Get More Tips on Your Beauty Routine

A new year means a new you. It's time to consider some changes to your beauty routine and use and get skincare gifts.

Are you a fan of the tried-and-true products you usually use? If so, stick with them! But if it's time for an upgrade, or if you're not sure about some of the product names and what they do for your hair, skin, and nails, there are plenty of resources that can help.

Buy Skin Care Gifts for Friends

You'll want to keep in mind that a gift should be something the recipient will enjoy and use. You can do two things here: buy gifts that are very luxurious items that they wouldn't buy for themselves or gift them products made specifically for their skin type and age.

If you're buying a gift for someone with a similar skin type as yourself, gifting a set of cleansing cloths, moisturizer and sunscreen is an option. You can also think about giving them items like nail polish remover pads, fragrance rollerballs, lip balms, small candles, or anything else you know they love.

Look for Natural Ingredients

When buying products, look for those that are all-natural. This will help you avoid putting chemicals on your skin and hair. Natural products often cost a little more, but they are worth it. Remember to read the labels before you purchase anything to ensure that what you're getting is good for your body.

Use High-Quality Brushes and Applicators

You read that right: You should be investing in your brushes and applicators. There's a reason why makeup artists use professional-grade tools when applying makeup with high-quality brushes; it looks flawless on the skin. “Brushes are your friends and an investment in your face,” says renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown. “When it comes to applying the product, there is no substitute for quality brushes. The difference is real, noticeable, and important.”

This means that you need proper eye shadow brushes (such as a tapered brush for blending color), plus an excellent eyeliner brush (for creating thick or thin lines) and blush brush (a fluffy option can help blend color seamlessly into the skin). If you're unsure about what types of brushes are best for you, ask a beauty advisor at your favorite retailer for help! And remember to clean your brushes regularly – unless you prefer dirtier-looking makeup application… we didn't think so!

Let Your Skin Acclimate to the Sun

If you're new to sunbathing, it's important to acclimate yourself slowly. Spend a few minutes out in the sun every day. If you're using sunscreen, don't apply it all at once; instead, put on a thin layer and monitor how your skin reacts. After a couple of days, add another coat or two. Don't use tanning beds; they are artificial and can increase your risk of skin cancer.

Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours that you spend outside. Even if you have darker skin, there's no such thing as being immune to the harmful effects of the sun. Wear sunglasses that filter UV rays and protect your eyes from short- and long-term damage.

Avoid peak sun hours between 10 AM and 2 PM in most areas since the sun is most potent during this time frame. You should also avoid getting a full-body tan at first; concentrate on one area, such as your face or legs, until you build up a tolerance for sunlight exposure without burning sensitive areas like your face or shoulders.

Moisturize Your Skin Every Day

Moisturizing is essential for healthy skin, especially in cold weather. In the winter, indoor heating can leave skin dry and itchy. When you forget to moisturize your face, hands, and feet daily, you may develop cracks in the skin that can lead to infections. Choose a hypoallergenic moisturizer to keep your skin smooth and hydrated without clogging pores or causing breakouts. If you have oily skin, choose an oil-free or water-based moisturizer; if you have dry skin, use an ointment or cream; and if you have sensitive skin, select a fragrance-free product. Avoid using lotions with alpha-hydroxy acids because these products can irritate sensitive areas of the body, such as your face.

The best time to apply moisturizer is after bathing while your pores are still open from the steamy shower water. Apply generous amounts of moisturizer all over your body; use unique products — such as foot creams — on your hands and feet every night before bed to prevent them from becoming rough and cracking during cold months.

Great beauty routines depend on suitable products and a solid knowledge of your skin.

Know what you're working with.

Make sure you know how sensitive your skin is to different ingredients and how prone it is to breakouts. It's best to take the time to do a little research on your specific type of skin.

Navigate unique textures, smells, and styles.

You should be able to identify a product that's right for you within minutes of picking it up—and sometimes, you can even determine this from the store shelf by looking at the consistency or smell of the cream or lotion. It would help if you also looked for a product that will work in harmony with the makeup or other products you'll use on top of it (like foundation).