While everyone else is busy wallowing in their post-holiday calorie-fest guilt, I'm busy making some resolutions. I’ve got a whole list of resolutions related to my health, lifestyle and overall life goals, but the list I’m most excited to share is my top five beauty and fashion resolutions for 2012.

Why? Because they’re so easy to accomplish that they’ll probably lessen your guilt about some of your other resolutions that will eventually migrate to your 2013 list.

Top 5 Beauty Resolutions

1. Sleep on it

Yes, it's that easy. Getting enough sleep is crucial to have glowing skin and looking awake and refreshed. So, instead of staying up an extra hour to watch Chelsea Lately, let your DVR do the work while you take in some extra zzzs.

2. Brighten Up!

Tried of people telling you that you look tired? If you can’t commit to getting more sleep, this one’s for you. Concealer has long been the go-to product for disguising under eye circles, puffiness and tired eyes, but illuminators are the dark-eye solution of the future.

It started with YSL’s Touche Eclat, which has a cult following and is loved by celebs and makeup artists alike. The secret is its peachy tone and highlighting properties that help brighten the under eye area.

If you don’t want to shell out $40 for YSL’s version, my personal Holy Grail brightener is Maybelline’s dark circle eraser in #160. It has a light pink tone that corrects any darkness and overall adds a pop of brightness to your under eye area. After applying your foundation, dot some under each eye from the applicator and use a blending brush or your finger to smooth underneath your eyes. Everyone will notice how awake and rested you look — but no one will be the wiser.

3. Make it a ritual

Think you don’t have the time to deep condition your hair, moisturize your cuticles or paint your nails? My motto is—do it in your sleep. Literally. I save these beautifying rituals for Sunday nights.

Before bed, I’ll saturate my strands with argan oil and let it do its magic overnight (I like Saadia Organics’ 100% Argan Oil). Innovations in quick-drying topcoats have also been a life-changer. Give yourself a quick manicure and paint your nails in bed. Two coats of polish plus one coat of Seche Vite Topcoat is all you need. I promise that the topcoat dries in 10 minutes flat and you can go to sleep and wake up with perfectly shiny nails and no creases in your polish.

4. Master the blowout

Do you love your bouncy, shiny locks when you leave the salon, but can’t replicate the look at home? A great blowout is a huge time-saver, just use dry shampoo between washings (I love Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo). If you’re having a hard time maneuvering your round brush and hairdryer, check out tutorials on YouTube, head to your salon or local blow dry bar and ask your stylist for a how-to session. Let this be the year that bad hair days are virtually eliminated (and don’t forget to use an anti-humidity spray like Oribe’s Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray).

5. Screen & Protect

You already know using tanning beds can increase your melanoma risk by 75% (yikes!) but even if you’re not hitting the beds, Austin's sunny climate and high UV reads call for sunscreen —daily. The good news for ladies who love makeup? The new sunscreens are fluids that act as a beautiful primer for your makeup and don’t make skin greasy. They’re light as air.

Try La Roche Posay’s Anthelios SPF 60 Fluid for the Face or Kiehl’s Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50+. Not only does sunscreen protect delicate facial tissue from harsh rays, but it also prevents hyperpigmentation and premature aging. No more excuses!

Look for Veronika's next column: Top Five Fashion Resolutions

Veronika Javor Romeis writes a beauty and fashion blog, VeronikasBlushing.com