With the New Year finally here, those resolutions should be in full swing. The diets have begun, gym memberships have been signed and a new wardrobe has been ordered. A sense of empowerment is felt by a lot of women who are looking to the New Year as their chance of starting afresh. So when you make over your wardrobe, don’t forget your cosmetics as well.
The year of you
If you are planning a bit of a makeover and want to feel like you’re organised, calm and in control of your life, power dressing is a great way to go about it. Dress the part and you will feel like you can do it and become that person. Of course, with the sharp suits, crisp shirts and strong shoulders, you should have the perfect make up bag to match and the New Year is a great time to overhaul not only your look but the products you use as well.
There will be the old favourites that you take through with you and have probably had for years so you shouldn’t necessarily get rid of them but take the opportunity to try out new brands and products to see how you get on with them. Many online cosmetics companies now send free samples with orders and this can be a great way to find new products.
Choose your look
If you want to go for a strong look, pick a feature to accentuate and work with that. If you like your lips, try using bold colours or different textures to what you’re used to. A classic, creamy red lipstick will instantly draw attention to your mouth; just be sure to keep the rest of your make up neutral for maximum impact.
While the traditional ‘power make up’ is to go for a bright red lip or a dark, smoky eye, you can also use your skin to create impact. Contouring can create the illusion of very strong bone structure and give you quite a stern look, even if you stick to neutral colours on your eyes and lips. Exaggerated cheekbones and a pronounced jawline give you a similar effect and may be more suitable if you don’t feel comfortable experimenting with bright colours.
Overhaul
Your make up is a breeding ground for bacteria so make sure you keep it clean and replace it regularly. Once the shelf life of your cosmetics is nearing its end, be brutal and chuck them, even if they’re still sealed. Mascara can dry out, lipstick can go fluffy and foundation can separate. You don’t want any of that near – let alone on – your face so replace it as soon as possible.
Ask around for recommendations of wonder products if you’re not sure where to start and read up on beauty blogs to get reviews of the latest products to reach the market. Many beauty bloggers get to try out products before they’ve even hit the shelves so you can read their opinions and then make your mind up in time for release to get the must-haves straight away.
Clean time
If you like to do a spring clean at the start of the New Year, don’t neglect your cosmetics in the tidy up. Brushes need to be cleaned regularly so make sure you wash them thoroughly and dry them out properly. This should be done every couple of weeks to ensure you don’t get product build up – and also to maintain a high level of hygiene.
Invest in a new make-up bag and re-jig your skincare routine as well. Consider having seasonal products so that your skin is nourished and in great condition all year round. A natural glow will work wonders for you when you apply your make up and you’ll be able to easily create a strong, powerful look if you have a smooth and healthy base to work with.
