Table of Contents
Today is the true first day of the year. We return to the routine, whatever our particular routine is. It’s time to get out of relaxed vacation mode and embrace the new broom spirit. I’m talking about using the clean slate of January to focus time and energy on an area of beauty that could benefit from your attention.
This is a time for projects rather than purchases. The issue is energy and enthusiasm. Pick an area and work on it until the end of next month. This gives us about eight weeks. With a specific point of obsession, by early March you will have achieved a small but significant goal to give momentum to your steps.
I start with hands and nails because this is my project: I have let the grooming aspect pass. My nails are weak, my hands are dry. I refuse to use Shellac to get out of this. Instead, for six weeks, I’ll take a couple of Vitabiotics Perfectil Plus Nails tablets (£18 for 60, Boots.com) a day; Its selenium increases keratin for stronger claws (Brazil nuts are also a great source).
Still, it’s more about attitude than investment. Admittedly, I’ve stocked up on a large bottle of Mylee Sweet Almond Nail and Cuticle Oil (£9.99, amazon.co.uk), along with empty Twist Nail Pens (£4.98 for six) to fill and save wherever you go. But it is a commitment to anoint my claws, massage them and moisturize them. I’ll also exfoliate my nails to stimulate cell renewal and therefore growth, with whatever physical or chemical incarnation I’m using on my face or body, from scrubs to glycolic toners to retinol.
Any leftover face cream will smear on my hands. In the meantime, I’m painting the few nails I have with nutrients to improve the appearance; currently the French color and care hybrid Manicurist Active Bright (£16, sephora.co.uk). The goal is to immerse yourself in your project to the point where you’re actively restless: do it when you wake up, after lunch, while watching TV, and before bed.
I start with the hands and nails because this is my project: I have let the care aspect go, writes HANNAH BETTS.
You may want to recommit to a skincare routine if you’ve been feeling like this is slipping away from you. Look for a French pharmacy brand such as Avene, Bioderma or L’Oreal, or try M&S’s Formula range (from £6) or Sali Hughes’ Revolution products (from £7).
As a basic kit, you will need a cleanser, a daytime SPF 50, and some type of nighttime repair serum. Since it’s winter, you’ll also need a good moisturizer.
If you want more protection during the day, add vitamin C. If you want to combat fine lines and the like at night, consider retinol.
Massage your face while feeding. Enjoy the process. If you want to enjoy it more with the occasional luxurious perk, then by all means, knock yourself out. Tatcha’s light yet velvety Indigo Cleansing Balm (£40, spacenk.com) is my solution to transforming a chore into a joy.
Maybe your makeup fell by the wayside over Christmas and it’s time for a reboot? If so, head to a cosmetics counter where they’ll create a five or ten minute facelift for you and see what they recommend. Jones Road, Bobbi Brown and Trinny London are all great places to get advice on ways of minimum effort and maximum results.
You may want to focus on strengthening the body, with a dry skin brush, an in-shower scrub, and then a decadent salve. Or maybe you need to focus on nourishing your hair. A couple of months of massaging conditioner into my arid mid-layer changed my hair.
In a few weeks, the increase in eyebrows and eyelashes will register an impact in the spring. Olaplex Browbond (£48, spacenk.com), combined with Eylure Dybrow Permanent Tint (£5.29, amazon.co.uk), then conditioning (try the lip balm) rejuvenated my sparse brows.
The trick is tenacity, and that’s something us middle-aged people can handle.
Run towards it!
Apparently 91 percent of us are dehydrated this time of year. Inkey List Hydrobarrier Serum (£15, boots.com) is a cocktail of ectoine, hyaluronic acid, ceramide and oats that provides hydration up to ten layers deep and, at the same time, reinforces the skin barrier in just 15 minutes. Run, don’t walk.
My icon of the week: Lisa Eldridge MBE
Makeup artist and brand founder Lisa Eldridge, 50, was awarded an MBE. Her favorite lipstick is the neutral pink Lisa from her Rouge Experience range (£49, lisaeldridge.com). Loves Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50 (£38, cultbeauty.es) and Dieux Forever Eye Masks (£22) applied over The Inkey List Caffeinated Eye Cream (£10).
Cosmetic craving
Clarins Toning Treatment Oil (now £29.25, escentual.com) is a classic body and mood lifter. Launched in 1965, this bestseller has long been the preferred formula for women during pregnancy and other physically challenging periods.
It’s made with 100% pure plant extracts, including rosemary, geranium and mint, known for their ability to firm, tone and improve elasticity, while hazelnut oil locks in moisture to leave skin silky smooth.
It is best to apply sparingly to damp skin; Its fine molecular structure means it is easily absorbed.
Tonic Treatment Oil is one of the few body products that really seems to have a firming effect and at the same time is an aromatic pleasure.
Energizing scrubs
MakeUp Eraser in black (£21, makeup eraser.com).
A microfiber flannel: shorter fiber side cleans, longer side gently exfoliates.
Ishga Exfoliating Facial Soap (£31, uk.ishga.com).
An exquisite rinse, that is not drying, rich in vitamins and with fine grains of algae to exfoliate.
Yo Glow Wishful Enzymatic Scrub (£34, Boots.com).
Makeup artist Huda Kattan created this best seller that changes dead cells.
UpCircle Coffee Facial Scrub – Floral Blend for Sensitive Skin (£17.99, upcirclebeauty.com). Coffee grounds to exfoliate and vegetable oils to soothe.
Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Placid 5-Acid Daily Scrub (£9.80, revolution beauty.com). Exfoliating and illuminating toner to decongest the skin.