4 New Year Beauty Resolutions

A new year, a fresh start. We all love that feeling of having a clean slate at the beginning of every year, to better our lives in some way, whether it be to finally go after that promotion at work or to simply clean out the make up draw!

Here are some health and beauty resolutions, that we will definitely (well try to anyway!) be following this year, and attempt to still be following after the end of January…which would be an improvement from last year!

1. Drink more water

It may sound obvious and simple, but drinking water does wonders for your skin (let alone health), so aim to drink at least 8 glasses a day.

2. Clear out the make up drawer

We love to hoard make-up and keep that limited edition lipstick from when we were 18, but most cosmetics have a shelf-life and will become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria if kept too long. Spend one day in January clearing your drawer out and you will be guaranteed to feel cleansed after. Plus, it makes room for that new highlighter you’ve had your eye on right?

3. Look after your skin

You’ll thank your former self for your thorough skin care routine when you’re an 85 year old woman, who looks around 55! Cleanse, tone and moisturise daily, use a good eye-cream and come see us for regular facials – it does wonders for the skin! Ask our experts at Gems which products to use for your skin type and we will advise you accordingly. 

4. Don’t sleep with your make-up on

The biggest beauty no-no. Yes we have all done it once or twice and you might even have done it recently over the party season but your skin needs to breathe when you sleep, so wearing a thick layer of make-up will block your pores This will leave your skin vulnerable to dirt and bacteria. Besides, its not a nice feeling, when you wake up to discover half of the night’s foundation and eyeliner on your pillow! Gross!

4 tips to help you survive the party season

With Christmas and NYE approaching, every day weekday or weekend, the diary is full with plans of trips to the local ice-rink, Christmas shopping, the work Christmas do, and endless nights out. Your skin goes through a lot during this time of year, so here are some tips to keep it glowing & bright this December.

1.   Don’t ditch the routine

With the cold weather, party make up slapped on, busy schedule & mince pies consumed (hey its Christmas after all!), it’s more important during this month, to have a good routine and give your skin a little more TLC.

 2.   Stay hydrated

Consuming all things mulled and spiced, it’s easy to over indulge during the festive period. However, most of the Christmas treats we love and alcohol dries out your skin, which can lead to the forming of fine lines. To balance it out, stay hydrated and aim to drink 8 glasses of water a day, to give your complexion a healthy boost ahead of the annual Christmas Eve night out!

 3.   Tell-tale tired eyes

Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but the one thing we less than like is the lack of sleep. Tired eyes with dark circles are not a good party look, so make sure you use your eye cream, every morning and before bed, to help the skin around your eyes look fresher. Try keeping your eye cream in the fridge for an extra cooling sensation.

4.   Try to keep a healthy-ish diet

Now, we know its Christmas and the Quality Street is flowing, but at the same time try to also keep a healthy, balanced diet. This will help you fight off any bugs and colds but will also keep your skin looking healthy and glowing.

Tips on how to take care of your eyelash extensions

It’s party season and with the Christmas work party coming up, the girls booking in nights out and New Year’s Eve plans are being finalised, its time to get prepped and pampered. Hair did, nails did, everything did, but ever thought of getting eyelash extensions?

Eyelash extensions enhance the length, thickness and fullness of your natural eyelash, so there’s no need for curling, mascara or applying fake lashes this season – which shaves off valuable minutes of your makeup routine, when you’re already an hour “fashionably” late!

Here are some top tips of how to look after your luscious new lashes:

1) Give your lashes a little TLC. Be careful when washing your face, and try to avoid water from the shower going directly on your eyes. Also take care not to rub your face with a towel too roughly and be cautious when removing eye makeup. Try to wipe across the eyelid and not downwards as this can weaken the extensions.

2) Give them a good comb, to prevent any criss-crossing or wonky lashes. Use a spoolie wand and place it on top of your lashes, at the root and brush over.

3) However amazed you are by your new lashes, try your hardest not to play with them. Eyelashes shed naturally, but playing with them will help push them off. If an extension looks out of place, avoid using your fingers to straighten it and use a spoolie instead!

4) Most of all have fun with your new lashes and enjoy all the compliments and questions of which mascara you use!