How to Make a New Year’s Resolution You Can Stick To

What type of hair and beauty blog would we be if we didn’t discuss New Year’s resolutions? This must be the all time #1 topic that resolutions focus on every year. Everyone says, "This is the year I’m finally going to try that new haircut or lose those 10 pounds." And 2 weeks into the year, most of us have fallen way off the wagon and given up. So how on earth do you set a resolution that you can keep?

• Be SPECIFIC- “I will grow healthier hair” means nothing. Put a mission behind it! Give yourself something clear to aspire to. Say “I’m going to deep condition every other week,” or “I’m going to moisturize daily.”
• Set Checkpoints- Sure, technically December 31, 2015 is your deadline, but that’s an entire year away. Wouldn’t it be nice to hit your goal early and perhaps even surpass it? Divide your goal into monthly or weekly checkpoints so that you can track your progress. Seeing it as it happens is great motivation to make more progress!
• Remind yourself, OFTEN- Set a weekly reminder on your phone or leave yourself little notes around the house that restate your goals. Particularly in places that you tend to go in that moment of weakness. If you're always forgetting your satin bonnet at night, leave a note on your pillow that says “Tie your hair up before bed.” Whatever it takes to remind you that you have goals to reach. Make a meme and set it as your screensaver or lock screen!
• Reward yourself- As you keep your resolution going, treat yourself every time you hit a MAJOR milestone. Say, every 30 days or every time you successfully achieve a new style. Splurge on a new product or hair accessory. And plan a larger reward for when you reach that final goal. A new outfit or spa day will be very deserved after you’ve met your goals.
• Keep the list short- Part of this depends on just how epic your goals are, but don’t stretch yourself so thin that you can’t possibly achieve them. I think an ideal number is no more than 5 resolutions. If you complete one before the year has ended, by all means replace it with another, but no more than 5 at a time.

So what’s your resolution for the year? Let’s do it big for 2015!

*article revised and adapted from another, previously written article, viewable here.

Most Popular Posts of 2014

2014 has been a great year for our blog. We at All Dolled Up are proud to bring you useful hair information and other news that benefits the community each and every week. As the year draws to a a close, we thought it would be a great idea to recap all of your favorite blog posts from this year. In no particular order, these were the top 5 posts of the year 2014!:

• Why Not Try a 3 strand Twist Out? Here's How...- Everybody can do 2-strand twists, but 3-strand twists give you a gorgeous spiral curl!
• Ever Thought about Locs? Here's a Temporary Alternative!- Faux locs let you experiment with the look of locs BEFORE committing to locking your actual hair. You can also do them in ANY color! 

• Have You Been Thinking about Crochet Braids?- Crochet braids are one of the most versatile styles trending right now, but home care and maintenance is important. Learn the basics in this post!
• Here are 5 FAST Updos You can do on Natural Hair- Nothing is more aggravating than spending 30 minutes on your natural hair in the morning only to end up wearing your usual puff. Check out these quick styles that you can do at home.
• For Tight, Defined Curls, try this Straw Set Tutorial- Who knew you could do such a gorgeous style with tools available in your local dollar store? A few straws and bobby pins are the secret to this fabulous bouncy style.

So these were the most popular posts of 2014. We've heard you loud and clear. You like tutorials! We will strive to bring you more quick and easy styles in 2015. Feel free to comment below telling us exactly what you'd like to see from the blog in 2015!

Our Holy Grail of Hair Products

Every stylist has a holy grail of hair products. These are their all-time favorites and the backbone of their styling technique. These products never fail to turn out gorgeous, healthy hair. Put simply, they just work for that stylist. If you do your own hair on a regular basis, you probably have a holy grail of products at home right now. After searching far and wide, you finally found that handful of products that your hair just seems to love. We would like to share what's in our Holy Grail collection with you. Are any of these products "must-haves" for you too? Tell us about it!

• Botanical Oils (Design Essentials)- Botanical Oils is a blend of oils from the wheat plant, African Shea Tree, Olive Tree, ginseng root, and other plant life. Its extreme versatility allows it to stand-alone or be combined with other Design Essentials products to create customized results.
• Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo- This gentle cleansing shampoo contains peach extract, irish moss, ginseng and wheat protein, all of which moisturize and condition hair without weighing it down. It soothes and replenishes, leaving your hair feeling healthy and refreshed. Available in 10 oz., liter and gallon sizes.
• HCO Leave In Conditioner and Blow Drying Lotion (Design Essentials)- This product is an inter-cellular treatment, acting as a conditioner as well as a blow-drying agent. It quickly penetrates deep within the hair shaft to replenish needed proteins. Thus leaving the hair soft, manageable, and full of body.
• Honey Curl Forming Custard (Design Essentials)- A natural product with Honey and Chamomile defines, shapes, and elongates curls and coils providing lasting hold without residue for highly-defined, frizz-free curls with brilliant shine.
• Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner / Styling 1 Liter- this patented formula penetrates the hair shaft, conditioning as it smoothes the follicle. Simply work the product through wet hair, air dry and style. It tames naturally curly hair, blocks frizz, works great on perms, and makes hair soft & silky.

So what's in your holy grail of hair products?

ADU Client Corner: Robyn-Ann Lawson, SALTY magazine

Our newest featured client is none other than Robyn-Ann Lawson, founder and Curator-in-Chief of SALTY Magazine, LLC. Founded in 2011, SALTY magazine is "For those in, but not of the culture" of Christianity. The brand's magazine, apparel, and media highlight colorful young individuals infiltrating Christian culture with beauty, creativity, and truth. According to the website, "We believe the Gospel is not just truth, but creative genius. Therefore, it is done a disservice when shared in less than creative ways." Interested in contributing or otherwise supporting this positive publication? Check out their guidelines here. You can also keep up with SALTY magazine through their social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Robyn-Ann started this brand as a blog during her time as a young adult leader at her church. From there, she has been on a mission to "discover and create profitable outlets for skilled disciples committed to serving their generation with various art forms that tell of the genius and good news of Christ." We admire her dedication to a positive purpose, as well as her ability to always look fabulous while doing it. We appreciate your patronage, Robyn-Ann Lawson!