The Year of The Horse: Our Beauty Predictions for You Based on Your Chinese Horoscope

You might be wondering whether I have the wherewithal to be able to say anything on your Chinese Horoscope. I’m neither Chinese nor a reader of the stars.  However, under the careful tutelage of my father in-law-to-be, I’ve been studying Chinese Horoscopes and have read up on them considerably.  For those of you not in the know, the Chinese astrology assigns one of twelve animals that represents your character and personality based on your birth year.  As my father-in-law-to-be has so nicely put it- it’s thousands of years of statistics.  I think they have some real merit and you’ll often see me trying to work backwards and figure out someone’s birth year and their Chinese Horoscope.  I don't do math very well in my head so I often get it wrong.

This is the year of the Horse.  Every year has different implications based on your personal horoscope.  2013 was the year of the Snake, a hard one for those of the Pig year- if you are 30 (like myself), 42, 18, 54, or 6 then you might understand what I’m talking about.  Fortunately, with the New Year this past February, it’s a completely new cycle.  Here is what the Year of the Horse portends for you in terms of beauty- the predictions appear every year in texts like Your Chinese Horoscope by Neil Somerville.  The beauty extrapolations are my own. 

Let me know if we got it right in the Comments section below!

Rat: Birth Year ’36, ’48, ’60, ’72, ’84, ’96, ‘08

Traits: Strategic, Charming, Sociable, Value-Minded

Beauty Profile: The rats of the world are the sign best prepared for any future apocalypse.  In terms of beauty, they are the lovers of the two-for-one special, the Costco jumbo size, free samples and are the Extreme Couponers of the bunch.  It is not to say that Rats are cheap- they just like a good value. Having said that, they would do well to throw out those old stashes of unused samples. Do not try to repurpose that used lip balm from the 90’s.  Have a friend help you spring clean or you risk appearing on that Hoarder’s show.

Horse Year Predictions: This might actually be a trying year for you.  However, if you keep your wits about you, your efforts might get noticed.  Keep your appearance polished.  This sign is not known for being on time but refrain from looking harried.  Put your game face on.

 Ox: Birth Year ’37, ’49, ’61, ’73, ’85, ’97, ‘09

Traits: Focused, persistent and tenacious but can be inflexible and too serious

Beauty Profile: Has had the same hardworking beauty staples in their arsenal for years.  These products may not be fluffy but they get the job done and you are sticking with them. 

Horse Year Predictions: The gallivanting Horse can bring about a lot of change, something that Oxen are not known for dealing with especially well.  Take baby steps- try playing with small changes in your beauty routine to inject a little bit of levity into your day to day.  An orange lipstick might help you greet other larger life changes with a smile. 

Tigers: Birth Year ’38, ’50, ’62, ’74, ’86, ’98, ‘10

Traits: Strong willed, fierce and passionate but can be restless

Beauty Profiles: Tigers are known for being attractive since they take care with their appearance.  They are also the born strutters so they tend to get a lot of attention.

Horse Year Predictions: This year will be a good one for activity and opportunity.  Look as fierce as you feel with glowing skin as the backdrop for bold colours and architectural features.  You are going to have lots of socializing and celebrating this year so get your party looks in gear.

Rabbits: Birth Year ’39, ’51, ’63, ’75, ’87, ’99, ‘11

Traits: Peaceful, gentrified tastemakers that like the finer things in life

Beauty Profiles: Rabbits also take care of their appearance.  Male Rabbits are especially obvious as the modern Metrosexual.  They like their creature comforts and enjoy the act of preening.  They have a tactile appreciation of beauty with their assortment of embellished jars and potions.  You can tell a Rabbit as the girlfriend who always has her favourite tube of Rosebud salve in her purse or work drawer.

Horse Year Predictions: This year of activity can make a Rabbit a little bit anxious.  Clutch on to your creature comforts a little bit closer.  Just remember not to be a spendthrift- go for quality and not quantity and refrain from too much retail therapy. 

Dragons: Birth Year ’40, ’52, ’64, ’76, ’88, ’00, ‘12

Traits: Perfectionists, ambitious, hardworking but can be blunt and impulsive

Beauty Profiles: The Devil-Wears-Prada of the bunch. Dragon ladies especially can take on the world while looking immaculate.  They’ll have perfectly groomed brows, flawless complexions and not a hair out of place.  Your friends and peers look to you in general as a leader and your sartorial flair helps keep their attention.  

Horse Year Predictions: The past year’s fashion trends of the 90’s grunge or punk were most likely not your cup of tea.  Your overall look is more classic and you should keep it clean and minimal this year.  Focus on a healthy lifestyle and staying grounded- this might be a frenetic year for you.  Some deep yoga breaths might keep you from breathing fire over every one in frustration. 

Snakes: Birth Year ’41, ’53, ’65, ’77, ’89, ’01, ‘13

Traits: Mysterious, calm, contemplative and intelligent but can be secretive bordering on cunning

Beauty Profiles: Snakes are generally quite appealing to the opposite sex.  Snake ladies have a quiet grace to them that can be quite alluring.  They also have excellent taste and enjoy life's little luxuries.  Famous snake ladies include Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Onassis.  Your beauty routine is more like a starlet’s boudoir.  You’re not posting on Facebook about your latest beauty acquisition, instead you have your little beauty secrets that you are not sharing but that everyone takes notice of. 

Horse Year Predictions: This could be a very taxing year for the quiet and slower paced Snake.  The Snake will have to try and keep up with the world and that can lead to a lot of stress and anxiety for these normally calm individuals.  Do your best to take holidays or me-time to recoup your energy.  Invest in relaxing rather than aggressive spa treatments this year so that your any inner turmoil does not register in your complexion. 

Horses: Birth Year ’42, ’54, ’66, ’78, ’90, ’02, ‘14

Traits: Lively, sociable, communicative but not the best keeper of secrets

Beauty Profiles: Horses like novelty.  They are also world travellers.  Their personal style will reflect this sense of adventure and be bold, bright and beautiful.  Horses make for great beauty bloggers- they know about the latest and greatest secrets from the Amazon and don’t feel the need to keep quiet about it.  They love to gab and interact with others.  They collect treasures from around the globe and their beauty bag will be filled with exotic bric and brac.

Horse Year Predictions:  Although it’s the year of the Horse, it does not mean that everything will go well with 100% certainty.  Pardon the pun- but the horse this year should be careful about horsing around.  Don’t play too hard and keep some of your exuberance in check. This has larger life implications but in terms of beauty it means not being too quick to import the craziest overseas find.  Keep things somewhat grounded and do not go too far in your attempts to surprise and delight.

Goats: Birth Year ’43, ’55, ’67, ’79, ’91, ‘03

Traits: Gentle and easy-going yet tenacious and a perfectionist

Beauty Profile: The soft and gentle appearance of goats can be deceiving!  They have true grit and strength that may go unnoticed.  They are also the artists of all of the animals.  Female goats like feminine/girly things.  They are also crafty enough to be good at DIY projects and may also appreciate more natural alternatives.  They are the ones to make homemade facials, probably with herbs from their own gardens.  They are the Green Goddesses of the beauty world!

Horse Year Predictions: This should be an inspiring year for Goats and their creative pursuits.  Goats might consider lots of life-style based projects whether it’s starting yoga or taking a soap making class.  If your projects are on a bigger scale, say home renovations, just be careful with making financial decisions. Be diligent about price shopping and comparing options. 

Monkeys: Birth Year ’44, ’56, ’68, ’80, ’92, ‘04

Traits: Uber-Charming, Persuasive, Curious but can be Crafty and Cunning

Beauty Profiles: The Monkeys of the world (Miley Cyrus is a famous one) have lots of confidence and their style tends to have a little kick to it.  They are fun loving so they do not take things too seriously and they are trendsetters in their respective cliques. 

Horse Year Predictions: The previous year of the Snake might have felt a little slow to the rambunctious Monkey.  Things will pick-up this year and it will be a time for the Monkey to kick up its heels (a Monkey definitely wears heels- with spikes on them).  It will be important to not go too over board or the Monkey might risk alienating others.  Someone should let Miley know. 

Roosters: Birth Year ’45, ’57, ’69, ’81, ’93, ‘05

Traits: Out-spoken, Colourful, Dignified and Meticulous but can be Abrupt

Beauty Profiles: Roosters can have strong opinions and a very pragmatic streak.  When combined with their sharp eye for detail, you can expect Roosters to pay considerable attention to their appearance.  You’ll never see a Rooster with chipped nail polish or have their roots showing- it would drive them to distraction.  Interestingly- Roosters who were born between the hours of 5-7 both am and pm are especially fiery- they were born crowing! Most Roosters are also social butterflies so they will often be party ready.

Horse Year Predictions: Roosters are incredibly organized and methodical- in all purchases (beauty and fashion ones included), it would be a good idea to write down a wish list.  This will also help the Rooster keep on budget, which can be tricky for many of this sign.  The year of the Horse can be about spontaneity, which can make the always prepared Rooster anxious. Don’t sweat the small stuff and make sure to take good care of yourself!

Dogs: Birth year ’46, ’58, ’70, ’82, ’94, ‘06

Traits: Extremely Honorable, Loyal, Intuitive but can be pessimistic and anxious

Beauty Profiles: Dogs are known for being warm, nurturing people.  They do not necessarily care too much about material possessions so their own vanity may not be their top priority.  However, it is not to say that they will not once in a while indulge in a little treat for themselves. They most likely have one or two favourite beauty luxuries that they like to store away for special occasions.  Female dogs are actually renowned for their beauty but in a un-fussy, down to earth kind of way.

Horse Year Predictions: With a dog’s resolute will, they can accomplish a lot this year.  Dogs will be more likely to attain their goals by keeping them specific and writing them down.  As mentioned, dogs are not really big into materialistic things but they might focus on health goals this year.  As always, they also are always taking care of their loved ones but they should try not to take on everyone else’s worries.  Keep your chin up!

Pigs: Birth Year ’47, ’59, ’71, ’83, ’95, ‘07

Traits: Honest, Generous, Open-hearted but can be Stubborn and Naïve

Beauty Profiles: Pigs like to be pampered so they are the spa goers of the group.  They are not adverse to good food, good wine and la dolce vita in all of its forms.  They love all things beauty wise but will also share with their friends.  Pigs are also known for being quite lucky so while they may be quick to spend their money on life’s luxuries, they can normally keep things in the black. 

Horse Year Predictions: The previous year of the Snake would have been a tough one.  Some of the year’s frustrations might have started to show in the normally well-kept Pig’s appearance.  However, this year is meant to be one of good luck and promise!  So go ahead and visit your favourite spa- get your hair and nails done and be ready to greet the opportunities that come your way.