosensitivity, it is a product best used at night. For this reason you need to make sure to be diligent about using your sunscreen to keep your skin protected (and to avoid hyper and/or hypo-pigmentation).

What are your Beauty Resolutions? Do tell!

Copyright © 2016 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Resolutions & the Highly Anticipated for 2014

Zeus anticipating 2014

I hope that your 2014 is off to a fantastic start! I do not tend to make lots of resolutions as the new year comes along-- instead I try to reinforce good habits and dissuade overindulgence in anything that has a tangible or unhealthy downside. That said, I rather doubt that I will stop indulging in luxury beauty oils or exciting new lip products in the new year.

Here are a few things that I plan to continue doing in 2014 (and a few things in which I will likely indulge):

1) Using what I have. I will continue to keep myself accountable by revealing my monthly empties posts, and I will continue using my makeup in Project Make-A-Dent. I abhor waste-- particularly when I am the one being wasteful. There is something so satisfying about tossing empty containers in the recycle bin knowing that I actually used the contents rather than pouring my money down the drain.

2) Continue to repurpose products that didn't quite work for me. If, for example, I have a face cream that is far too rich for my combination skin-- then I use it on my face and décolleté. I have used rich eye creams on my cuticles, shampoo misses as body washes, and conditioner misses as shaving creams. I have also learned that many facial cleansers that are too stripping for my face are perfect as shave creams and body washes. If I have a friend who will benefit from a product that I can't use-- then I will give it to her/him. However, often times a miss for me will likely be a miss for them as well. The most extreme case that I had was a horrible shampoo that was far too stripping to use even as a body wash-- so stripping in fact, that I used it to clean my shower and bathtub (and it did an amazing job).

3) Drink less coffee and more water. Pretty self explanatory! When I am spending long hours in front of the computer working I find myself drinking coffee later in the day than I should. I have been replacing those afternoon cups of coffee with big glasses of water instead.

4) Be even more thoughtful about my beauty purchases. I have so much skincare and makeup that something has to be really spectacular to warrant the purchase. Just because it is from a highly anticipated limited edition collection does not mean that I have to buy all, or any of it. I have gotten pretty good about this over the years. I have thought about this issue a great deal and wrote about it in greater depth here.

5) While I stand by what I said in #4 that does not mean that I am impervious to new collections. With all of the buzz surrounding the upcoming Spring 2014 collections, the one that I am eagerly anticipating is the Tom Ford Color Collection for Spring 2014. The 8 Tom Ford Sheer Lip Colors in nudes, pinks, reds and oranges look stunning (preview here). The nudes and the pinks have captured my imagination! I will swatch the collection and then decide if any are must-haves for me.

6) Continue reorganizing my makeup and skincare products. I need to get things organized in a manner that allows me to see everything at a glance (so that I don't forget what I have) and to be able to reach things without creating an avalanche of products.

7) Deep condition hair more often. Because of our busy schedules it becomes all too easy not to give hair a special deep conditioning. I'm not talking about the hair mask in the shower that you leave on while you shave-- I'm talking about the kind that you leave in your hair for an hour or two as you lounge about the house with your hair wrapped in a plastic shower cap and a big towel. During the colder months this will go a long way to keeping your hair in good shape-- especially if your hair tends to be dry or damaged.

8) Try more skincare products from Radical Skincare, African Botanics and Goldfaden MD! These lines utterly blew my mind in 2013. I will have many more reviews from these lines in 2014.

9) Continue to use my many skincare samples in an effort to find a real gem among the masses of tiny bottles, tubes and packets. Samples are such a great way to discover what works and what doesn't. It is a great way to save money on the many misses out there, but I am determined to find an amazing gem that is so great that it warrants being purchased. Clearly the trick is that you have to have enough of the product to see whether it will actually work for you. One small sample packet doesn't provide enough product to give you any real idea of how it will work for your skin.

