By Heather Muir, Allure magazine

Hitting the gym a little harder (or showing up at all) and making time to read more books are resolutions that make it on my list most years. But this time, my colleagues and I have decided to incorporate some beauty resolutions, too:

Mine is to wean off some of my beauty addictions-lash extensions and spray tans are great for special events, but they've become part of my everyday look. I'm going to work on embracing my natural lashes and skin tone-until my next big party, anyway.

Related: Make Over Your Makeup Bag: The Beauty Looks to Love-and Leave Behind-in 2011

"I want to get at least one manicure a month; They're boring to sit through and I never have the patience. But when I see women with their nails done, I immediately view them as put together. I like to use a light shade on my hands, so when my nails chip it's not as noticeable."-beauty editor Angelique Serrano

"I want to bust out of my hair rut. Normally I just let my hair air dry, but

The New Year will bring new expenses, especially for parents caught up in the last minute rush to buy gifts. What can you do to start the New Year off right, financially speakingHere are 10 money moves to make by December 31st. They'll help you boost your wallet and maybe even your child's college savings. So, take a look...and act now!

1. Check your investments

Chances are your investments are doing better than they were in the previous year. But that doesn't mean you don't have any "dogs" you should eliminate. If you have a dog of a stock or mutual fund, consider selling it by year-end. The losses you take can offset the gains you've realized on other stocks or funds and help reduce your tax bill.

2. Max-out on retirement accounts

Many companies have returned their 401(k) matching dollars after wiping them out due to the recession. But even if not, your 401(k) is still considered your top savings vehicle since money is set aside pre-tax and the investments grow on a

Want to get healthier in the new year? Keep these important--and eye-opening--numbers in mind:


The amount of years longer you may live if you are an optimist.

Read more about how being optimistic can make you healthier.






increase in the risk of death for someone with diabetes compared to a person the same age without the disease.

Learn more in Diabetes: What to Do Now





of hospital patients get heavy-duty heartburn drugs, no matter why they were admitted.

Find out 4 safer ways to heal heartburn.





of people infected with a cold don't develop symptoms

Find out what you can do to boost your immunity.





How long it takes for loss of sleep to cause insulin resistance-which, over time, raises the risk of diabetes.

Plus, dieters who got 8.5 hours of sleep nightly lost 56 percent more body fat than they did when eating the same diet but getting just 5.5 hours of sleep a night.





Agave syrup has more calories per teaspoon than table sugar and actually ranks lower in disease-fighting

As we slough off 2010 and greet 2011 with hopeful excitement, it might seem thrilling to set your goals as high as the New Year's Eve ball in Times Square. But creating unrealistic expectations of yourself is no way to kick off the New Year and will only result in a February slump. (There's a reason the gym suddenly becomes less busy just weeks after January 1st.) Often, falling off the resolution wagon has more to do with the type of goals you've set for yourself, rather than your resolve to become a better, happier you. To avoid the following resolution pit-falls and make it the best year yet, opt for smarter, more specific goals, such as those outlined below.

Don't: I will lose weight.
Do: I will work out three times a week and eat a balanced diet.
Half the battle of weight loss is your mindset, and creating a specific fitness plan is the first step in setting yourself up for success. But making weight loss the sole focus attaches a negative spin on this otherwise healthy

Getty ImagesBy Alyssa Sparacino

New Year's resolutions are a bit like babies: They're fun to make but extremely difficult to maintain.

Each January, roughly one in three Americans resolve to better themselves or their situation in some way, according to a 2009 poll by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. A much smaller percentage of people actually make good on those resolutions, however. While roughly 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later, a 2002 study found.

Yes, it's hard to keep that shiny New Year's enthusiasm months after you've swept up the confetti, but it's not impossible. Especially if your goal is a noble one: better health. Exercising more, dropping a few pounds, and other health-related resolutions have traditionally been favorites, and 2011 will likely be no different.

This year, pick one of the following worthy resolutions, and stick with it. Here's to your health!

Lose weight
The fact that

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ChampagneIt's easy to make New Year's resolutions, but keeping them is the hard part. Never fear, there's an app for that!

In our technologically advanced age, you can use the fact that you carry your cell phone around with you 24/7 and are likely sitting in front of a computer during most of the day to your advantage. Some of the perks include constant reminders, cutting-edge technology, and can't-get-away-from-it accessibility.

Presenting our list of the most commonly made New Year's vows, and the technology that can actually help you achieve them:

The resolution: "I'm going to lose 15 pounds."

The solution: Lose It! app (Loseit.com; free)

For iPhone users, the free Lose It! app is an extremely easy way to keep track of your calorie intake and how much you exercise. On the homepage, it claims that the average Lose It! user loses 12.3 pounds! The maker is also working on bringing the app to the Droid, according to its Facebook page. You can make a custom calorie budget,

If you're feeling caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the best thing you can do to combat stress is take a few minutes to treat yourself to something small and sure to boost your mood. These five tiny indulgences won't take much time and cost little (if any) money, but they're sure to perk you up for the rest of the day!


1. Get a Manicure
Drop in to your neighborhood nail salon-there might even be one at the mall where you're doing your holiday shopping!-for a basic manicure. The service typically costs around $15 and should only take 30 minutes, so you'll be on your way and looking fabulous in no time!

Recreate Gorgeous Celeb Beauty Looks at Home


2. Drink a Tasty Treat
One of the best things about the holidays is the selection of deliciously indulgent drinks available at Starbucks. Pop by and pick up a peppermint mocha or an eggnog latte to sip it as you run your errands and things will suddenly seem brighter.

How to Want to Dine at Home More Often


4. Enjoy a