A new year always feels like a time for reflection, and now that 2020 is finally over, many are making some big decisions about what it all really means. Life has never been so weird and with no real sign of anything getting more “precedented” anytime soon, deciding what 2021 will hold for ourselves feels pretty difficult. But one thing you can always control? Your beauty routine!

I’m being a little facetious, but I do generally believe beauty routines can have a positive impact on your life. Whether you find a repetitive regimen soothing or want to dedicate some more time to simply caring for yourself, a New Year’s beauty resolution can be a real game-changer. And honestly, who doesn’t want to spend the next twelve months with glowier skin or shinier hair? So without further ado, here are some easy New Year’s beauty resolutions to help your 2021 go at least a little more smoothly.

Care for your hair.

It’s a universally acknowledged truth that everyone wants strong, shiny, healthy-looking hair. The only problem is, such a crowning achievement does actually require a little bit of legwork. You should have a haircare routine just like a skincare one in order to maximize your follicles’ potential. 

A good everyday conditioner is a good place to start, and I’ve been really enjoying Lush’s American Cream this year. It’s amazing at smoothing and minimizing frizz, but doesn’t leave my (long, fine) hair feeling weighed down or full of product. It also smells absolutely delightful.

Alongside general care, it can really help to incorporate some treats into your hair regimen. Using a mask like the L’Oreal Elvive Full Resist Fragile Hair Mask can give your hair a boost, plus make it stronger over time. I’m also a big fan of the new Olaplex No. 0 Bond Builder, a liquid you soak your hair with and leave in overnight. It’s one of the most effective ways to reverse damage and helps with hair growth, too.

Incorporate SPF

We all know we should be wearing sun protection daily, right? It’s the number-one way to prevent premature aging, and skipping this step really means you may as well skip your entire routine. SPF tends to get a bad rep, but there are ways to stop it from feeling like such a chore.

The Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield offers amazing protection and also gives a subtle wash of glowy color to the skin. It’s perfect for no-makeup days—something I imagine we’re all having a lot of right now.

I’m also a new fan of the Origins Pretty In Bloom Foundation. This has SPF 20 but should be layered over a separate SPF for maximum protection. Paired with the Colorscience, you’ll look glowy, even, and know the sun can’t get you.

Never sleep in makeup.

Even though we all know it’s a cardinal sin, sleeping in makeup can be hard to resist. In spite of leaving the house less than ever, I’m also absolutely exhausted all the time. Keeping the Garnier Micellar Water on my nightstand is absolutely essential—it’s not a proper cleanse, but it’s certainly better than nothing at all.

If you do have the energy to stumble to the sink (and more power to you), a cleansing balm is the best way to get makeup off your face fast. The Emma Hardie Amazing Face Lift & Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm is a long=time favorite, but recently I’ve been really enjoying the Indeed Labs Watermelon Cleansing Balm, too.

Introduce luxury every day.

Life can feel a little dull at the moment, so making sure you’re using products that make you feel good can make a huge difference. I, for example, have been loving the Lush Shower Gels (“Olive Branch” by day and “Sleepy” by night) to make showering a more decadent-feeling experience.

Luxury doesn’t have to be expensive, either. The Weleda Skin Food is one of those treats that feels luxe but is actually bargainous. Apply as an overnight mask to wake up with the juiciest, most hydrated complexion ever. And by day, I’ve been loving the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Gel Cream, which feels super high-end but is affordable enough for you to slap on liberally.

Have more fun with makeup.

Just because circumstances aren’t so fun right now doesn’t mean your makeup shouldn’t be. I’m a huge proponent of color and glitter year-round, but to beat the January blues it’s more essential than ever. The Stila Double Dip Suede Shade and Glitter & Glow duos are perfect for this, offering opaque matte liquid shadows with corresponding glitter shades. The color range runs from neutral to out-there, with “Blue Jean” and “Camera Ready” being my favorites.  

Another way to introduce some fun into your beauty routine is perfume. I love to switch out my fragrances at different times of the year, and my current favorite is Diptyque’s Philosykos—a fresh, figgy scent that’s undeniably uplifting.

Glow up (literally).

My final New Year’s beauty resolution is to get my skin glowing. Who knows when I’ll feel cool with being in public spaces again. But when I do, I want everyone to see I’ve been working hard on my skin in quarantine. My current obsession is the REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, which I use as the toning step in my skincare routine. It smells lightly citrusy, feels gentle, and gives my skin a shiny smoothness like nothing else. 

To further boost my skin’s glow potential, I use the Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum around once a week. I apply to cleansed skin, follow with a moisturizer, and wake up to a complexion that feels like a baby’s butt.

I’m also a huge fan of the Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Peel. This is a mask, so it can be applied for a few minutes while brushing your teeth and then rinsed off to reveal a soft, smooth, and seriously glowing face. For any more stubborn areas of uneven texture, the SVR Micro Gommage Lift Renewing Peel gives a hint of scrubby action while also containing a small amount of retinol to encourage cell turnover over time. 2021 may be a mystery—but knowing I’ll be shining like a beacon offers some comfort, at least.