BEAUTY New year, new you

Start as you mean to go on


Maggie Gibbons takes a look at how the new year can help lead to a new you

I don’t know about you but I’m always gung ho at the start of a new year. There are always the great resolutions to lose a few pounds, exercise more, eat less of the sweet stuff, blah blah!
How often have you stood in front of the mirror and thought you’d love a whole new image? Your tired of the same old, same old but haven’t a clue where to start.
All it takes is a steely desire and some action. The time has come to stop telling yourself what you’d like to do, or how you’d like to look, you can do it ladies! And the great thing is it costs hardly anything.
For examples let’s look at skincare. Every time you pick up a magazine you will read about the importance of sunscreen and at risk of boring you further I’m telling you yet again to use it daily. I’m constantly examining strange brown ‘freckly’ marks on my skin and wondering just how long they’ve been there. Anything that looks suspect or itches/bleeds needs further examination.
Treat your skin gently. The jury is out on face steaming. I’m not a huge fan yet some swear by it. Exponents will tell us it opens pores, detractors will argue that it doesn’t. I believe if you place a warm facecloth over your face for a few minutes you will find it just as beneficial.
Also, remove every scrap of make-up before you hit the sack! It only takes a few minutes and will prevent all manner of skin problems.
Treat yourself to a facial oil. Make-up products these days provide more than a one-stop solution.
Roger & Gallet ‘Huile Embellissante’ is a little multitasker which will work wonders on hair, skin and face. I use it on my hair (rubbing into dry ends) and face and I honestly wouldn’t be without it. If you’re sceptical about using it on your face then just mix some of it with your regular moisturiser, it will leave you with a beautiful, dewy skin. €26.50 for 100 mls. It lasts ages.
Another worth considering is Nivea Visage Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream. This system protects against daily external influences and is intensely hydrating.
Of course, there are also the ‘do it yourself’ options.
Oatmeal Face Mask Recipes: Place 5 – 6 tablespoons of oatmeal in a bowl and add water to make a thick and smooth paste. Spread the mixture on the face evenly and let it dry. Rinse it with cold water. Brilliant for oily skin types

Banana and oatmeal mask
Fantastic for dry skin, this mask will exfoliate the skin and leave it beautifully soft. Take a ripe banana and mash it. Add a cup of oatmeal to it. Mix it well and add lukewarm milk. Stir to make a smooth facial mask. Apply it over the face and leave it for 15 minutes. Rub well into skin to exfoliate. Rinse it off with cold water. Pat dry and apply your favourite moisturiser.
Good skin is important for self-confidence but at this time of year I also think it is important to just be kind to yourself. Treat yourself to something nice now and then, go to a nice film, buy yourself a good book or meet up with a couple of friends for coffee or lunch. Time is flying by so why don’t you make 2013 the year you will truly smell the roses!

Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.