BY: KIZZY COURTNEY
Winter is one of the toughest seasons when it comes to beauty. Cold, dry winter air can easily rob moisture from your skin, causing all kinds of problems. This is especially true of the skin on your face, lips, and hands, which are most frequently exposed to the elements. Rough chapped skin becomes more common in these areas and can show visible cracks and wrinkles more easily. Do you adapt your beauty routine to the seasons? If not, you may want to consider a few new products to keep you looking great all winter.
Deep Conditioner: Add dry winter air into the mix, and it’s a recipe for split ends, dehydration, and frizz. Fortunately, a good deep conditioner keeps your hair hydrated and protected year-round. Especially if you’re a naturally curly girl. I swear by coconut oil as a deep conditioner. You can buy it at your local health food store, rub some between your palms, and apply to your hair overnight. You’ll wake up to fabulously shiny and soft hair!
Body Lotion: One of the worst things about winter is how dry your skin gets. Even those of us who never have dry skin can often get it in the winter. That’s why body lotion is a must-have to keep your skin smooth and soft. Which body lotions are the best? I love Korres body butter in basil lemon, but all their scents are to die for! Any of their body butters would make a great winter body lotion. Korres can be found at Shopper’s Drug Mart.
Lip Balm: Probably the most important item on this list for me! Nothing is worse than chapped lips – they look bad, and they hurt. Worst of all they look terrible under your favorite lipsticks. Lip balm is your chapped lips best friend!
Water: Drinking tons of water is one of the best things you can do for your body year-round, but it’s so easy to get dehydrated in winter that it’s even more important. You don’t have to drink eight glasses a day, but keeping a bottle of water near you throughout the and refilling is the best way to keep hydrated. You’ll see the benefits right away – clearer skin, less dry skin, and even more energy throughout the day.
Humidifiers: These little machines are a great way to help prevent all those damaging effects caused by winters wrath, and ensure you maintain a glowing, vibrant look throughout the colder months. Having a good humidifier in place can literally help you feel more comfortable in your skin; using a humidifier can help your sinuses, soothe itchy skin, and lessen sore throats. It will also improve the appearance of your skin and help counteract signs of aging. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of simply relocating to the tropics, try combatting old man winter’s lack of moisture with a humidifier. Just like our skin, humidifiers come in all types. Here are the basics of the three types of units you can choose from.
- Warm Mist: Warm mist humidifiers add moisture to the air with steam. They do not require filter replacements, making them a great low-maintenance option.
- Cool Mist: Cool mist humidifiers disperse a comfortable stream of room-temperature mist throughout a larger space.
- Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic humidifiers are available in both cool and warm mist options. They are also the quietest type, making them ideal for light sleepers.
With colder temperatures, dry air, and so much time spent indoors, your skin, hair, and nails are faced with a new set of circumstances. Adding these products to your daily winter beauty routine will keep you glowing all winter long. I hope this helps you decide how best to combat the winter temperatures because ain’t nobody got time for dry or dull skin!