With the cold winter months fast approaching, it can sometimes be difficult getting into the swing of things, particularly when it comes to our beauty regime. After a long summer of a light dusting of bronzer and a dab of liquid glow, it’s now time to aid our winter beauty needs to have us looking and feeling the best during the festive season.
Skin!
The harshness of the cold weather can cause many implications for our skin such as dehydration, breakouts and redness. It is important to consider that no skin is the same so treating it accordingly is key. Although it is a common conception that oiliness only occurs in the hot summer months, this is not true. Oiliness can actually occur more during the colder months due to the body producing excessive oil to keep the skin hydrated naturally. This means that investing in a good oil balancing cleanser is essential in order to reduce shine and ensure that your makeup stays on all day. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser is perfect for those with Oily skin during the winter months, but also great for those who are spot-prone. Use this cleanser at night for best results as it removes excess oil, dirt and makeup leaving your skin feeling squeaky clean! Alternatively, if you are someone that suffers from dryness as a result of the cold temperatures, then the Clinque Moisture Surge would be the perfect investment for you. This moisturiser works non-stop for 72 hours for immediate and long-term hydration. What is great about this moisturiser is that it is a light, gel-cream that is quickly absorbed meaning it doesn’t make your makeup slide like most heavy moisturisers do.
Sparkle and Shine
Your makeup is just as important as your outfit, particularly during the Christmas season. And Christmas really wouldn’t be Christmas without some face glitter to create the ultimate festive eye. Whether you are going out for festive drinks with friends, or on a works Christmas night out, there is no need to hold back on the sparkle. If you want a more subtle glitter makeup look, why not try a dramatic smokey eye using a blend of black and brown shadows, then apply a touch of glitter to the inner corner to add a pop of sparkle as well as elongating the eye shape. Or if you want to go all out, create a cut crease using a thick concealer and then generously pat glitter onto the eyelid using a flat brush. Make sure you apply glitter glue prior to glitter application for a long-lasting sparkle. If you are feeling extra daring this year, be sure to try a sprinkle of green or red glitter for an extra festive look.
Lips
We all know the feeling of chapped and cracked lips that come during the colder months where it feels like nothing will make them feel moist again. It is so important to invest in a balm that will actually work. Tip: Although Vaseline is used worldwide, it is actually just like applying a thick layer of oil on top of the lip which your pores are unable to absorb. So, while it may feel moisturising, it is in fact, doing absolutely nothing apart from clogging the pores which, if used on the skin, can cause spots. It is also extremely greasy and if worn in the sun will fry your lips like oil in a chip pan. Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm contains honey and other quality oils that that protect your lips as well as repair damage. For intense action, you can use as a lip mask by applying a thick layer to the lips before bed which will repair the lips during the night then top up in the morning to hydrate for the day.
A dark lip is the perfect way to make a seasonal statement. No Christmas makeup look would be complete without a deep red lip. If you don’t fancy doing a dramatic eye, then a dark lip is the perfect alternative. Although red is the most popular, why not try a deep plum for a super beautiful autumnal look. MAC have a huge variety of lipsticks ranging from nudes to daring darks. They also come in three different formulas (matte, satin, creamy) to suit your style and preference. This is also great if you have dry lips, as the creamy lipstick will not dry them out further.
Hair
We can often forget about the importance of the health of our hair focusing on just our skin. With the essential expenses of Christmas presents and good skin care, thought though of spending more money on hair care is understandably off-putting. No need to worry, you can make a DIY hair treatment that will work just as well. Try a mixture of avocado and coconut oil for silky smooth hair and extra shine. The avocado contains oils and proteins that will smooth the hair and create shine. The coconut oil is great for penetrating deep into the hair shaft for intense moisturization. Heat the coconut oil in the microwave till it melts into a pouring liquid. Stir in the crushed avocado to create a paste and then work into the roots, through to the ends. Leave in for a few hours or overnight for extra intensity.This treatment is sure to protect your hair from the dry winter winds.
Bronzed Goddess
After a summer of having a natural glowing tan, the thought of having to go back to the fake tan mitt once a week is miserable. So how do we keep up our summer glow whilst avoiding the streaks of fake tan? Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze Body Lotion. This genuinely is a worth-while investment that can be used all year round. The creamy, moisturising lotion is perfect for keeping your skin beautiful and soft, whilst adding a healthy bronze colour to it for a natural looking glow, perfect during the winter months. You can gradually build a soft tan within a few days whilst deeply nourishing the skin. It also smells of chocolaty deliciousness, leaving you smelling good enough to eat!
