5 New Year's Beauty Resolutions You Should Make

New Year's is one of our favorite times of the year - it's the perfect time for renewal and for making changes in your life. We have a habit of making changes to our diet, our drinking habits and our smoking habits, but it's very unusual for us to make beauty resolutions. But if you do, you could find yourself looking younger, brighter and happier than ever before - and your self-confidence will be improved too. Take a look at our 5 top beauty resolutions to learn more about what you should and shouldn't do this year.

I Will Clean Out My Makeup Bag

Many of us have makeup bags crammed with old, unused and unwanted products, chalky sponges and slightly dirty makeup brushes. Give your makeup bag an edit, wash or bin old manky sponges and wash your brushes thoroughly using shampoo at least once a week. Throw away products that are over six months old as they could be harbouring bacteria - plus, it's a brilliant excuse to buy some new makeup! Review the products that you keep to ensure that they're still the right shade for you - for example, in summer, you'll need a slightly darker concealer and foundation as the shade of your skin changes in the sun. Test out things like eyeshadow and lipstick to see if they still suit and if not, bin them! Look to the catwalks and beauty magazines for tips on the latest beauty trends and invest in makeup that will flatter you, rather than makeup that is exclusively trendy - try to find the right balance.

I Will Follow a Cleansing Regime

We're not saying you should start cleansing, toning and moisturizing every morning and every evening - although if you have the time, your skin will definitely thank you for it.

When you're in the shower first thing in the morning and waiting for your conditioner to sink into your hair, rub a little gentle facial cleanser or a gentle face scrub into your skin and rinse clean - your skin will be refreshed and it won't have taken any extra time out of your day. If you're particularly acne or spot prone, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make, too, to keep your skin as clear as possible. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg and drink at least 6 to 8 cups of water each day to flush out toxins - your skin will be brighter and much more glowing. Choose sensible makeup products, too - mineral products are really useful for those with spot prone skin as they let the skin breathe, without clogging the pores.

Read More: Do You Have A Beauty Routine?

Don't forget to moisturize, either. Moisturizing is really important - not only does it prevent flaking skin, but it can also help aging skin appear more youthful, restore glow and improve tone and texture. If using an oil reducing moisturizer, it can also help to minimize shine and greasiness - while a moisturizer for dry skin will help to nourish skin. Use products that are specifically designed for your skin type and you should notice an improvement in your skin.

I Will Take Care Of My Nails

Taking care of your nails can often come way, way down on your list of things to do - especially if you're a mum or constantly on your feet. Make one of your resolutions to take care of your nails and you'll soon feel happier and more put together. You don't have to go to the salon to get your nails done, either - a cheapy nail care kit and some gel nail polish are all you need to get the perfect nails. Rub a cuticle cream, or, if you don't have one, a moisturizer into the nails to soften the cuticles, then carefully use the tool in the nail kit to push back the cuticles. File the nails - short, rounded nails are often the most fashionable, although longer nails a la Rihanna are starting to become more popular. Once you're happy with the shape, paint on a base coat, leave to dry, then a few thin layers of gel nail polish, leave to dry and finish with a top coat. Use a gentle nail varnish remover to get rid of nail varnish at least once a week and let your nails rest a little while in between colored polish, using clear polish every once in a while so that the nails do not stain.

I Will Floss Every Day

Take care of your teeth and they'll take care of you. Brush your teeth twice a day, morning and evening, for 2 minutes each time. Many of us use completely the wrong brushing technique, so it's important that you brush properly to remove plaque and to prevent a build-up of tartar - after all, you don't want to develop gum disease. Using a pea-sized blob of toothpaste (any variety will do, it is the technique that matters rather than the brand) and start at the back of the teeth at the bottom of the mouth. Holding the brush sideways, covering no more than two or three teeth at a time, brush 10 times, backwards and forwards. Keep going until you do the whole mouth, top and bottom, back and front. Floss thoroughly once a day and if you think you need to, use mouthwash once a day too.

Read More: Beauty Tips: How to Remove Make-Up Properly

I Will Do Something Different

If you're anything like us, you've been stuck in a bit of a beauty rut for a few years now. Maybe you always wear the same color eyeshadow or do your lipstick in a certain way, or maybe you never leave the house without a cat's eyeliner flick. This year's main beauty resolution, for us, is to do something at least a little bit different. Try a new eyeshadow, a new lipstick, a new blush or even a new nail color - or change the way you do your makeup, i.e. use a brush instead of a finger or experiment by using your finger to dab lipstain onto your lips instead of a brush for a "blurred" look. It's New Year - so why not make it a New You?