It's safe to assume that, as with most everything else, New Year’s resolutions will look a little different this year thanks to the ongoing pandemic. And for many of us, well-being has not only become more than priority in the last years—it's now an essential part of our daily routine.

When it comes to beauty, a routine turned ritual is a wonderful, and attainable, resolution to add to your list. We asked four local beauty pros for their personal pampering goals for 2022. As the mind/body yogis say, “Take what you need, leave the rest behind.” 

Elizabeth Thomas, Pure Skincare by Elizabeth

“Mindfulness is my New Year's beauty resolution.

“There's a certain glow about a person when they practice mindfulness and cultivate self-awareness. This is because allowing ourselves to ‘let go’ of daily stressors, staying present, observing our thought patterns, and learning to trust processes is proven to lower cortisol, the stress hormone. When our cortisol is heightened, inflammation manifests in ways such as eczema, acne, worsened rosacea, and even loss of collagen. When cortisol is lowered, inflammation is also lowered and our gut health improves, triggering a constellation of beauty benefits.

“One way to incorporate mindful beauty into our day-to-day is creating our skin care routines into a ritual. It's a sensory moment to relish in beautiful, curated products that nourish our largest organ. Breathing techniques and moments of stillness also bring clear perspective and spaciousness for a healthy mind. The skin-gut-mind connection is a powerful approach to creating not only a healthy, glowing complexion but a beauty secret for lasting skin and body wellness.”

Donna Messenger, Microjuvenate

“I will be more diligent with moisturizing my body. It is easy to take good care of your face, neck, and chest, but the rest of your body deserves equal attention.  

“It's important to consider that, as we age, we need less make up. I’m planning to wear a tinted moisturizer instead of liquid foundation—my favorite is by Alastin, which also has an SPF.

“Lastly, routine exfoliation. I keep my microderamabrasion cream in the shower, so it’s a no brainer to stay diligent.”

Chloe Crnojevich, L.Spa

“Nourish the skin from the inside-out. As the saying goes, you are what you eat! A good portion of what is happening inside our bodies showcases on our skin. It's important to maintain a balanced, healthy diet, active lifestyle and drink plenty of water, which will help your body look and feel it's best. 

“And don't skip the SPF! We live in Florida, where there's aggressive sun exposure, and most people think SPF is reserved only for the beach or pool. Most aging skin is caused by sun damage, so it's important to be wearing SPF daily. Bonus points if you are using an antioxidant as well. 

“Also, set aside more time for self-care. You should never feel guilty about taking a few minutes, out of each day, to do something that makes you feel good and eliminate stress. My favorite is my nighttime skin care routine. I set aside 10-15 minutes for myself to take care of my skin. My future self will thank me.”

Dr. Elizabeth Callahan, SkinSmart Dermatology

“Don’t forget that SPF. Use sunscreen every day, even if the only time you spend outside is walking to and from your car. Sunscreen is not only at the core of any anti-aging regimen, it also gives us greater protection against skin cancer. Use sunscreen first, then apply makeup as you usually would. A makeup product with sunscreen added in is not a good sunscreen.

“Diet is majorly important. I don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, so my New Year’s resolution is to go the grocery store every Sunday and buy the most colorful veggies I can find—think of a rainbow! Then, when I get home, I will chop them up and stir fry them all together. Every week will be different, and I will eat a portion at lunch and dinner.

“Self-care is next. Take a personal day and focus on you. Get to know your skin. Wash your face daily with a cleanser that is right for you. The number one problem I see too much exfoliation; exfoliating is not for everybody. Be sure to clean your makeup brushes regularly and treat yourself to a facial.

“Also, normalize the concept of regular fillers and Botox. They're just like makeup these days. When I inject these products, I do so in a similar fashion to applying makeup on your face. I imagine contours and highlights. Fifteen years ago, I ran an ad that my mother, Susan, wrote with the line, ‘Who’s your injector?’  Patients still quote that ad back to me. Filler and Botox get a bad rap because of who injected it. The products are beautiful, they just need to used judiciously.”