As this year comes to an end, it naturally forces us to take a look back on the events that occurred, people we encountered, loved ones we lost, and the victories we celebrated.
Each new year usually starts off with all of us setting goals to achieve over the next 365 days! The most popular being weight loss!
As I am almost 8 months pregnant weight loss isn't really on my radar at the moment. I'm more concerned with having an easy labor and bringing a happy, healthy little girl into the world!
Even though most of my mind is set on entering parenthood and becoming a mom, I know I still need to set time aside to do things for myself!
I compiled a list of little things us woman can all do to give back to our selfs! Most take little to no time & have a huge feel good impact after completed!
1. Meditate
If this is something you aren't familiar with, you are missing out.
No it's not just for hippies! It's one of the best ways to start & end each day! I usually do it at the end, as I lay down for bed. I take a few moments to reflect on my day and then I let my mind slip away and let go of everything.
If you are a beginner there are guided meditations that you can just google or look up on YouTube. Put your headphones in & let them do all the work! Once you get the hang of it you can easily do it yourself.
My husband and I have been doing this occasionally as we lay down to sleep! It's been a great bonding experience and allowes us both to let go of life's everyday frustrations & stress.
2. Moistuirze.
I'm sure most of you already do this! But I am surely slacking. I'm horrible at taking care of my skin! You're lucky if I even take my makeup off at night! (I know,gross!)
But within the last 6 months I have been trying to add this to my daily routine! Some days are hit or miss.
But the days I remember to moisturize before I apply my make up, not only does my makeup last longer, I feel better.
My skin feels softer & I feel good giving back to myself. Life is always on "GO" for me! So it's nice to take a moment and do something for yourself. This easy daily step can have a great long term effect on your skin, preventative wise!
3. Deep conditioners & hair repair.
Rather you get a deep conditioner every time you are in the salon, or take matters into your own hands and do it yourself at home... Make sure you are taking care of your hair!
These Schwarzkopf "shots" are a new service we are offering in my salon for $20 & they are a big hit!
There are three different types!
1. Shine
2. Moisture
3. Repair
So no mater what your hair is lacking there is a solution! They only have to sit in the hair for like 10 minutes & you get s great scalp massage while its processing!
This is a great at home one that you can do every few shampoos. It smells delicious. I know the holidays are over, but it totally smells like Christmas! Who doesn't want to smell like Christmas !
I actually have this in my shower currently and use it often. It leaves my hair soft and shiny! It's full of nutrients that replinish what my hair is lacking from all the coloring, heat & teasing I put it through! I recommend shampooing twice and then applying this before you do anything else! That way while you wash, shave and everything else is has time to sit the 3-5 minutes the bottle suggest! You can even sleep in this one over night if you wrap your hair up in a shower cap!
Some other easy hair tips to help keep your hair healthy in the new year are:
- use less heat : air dry as much as possible!! And only flat iron it curl if need be!
- only color your roots (don't have color pulled through) : just coloring your roots doesn't damage anything! Your roots are all virgin hair so 9 times out of 10 they will still feel healthy after a chemical service.
- use the product, its a 10! (This needs its own blog & that might just have to be the first one of the new year!) : it's a great leave in conditioner that does 10 different things for your hair!
If you don't have it in your budget to get your nails professionally done, do them yourself or have a girls night where you all do each other's!
There is nothing better than a fresh manicure. I always feel so much better afterwards. Fancy polish isn't a must- but it sure does make it fun! I get all my ideas from Pinterest or the girls who do nails in my salon!
The photo above are my NYE nails! So of course they called for some bling!
I know life gets busy & maybe it's hard to make time for things like this... But there are so many quick drying, or at home gel polish lines now that there is no excuse!
5. Lip Treatments.
Either of these make great lip treatments. I personally like to combine them to make a 2 step lip treatment I try to do weekly.
The first one is like $3 from E.L.F.
I purchase all my E.L.F. Products from target! It is applied like a lipstick but has a built in exfoliant to help rub off all that excess dead skin that just builds up on your lips.
Then the second one is just some good old fashioned Vaseline! After I exfoliate I use a q-tip to apply this all over to help moisturize and soften. Especially if my lips are chapped, which happens often this time of year!
Soft subtle lips are a must if you are a lip stick lover ! There is nothing worse than a girl rocking red lips with cracks, and build up!
6. Downsize on sugar intake!
This usually goes hand and hand with weight loss tips, and it will definitely make a difference in your diet, but since being pregnant and having to follow a million rules as to what goes in my mouth, I have monitored my sugar intake more and noticed over time that the less sugar I eat the more clear my skin looks! Who doesn't want flawless skin? This is an easy way to make that happen without using products full of chemicals!
So as you kick off 2015, try a few if not all of these steps to achieve a new YOU for the new YEAR!
Xoxo,
Molly
