This month, I'm choosing to focus this habit forming theory on my New Year's Resolutions. Oh.. the ones that I carried out up until January 3rd. Unless you're Oprah, I'm sure there are some areas that require attention for you too. And isn't everyday about growth anyway? 3 days late into a month of 29 days. I'll grant you 29 habit changing ideas, all in this area right here. No need to thank me. This will help me work on my Resolution #8- Blog post daily :)
Since we are February's day 3. I'll start with 3
1. Make tiny resolutions like, wear earrings.. keep nails neat and polished.. take a moment before heading out to make sure that there aren't any scuffs on your shoes.. wear a moisturizer with SPF.. as a matter of fact, always moisturize.. whatever it is, mind the details too! Make your email password work for you, by choosing a password that states your goal, like newjob2012 or relaxmore2. Typing it daily will be a constant reminder
2. Keep your best foot forward and make the time to primp. No reason to go into the world with out a bit of makeup on. a) A pretty gloss. Something that applies nice and easy like a Stila Glaze with the built in blush. Don't like a lip? Kiehl's Lip Balm No. 1 comes tinted. Dab it on for a moist but not wet lip. b) Keep a light powder or sheer tinted moisturizer on hand to cut time while keeping a polished look. Or a perfect for you concealer to place just where you need it. under the eyes (eye lids too to even out the lids).. and on blemishes only. It's a low-key way perfect the skin. c) Mascara!!! A thin coat to the lashes just above and below your pupils will keep your looking awake. If you're like me you may need liner too. I look asleep or like I had a really rough night without it. Same thing goes for brows! A woman should not go out bald faced! d) A good cream but not greasy blush is nice to dab a pinch of color. Not matter what your complexion is.. we all look better with color!
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| Berry with Kiehl's Tinted Lip Balm As Coco Chanel would say: |
3. Remember what's important to you! Create a vision or focus board.. make it your screen saver as a daily reminder. Try www.pinterest.com to grab images online that move you or get you psyched.
4. The power of the 20 second rule! Researchers have learned that if we can knock 20 seconds off the time reequired for a task , we're more inclined to follow through. For instance, if you want to get out of the door on time, place your must have for the day items by the door i.e. your bag, keys, cell phone. If you want to work out in the morning , place your shoes and exercise clothes next to your bed the night before.
5. Work out and tone it up like you said you would. Start with 20 minutes a day on a 20 day work out. I say this as I glance over at my balance that I use only periodically as a chair (however, I have read that doing so through out the day helps for the abs).
Don't use tools as an excuse. You can grab a jump rope from a dollar store; you can wet the cloth ones for extra weight. Need weights? Use use 16 oz water bottles. No Yoga mat? Use an extra heavy weight bath towel. Here's a two week workout from Glamour Magazine that works to focus on the important strength areas that we love to obsess over:
8 Workout Moves for a Toned Body in Two Weeks Health & Fitness: glamour.com
6. Perfectly laid faux lashes for real, with these easy steps. This tip will guide you through easily applying your own pair of lashes, by applying the glue to your lash line instead of applying it to the lash strip itself.
a) Pick up a good lash adhesive glue, DUO is great and an all around industry favorite. You can get it at a drugstore, Sephora or a MAC Counter/ Store. b) Get a tooth-pick or an orange stick (orange sticks are the sticks used in nail salons, you can get it from the beauty supply store) c) Liquid liner d) Lashes for a more natural look that adds volume to your own lashes, choose a length that is close to your own length. Lashes come in so many styles and lengths. Just because they sell them, doesn't mean you have to cop and wear them. Choose wisely. Like, feathery lashes? Choose that style but again don't go to far from your own length. Longer and fuller lashes are best for the evening when you're in dim lighting. If you wear big hair, go a little bigger with the lashes.
First remove the lashes and place them on the eye just above the lash line to measure the length. They should start where your own lashes start and end at the outer corner where your lashes end or just a few hairs just past your lash line. Too long? Cut them! Hold the area that needs to be cut with tweezers or your fingers. Once measured, play with their flexibility by bending in a curve the same way it will sit on your eye. This will keep them from winging up on you at the outer corners. Not cute!
Put a drop of DUO on a paper towel or on your eyelash case. Dip your tooth-pick along the edge of the point, and side into the DUO glue. Now, place a thin line, using the tooth-pick along the top lash line the same way that you would do an eyeliner (if you need a guide for this you should use an eye pencil to line the eye first, then place glue on top of that line). Just above your lashes! Not on them. Count 5 seconds for the glue to get a little tacky. Place the lashes on the line of glue. Remember it's not set until it's dry so use this opportunity to gently shift the placement so that it's perfect. **Bonus tip: I like to apply mascara to blend the fake lashes with the real lashes so they look like they grew out of your own lash follicles. Remove excess from you mascara wand first.
7. There really is no excuse for going to sleep in your make up. ...hmm.. no.. not even that. That's why some smart person created makeup wipes. I definitely recommend using them to remove makeup and not as a supplement to a good cleanser. I use both a wipe and follow up with a cleanser. You should too! Here are some recommendations.
