Before You Set 2026 Goals: An End-of-the Year Reset Guide for Your Hair, Makeup & Closet
Hey I'm Meg Ann Lee and we are talking about new year's resolutions this week! Well sort of.. By the time the holidays wrap up, most of us are exhausted. Between parties, travel, work and nonstop getting ready, your hair, makeup, and closet usually feel just as tired as you do. Before jumping straight into 2026 goals and resolutions, I always recommend doing a simple end-of-year reset.
As a hairstylist and makeup artist in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I hear my clients discuss this every winter. Hair feels dry and staticky, makeup bags are overflowing with products they don't know how to use, and closets feel cluttered but still nothing to wear. This reset isn't about changing everything-it's about cleaning up what you already have so the new year feels easier.
Hair Reset: Repair Before You Change Anything
Winter hair in Wisconsin takes a beating. Cold air, indoor heat, hats, and scarves all add up, and by late December hair often feels dull, tangled, or fragile.
Before booking a major color change, I recommend you focus on hair health. Adding a deep conditioning or bond-repair treatment at your next salon appointment can make a noticeable difference. At home, a weekly mask and a simple scalp oil routine go a long way.
- Hydrating hair masks (weekly use)
- Add a Lightweight scalp oil (at night or before washing)
- Bond repair treatments for chemically treated hair
You can check out some of my favorites HERE!
If you wear extensions, this reset matters even more. Gentle detangling, sleeping with your hair protected, and staying on top of maintenance prevents unnecessary damage. I break this down more in:
- Hair Extension Service Expectations: Part One
- Why Hair Extension Prices Vary & What Clients Should Know (Part Two)
Both posts explain realistic upkeep, cost expectations, and how to protect your investment long-term.
Makeup Reset: Declutter and Use What You Own
The end of the year is the best time to clean out your makeup bag. Toss anything expired, dried out, or irritating your skin-especially mascaras, liquid liners, and creams.
Once you declutter, organize what's left by priority. Put products you want to use up first where you'll actually see them. This keeps your routine simple and helps curb unnecessary spending going into the new year.
- Makeup organizers or drawer inserts
- Everyday organizing staplesÂ
- Brush cleaners or sanitizing sprays
You don't need more makeup-you just need a system that works.
Closet Reset: Simple, Not Overwhelming
Closet clean-outs don't need to be dramatic. Start by asking one question: Would I wear this again right now? If the answer is no, it's probably time to donate it.
Focus on seasonal items first-holiday outfits, layers that didn't work, or pieces that no longer feel like you. Bag donations immediately so they actually leave your house. A less cluttered closet makes getting ready easier, especially during busy winter mornings.
Why This Reset Matters For Your 2026 Goals
I always remind clients that January doesn't need to start with a total transformation. A reset is about maintenance, not perfection. When your hair is healthier, your makeup routine is organized, and your closet feels manageable, everything else feels lighter too.
This end-of-year reset gives you a clean slate-without pressure-to step into 2026 feeling more organized and confident. Honestly, that's a better foundation than any resolution.
If you're ready for making your NYE resolutions but feel stuck, refreshing, decluttering and organizing is the perfect place to start <3