10) Try a few new organic skincare/bodycare lines. With all of the chemicals and GMOs that we ingest-- it makes a great deal of sense to have more organic products in my beauty arsenal. I am careful to eat organic foods whenever possible-- so adding more organic products into my beauty routine seems very sensible.

Do you have a list? If so, what's on it?

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Beauty Resolutions to Consider for 2013

Man Ray.  A l’heure de l’observatoire-les Amoureux. (1934) 

I) Use a sunscreen with a minimum of an SPF 30 on all exposed areas-- even into your hair line on the driver's side of your face. Not only will you prevent your skin from prematurely aging, but you will lessen your chances of getting skin cancer. My all-time favorite Holy Grail sunscreen is Clarins UV Plus HP Eran Multi-Protection SPF 40 because the texture is divine, it plays well with makeup, it is a 100% mineral sunscreen, it is easy to find, and it is reasonably priced.

II) Treat your hands and décolleté as you would your face. These areas, due to their exposure, tend to age at a more rapid rate. Therefore moisturize, pamper, and use sunscreen on those areas. I spoke about this issue in my My Daily/Huffington Post interview here.

III) Start using an eye cream, even if you don't think that you need one yet. The eye area is so delicate, and there's an eye cream out there that will suit every age and skin type. Your 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 year old self will thank you!

IV) Never sleep with makeup on, period. Remove your makeup no matter how tired you are. Mascara and eye makeup can migrate into your eyes while you sleep potentially causing a plethora of problems. These problems can range from bloodshot eyes, red and puffy eyes, scratched corneas, and more serious infections. If you are too tired to go through your entire cleansing ritual have a bottle of cleansing water on hand to remove everything from your eyes and face before you fall asleep. Additionally, sleeping with foundation, blush etc. on your face can clog pores and cause breakouts. Nighttime is the greatest time of skin cell turnover- therefore clean skin is essential to aiding, rather than impeding, this natural process. When I'm particularly exhausted and don't have the energy or inclination to do my entire nightly skincare routine I use my Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water to remove everything from my face and eyes. There are many such cleansing waters on the market these days, and they are perfectly suited to those lazy days and sleepy nights when you just can't be bothered.

V) Simplify your skincare ritual enough so that you will actually do it. If you have too many potions and lotions you will likely tire of so many steps and start creating short-cuts. Instead of spending a mortgage payment or two on piles of products that will end up collecting dust, or expiring before you get to them-carefully evaluate the needs of your skin and pick the products that address them. Less is more. I have been really enjoying the streamlined approach of vbeauté for the efficacy and well-edited selection of their fantastic products.

VI) Consider adding a face oil into your beauty routine. They are available in every price range, and they range from those formulated for acne prone skin types, to those for normal to combination skin, to those that target skin from the driest end of the spectrum. My Holy Grail facial oil is Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil because it is a magical golden elixir that leaves my skin unbelievably hydrated with an unprecedented glow from within. Additionally, it has eliminated two dry patches on my face that nothing else has ever addressed. I love this product so much, that it was my number one choice when I was asked to contribute to the My Daily/ Huffington Post article entitled The Beauty Gifts Girls Want For Christmas by Katie Jones. It is definitely the best beauty splurge that I have ever made, and to me it is definitely worth every cent. There is a good reason that Allure's Best of Beauty Awards selected Olio Lusso as among the winners in the Best Splurges Category!

VII) Buy what you need, or what you really love and will actually use. Just because it is from a limited edition collection doesn't mean that you will love or use it. Be more savvy when you hand over your credit card. Consider paying cash rather than using a credit card-- it will really make you stop and think about the purchase before parting with cash, whereas credit cards tend not to feel like real money. I have given much thought to this topic causing me to write an article on the subject.

VIII) Make a concerted effort to use what you buy. That way you won't accumulate overwhelming piles of things that you ultimately won't end up using. Starting my monthly Empties Posts has helped me tremendously. It has made me a more discriminating consumer, and it feels fantastic seeing the physical evidence that I am actually using what I have.

