KEEPING A SKIN AND HAIR REGIMENT
Skin - I know it feels pointless, but it is important to continue a skin and hair regiment everyday. First, it’s good to have a routine in general, but especially to get you through till spring. As you already know, moisturizing is key at this time of year. I’d suggest that you invest in a few good products - a light-medium day moisturizer and an oil for overnight. Argon, sunflower, coconut & jojoba oils are all wonderful options for overnight. In the morning I cleanse, tone and moisturize my face and in the evening I cleanse with a cleansing oil (I sometimes just use a warm washcloth - I don't wear much makeup) and tone. The products that I use at night vary. I use Josie Maran's Argon oil, Dr. Haushka's Moisturizing cream, Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Firm, Mario Badescu's Hyaluronic Eye Cream or Olay's Regenerist Serum - depending on what my skin needs.
Hair - I make sure to comb, brush & style my hair every morning, even if it’s a quick top knot or pony, and at night I brush your my with a boar bristle hairbrush - the natural boar bristle absorbs and evenly distributes the oils from the scalp. I add a few sprays of my leave-in conditioner and a drop of Argon oil or pump of a repairing serum on the ends and then brush it through. It feels great and my hair looks healthy and happy.
Shaving - Let’s be honest, during the winter months ladies take a break from shaving our legs, sometimes a loooong break. I don’t know about you, but feeling like a hairy beast makes me feel less than attractive. So I shave my legs when I wash my hair and not every time I shower. I wash my hair every 3-4 days - by shaving when I shampoo I don’t have to shave everyday and 3-4 days hair growth is close enough for me.
MAKE YOUR SHOWER INTO A MINI SPA
I use a washcloth, drench it with comfortably hot water. I Partially wring out the washcloth and place it flat across my face and leave it there for 30 seconds - this will opens pores. I then lightly rub the washcloth over my forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, neck and chest. I avoid scrubbing around my eyes - the skin around the eyes is very sensitive and should be treated carefully. A gentle washcloth scrub helps remove dead skin. Remember to LIGHTLY scrub as prolonged harsh scrubbing can damage the skin and cause premature aging. Using a vegetable soap and loofah, I gently scrub my arms, legs and back. Immediately after getting out of the shower, while pores are still open, I spray Thayers Rose Water Witch Hazel over my face and neck, (I prefer to spray the toner) and let it air dry. While still slightly wet, I use a Dr. Hausha oil and rub in, concentrating on the dryer areas. I put on my robe and my hair up in a microfiber hair towel and I feel pampered.
NAILS
I make sure to keep at least my toes painted. Occasionally I paint my fingernails, but mostly I keep them short, clean and use cuticle oil every few days. The cuticle oil will help keep my fingers soft, and keeps the hang nails away. Again, giving yourself a manicure or just buffing in some cuticle oil is a nice way to pamper yourself.
MAKEUP
With properly prepped skin, you will only need a few products to make your skin look alive. The only makeup products I use are a concealer pen, powder & gel blush, eyeliner, mascara, and tinted lip balm.
Concealer - I apply Maybelline Dream Lumi™ Touch Highlighting Concealer (a great YSL Touche Éclat dupe BTW) in a warmer tone, just slightly lighter than mine under my eyes with the concentration being on the lower, inner corner of the eye, around the nose and on any blemishes. Using my ring finger (it has the lightest touch), I gently blend out the product - along the side of the nose and and along the lower lash line, lightly patting the product with my fingers. P.S. If I'm feeling extra bleh, I apply Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in a slightly darker shade on the tops of my cheeks, nose and forehead, near the hairline.
Blush - I apply Pixi's Sheer Cheek Gel in natural along the top of the cheekbone and the forehead, along the hairline. I like that alone, but sometimes add M A C's powder blush called Harmony, a matte, warm beige with a touch of pink. With a blush brush, I lightly apply along the side of the cheek bone, along the hairline and my lower jawline. The 2 blushes compliment each other, adding natural color to the face.
Eyes - I am a minimalist when it comes to my eyes (unless I'm going out). I use a soft round brush to apply M A C 's blush (same I used before) across my eyelids, up to my brows - this brings a bit of life to my eyes, add a small amount of concealer just under the outer brow to highlight. I line the upper waterline (see my other blog) with a medium gray pencil liner and add dots at the lower lash line to help define. I place mascara on the upper lashes, concentrating on the inner part of the lash (I have long lashes, so I'm focusing more on thickening them) and lightly on the lower lashes, again focusing on the inner part of the lashes.
BOTTOM LINE
Sticking to a skin and hair care routine will keep you out of a winter rut. I find that keeping my skin moisturized, my cheeks rosy, my hair healthy and my legs shaved, helps me feel pretty and happy, and as Audrey Hepburn said, "I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls".
xo
