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HEALTHY LIVING

15 Beauty Resolutions to Make for 2016 (That You’ll Actually Want to Keep)

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By Erin Lukas 

New Year, new you? January tends to be a month of broken promises. Whether you vowed to exercise three times a week or read two books a month, resolutions can quickly start to feel like work, become hard to stick with, and are often abandoned by the end of the month. Yet, we continue to make them each year because they’re supposed to help us adopt better habits.

Since we make resolutions with the goal of upgrading, our beauty routines are a great area in our lives to improve upon by making tweaks to our regimens that we’ll actually follow through with in the year ahead.

Drinking enough water and flossing are probably obvious resolutions you already know, but like all good things in life (resolutions included), balance is key, and adding the extra reminder into the line-up of routine-boosting habits will only help you more. Read on for 15 resolutions to make to your beauty routine in 2016 that you’ll actually want to keep.

    • Peter Thomas Roth Acne-Clear Invisible Dots
      COURTESY

      1. STOP PICKING AT YOUR FACE

      The knee-jerk reaction to a new blemish is to pick it or pop it, but touching the pimple can cause infection or the bacteria to spread, resulting in a further breakout. This year, cover blemishes with an acne patch to speed healing and ease the urge to pick at them. Peter Thomas Roth’s medicated invisible dots contain salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and hyaluronic acid, a humectant that helps keep skin under the patch moist and prevents dryness.

      Peter Thomas Roth | $30

      Living Proof Prime Style Extender
      COURTESY

      2. EASE UP ON BLOWDRYING

      Breaking up with your blowdryer and flatiron every once in a while are two simple ways to welcome the new year with healthier-looking hair. Overusing heat tools is the most prevalent cause of dryness and breakage. Give your hair a break by applying a primer like Living Proof’s prior to using heat to extend your style a few days while sparing your locks some damage.

      Living Proof | $20

      M.A.C Cosmetics Brush Cleanser
      COURTESY

      3. CLEAN MAKEUP BRUSHES

      Brushes full of dirt and grime are not going to do your complexion any favors, and can clog pores and cause breakouts. Make a vow to regularly clean your brushes once a week to rid them of lingering bacteria; your skin will thank you.

      MAC | $15

      Deborah Lippmann The Cure
      COURTESY

      4. TREAT YOUR CUTICLES

      Just as easily as you can forget your cuticles, they can become a hot mess. Start the new year off by giving your cuticles the TLC they deserve with a weekly treatment of massaging them with Deborah Lippmann’s The Cure. The cream relieves dryness, repairs, and protects cuticles with its blend of raspberry stem-cell extract, shea butter, and vitamins A, C, and E.

      Deborah Lippmann | $24

      COURTESY

      5. CARE FOR YOUR COLOR

      Well-dyed hair doesn’t come cheap, and we put our mane through the ringer each week with blowdrying, straightening, curling, and styling, and harmful environmental elements like UV rays. Protect and prolong your color by treating it weekly with a mask. Oribe’s hair mask specifically tailored to color hair will enhance color, and shield it from UV rays, while add life and shine back to your locks.

      Oribe | $59

      Dermalogica Pure Light SPF50
      COURTESY

      6. DON’T FORGET SUNSCREEN

      Just because you don’t live near the beach doesn’t mean you don’t need to wear sunscreen. You can subject your complexion to sun damage during any season, even when it’s cloudy out. Wearing a sunscreen daily is the only way to protect against and prevent skin damage and cancer. This do-it-all product from Dermalogica shields skin from UV rays while hydrating and fighting existing hyperpigmentation for an even, glowing skin tone.

      Dermalogica | $62

      Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Bellini
      COURTESY

      7. STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

      It’s easy to fall into a makeup routine and stick with it. “If it works, why break it?” is a sentiment we completely understand, but sometimes it pays to step outside of your comfort zone. Dare yourself to try one new thing—whether it’s an eyeshadow shade or filling in your brows—each month in 2016. You may discover a great product that will become a part of your regular rotation.

      Bite | $24

      Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Bath Oil
      COURTESY

      8. SCHEDULE A FEW MINUTES OF “ME-TIME”

      Work, meetings, lunches, and happy hours can leave little time each week to relax and decompress from everyday stress. Change this by setting aside some time each week where you turn off your phone and laptop, and forget the daily grind. We recommend doing so in the tub with a luxurious bath oil and a good read.

      Jo Malone | $65

      Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes With Cotton Extract

      COURTESY

      9. STOP SLEEPING WITH YOUR MAKEUP ON

      We’ve all been told time and time again just how terrible it is to sleep with your makeup on, yet we still do it. If you’re prone to heading straight to bed following a long day or late night, keep a pack of cleansing wipes in one of your bedside table drawers. Since it doesn’t get any easier than cleaning your face in bed, now you really have no excuses.

