Hello again from Shriya! Winter is my absolute favorite time of the year. Between the frosty weather and Christmas vacation, I have all the reasons in the world to cozy up with a warm drink and wooly scarves while I enjoy quality time with family and friends!
But winter does have a nasty habit of throwing my standard beauty routine for a spin! Cold weather means dry skin, wispy hair, and pale features. Luckily, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite winter beauty must-haves that keep the storms at bay so you can look pretty and fresh no matter how frightful the weather outside may be!
Almond Hand and Nail Cream
by The Body Shop
As soon as the weather gets chilly, my hands are the first to show rebellion. This sweet-smelling hand cream is made from almond oil and all-natural ingredients – so it will soothe your dry or cracked skin with a gentle layer of moisture. It’s not too thick so it won’t feel heavy on your skin, and almond oil keeps your nails moisturized too!
Aloe Soothing Night Cream by The Body Shop
If you’re in your 20s like me, you’re probably thinking “Night cream is for old folks – why bother?!” But interestingly enough, our 20s and early 30s is when it’s most important to keep skin soft, supple, and moisturized so it can fight off signs of aging better!
This night cream is the perfect winter companion because it makes sure that you wake up with fresh-looking skin even when the winter winds outside are blowing it dry. Aloe vera is really light and naturally soothes sensitive skin while you sleep, so it’s a must-have against harsh winters!
Vitamin E Cream Cleanser by The Body Shop
Are you still using the same facial cleanser that you use in the summer? If you are, stop immediately! Summer skin and winter skin react VERY differently, and it’s important to treat your skin well against the drying agents of winter weather.
During the summer, harsher cleansers with acne-prone salicylic acid or other oil-minimizing ingredients is acceptable because you sweat more, but your skin NEEDS all these essential oils and moisture when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
This Vitamin E Cream Cleanser is gentle, nourishing, and will leave your skin baby soft. It does leave my skin a little oilier than a non-cream cleanser would, but that’s what we all need to replenish our skin in these winter days!
Burt’s Bees Lip Balm at Macy’s
I’m a huge Burt’s Bees fanatic, and I refuse to use any other lip balm – especially in the winter months! These lip balms are famous for using beeswax, which keeps your lips soft and moisturized much, much longer than most other lip balm brands.
Flavors like Pink Grapefruit, Honey, and Pomegranate all add fun variations on tastes and nourishments, but my go-to has always been Mango Butter. It goes on clear and keeps my lips happy all day long.
Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm at Sephora
Photo courtesy of www.whatisbbcream.com.
I can’t even begin to explain my love for BB cream during winter weather – it adds a natural, soft glow to my skin without being too oily or heavy. I prefer it to liquid foundation because BB cream serves as a moisturizer, concealer, and corrector all in one! It even has SPF 45 built in (and yes, you DO still need to wear sunscreen on your face during the winter!)
Dr. Jart’s BB cream is even infused with white gold for a truly amazing radiance that your skin really needs to fight winter dullness. Best of all – this brand suits every skin type AND stays on smooth despite rain, snow, or winds!
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil Finishing Powder at Macy’s
To finish off your elegant, radiant look, lock in your makeup with bareMineral’s Mineral Veil Finishing Powder. It’s got light-reflecting pearls to keep your skin glowing even in the gloomiest of days, and it’s lightweight enough to wear over foundation or on its own.
I’ll personally vouch my deep love for the Bare Escentuals skincare line – it gives you that flawless photo-finish that you’re always envying those movie stars for.
Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Penetrating Oil at Ulta
Hair tends to go dry and listless after all that winter abuse – and that’s not including the extra blow-drying and straightening we may do to make sure our hair doesn’t look too frazzled after its encounters with the winds!
Replenish your hair with regular treatments of Moroccan Argan Oil, which is full of nourishing vitamin E and antioxidants to keep your hair soft and shiny.
As a personal trick, I sometimes cheat my way out of blow-drying my hair by simply conditioning it with argan oil while it’s wet and letting it air dry. It’s frizz-free magic!
Hopefully this list helps you fight off the winter blues and stay fresh and radiant for the holiday season! With a few tips in mind and a wise inventory of beauty supplies, we can make the most of our winter wonderlands and keep everyone guessing about our weather-defying fabulousness.
What are your go-to beauty products for winter?