Your 20s are a time of transition. You’re no longer a child, and most likely living alone or in a faraway place. You’re probably working one of your first jobs, or even getting ready to leave the comfort of school. Though being a twenty-something means constant glorious exploration, it can also be a period when we start to develop healthy lifetime habits. To make sure we put our lives on the right track (while still having a great time), we asked Christine Andrew, the super-mom and style expert behind Hello Fashion, for the advice she wished she had in her 20s. Keep scrolling to see some of her best lessons.

  1. “Put in the Work. It doesn’t matter what you major in. Hard work and ambition can get you the world. Without that work ethic, a degree in any field is just something on your resume. Hard work and dedication to your passions is really what gets you places.”

  2. “Skincare Matters. Take care of your skin! A tan lasts for moments but your skin is with you forever. Use SPF, especially on your face, and opt for healthier options like sunless tanning (I love this sunless face lotion I have been using for years). Also, start your skincare regimen in your early 20s, before you have wrinkles. I wish I would have started earlier. This is a great day serum for anti-aging.”

  3. “Hair ages too. Between being on a budget with your hair styling tools and experimenting with hair colors, your hair will go through the ringer in your 20s. Start taking care of your hair now. One of the easiest and more important ways is with a heat protectant. I love the Nexxus New York Salon Care Heat Protecting Mist, enriched with flaxseed oil and antioxidants to protect your hair from heat damage like dryness and breakage. The Nexxus New York Salon Care Encapsulate Serum is another one of my favorite products for repairing my hair with pure elastin protein and other nutrients. I use this daily to restore my hair fiber back to its pre-damaged state.”

  4. “Less is more. Whether it’s makeup, perfume, or accessories, less is always more. Obviously ,we have the days where it’s fun to get glammed up, but overall simplify. I remember I used to pile on bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc., but I feel like the older I get, one statement piece or a couple of delicate pieces will definitely do the trick.”

  5. “Family is everything. When you are young you think you would rather hang out with friends, but as you grow up you realize family usually always stays by your side. Start young and don’t miss out on those opportunities. Spend time with your grandparents! One of my favorite memories with my grandma was a few years ago I went to visit her and she went through all her old photo albums and told me about her childhood. I learned so much! Even just taking the time to call them makes their day!”

  6. “Floss. Seriously, your dentist knows what’s up.”

  7. “Set Goals. Ambition without goals doesn’t get you anywhere so set both short and long-term goals for yourself. And don’t forget to include a timeline to hold yourself accountable.”

  8. “Try New Things. Whether its a trend you are nervous to try and think you can’t pull off or an adventure you think is extreme, don’t let your second guessing hold you back, be adventurous and try new things.”

  9. “Choose Your Friends Wisely. One of my favorite quotes is, “You will only be as good as the people you surround yourself with.” Surround yourself with good people who reciprocate your friendship. Nobody likes a one-sided friendship.”

  10. “Keep A Journal. It took me until I had kids to realize how important writing in a journal is. There are so many details that will fade over time so just take a moment now to jot them down and you will get to keep them forever. Even if it’s just once a month, start writing down your favorite moments.”

  11. “Start Saving. You’ll never remember half of your purchases or those meals you splurge on, so start saving now to be able to one day afford those pieces that you will remember. I gave up a lot of my budget buys to invest in quality pieces and it has transformed by wardrobe. I will still never forget the feeling of buying my first designer purse!”

  12. “Be Good To Others. Whether you can give through time or money, just give to others. None of us can make it alone, so lift others wherever you stand. Always make it a priority to give back!”