January has a habit of making everything feel like it needs an overhaul – from your wardrobe (how many things have you already put on Vinted?) to our wellness and, yes, our beauty routines. But the most impactful, sustainable changes aren’t about doing more or striving for perfection. They’re about small, considered tweaks that make things feel easier and help you look and feel better.
While I personally hate New Year’s resolutions – to me, they feel restrictive and punishing at a time of year that can already feel brutal – I love a new year reset and love to think of the things that I want to, or get to, do this year to improve and enjoy my life even more. I really recommend looking at your beauty goals in the same way, not as a daily or weekly to-do list, but as things that you can implement to enhance how you feel for the year ahead.
Maybe you are worried about a big birthday looming and are thinking more about ageing. Or perhaps you’ve neglected your hair health and have noticed thinning and want to put a stop to it before it becomes out of control, whatever your concern. This is your time to evaluate and make small, easy changes to your beauty routine in 2026. Going big (e.g., going from never using an LED mask to ‘I will use an LED mask every day of my life’) is hard, so let’s look at these as entry-level beauty resolutions.
I'll meet you back here in December 2026 to see just how you’ve gotten on…
Wear SPF every single day
I would be a terrible beauty director if we didn’t start with this. If you have almost any skincare concern like ageing, pigmentation, dullness, the list goes on, this should be the first thing you implement every day. There is no need to make it an extra step to your routine either, you can use an SPF moisturiser (I love the Murad Superactive Moisturiser SPF 50 day cream). It’s not going to be a thing that you will notice immediately, but you will in the long-term, and that is really what matters.
Take makeup off properly every night
It’s not called beauty sleep for nothing. At night, your skin regenerates and to give it the best chance for a healthy glow, starts by getting off all the makeup, dirt, and grime accumulated during the day. A cotton pad and a bottle of micellar water will do the trick, and you’ll see that you’ll be less prone to irritation and breakouts in no time.
Strip back your stash
It’s so tempting to try lots of new beauty items if you love doing your hair, makeup, and skincare. Especially when we alert you of a new drop, of course, it can be tempting to add to the basket asap. But, over 2000 beauty products were launched in the UK in 2025 - an overwhelming amount. Think about what you really need before you hit checkout - are you really missing this item, or are you just tempted because it’s viral? Challenge yourself to 'Project Pan' (using up a makeup item before it expires). As beauty editors, we have to try an ungodly amount to ensure that we can review as many launches for you as possible, but you can be way more discerning with your coins.
Regular cuts
Yep, those regular trims we are always banging on about? Book ‘em in. Your strands will thank you. I tend to book my next trim when I’m leaving my appointment, and it cuts my admin time down and means I stick to the consistency. This is especially important when you have a bob - and I know many of you cut a bob this year - as it’ll keep your cut looking fresh all year, yes, even if you are growing it out.
Cleanse/treat/moisturise
A 10-step skincare routine is unnecessary, especially if you are just starting out with truly looking after your skin. Stick to this 3-step routine morning and night, and you will see an improvement in no time.
Cleanse – Wipe and wash away all makeup, SPF, dirt and oil
Treat – Vitamin C for glow in the am or an exfoliating acid or vitamin A in the evening, these are a few of the 'treat' steps that you'll normally find in serums.
Moisturise – Lock in hydration.
Cut down on heat styling
If you can minimise the heat styling your hair by even just one day a week, you’ll give your locks a better chance of survival. It’ll help to minimise split ends, frizziness, and fragility. I’m not saying air-drying is the answer, but once washed, dried, and styled, try not to heat-style it the next day.
Body care is skin care
Your skincare routine shouldn’t stop at your neck, and now it’s easier than ever to incorporate skincare into your body routine thanks to the body care market booming. Look for body care with actives that work to exfoliate your skin if you are experiencing roughness or KP. If you have bacne or blemishes, look for salicylic acid-infused washes and body creams. I personally love the Naturium body washes as they have actives for all skin concerns and last ages.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
