Beauty & Health

The Beauty of Winter

Change your cleanser
Hydration is the name of the game when it comes to winter skin. Put your soap-based cleansers on hold until summer and change to a gel or creamy, non-foaming cleanser that won’t dry out skin. Try an oil-based cleanser if your face is really feeling the chill.
Try: Sukin Cream Cleanser, $9.95 with avocado and rosehip oils.

Don’t linger under a hot shower
There’s nothing nicer than a long hot shower after a big day facing the freeze but steaming for too long can compromise your skin’s lipid layer that holds in valuable moisture. Keep hot showers under 10 minutes.
Try: Rubbing some of your favourite oil over wet skin before drying off, like Palmer’s Coconut Oil with Vitamin E, $9.99.

Switch up your foundation
Adding matte or powdery foundation to dry skin will highlight the problem so switch to a dewy or satin finish formulation or look for one that has skin saving ingredients like vitamin E included. Try a BB cream or mineral make-up that has moisture and sunscreen built-in (yes you still need sunscreen in winter!).
Try: Napoleon BBB Cream SPF 30+ that combines foundation, anti-ageing moisturiser and sunscreen, $55.

Waterproof your look
Waterproof make-up is not just for the beach. Cold and rainy winter days can wreak havoc on your make-up while drying winds can have eyes watering and mascara running in no time. Switch to a waterproof mascara and eyeliner and try a waterproof concealer too to keep blemishes undercover whatever the weather.
Try: The Body Shop Waterproof Mascara $23.95 and Clarins Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil $38.

Love your Lips
Lips bear the brunt of winter’s drying winds so protect your pout. Use a balm that is more viscous (rather than waxy) so that it penetrates any splits or cracks and doesn’t just sit on the top of the skin. Avoid anything too fragranced or filled with petroleum or mineral oil.
Try: Kiehl’s No-Shine Lip Balm packed with shea butter, $11.

Colour check
Your beige beachy locks might have rocked in summer but in winter’s cool light are your highlights making your skin look ashy or dark locks leaving you too pale? Blondes need to go more golden for winter and brunettes ask your hairdresser for some hand-painted pieces around your face to warm up your look.

Hair repair
Hair can dry out in winter just as much as summer so keep it flyaway free with regular moisturizing hair masks, always add a few drops of Argan oil to the mid-lengths and ends between shampoos and on really windy days, keep it under wraps with a cute beanie or felt fedora.
Try: NAK Repl.ends Crème leave-in moisturiser $26.95.

Helping hands and feet
Avoid those painful winter fingertip splits by switching to a creamy soap, don’t use super hot water to wash and treat your nails to a weekly rub with cuticle oil. Just because they are hidden in boots don’t forget your feet! A weekly soak and scrub and daily moisturizer, plus wearing cotton socks to bed, will make sure your toes are sandal-ready come spring.
Try: OPI Avojuice Hand & Body Lotion packed with avocado oil, vitamin E and shea butter $19.95.