IX) Treat your feet with respect and pamper them daily. Pumice them when needed, and moisturize them with a nice rich cream nightly. I like to wear nice thick socks when I sleep in order to seal in the moisture. Your tootsies will thank you, and you can show off your pretty pedicure with pride when you aren't sporting scrappy feet!

X) Use a lip balm each night before going to sleep and you will wake up with baby soft lips. Whether you love Carmex or By Terry Baume de Rose-- keep it on your nightstand so that you remember to use it nightly. By doing this you will not only get more out of your lipsticks and glosses, but you will use less product when you aren't dragging them across a rougher lip surface. My favorite to date is Rodin Olio Lusso Lip Balm.

XI) Add a few Multitaskers to your makeup wardrobe so that you can look pulled together in a few minutes when you are pressed for time. One of my favorites is Susan Thompson Cosmetics Liquid Blush in Mim's The Word because you can apply it to your lips and cheeks with your fingers in a few seconds. Add a swipe of eye liner and mascara and you are out the door in minutes. Mim's The Word was my top choice when I was interviewed by Kelsie Blazier in her  REDBOOK article on 40 No-Fail Beauty Shortcuts.

XII) Try not to over-process your skin! We are constantly inundated by so many masks, exfoliants, peels, and serums that we often end up over-doing it. Too much of a good thing turns out not to be such a good thing after all. In fact, the rife succession of so many of these active products can cause breakouts, thinning of the skin, not to mention creating greater skin sensitivities, and can even break capillaries.

XIII) Periodically give your hair break from flatirons, blow dryers and other tools that can be very drying and damaging over time. Remember to deep condition your hair, and sometimes just let your hair dry naturally.

XIV) Consider adding a retinol based product into your nightly beauty routine. Retinoid creams or retinol creams, which are Vitamin A based anti-aging products, are now generally accepted as among the most effective anti-aging products on the market. They treat a myriad of beauty concerns from fighting fine lines, eradicating sun damage, reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, exfoliating dead skin cells, and evening out skin tone. What’s more, is the fact that they are now available in all price ranges from the affordable drugstore varieties to those with hefty luxury price tags. Many dermatologists are emphatic that the use of retinol creams necessitates the use of sunscreens since it is thought that retinols create photosensitivity. Other dermatologists argue that it is the retinol itself that shouldn’t be subjected to the sun because it can materially alter the efficacy of the product itself. Some retinol creams have up to 1% solutions, which often tend to be too powerful for people with sensitive skin, but many are buffered and come in .50% solutions. Higher percentage solutions may be obtained through your Dermatologist, and are only available with a prescription.

There are even retinol-based products on the market that have been specifically formulated for daytime use. However, most are formulated for nighttime use only. I use my retinol-based products at night only, and always wear a sunscreen during the day. My suggestion is always to err on the side of caution and where a sunscreen, and I was told by a dermatologist never to walk out of the house without wearing an SPF 30.

Retinol based products are not for everyone, and retinoids should be strictly avoided by pregnant women, women breastfeeding, people with hypersensitive skin. Consult a dermatologist to determine whether retinol based products are right for you. Click here to see what I said about retinol creams in my REDBOOK interview.

XV) If you find that you are breaking out- sometimes the culprit is the most obvious and the most overlooked: dirty brushes. Remember to clean your makeup brushes to avoid breakouts, eye infections, and the general unnecessary spread of germs.

XVI) Remember to use lip products with an SPF to protect your lips when you are outdoors. Whether you choose a lip gloss or a lip balm alone or to top off your lipstick-- it's important to remember to protect your pretty pout.

Which beauty resolutions are on your list?

My Daily Article, "New Year's Resolutions From 8 Beauty Experts" by Katie Jones Features Lola's Secret Beauty Blog!

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Naturally when Katie Jones, Assistant Editor of My Daily, asked me to contribute to her article New Year's Resolutions From 8 Beauty Experts I was thrilled to partake. Here is her wonderful article (click through to see all of the contributors), and you will find my contribution here. Enjoy!