Winter Beauty Essentials: Must-Have Products to Stay Gorgeous From Head to Toe post image

Winter Beauty Essentials: Must-Have Products to Stay Gorgeous From Head to Toe


As tans fade and temperatures drop, it’s important to switch your normal beauty routine in order to keep your skin, nails and hair healthy and well-moisturized.

Here are some of my favorite products that will do just that:

FACE
In order to retain moisture and keep my skin looking vibrant, I’ve been using Vital Vitamin Day and Night Cream by Simple ($10.80) It’s great for sensitive skin, and has an SPF of 15, which is important for year-round protection. Yes, even in the winter.
Simple night cream

I try to exfoliate my face once a week to slough off dry skin, and Revision Skincare Rebuffing Cream ($30) does the trick.. Just gently rub a dime-size amount onto damp skin, then rinse off and gently pat dry. Voila, good as new!  I love this video by Claire Clarins, where she explains the proper way to apply face products. (I mean, how adorable is her accent?!)
Revision Gentle Buffing Cream

For makeup, I use Christian Dior Hydra Life Pro- Youth Skin Tint ($40) – it’s a tinted moisturizer that’s great for hydration and instantly makes lackluster skin look fresh and dewy. If you have dry skin and don’t need a ton of coverage, this is your perfect pick. I’m a little oily in my T-Zone, so I have to blot with transparent powder, but it gives the rest of my face such a beautiful glow. Many of my friends use it, too!
Christian Dior Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint FPS

BODY
One of my favorites for winter especially is Cetaphil’s Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion ($11.99). I put it on right after the shower and it keeps my skin super-soft throughout the day.
Cetaphil

 

On dry patches, and hands and feet I use Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula, Skin Therapy Oil ($9.99) .http://www.drugstore.com/palmers-cocoa-butter-formula-with-vitamin-e-skin-therapy-oil/qxp206666. A little goes a long way, and the hint of cocoa in it makes it smell really delish. To really see results on your hands and feet, wear a thin sock or glove at night after application.
Palmer's Cocoa Butter

 
HANDS and NAILS
Just like the neck and décolletage areas, women tend to neglect their hands, which can be one of the first places to show aging. So while it’s extremely important to frequently wash your hands during flu season, it’s almost just as important to moisturize regularly—I do several times a day.

This season, I’ve been using L’Occitane’s Hand Cream with Shea Butter ($10). It’s nice and thick but still spreads with ease, and leaves your hands smelling fresh and smooth.
loccitane hand cream

 

I also like Julep Age Defying Hand Brightener ($25). Ever since my sister’s boyfriend confessed that he can tell a girl’s age based on her hand lines and dark spots, I’ve become obsessed with taking care of them! Never forget to put sunscreen on the tops of your hands in the summer, too!
Julep hand cream

And don’t forget your cuticles! Julep’s Essential Cuticle Oil ($14) has a roller-ball application that you simply roll over the base of your nails and rub in. Not only does this combat dryness, but it helps your manicure last longer–who doesn’t want that?!
Julep Essential Cuticle Oil
LIPS
A lot of people tend to over-moisturize lips, which can sometimes make them more dry, so use balm or ointment sparingly. At night I like to use Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment ($2.19). It goes on white but disappears once you rub it in. Most lip moisturizers are fine for me, but it’s the “medicated” ones that tend to work best.
Blistex ointment

Also, for something fun and nostalgic, I use Smith’s Strawberry Lip Balm ($7). It smells so good and the consistency is really nice.
Smith's Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm Tin

 

Also, if your lips are rough, you might need to exfoliate; I use Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant. It has a peppermint scent that’s nice and festive for this time of year!
Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant

 

HAIR

As I get older, my hair seems to become more dry. To keep moisture sealed in,  I use  Moroccan Oil ($32), which I discovered through friends a couple years ago. I’ve also seen hairstylists use this product on photo shoots–it works! Because I have fine hair, I don’t use too much or it will make my hair greasy; however there is a “Light” option that I want to test out.
moroccanoil

 

I also use their  MoroccanOil’s Restoration Hair Mask ($38.95) a few times in the winter. It’s a very quick process (takes 10 minutes from start to finish) and helps restore protein in your hair to make it stronger.
restorativehairmask_french

I also have a Beauty Editor friend who swears by Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner ($42.99). It’s always a good idea to use hydrating shampoo in the winter, but especially if you are coloring; it helps the color last longer!
pureology hydrate shampoo and conditioner

Wow, I guess I use a lot of products! I’m certainly not recommending you go out and buy everything I’ve listed, but if you’re battling dryness, you might want to give a few of these a try. Shake those cold weather blahs and feel fabulous all winter long!

Do you have any winter beauty rituals? What are your go-to products? Tell us in comments!

– LIZA COLLIS

Liza Collis is a fashion magazine editor in Manhattan and a beauty guru to her friends. She believes that the best thing about being a woman is the opportunity to experiment with beauty every single day.

2 comments… add one

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LizaC

Thanks Ellen! It definitely helps me feel better in this yucky winter months!

Reply January 25, 2013, 6:20 pm

Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut

Great post! Definitely needed these suggestions…my hair, skin and nails are just a disaster in the winter!!!

Reply January 24, 2013, 11:20 am

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