      Burt’s Bees | $6

      sonicare-airfloss-pro-interdental-cleaner

      COURTESY

      10. FLOSS DAILY

      Flossing might not be the most pleasant hygiene task, but doing it daily is necessary to remove plaque and prevent gum disease. This motorized system helps to effectively and comfortably clean between teeth, thanks to its air and micro-droplet technology.

      Philips | $90

      Richards Personal Compartment Cosmetic Organizer

      COURTESY

      11. STOP HOARDING YOUR PRODUCTS

      It’s true, even your favorite discontinued lip color that you ration for very special occasions has a shelf life. Using makeup past its lifespan can transfer bacteria to your face; not to mention, products no longer hold their efficiency. Stop hanging on to clutter that’s no longer useful by keeping your products organized in a container that only leaves you with a little extra room aside from your essentials. This way, you’ll have to toss items as they expire and they won’t take up precious space.

      $26

      Bobble Classic 18.5oz Water Bottle

      COURTESY

      12. DRINK MORE WATER

      Water is important for your mental awareness, but it’s also essential for healthy, glowing skin. Avoid a dehydrated, dull complexion by boosting your water intake with the help of a reusable bottle that can travel with you on the go. Bobble’s BPA-free bottle’s built-in filter guarantees every sip you take is clean.

      $10

      L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

      COURTESY

      13. MASTER A NEW TECHNIQUE

      Think you’ll never get the hang of strobing or a fishtail braid? That’s what the thousands of tutorials on the Internet are for. Try out a couple and who knows, maybe the technique or style that you master will become your go-to in 2016.

      L’Oreal Paris | $13

      Emjoi Micro-Pedi Callus Remover

      COURTESY

      14. DON’T NEGLECT YOUR FEET

      Since our feet spend most of the year in closed-toe shoes, it’s easy to forget about them till the first warm day of the year comes around and your feet aren’t in sandal-wearing shape. Aside from aesthetics, regularly moisturizing and exfoliating year-round are important for you feet’s health.

      $40

      GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Cleaning Treatment
      COURTESY

      15. GIVE YOUR SKIN A WEEKLY DEEP CLEAN

      Just like your apartment, your skin needs a deeper clean that goes beyond the surface. Treat your skin to cleansing mask each week to rid skin of dirt and congestion that builds up deep within your pores, causing breakouts and excess oil.

      Glamglow | $69

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HEALTHY LIVING

What your family needs to know about vaccines

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(Family Features) This year, make a plan to keep your family healthy by helping them get vaccinated for respiratory infections like flu, COVID-19 and RSV. These respiratory illnesses are more likely to become serious for people who are not up to date on their vaccines.

In colder months, respiratory viruses tend to surge, and people spend more time indoors where they are more likely to be exposed. These respiratory infections can cause serious illness and hospitalization. This season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the RSV vaccine, are the best way to help your family risk less serious illness and do more of what they enjoy.

What should your family know?
Vaccines can keep you and your family from getting very sick from respiratory illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get this season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition, all adults ages 75 and older – and those ages 60 and older with certain health conditions or who live in a nursing home – should get one dose of an RSV vaccine if they haven’t before. Pregnant people should also talk to their doctor about getting an RSV vaccine to protect their baby during their first 6 months of life.

Is your family at high risk?

It’s important to know the risks of getting very sick from flu, COVID-19 or RSV. According to the CDC, some people have a higher risk than others, including:

  • People not up to date on their vaccines: Vaccines cut your risk of needing hospital care for flu or COVID-19 by about half, according to the CDC. In 2023, 90% of adults admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 were not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine. People who skipped their flu shot were twice as likely to need to see a doctor for the flu.
  • Older adults: Most flu, COVID-19 and RSV deaths are in people ages 65 and older. If you help care for an older family member or friend, let them know vaccines are their best protection from getting very sick.
  • People with underlying health conditions: Heart and lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease and other chronic conditions can cause complications and more severe illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
  • Those who live in long-term care: Respiratory viruses can be a greater threat to older people in long-term care, who often have health issues that raise their risk of severe flu, COVID-19 or RSV.
  • Pregnant people: Pregnancy raises the risk of severe illness from flu and COVID-19. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy helps protects the pregnant person and baby. An RSV vaccine during pregnancy protects the baby from severe RSV in their first 6 months of life.

Get your family vaccinated now for a healthy new year
Join the millions of people who’ve already gotten vaccinated this season. Take your family to get vaccinated now to risk less severe illness and do more of what you enjoy. It’s safe to get flu and COVID-19 vaccines (and an RSV vaccine, if eligible) at the same time.

Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you or go to vaccines.gov to find a nearby pharmacy. You can order free COVID-19 test kits (up to four per household) at COVIDTests.gov

Know Your Risk 
In the United States, there are additional groups of people who are at higher risk from these respiratory illnesses.

