Whether you view January 1st as an arbitrary date to indulge in some legitimate bed rotting or see it as the perfect opportunity to commit to grandiose self-improvement goals, there’s something to be said for reflecting on the things that are working for you and those you’d like to improve on. With that in mind, we asked our illustrious panel of beauty experts for the (achievable) New Year beauty resolutions they think will make the biggest difference to how you look and feel for the year ahead. Spoiler alert; it goes way beyond ‘drink more water’ (but do that too).
HONE A ‘HAPPY MOUTH’ says makeup artist Lisa Eldridge
“Start the year with a smile using my Lip Lift technique which will change the way you apply your lipstick for good. I get so many questions on how to wear bold lipstick without either emphasising a downturned mouth, or inadvertently, creating a ‘sad mouth’. Instead, create ‘Happy Lips’ by using your favourite concealer and a precision brush to ‘cut off’ the outer, downturned corners of the lower lip. Then, apply your chosen, statement lipstick to the lower lip using a lip brush, leaving out those outer corners and apply as usual to your upper lip. Further enhance and define your lips with a liner, to your desired shape.”
ADD IN A SCALP SERUM says Trichologist and Cosmetic Chemist Angela Onuoha
“Weekly scalp exfoliation (AHAs and BHAs as opposed to the physical scrubs that can cause microtears) combined with a high-quality scalp serum is the perfect duo we all need to achieve great scalp health. Gentle chemical exfoliants not only remove build-up, they also work to increase product absorption from your serum to help with scalp conditions like a dry scalp and dandruff. Look for ingredients like peptides, niacinamide and caffeine.”
PRIORITISE HAIR HEALTH says hairstylist Tom Smith
“It sounds simple but a good quality heat protector will ensure your hair remains healthy and will also help styles to last longer and look shinier. Thanks to advancements in regenerative hair science, we now have solutions to actually improve the quality of the hair before it even leaves your scalp. Well known beauty and health protocols such as red light, exosomes and stem cell technology are very excitingly now being incorporated into dedicated hair products and gadgets. Combining LED hair growth devices with 10 minutes of mindfulness, journalling, podcasts or meditation is the ultimate wellness habit stack!”
MAKE TIME FOR MASSAGE says Master facialist and skincare expert Michaella Bolder
“Let’s go in hard with facial massage for 2025. It’s all about getting to know your face at home and finding your pressure and trigger points to release tension. Not only will you feel more uplifted and look more contoured (you can actually change the shape of the face by reminding the muscles where they should sit) but you’ll also feel relaxed too. Consistency is key and don’t be afraid to follow routines/tutorials to find out what works for you.1-2 minutes a day is all it takes.”
GLOW FOR IT says makeup artist Lisa Potter Dixon
“My number one makeup resolution for 2025 would be, wear it! By that I mean wear that bright lip, that wash of glitter, that eyeliner that you’ve always wanted to try. Makeup is such an expression of self so don’t be afraid to play. Oh, and gua sha at least once a week; it’s such a brilliant way to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage and will give your skin a healthy glow.”
SCHEDULE IN SELF CARE says makeup artist Bernicia Boateng
“Making time for self-care and mental wellness is so important and can easily be incorporated into your existing routine; even applying makeup can have a mindful element to it. When I look good I feel great and in turn perform at my highest level so take that extra 10 minutes in the morning to give a glow to your skin. There are so many gorgeous ‘your-skin-but-better’ foundations which can really help you to feel fresh and confident.”
UP YOUR HAND GAME says Manicurist Creative Director Alexandra Teleki
“Extend your skincare routine to your hands which means starting with a weekly exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and help products to penetrate better. Look for products such as serums which contain hyaluronic acid to hydrate and peptides to boost collagen. I started using SPF daily on my hands a couple of years ago and I can’t recommend it enough especially as someone who exposes their hands to UV light from curing lamps as part of my job.”
GIVE YOUR SKIN A RE-BOOT says Plastic Surgeon Dr Ash Soni
“2025 is all about injectable biostimulators (not to be confused with fillers!) such as Sculptra which stimulate your skin to produce more collagen and give a natural, non-surgical lift to the face and neck. You may have heard about polynucleotides (aka the salmon sperm facial) but Dermafocus is the one to watch for 2025 and is essentially polynucleotides combined with a skin booster made up of hyaluronic acid to boost collagen and refresh the skin whilst hydrating beautifully.”
