Who said you have to break the bank to start the year off looking your best? We’ve compiled our best tips for looking great without spending a fortune.
FACIAL MASSAGE
We can’t stress enough the benefits of facial massage. Plumped skin, diminished wrinkles, and boosted circulation… Of course, you can opt for a technique done by a professional, like the kobido massage, but taking 5 to 10 minutes a day to self-massage your face is probably the best beauty resolution you’ll make this year! A quality jojoba, sweet almond, or coconut oil, gentle strokes (always upward and outward), and you’re good to go.
DRYING YOUR HAIR WITH A T-SHIRT
More absorbent than a terry cloth towel, gentler on your hair, the t-shirt is a winner. Opt for cotton, and wrap it around your damp hair after you get out of the shower. Then gently pat, don’t rub. A good habit to get into to avoid knots, split ends, and breakage.
SLEEPING ON 2 PILLOWS INSTEAD OF 1
Puffy eyes when you wake up? We know the feeling… Slightly elevating your head during the night with an extra pillow improves lymphatic circulation and prevents fluid buildup in the face. Why didn’t we think of this before?
STEAMING YOUR FACE
It’s an essential step in a spa treatment, but we rarely think to steam our faces at home. By dilating our pores, it removes impurities and prevents blackheads and whiteheads. Done before a cleansing mask, it increases its effectiveness. So, we fill a bowl with steaming water (with 2 or 3 drops of essential oil if desired), and place our face over it for 10 minutes, covered with a cloth to keep the steam in.
SLEEPING WITH YOUR HAIR TIED UP
When we sleep with our hair loose, friction damages it, tangles it, and eventually breaks it. Plus, the residue from styling products and the oils naturally present in the length can also cause breakouts on the parts of the face that come into contact with the hair. So, it’s decided: starting tonight, we’ll choose one of these hairstyles to sleep in.
Also read: Can a nap affect our night sleep?
DRINKING LEMON WATER
Lemon is known as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral ingredient. We recommend mixing it with warm water and drinking it on an empty stomach in the morning for a detox effect. The result? A top-notch body that has brighter skin and is less prone to imperfections.
SLEEPING ON YOUR BACK
Did you know that people who sleep on their stomachs or sides are more likely to develop wrinkles and fine lines on those areas? It’s mechanical: by subjecting the skin on our face to tension and friction night after night, it loses elasticity and ages faster. It’s not easy to change this kind of habit, we agree, but after all, it doesn’t cost anything to try.
DRYING YOUR HAIR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF YOUR USUAL MOVEMENT
This is probably the simplest trick, but it’s devilishly effective for adding volume to fine hair. When we part our hair on the « wrong » side while drying it, we create a reverse movement. All we have to do is part it on the usual side once the hair is dry to create volume.
ENDING YOUR SHOWER WITH A COLD WATER JET
Ouch… this is a tough one to read in the winter. And yet – we’re almost sorry to tell you – the invigorating effect of a cold water jet at the end of a shower is undeniable. For hair, cold water closes the scales and makes it softer. For the body, it firms the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite. We promise we’ll try it (tomorrow?)
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DAYLIGHT
As long as we don’t over-expose ourselves to the sun, we can gain a lot from getting our daily dose of light. It plays a major role in the secretion of hormones that regulate our internal clock, reduce stress and improve our mood. Less tired, more relaxed, smiling… all promises that make us want to go outside before the sun sets. Because being beautiful starts with well-being.