The New Year is the time to pamper yourself and create some new habits to benefit your skin says Nicola Bonn

If there’s one thing I can’t bear it’s the idea of the New Year diet. I know that I’ve overindulged, but January is cold and grey and demands mashed potato, hearty stews and lashings of warm puddings.

However, I do think that the start of a New Year is a great time to re-think beauty habits. It’s an opportunity to pamper yourself when perhaps you haven’t had time to do so, create new habits that will benefit your skin and re-think some of your makeup choices.

Here are a few of my own New Year’s beauty resolutions.

I was a bit of a naughty girl last year, often not giving myself enough time to really look after my skin. This year I’m planning on re-introducing masks, exfoliators and eye-creams into my weekly regime.

My face mask of choice will be the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (renskincare.com £30 for 50ml). The fruit acid brightens the complexion by removing dead skin cells. It also helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I’ll be exfoliating with Clarins Doux Polissant (clarins.co.uk £25 for 100ml). It is gentle enough to use twice a week and leaves you with beautiful, smooth skin. Finally, a great daily eye treatment is Alpha H Absolute Eye Complex (alpha-h.com £34.50 for 15ml). It contains vitamin B5 and is fabulous for getting rid of dark circles, puffiness and fine lines.

Another resolution is to have a chemical free day every month. I will be making my own face mask containing avocado (plumps the skin), honey (anti-ageing and anti-bacterial), dark chocolate (high in anti-oxidants and therefore anti-ageing) and milk (contains lactic acid which is a natural exfoliator).

I really believe in a monthly detox for the face using natural products. You will be surprised by how good you look and feel afterwards.

I will also be swapping my foundation for a much lighter alternative this month so that my skin has time to breathe. I was recently introduced to Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint which contains SPF 15 and goes on like a dream. It will leave you with a radiant complexion and will benefit your skin due to the botanical content (uk.lizearle.com £21 for 40ml tube).

Finally, 2014 will be the year of the facial. Whether at home, or with a beauty therapist, I will be having one a month to keep me looking my best. My favourite facialist of all time is Emma Hardie. She has magic hands and will take years off you. Find her at emmahardie.com.

Happy New Year pampering and remember…no horrid diets!

Face oils

I am obsessed with facial oils at the moment. They make such a difference to the skin and are a pleasure to use. I always massage them in before going to bed and leave them to work their magic.

Different oils have different benefits but for a great all rounder, it has to be the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate (uk.lizearle.com £40.50 for 28ml). This beautiful oil contains argan and rosehip oils, neroli, lavender, chamomile and vitamin E and will both soften dry and mature skin and balance combination skin.

I also can’t speak highly enough of Lisa Snowdon’s favourite Bliss For Your Skin (spafabulousorganics.co.uk £58 for 30ml) and Alpha H Vitamin E Serum with Macademia (alpha-h.com £40 for 30ml). With long-term use, both will give you astonishing, anti-ageing results.