New year, new routines: Our beauty team have declared these as their ins and outs for 2026

OUT - A swipe of micellar water

RRP: £55

"I’ve been known to forget to cleanse after an evening's festive merriment. When I say forget, I mean definitely remember and not bother anyway. To mitigate this (criminally) bad behaviour, I kept a bottle of micellar water bedside through December, to save my skin and silk pillowcase from total ruination. It was better than the alternative, but now we’re in the season of good intentions and scant social plans, I’m back in business with a proper, grown-up cleansing routine. This balm is rich and aromatic, melts into my skin, shifts everything, and leaves my dehydrated cheeks baby soft."

OUT - Saving things for ‘good’

RRP: £70

"I cannot, I simply refuse, to spend another minute of my life waiting for some unspecified moment to crack open my nice things. This goes for olive oil, wine, and Creed Silver Mountain Water Hand Wash, which I was gifted before Christmas and have been displaying on my bathroom shelf as if I’m running the world’s smallest toiletries museum. No more. I’ve twisted the cap, lathered up, and - quelle surprise - it’s gorgeous, pure decadence at every loo visit. My toddler’s still using the Baylis & Harding, though, I’m not that decadent."

OUT - Back to back BIAB

RRP: £16.50

"A series of fortunate events - my 40th birthday, a winter wedding, Christmas-  meant my natural nails didn’t see daylight from the summer solstice to Jools Holland’s hootenanny. That’s not a problem per se (BIAB’s a healthier mani), but picking off builder gel remnants is. You can fill in the blanks there. So, for now, I’m off the hard stuff and into rehab, specifically this 14-day strengthening protocol from Orly. This could be the zeal of the converted, but I swear my ashy, peely talons were happier after just one go."

OUT - Day-to-day liquid eyeliner

RRP: £33

"While many tend to save it for more dressy occasions, a slick of liquid eyeliner has always been part of my day-to-day makeup routine. But with at least five minutes spent each morning trying to get the perfect flick, it's a time investment that I just can't afford. So 2026 has been all about pared-back eye makeup for me, swapping in my trusty pencil eyeliner instead for a quick smudge of subtle definition just above the lash line. It’s painless, makes for a pretty and put-together eye look, and means that I can make a bit more of an impact when opting for an occasion look."

OUT - Neutral blush shades and shimmery highlighter

RRP: £24

"Generally, I swear by neutral blush shades. You know those ones that sing from a warm, autumn-centric palette - browns, mauves, plums - topped off with a shimmery highlighter for glow. But 2026 has me opting for a more fresh-faced look. Think glassy skin with a sheer pop of red on the cheekbones - all finished off by a dab of balm on the high points for a fresh, dewy, natural-looking finish."

OUT - Long, almond, BIAB nails

RRP: £16

"I can’t tell you the last time I was seen without long, almond BIAB-adorned nails. At this point, my signature mani is pretty much part of my personality. Until this week. Gone are my chic, elongated nails and left in their place is a neat, shorter, practical, and healthy-looking manicure. Finished off with a glossy finish for radiance and a touch of nourishment, it’s all about nail health for me in 2026 (or at least until February hits and the resolutions go out the window)."

OUT - Heavy, liquid foundations

RRP: £34

"While I am a fan of several of the best lightweight foundations, I'm keen to give my skin a break from the copious layers and blending that these formulas often demand. Instead, I'm turning to Merit's Complexion stick, which sits somewhere between a foundation and a concealer, offering just the right amount of coverage without feeling heavy or clogging. It's also so quick and easy to use, I swear it's shaved at least five minutes off my makeup routine."

OUT - Glowy but fragranced moisturisers

RRP: £17

"Anyone who knows me is well aware of my affinity for a glowy complexion, but lately I've been plagued by stubborn spots, and so I'm very much in my back-to-basics era. I'm therefore retiring a few of my favourite moisturisers (a few of which I suspect of featuring fragrance, which is not great for sensitive skin like mine), despite their radiant appeal, for barrier repair creams like Byoma's in the hopes of soothing my skin."

OUT - Potent ingredients

RRP: £44

"As mentioned, my skin is a bit of a concern for me at the moment. I've experienced a fair amount of irritation. redness and breakouts over the past few months, so as of now, I'm cutting down on any very concentrated ingredients and instead turning to hydration, hydration, hydration."

OUT - Black mascara

RRP: £16

"Like most others, I typically find myself opting for a black lengthening mascara to give my lashes the ultimate standout definition. While this served me particularly well for the festive party season, now the new year is here, I'm swapping my usual formulas out for softer mocha brown versions. These buys achieve the same longer, lifted lash effect but have a more pared-back, natural-looking approach."

OUT - Heated hair styling

RRP: £39.50

"I must admit, throughout the year I can often find myself in a routine of back-to-back heated styling and neglecting the health of my strands. So, this January I've made it a priority to cut back on the heated styling and, instead, focus on treating my tresses to reparative nourishment – namely, being consistent with hair mask treatments. Designed to repair and resurface dry, damaged and puffy hair, this Color Wow Dreaming Hair Mask has is a must for reviving strands for a smooth, frizz-free and flexible finish."

OUT - Hyaluronic acid serums

RRP: £16

"Although I rely on the best hyaluronic acid serums for hydration all year round, this season I've substituted my usual go-to serum for a more indulgently nourishing face oil during the chillier months. My complexion can experience bouts of dehydration, resulting in dry, rough patches, however this Super Facialist oil has helped to both cure and prevent this from happening. Not to mention, it's also helped to brighten my skin and minimise the appearance of post-blemish marks too."