My Beauty Resolutions For 2013
Hi my lovelies, how is the new year treating you so far? I’m still in holiday mode but most folks go back to work proper today. I’ve been beaching and running quite a lot — which means I’m darker than I was in September (FOTD here), so I’m thinking of getting a darker foundation and powder. Expect a report on that soon!
And thank you for all your nice comments on my last video, My Top 10 Japanese Beauty Products In 2012, and am keen as beans to film more.
Let’s get on with today’s topic, shall we? I’ve never done a new year resolutions post on the blog so it’s time I do as I have some that I am determined to keep in 2013…
#1 Wash hair less frequently
I said that I was fixed in my daily washing habit before but I have discovered a way around not cleaning my hair for 2-3 days — dry shampoo. Since I have very long hair, I don’t want to dry it out by frequent washing and I’m plagued by the possibility of having straw-like hair in middle age. To prevent that from happening sooner than necessary, I use Skinny Skinny and Batiste to keep the oilies away from my scalp. My ends don’t get greasy so I actually feel quite comfortable washing my hair every other day or even less.
#2 Consume less sugar
I have been cutting down on my sugar intake since last September but I want to do better in 2013. I stopped eating banana, grapes, mango, pineapple, melon of any kind, granola, muesli, and sweetened soy milk. I’ve also tried to avoid Thai food because a lot of sugar is put in Thai dishes which is sad for me as I love the taste of Thai cuisine. But I have been indulging in ice-cream and cake almost on a daily basis during my holiday. My only consolation is that I’m still consuming less sugar than before the time I gorged on sweet fruit based breakfasts every single day.
After 3.5 months of being “sugar conscious”, my skin has actually stabilized even more in terms of breakouts. My hormonal breakouts were also mild and I’m very sure eating less sugar has something to do with it because sugar affects your hormones. You should give this a go if you are at your wit’s end about acne. Oh and try drinking apple cider vinegar, too.
#3 Stop buying poor quality products
I love shopping at drugstores and have a weakness for hoarding cheap bargains, but I really want to stop this because it’s such a waste of money, especially if I add up all the duds in a shopping bag. I would probably be able to buy one or two high-end quality products with that money thrown down the bin. I also saw a huge improvement in my body skin in 2012 when I stuck to additive-free (i.e. free from artificial fragrance, parabens, sulphates, etc.) body soap and lotions. They are more expensive but I’m convinced more than ever than I would rather regularly splurge on high-end bodycare than deal with irritating chronic skin conditions.
#4 Pick up dry skin brushing more often
Gosh, I really neglected my own advice partly because it became inconvenient and my skin didn’t face as many issues as before. I would usually workout before I shower so my skin would be damp and I would skip body brushing altogether. But I think I should brush my skin before my workout because I think this habit would help with cellulite and maintain skin health.
#5 Rotate my makeup more frequently
This one is not something new but I have become very slack. I have a special tray in my bathroom where I put a bunch of makeup — if it is in front of me, I will use it. However, the items in this tray have not changed for the last two months. I would like to up the rotation to once a week, so I’ve decided I should spare 5 minutes on Sunday evenings to change out the products in this tray to spread the love around my collection.
#6 Be more positive
This probably wasn’t that obvious on the blog but I was a negative Nancy for a lot of 2012. My insecurities came out in full force due to some personal challenges but I had the chance to do some reflection year-end and I’m determined to be more conscious of letting toxic thoughts overtaking my mind and emotions. It’s not directly related to beauty per se but I think positivity keeps stress levels at bay, and in turn, your skin suffers less, no?
What are your resolutions, beauty and non-beauty wise, for 2013, dear readers?
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I’m so impressed with how much sugar you’ve cut out. I think that’s a resolution for me, too – but I need to start with the basics, like eating less wheat and less straight up sugar.
Agreed on the cheap products, too. I got one of the Fukubukuro from LUSH this year, and the products reminded me how cruddy the drugstore and 100yen products are that I had been buying.
Still have to watch your Best Japanese Products video and possibly add to my “quality products” shopping list. Have a great year!
I’d love to cut down my sugar intake too, although I’m not sure if I can cut down on fruits. I’ll take it one step at a time and do the conscious cutting down first
Happy new year lovely
I love your resolutions. #2 and #6 should be my resolutions as well.
P.S. I have been using more “natural” skin care products lately, and my skin loves them as well. I am not sure if it is due to these products, or something else. Parabens are actually not bad at all. It is all propaganda. They normally occur in nature such as plants and fruit (for example, blueberries). Although I am 100% for organic products and organic food, I simply hate false statements coming from some people.
I really enjoyed reading your resolutions, Yu Ming! I really wish I could cut out sugar like you but I have ZERO willpower!
I am trying to eat less refined/processed sugary foods but I could NEVER in a million years give up my sugary fruits! I guess there are worse things out there though and a mango or pineapple would be better than a candy bar. That’s what I should do…substitute sweets for sugary fruits for a while til I get the hang of it! 
I also have been meaning to take on skin brushing too–I’ve been saying I will do it for the last year but haven’t gotten around to buying a brush 
I NEED to do this!
Hi Sandra, yeah I am also beginning to realize not all additives are evil. There is another view that without preservatives, products turning bad could also pose as a skin hazard. However, alot of natural products usually do away with a set of chemical additives as I mentioned in my post, so I cannot say for sure exactly which additive makes my skin condition flare up but I just go with more thoughtful, additive-free products for body care as I have seen an improvement in my skin, as opposed to using bog standard drugstore brands like Dove etc.
Hi Becca, I think the key is to cut down and not cut out. I don’t believe in completely cutting out an ingredient or food group any more. I’m just trying to be moderate. I realized that I tend to eat dessert when everyone else is so I’m trying to tap into what I really want. So if I really don’t feel like something sweet after dinner, I just don’t, but if I feel like it, I’ll have a small portion of whatever it is I’m craving. I think I have one of those personalities where if I cut something out completely, I tend to binge alot on it later. Anyway, cheers to us keeping to our new year resolutions
Hi Jordan, happy new year to you dearie! I try not to get too down about not eating as much sugar. I actually feel the difference now — if I revert back to a high sugar meal, I get that post meal slump so bad which I’m beginning to really dislike. I have never bought a fukubukuro because I’m never around that time of the year but would love to nab one next year.
Hope you are enjoying those Lush goodies…
@Tine: Yeah I was horrified when I researched more into a low sugar diet because I am crazy about fruit, since I come from Singapore. But I do let myself have a little bit if I’m out. I’ve been quite restrictive on previous diet crazes so I’m trying to be gentle in my approach to sugar. Happy new year to you too dear!
beauty-wise, i’ve decided to do an empties project, forcing myself to use up products as much as possible, since the beauty stash size is getting ridiculous! lol
I’ll also buy less, and when I do, i’ll make sure it’ll be a good/unique buy like what you said. Duds are more often than HGs. I’ve also learned to stick with what works and what doesn’t. Also I intend to be more diligent in taking care of my skin since over the past year it has deteriorated A LOT. Will also go exercising more since that helps with improving the skin in general and health!
Hi Jenni, those are great resolutions to have. I’m a bit tired of encountering duds or just so-so products – I just want to use GREAT products
I also think that the health of your skin is way more important than loading it with expensive serums and creams. All the best in exercising more often! I really slacked on my holiday so am also trying to work out more frequently.