EMBRACE BODYCARE says Consultant Dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite
“Commit to taking care of the skin below your chin! 96% of our skin is below the chin and it needs just as much love as our face. Sensations of pain, temperature, touch, and deep pressure all originate within the skin and our skin acts as the first line of defence against environmental aggressors, infection, dehydration and mechanical damage. A body care ritual also taps into the intimate link between the skin and the mind, boosting mood and well-being.”
PRESS ‘PAUSE’ says Yoga and meditation teacher Cat Meffan
“Practice ‘pausing’. We are often so quick to move from one task to the next, quick to react, quick to speak and quick to make assumptions and judgements. If there's anything that yoga has taught me off the mat, it is to pause, to take one deep breath and only then decide what action I would like to take next. 10 minutes of daily stretching will also benefit everyone and you don’t have to be a yoga pro to do it.”
SCHEDULE MORE HAIR WASHES says Consultant dermatologist Dr Aamna Adel
“Prioritising scalp and hair health is something everyone should be doing in 2025. It’s about simple things like avoiding 'hair training' and washing more frequently particularly if you have an oily scalp, use lots of hair products or exercise often. Excess sebum and product build up can clog hair follicles leading to hair fall. We also know that infrequent washing can lead to increased levels of melassazia; a fungus on the scalp which can cause oxidative stress that can negatively impact the hair follicle and hair growth. Minimise use of dry shampoo, double cleanse the scalp and incorporate a clarifying shampoo once a week.”
CHILL OUT says makeup artist designer Lan Nguyen-Grealis
“There’s a new trend for minimalist makeup so taking care of skin from the inside out is key and my top tip for boosting your complexion is to leverage the power of cold therapy with tools such as cryotherapy wands or rollers. Typically made from stainless steel or glass they are filled with cooling agents and can be stored in the freezer. When applied to the skin, they trigger various physiological responses that are beneficial for skin health. The cold also causes blood vessels in the skin to constrict, reducing puffiness and inflammation which is particularly beneficial for areas like under-eye bags.”
SCRAP ‘SELF-IMPROVEMENT’ says Body confidence influencer and author Alex Light
“Make 2025 the year that resolutions revolve around self-acceptance rather than self-improvement. It’s time to stop seeing ourselves as a before picture, or a ‘work in progress’ and shaming ourselves into change. Instead, we can work to offer ourselves huge amounts of compassion - we often leave ourselves out when it comes to kindness but we deserve it just as much as the ones we love. Understand that January is simply a month that is extremely profitable for the diet industry and try to avoid toxic advice and messaging as much as possible.”
TRY A NEW ‘DO says hairstylist Sam McKnight MBE
“Make 2025 the year that you try something new! We can all succumb to the comfortable and sometimes we don't even realise how long it’s been since we tried something different. It doesn't have to be big; a new parting can give you major root lift to elevate your blowout from every day to bombshell. Your hair really is your greatest accessory and the ultimate mood booster. The new year is the perfect time to invest in your hair health. A treatment mask is always the product I recommend for anyone wanting to improve their hair health. Bond builders strengthen hair fantastically but overusing them can leave hair brittle so make sure you nourish and hydrate hair in tandem.”
SKIP THE SLS says celebrity manicurist Michelle Humphrey
“SLS or Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is the foaming agent found in many handwashes and dishwashing liquids. It strips your skin’s natural oils, which can leave your hands feeling dry and irritated, and your nails brittle. It can also disrupt your skin’s pH, making it more prone to infections and cracks. Plus, it's bad for the environment. Switching to SLS-free hand washes and sensitive formula dishwashing products has completely changed the condition of my hands.”
OIL UP says nail artist Iram Shelton
“Soaking your hands in warm oil before bed specifically in the colder months is something I highly recommend; it’s a total gamechanger and is easily accessible to everyone. You can use any oil but I personally like using olive oil or coconut oil and I recommend doing it at night to avoid getting oil over your hair and clothes. You can even wear gloves to lock in extra moisture.”