I don’t usually like to make resolutions. I ultimately never keep them and then I just feel terrible about myself. But the chance to make a harmless (and likely fabulous) beauty resolution came to me as a brilliant idea. Why not try to improve something in my appearance from time to time? And some of my fave Twitterers are with me. Check out their (and my own) resolutions here!

To brighten
@SpaBeauty: Mine is to try to wear more color on my lips!
@DestinationSpa enthusiastically agreed with me: Me too!!!

To be healthy
@RachelWriter – I’ve started taking fish oil supplements for healthier hair and skin!

To use more eye cream
@dianamc33: Mine is to never forget to apply my eye cream with SPF every morning!
@CoverFX: To remember to keep the area under and around my eye hydrated w/ eye cream. I moisturize my face but have been neglecting the orbital bone area.. and it’s starting to seem rather dry!
@spaboutique: Eye cream! This year, no more puffy eyes! My goal is to use it every morning/night. Smooth out those lines that are just starting.

To keep up appearances
@DawnPapandrea: Mine is to wear makeup more often (I can’t promise everyday), and finally get my hair highlighted.
@IdentityMag: my beauty resolution.. oh man! tough… but to wash my face EVERY night before bed… sometimes I get too lazy!

There are lots of beauty resolutions out there. And you don’t necessarily need to keep them up every day. But working on your appearance may be a great way to begin the new year. That’s my goal. What’s your resolution?

-Amanda Fornecker

2010 is upon us and it’s a time for celebrating. But you don’t necessarily need to have your champagne toast at midnight. I found this article on LAtimes.com with beauty products that are infused with champagne and actually good for you! These are also different ideas to bring to your New Year’s Eve bash. Here are some of my faves…

Eminence Mimosa Champagne Tonique
I love toner for its extra cleaning power. It’s also supposed to shrink pores. This toner is infused with champagne grapes to serve the skin as an antioxidant and detoxify.

Jaqua Beauty Pink Champagne Collection
I can never have enough products to help make my skin soft. With lotions, soaps, and shower creme, this collection will not only nourish your skin, but it will also leave you smelling delicious.

Philosophy Celebrate!
This set comes with shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath in pomegranate, pink, and lavender scents that are high-foaming. It even comes in a cute champagne bucket.

The Grapeseed Company Pink Champagne Wine Bar Organic Soap
This soap has lots of minerals and vegetable extracts that promote anti-aging and exfoliation. Essential oils of rose geranium, carrot, and blood orange provide vitamins for a healthy appearance.

There are lots of products that can help you feel good about yourself. And there are others that give you the added perk of nourishing your skin. These are all so delicious to me so grab a champagne beauty product, put on your party hat, and ring in the new year!

- Amanda Fornecker

Sue Devitt has her very own popular beauty line, as well as a deep interest in holistic beauty. Many of her products are made from natural ingredients she’s found in various places and finds to be successful for a great beauty regimen. But that’s not all Sue advocates for healthy-looking skin. It’s also important to keep up a good routine in diet, exercise, and sleep patterns. Check out Sue’s recommendations below.

Diet
Eating fresh – raw fruits and vegetables – keeps the skin naturally healthy and hydrated and the roughage is excellent for digestion. Many ailments are derived from digestive track issues, liver, and kidney, so proper diet will truly be beneficial, both for the short and long term. Sue also recommends drinking lots of water to cleanse the system and to stay away from coffee, opting for green tea instead.

Exercise
Adhering to a regular fitness routine is also vitally important in achieving your full beauty potential. For Sue, consistency is key so she practices Pilates twice weekly to strengthen, elongate, and improve posture. Sue also regularly makes time for cardio and Yoga; her favorite discipline being Indian Yoga, Kundalini – a promotion of physical well-being and an expansion of awareness which ultimately transforms one’s life into one which is happy, healthy and harmonious. Introducing tranquility and equilibrium into life not only reduces fatigue and stress resulting in frown lines and skin imperfections, but also allows for some needed personal time each day — often overlooked in a busy schedule.

Beauty
Sue’s decision to add skin care ingredients to makeup was a holistic one. Covering the skin with beautifying pigments that will also improve skin’s health and quality is something she believes all women deserve and should have access to. Her deep affinity for hydration is evident in her product range. “Our planet is comprised of 70% water, our bodies are 70% water and that is why my 70% Triple Seaweed Gel Foundation is formulated with 70% water. The complementary relationship of keeping ourselves and our skin optimally hydrated balances our beauty equilibrium,” remarks Sue Devitt.

Sue Devitt Beauty is a line of exquisite, high performance formulations infused with powerful anti-aging ingredients, soothing marine properties, and hydrating flower derivatives from nature, inspired by exotic destinations. Rich with minerals, vitamins, and nutrients, these products provide glowing beauty and healthy, hydrated radiant skin for women of all ages and ethnicities. Visit suedevittbeauty.com for more info.

The right hairdo is essential to any good holiday party. You may be able to snag a coveted appointment but it may be tough at this time of year. If you can’t get an appointment that works for you or would rather spend money on those holiday gifts, then don’t worry. Hair stylist Sam Brocato has got you covered with a few tips and tricks of the trade.

Salon Straight Talk: How to make the most out of your hair appointment
Need to talk style with your stylist? Bring photographs, tear sheets and all the visuals you can get your hands on when you see your stylist. And, says Sam Brocato, “don’t forget to explain the nature of the events you are planning on attending as well as the clothing you intend to wear.” Guide your stylist to the feel and sensibility of what you are trying to achieve and let them work with you to come up with a style that suits your needs. The end result: a style that won’t need to be restyled.

Pony Up: Insider Tricks of the Trade
Looking for an updo that won’t undo? Sam Brocato says, “Split your hair into three sections down the middle of the back of your head and create loose pony tails. Braid each section and secure with a small elastic. Spray each braid with a light hair spray and push it back gently onto your head. Pin each braid loosely over the other and tuck in at your neck.” The end result: a romantic and modern chignon that can work with jeans or a cocktail dress.

The Pin Up Girl
Need a quick and easy way to take your look from day to night? Here’s Sam’s tip: “using a large bobby pin, slide a section of hair through the pin and rotate it as if it were a roller. Affix this section firmly at the nape of your neck and repeat the steps.” The end result: a sophisticated and romantic look in less than five minutes.

About Sam Brocato
Sam Brocato brings a truly fashionable approach to his work, seeing hair as a fabric from which he cuts patterns to produce haute coiffure and ready-to-wear styles. Sam has shared his vision and immense talent throughout the globe and has been honored as “World Top Fashion Hairstylist,” by the World Hairdressing Congress in London as well as “Editorial Stylist of the Year,” at the North American Hairstyling Awards.

Sam blends Southern hospitality and Soho chic at his latest salon venture. The loft-style industrial space is staffed by artistic individuals who treat each client as if they were a part of the Brocato family. An up and coming New York destination, the salon will raise the bar on shampoo services in the city by offering first class seating as well as custom-blended treatments, showcase local emerging neighborhood art and offer cuts and color from established industry professionals.