Five beauty rules for 2011
New year's resolutions start so well, but often by the end of January, the 12-month gym membership looks like it may have been a mistake and the bathroom scales have been relegated to the back of the wardrobe.
However, when it comes to natural skin care and maintaining healthy locks, it's never too late to pay attention to the all-year rules that will keep your hair shiny and your complexion glowing.
The first thing to remember is to moisturise – whether it be body or mane. Regularly applying body lotions and natural face cream, as well as using a suitable conditioner for your hair type, is one of the best ways to make sure your body and locks stay supple and manageable, whatever the weather.
Secondly, the sun shines all year round (even though it may not feel like it) and, as makeup artist Christi Rantis told ABC 7 Chicago, you should have a basic level of sun protection in your daily routine.
For more intensely sunny situations – such as in the summer or on a winter holiday for those lucky enough to take one – you should use mild natural cleanser and a high-level UVA filter moisturiser.
While good hygiene is an absolute must, it's also important to make sure you don't wash your hair too often or bathe in excessively hot water.
Scorching showers will dry out your skin and, as becomegorgeous.com explained, washing your locks too much can upset their natural balance.
"The best thing to do is to wash your hair once or twice a week, unless you go to the gym or other different activities that require frequent shampooings," the writer advised.
It's also important to remember that you can help build your skin and hair by choosing carefully what you put in your body.
Plenty of water is obviously a must to stop dehydration and we all know we should eat five portions of fruit or vegetables a day, but supplements such as Vitamin C can also help, by preventing premature ageing and protecting against future damage.
Possibly one of the hardest tips to follow is one of the most important – managing stress.
An expert writing for the Pasadena Weekly explained: "Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your skin, hair and nails. It can worsen many skin conditions, including psoriasis, acne and rosacea, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails and lead to hair loss."
Try taking time for yourself, regularly exercising, spending time with friends and, of course, pampering yourself!
So, no excuses – even if your original resolutions have fallen by the wayside, you've still got 11 months to give your natural beauty a helping hand.
Posted by Shannon Davies
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