  • People in rural parts of the country: Vaccines matter even more in rural areas where there may be fewer doctors or clinics to help people who get very sick. Yet in these regions, less than half of adults got a flu vaccine last year. Fewer than 1 in 5 got an updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Black and Hispanic people: At last year’s respiratory virus peak, Black people were more likely than white and Hispanic people to be in the hospital for flu, COVID-19 or RSV. By the end of last year’s virus season, Hispanic people were more likely than non-Hispanic white people to have been in the hospital for flu.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock


SOURCE:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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HEALTHY LIVING

Holiday advice to keep pets happy, healthy

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(Family Features) While family and friends share gifts and hearty meals during the holidays, pets are there to share snuggles and comfort. This year, make sure you protect the joy of the season by keeping pets safe as you likely introduce new foods, decor and other potential hazards in the home.

Share the holiday cheer with your pets by unwrapping peace of mind with these suggestions from the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals.

Manifest Holiday Mindfulness
Keeping your pets (and yourself) happy and healthy throughout the holiday season isn’t just about the physical. Don’t forget the mental and mindful aspect of care with these fun, easy ways to spread cheer.

  • Practice Self-Care Together: Enjoy a “spaw” day with pet-safe grooming products, throw a holiday-themed movie night, grab your favorite blanket for a cuddle session or try pet yoga.
  • Manifest Happiness: Write five reasons you’re grateful each morning, send holiday notes to those you care about, play interactive games during festivities and put a little extra thought into gift-giving.
  • Supercharge Your Calm: Meditate with your pet, unplug from social media to be present with loved ones (including pets), take a deep breath during special moments and accept that some things may go wrong during this hectic season.
  • Get Moving: Go for a winter walk, teach your pet a new trick, create an indoor obstacle course, enjoy a playdate at the dog park or introduce your pet to a new toy.

Avoid Toxic Foods and Hazardous Items
Your festivities are sure to be filled with love, laughter and joy, but all that celebrating is likely to include decorations and delicious foods that are harmful to pets.

Pets are often naturally curious and may be attracted to bright, shiny items like candles and decorations. Protect against accidents by keeping decorations like tinsel, ribbon, open-flame candles and fragile ornaments out of reach. Avoid plants like poinsettias, mistletoe, lilies, holly and amaryllis that may be toxic to pets. Be sure to cover or hide exposed electrical cords and exposed Christmas tree water.

Many common festive foods are bad for pets. It may be tough to resist those cute, begging eyes, but your pet’s health will benefit from your restraint. Keep chocolate, candy, fatty meat and bones, alcohol and exposed trash off the menu for pets.

Stay Prepared
Being prepared is always a good idea for pet owners, but the holiday season especially can be unpredictable with new routines, unfamiliar guests, hazardous foods and more. Stay safe throughout the festivities and enjoy peace of mind knowing VCA is by your side for those unforeseen moments with access to world-class emergency medicine by providing 50% off an ER exam for all pet owners and free ER exams for CareClub members.

Visit pets.vcahospitals.com/er-holiday to claim your 50% off coupon, find a location near you and discover more tips for a safe, pet-friendly holiday season.

Holiday Do’s for Healthy Pets
With endless checklists and to-do’s before big holiday gatherings, you know how important it is to be organized during this hectic time of year. Part of your organizational strategy ahead of the festive season should include your pet’s health and ways you can protect him or her whether you’re celebrating at home or on the go.

Consider this list your holiday cheat sheet with quick, easy ways you can protect pets before, during and after get-togethers.

  • Decorate with pet-safe ornaments
  • Keep festive plants out of reach
  • Put a skirt around your Christmas tree and secure it so it can’t fall over
  • Invest in electric candles or menorahs
  • Keep dogs inside during get-togethers
  • Follow your pet’s regular diet
  • Create a quiet space for your pet away from guests
  • Check in with your pet to ensure he or she is happy and comfortable
  • Thoroughly clean up and pack away any leftovers

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock


SOURCE:
VCA Animal Hospitals

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HEALTHY LIVING

The importance of clean school transportation

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(Family Features) Across the country, more than 25 million children ride to school each day in school buses, most of which are powered by diesel and produce harmful emissions known to cause respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.

An alternative energy source, like propane, can provide children with a safe, clean and healthy ride to school. As an environmentally friendly and affordable energy source that is abundantly available, propane can help achieve a cleaner today and greener tomorrow for students.

Watch this video to learn more!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XT6vzCDdk8M%3Fsi%3DFU6ZLnpGfsIsjjUI

Consider these reasons it’s important to clean up student transportation from the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council:

  • Propane reduces emissions in exhaust that negatively impact air quality by up to 96% compared to diesel.
  • Propane school buses provide a quieter ride than diesel buses, which means it’s easier for drivers to hear potential concerns and students arrive at school calmer and ready to learn.
  • Propane warms up quickly, providing a heated cabin for a comfortable ride during colder months.
  • Propane is affordable, allowing school districts to replace aging diesel buses three times faster than transitioning to an electric bus fleet.

Learn more about clean transportation options and the benefits of propane school buses at BetterOurBuses.com .


SOURCE:
Propane Education & Research Council

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