New Year! Not so new me. I can’t say I make annual resolutions, but I do make a conscious effort to impart little changes in my routine. For those of us who found 2016 to be one challenge after another, you’ll feel me on this one.

Simplify in 2017.

As children we were often told not to take shortcuts, and how the tortoise would eventually triumph over the hare, and so on and so on. And as a “Creative” by trade, it feels almost instinctive to take the road less traveled so-to-speak in order to churn out the most impactful  campaigns and editorials.

…All of which is well and good, barring you’ve got the time. But as you get older and the days seem to go faster, you learn to work differently. You teach yourself to work smarter, not longer. And you realize that simplifying doesn’t mean half-assing.

Finding ways to simplify your life will slowly add extra minutes and eventually hours to your day. This could mean using an in-shower body lotion (like Olay’s Ultra Moisture) or spray oil (like Palmers) before you dry off, in place of your post-shower lotion ritual.

Or swap a 2-hour workout for a 30-minute power circuit training.

Or, forgo your blowout once a week and opt for a sleek, 30-second ballerina bun.

Or even try simplifying your daytime makeup. Try giving your skin (or lashes!) a break once or twice a week and see how you feel. You’ll be amazed how much better your makeup will look the next time you apply.

I’m giving my lips some breathe time by skipping the liner and heavy lipstick during the day. I’ve been going with a Cle De Peau conditioning balm by followed by a satin Femme Nude Lip Stylo (No. 5) by Hourglass. Super simple, sexy… and very commute-friendly!

If you’ve got any beauty  time-savers to share, feel free to email me or leave them in the comments below. There are so many little things we can do to give ourselves some well-deserved play time every day. I say 2017’s the year we do it!

#playmore

xo