Target
It's the cheap stuff to get you by. Ok, to keep around for back up and in your car or purse for last minute things.
Klorane $21.99
soap.com
Great for sensitive skin. One of the Artist favorites
MAC Store, MAC Counter or www.maccosmetics.com
Great for taking it ALL off.
I try not to use these around the eye area. It has fragrances and moisturizers, I always always wash my face right after.
Target
Perfect to remove all makeup and eyeliner. Good for the most sensitive skin! One of the must haves for backstage during fashion week. A go to for not irritating your model's skin.
Neutrogena $6.49
Drugstore.com or any Drugstore
When you need to replenish wipes now! This is right at your local drugstore. Again, I'm not hot on these around the eyes!
Another one of my favorites are Target's Brand of Unscented (no Aloe or anything) baby wipes. You can get a bulk of a bunch of refill wipes (792ct) at a nice price! You just need to keep one of those plastic containers, because there's no resealing the refill packs.
They are perfect for sensitive skin and use around the eye area. They're as gentle as a cloth and water. Love 'em!! Also good for the kit and any gig plus for any Jane to use daily.
8. If you see someone with out a smile, give them yours. Don't have one of your own? Fake it.. with blush. I live for blush, there is nothing prettier than a hush of color on the cheeks. I do it all! Creams, powders, stains, gels, tints, mattes, frosts, shimmer, sheer. Looooovvvveeee it. I've simplified it a bit for you with these 2 steps to finding the right blush.
Step 1. Choose a texture.
Do you have normal to dry skin? Try a cream blush. Creams blend in seamlessly and give a naturally flushed and hydrated look.Normal to oily skin? Try a powder blush. Powders help to absorb oils and will stay put.
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| Fair Skin |
Step 2. Choose a shade.
For fair skin, keep your look natural with a soft pink
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| Medium Skin |
For medium skin, warm it up with a warm peach or dark pink
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| Darker Skin |
For darker skin, work a sheer poppy or rich warm color.
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| For fair skin: Chantecaille Cheek shade in Mood, $28; chantecaille.com |
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| For fair skin: Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Lies $24; sephora.com |
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| For medium skin: Jouer Mineral Powder Blush in Peach Bouquet, $24; jouercosmetics.com |
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| For medium skin: MAC Cream Color Blush in Ladyblush $19.50 maccosmetics.com |
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| For darker skin: Nars Cream Blush in Cactus Flower, $27; narscosmetics.com |
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| For darker skin: MAC Powder Blush in Raizin, $19.50; maccosmetics.com |
9. Write your Personal Mission Statement.. like now!
We can be hard on ourselves with deadlines and expectations, sometimes placing our fate in a single moment, person or event. When obstacles occur its easy to view it as a low point. That's when you have to consciously decide that you will determine your future.
This "PMS" thought was brought to light in a article by Bethenny Frankel; who decided, after losing on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, that her mission statement would be: YOU ARE DESTINED FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL. BUT NO ONE CAN DO IT FOR YOU, AND NO ONE CAN SAVE YOU. YOU HAVE TO SAVE YOURSELF.
I read on and decided to suggest we make one too.
Here's why: we all know that life is about the journey; it has it's peaks and it's valleys. Everything and everyone in our lives are here for a reason, and a season (whether it be long or short). Once you learn to separate the feeling of disappointment from your reality (which is the fact that some disappointments come with the process of you committing to your personal mission), you'll then have the sense of order, structure, and calm that you need to keep it moving. Your mission statement is a constant reminder that even when your job feels like a dead end, or your relationship is at it's end.. it's okay. Live your own mission, your way. See everything that you do as being a part of it.
Make it your new mantra, memorize it, or post it, just stay true to it.
"Set a solid course for yourself. Then embrace everything life hands you- and when in doubt, consult your mission statement. It has the answer." -BF
10. If you drop the ball.. just pick it back up! Aren't you the star player anyway?
11. Touch all senses and find your scent. Use a combination of your favorite scents on different parts of your body. Wear something warm and spicy down the front of your body and something sweet in your hair. You'll smell amazing and no one will be able to identify exactly what you're wearing.
12. Practice these tips to keep your smile bright and white.
- Eat stain-fighting foods i.e crunchy veggies and fruits, they'll help remove surface discoloration.
- Always rinse after drinking wine, coffee and other stain creators. Try using water that contains lemon.
- Use a straw so that beverages by-pass your front teeth.
13. Traveling soon? Incorporate these steps into your travel routine.
- Buy a disposable place mat. Use it on your meal tray during travel. Meal trays usually don't get cleaned in between each flight. Germs, germs, germs.
- If you get cold quickly, choose an isle seat. You'll avoid cold and air seeping from windows and the blowing of the over head vents.
- Be sure to thank everyone.. because you should. Be gracious and genuinely charming and you'll be surprised how much its appreciated. You could be granted a complimentary seat up-grade or even open a closing kitchen and select your own dish.
MY resolutions go a little something like this:
