That time of year has come upon us. The dramatic temperature drop, the need for at least four layers of clothing and of course, the Christmas lights, window displays and tunes being wafted into our eyes and ears at every possible moment. So, to prepare you for the holiday season, I have decided that it is time to give you a beauty rundown, especially for the upcoming winter season. This post gives you some top tips from past experiences and articles I have read and a review of tried and tested products that will offer a sense of warmth and comfort in the depths of winter.
TOP THREE WINTER TIPS:
- Start the day with a hot shower. Then, before you get out, turn it down to cold for about fifteen seconds, and then to warm, and then to cold...repeat for around 2-4 minutes. It sounds odd but is a simple hydrotherapy technique which revitalizes the skin by stimulating the flow of blood through the body. It is both invigorating and highly beneficial to the skin.
- Exfoliate a few times a week. This will remove dead cells and allow the skin to absorb extra moisture. The oil which we all complain about in the Summer is no longer being produced because of cooler winter temperatures and central heating. The skin therefore looses the water which should be retained in the lower dermis of the skin. This can lead to premature aging of the skin and fine lines, whilst your skin can appear puffy and grey...so EXFOLIATE.
- Sleep well and drink a lot water. Simple.
First up is the FACE. At this time of year, it is oh so important to take care of your skin to avoid dullness and dryness. One of the first major changes is to make the shift from a water-based moisturiser to an oil-based one. All moisturisers work differently depending on skin type, so it is important to look around until you find one that works for you. Because I have sensitive skin, I use a water based moisturiser during the summer and an oil base during the winter to even out the weather and what it does to my skin. It is also important to cleane, tone and exfoliate regularly.
The first product I recommend is Burts Bees Radiance Day Creme.
The creme is lightweight and filled with botanical oils that deep cleanse the skin. The smell is delightful, it contains scents and ingredients that promote calmness and aides sleep. I have tried a variety of different day moisturisers, however this one gets my vote because of its lightwight texture and natural ingredients. Sometimes I feel that moisturisers are very heavy and actually clog my pores, but this one is so lightweight, you can barely feel it.
The next product I would recommend is for people who suffer from slight early morning blues! I for one, really struggle with dark circles under my eyes. Some beauticians have said it is a lack of Zinc in my diet, others says its irregular sleep patterns. I have been looking for a miracle product to help with this and The Sanctuary do a range of "brigtening" products so I thought I would give them ago. I am absolutely addicted to the Brightening Eye Gel. You apply it after a standard cleansing/toning/moisturising session at night and then also when you wake up in the morning for a bright and uplifting start to the day.
The last product for the face that I recommend is
Mac Strobe Liquid. It is aimed for party goers who need more sleep and workaholics who cannot switch off so I knew I had to try it. It is a lighter version of the ever popular Strobe Cream and again, uses botanical ingredients for a light yet effective moisturiser.
The thing that is so great about it, is that is actually does make you glow! It gives your skin a very radiant sheen to it and looks very natural. A massive thumbs up from me!
LIPS:
During the winter, one of the biggest problems is lipcare. It is so easy to get the occasional cold sore and cracked lips, which is not only pretty unsightly but also rather painful. My top tips to avoid this winter nightmare is to make sure you get a good intake of Vitamin B as that will really help fight cracked lips. If they are feeling particularly dry, try a soaked dark tea bag on your lips for 4-6 minutes to encourage extra moisture. All this said and done, you cannot fight nature and the harm it can cause; this is where the products come in.
Carmex Original is my personal favourite in lip care and nothing really comes close in terms of its effectiveness. Its purpose is to protect from the weather, rain or shine, which it does extremely effectively. It contains germ-killing menthol and phenol, speeding the healing process for chapped lips. The great thing about Carmex, is that it also doubles up as a medicine for cold sores so it really is a winter handbag MUST.
One more tip for great winter lips is to ensure that all lip balm/stick/gloss is throughly washed off at night to allow your lips to breathe. It can have a counter effect if you leave residue on your lips...and no-one wants that!
HAIR: Unfortuanely, one of the biggest winter “no-nos” for hair is blow-drying. The heat dries the hair out, on top of the cold temperature doing the same thing. It is important at this time of year to ensure that your hair is HYDRATED. A great hydrating conditioner, hair mask and shampoo are a must.
The shampoo you want to use is
Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturing Shampoo. It is made with a relaxing floral aroma blended with certified organic palmarosa, ylang ylang and rose geranium, with a hint of vanilla. The smell is insatiable and the results are astounding. I noticed a difference instantly; my dry and brittle ends immediately felt sleeker and stronger. It does, however, take a while to create a lather, resulting in ou using a fair bit of the shampoo itself. The bottles cost around £18, so it is something to bare in mind if you are trying to be economical and cost-efficient.
Any moisturing conditioner will be very good when paired with a strong shampoo, and Superdrug do some great moisturing conditioning treatments. However, if you are feeling like you really want to invest in a product that will fully transform a real dryness problem, my recommendation would be
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask. It is made to improve moisture and also improve elasticity in the hair for a more bouncy, volumous look. It is best to preserve this product as it is slightly on the pricey side, but using it once a week/fornight will significantly benefit your hair.
I hope this has given you some handy hints and tips for this winter season. It really is important to follow a few simple guidelines to ensure that you are looking after your skin and hair in the winter months.
Peace,
O x
Then it is best to exfoliate from head to toe. It is important to do this as it will make sure that your skin is soft and free of any dead skin which could potentially clog up your fake tan and make it very unpleasent and unattractive! 
Lastly, about two hours before you go out, use a different mitt then used the day before and apply a light layer of Instant tan. I would recommend St Tropez Wash off or Rimmer Instant. Once dry (around 15 minutes), it is time to apply the Nuxe Oil to your body. Use all over, including face, for a beautiful shimmer finish. 
