Holiday season. It’s the time that helps us all determine whether we’ve been naughty or nice, and unfortunately if you’ve been committing any of the beauty sins below you just might end up with a piece of coal. Here’s how to fix your naughty ways before it’s too late (because Santa is not a fan of ragged cuticles or orangey bronzer. He told us… at the mall).

1. Skipping The Lotion

Cold winter winds combined with indoor heating result in majorly dry skin. If you’re usually one to skimp on the lotion now it’s time to mend your wicked ways. Avoid those pesky bumps and dry crackling elbows by slathering on the body lotion daily. It’s best to apply soon after you’re out of the shower, as that’s when your skin will hold the most moisture.

Don’t forget that pretty mug of yours either. Apply your serum—which penetrates down to the deeper layers of your skin—then layer on a thick, indulgent moisturizer morning and night.

MDC Recommends: The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter; Kiehl’s Creme d’Elegance Repairateur

 

2. Forgetting your Cuticles

We don’t mean to sound like moisturizing evangelists here, but hydrated skin is also key when it comes to your hands. Dry cuticles are likely to harden and form into those life-ending things we know as hangnails (how one little thing can hurt so much is beyond us). Keep yours hydrated by being ritualistic with your hand lotion or cuticle oil. This will also help you get more longevity out of your manicures (you are so resourceful).

MDC Recommends: Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil; La Roche-Posay Lipikar Xerand Hand Repair Cream

 

3. Over-Tweezing

When it comes to handling your own brows we really only have four words: put down the tweezers. Speaking from personal experience, we know just how easy it is to start casually tweezing and end up with spaghetti thin brows in thirty seconds. If you did happen to get a little tweezer-happy, think happy, brow-growing thoughts and use our guide on how to fill them in naturally in the meantime.

 

4. Biting Your Nails

We all have coping mechanisms when it comes to stress and anxiety (a couple of lip chewers and foot tappers over here, cough cough), but one of the worst is nail biting. Not only does it leave your hands looking gnawed, it’s a surefire way to bring any germs that might be on your hands, directly into your mouth… yum. Ditch the habit by making your nails too pretty to pick at. Any manicure can do the trick, but we find gel manicures to be especially successful at inhibiting the habit since they’re harder to pick off.

Here are a few of our favorite manicures to get you inspired: Holographic and Gray Manicure; Matte and Glossy Nails; Caviar-Encrusted Tips

 

5. Over-Bronzing

While we do not think you need to stash away the bronzer all winter, too much of the beloved product during colder months will make you look fake. Instead of an all over glow, apply your matte bronzer solely to contour and warm up your face. It’s also wise to go easy on the sunless tanner during colder months. Consider a lighter option than you would in summer, so your faux glow is flattering without being overtly noticeable.

MDC Recommends: Urban Decay Baked Bronzer; L’Oréal Sublime Glow Daily Body Moisturizer + Natural Skin Tone Enhancer

 

What have you done to put you on the Naughty List this year? Spill below!

 

Photo: Thinkstock