At the start of a new year, it's easy to fall into the trap of setting overly-ambitious, unrealistic goals for the months ahead. With January already upon us, the GH beauty team found themselves discussing proposed resolutions; some recycled from last year, most of them unanimous (making lunch at home instead of eating out, getting more sleep and drinking less caffeine all came up).
Often, starting small is the way to go. Complete one easy task and feel like you can conquer your whole to-do list. With that, we decided that, actually, New Year's resolutions are out, and good habits are in.
So, we've each vowed to make one change to our beauty routine. As a group of beauty-fanatics, the GH team consider themselves fairly preened. But no one - not even a beauty editor - can do it all.
Beauty Director Eve Cameron is giving her hair the attention it deserves
Eve Cameron is taking the sage advice of her hair guru, Zoë Irwin, the Creative Director at John Frieda Salons. "I recently had a Radiance Reset appointment with her – a 45 minute treatment-meets-haircare lesson – which takes you through a deep cleanse, scalp exfoliation (rather than my usual scouring technique Zoë advised a slower, firm kneading so the scalp moves and relaxes), bond building and mask application (I’d never have thought to brush a little along my hairline to help de-frizz the greys) finishing with a gloss and blow dry. At home, I’m committing to regular masking with both Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask, £67 and Pureology Hydrate Superfood Mask, £34.80."
It's remembering to take skincare supplements for Senior Beauty Editor Alexandra Friend
Alexandra is devising a foolproof plan for the year ahead. "Advanced Nutrition Programme’s Head of Nutrition, the amazing Lorraine Perretta, recently told me that supplements are better absorbed when taken with a main meal, so I now take mine with dinner rather than at breakfast; my evenings are much calmer than my mornings, too, so I’m far less likely to forget. I also now measure them out every Sunday evening and leave them where I can see them – so far so good! I take quite a few different supplements, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Skin Omegas, which work on hydration from the inside and give my skin a real glow."
For Beauty Editor Lynne Hyland, it's about giving her delicate eyes a break
Lynne Hyland is removing mascara from her makeup bag - for now. "I’ve fallen back in love with lash extensions since visiting Edy London for her signature ‘beautiful yet undetectable’ look, seen on everyone from Trinny Woodhall to Lisa Snowdon. After a fortnight of not scrubbing harshly away at mascara, it’s dawned on me that a subtle set of faux lashes can have anti-ageing benefits for the eyes in more ways than one. Although I can’t afford to see Edy as often as her celebrity clientele, I’m doing the next best thing at home, and using underlashes. As the name suggests, these attach to the underside of your natural lashes which means there’s no visible join, just a soft, pretty, eye-defining effect - no mascara required. As long as I sleep on my back, I can keep brands like Eylure Underlashes and Lashify on for days at a time. My poor, sore eyes certainly appreciate the break from being scoured with a cleansing pad."
Wearing the posh perfumes is Beauty Editor Anna Lao-Kaim's goal
Anna Lao-Kaim is making everyday beauty rituals that bit more meaningful. "In the same vein as never saving beloved clothes ‘for best’, I plan to reach for my extra special EDPs far more often, with a particular emphasis on applying formerly out of bounds juices in January, even if I’m going precisely nowhere. Scent is so much more than an impression left on others; it’s proven to impact mood and cognitive function, so I figure that starting the day with a spritz of something that I truly love (at the moment that’s Akro Rise Eau de Parfum, £80) is a happiness-enhancing habit that ensures that the most joyful items on my dressing table don’t gather dust."
Beauty Writer Phoebe Lee is investing in her skin health
"I’ve been experiencing bouts of the perioral dermatitis for the last two years now. It’s an unglamorous skin condition that causes redness and flaking around my mouth and nose, occasionally flaring up when I introduce a new skincare product (even ones designed for sensitive skin). One quick Google search will indicate how misunderstood this condition is. After years of suffering, the smartest thing I did was book an appointment with consultant dermatologist Dr. Alexis Granite. Her sage advice and swift treatment made me consider why I didn’t see her as soon as this condition cropped up. One appointment later and I’d been prescribed a treatment that turned my skin around in a week. Investing in my skin health with a brilliant doctor – instead of dabbling in products and scouring the internet – is perhaps the most sensible thing I’ve done for my skin for a long, long time."
2024 is the year Beauty Intern Chloe Woodland is keeping her tools clean
Chloe Woodland is finding that routine is key to making a resolution stick. "I’m precious about changing my pillowcases regularly and have a disciplined approach to my skincare routine, but I often leave my makeup brushes to fester for weeks on end. Yes, washing them all is an inconvenient and tedious task, but I notice a real difference in the seamless application of my makeup and the improved condition of my skin whenever I make the time. I use a gentle baby shampoo and swirl the brushes in small circles in the palm of my hand until the water runs clear. I’m committing to adding it to my Sunday evening 'reset' routine. That way, my brushes will be dry by morning and ready to use for the week ahead - and I'll remember to do it."
