In winter, heating, air conditioning and cold winds all play havoc with skin, hair and make-up. Here’s how to counteract the beauty problems that arise when the temperature drops.
1. Dark circles under eyes
The delicate skin under your eyes can be easily irritated in winter, especially if you’re tired and stressed. Nasal congestion due to cold or flu can also dilate and darken veins that run from your eyes to nose. To help alleviate dark circles, see a beauty therapist about having lymphatic drainage to move toxins; start using an eye cream; drink plenty of water; and boost blood circulation through regular exercise (which we tend to do less of in winter).
Quick fix:
To disguise dark circles, use a light-diffusing cream concealer. Apply and blend with your little finger, then lightly dust over a sheer, peachy loose powder to balance the blue tone of the dark circles.
2. Breakouts
Even though breakouts are caused by excess oil production, don’t go on an oil-reducing mission in winter. If you dry the skin out too much, more oil will be produced. Because your skin loses about 25 per cent of its ability to hold moisture in the winter months, the cleanser that kept you shine-free in summer is likely to dry out your skin now, so try switching to a more nourishing cream cleanser. Also regularly exfoliate so oil can get out and spots can start to heal.
Quick fix:
Apply a concealer directly to blemishes using a small brush, then pat around the edges with your finger to blend.
3. Split ends
You can’t fix split ends, but you can temporarily mask them. Nourishing hair with treatments and using a leave-in conditioner can calm split ends and prevent future splitting. To maintain healthy ends, have your hair trimmed every six weeks and use specialised protective products to protect it from heated appliances, the sun and when colouring.
Quick fix:
To mend split ends temporarily, rub a dab of thick styling cream between your fingers and pinch it over frayed pieces. Use the teeniest, tiniest dab or your ends will look stringy.
4. Washed-out make-up
In winter, pale skin can look pasty; olive skin can take on a dull, greenish tone; and dark skin tends to look ashen. A blend of blush and bronzer on the apples of your cheeks, and a wash of foundation a tad darker than your natural skin tone, will give you a healthy winter glow. Just remember to apply your foundation evenly – and don’t forget your neck!
Quick fix:
Be more dramatic with your eye make-up – especially when you’re wearing dark colours and heavy fabrics. Avoid frosted shadow, as it can wash you out, and choose lipstick over stains, which are drying and can look patchy.
5. Brittle nails
Again, dry and cold winter air – and washing hands more often in hot water – can take their toll on your nails. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated. Also get into the habit of rubbing moisturiser into your cuticles and nails after you wash your hands. Keep a tube of moisturiser next to the kitchen or bathroom sink as a reminder.
Quick fix:
Brushing on a nail hardener will help to toughen and protect weak spots.
6. Flat, lifeless hair
Cold, dry winter air can make hair limp, lifeless and prone to static. Fortunately, fixing the problem can be as simple as switching products – just don’t overload your strands or they will fall flat. Changing how you condition your hair (applying conditioner only from the ears to the ends), and asking your hairdresser for layers, can boost your hair’s volume.
Quick fix:
For instant volume, tip your head upside down and run your fingers through your hair as you blow-dry to give the roots lift. When you tip your head back, continue to blow-dry without brushing and your hair will appear much thicker. To get extra oomph, apply a volumising mousse on the root area only.
7. Cracked heels
Cracked heels are not just a summer condition – the cold can take its toll on your heels, too. Follow this foot-softening routine once a week: apply a rich moisturiser to your feet, then soak them in really warm water with a few drops of a nourishing oil (such as jojoba). Let them soak for 15-20 minutes, then while still damp slough off dead skin with a pumice.
Quick fix:
To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, then wear cotton socks while you sleep.
8. Frizzes
Air conditioning and heating zap moisture from your hair, making it look dull and dry. The best way to restore softness is to shampoo with a moisturising formula twice a week; then follow with a rich conditioner – but don’t rinse it all out. This will help keep the cuticles of the hair shaft smooth and add extra weight, which also fights frizz.
Quick fix:
A great blow-dry can transform even the frizziest hair. The trick is to always angle the flow of the air downward to smooth frizzy cuticles and to finish with a shot of cold air.
9. Dry skin
As much as it’s tempting to stand under a long, hot shower when it’s cold outside, resist the urge. The hot water will begin to compromise your skin’s lipid layer that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat or shorten your shower time, and moisturise straight after the shower while your skin is still damp, using a cream that creates a barrier to stop moisture from evaporating. Also apply a creamy-based mask once a week as a moisture booster.
Quick fix:
Invest in a facial. You’ll be cleansed, exfoliated and nourished, which will get your skin back on track.
10. Chapped lips
Your lips lack sebaceous glands that produce sebum (which is the skin’s natural protector), so they dry out and crack easily – especially in winter. Regularly apply a lip balm that contains a high concentration of beeswax and paraffin wax to protect and soften. At night, apply an eye cream on the lips and to the surrounding skin to prevent those pucker wrinkles. And avoid licking your lips – it only makes them drier.
Quick fix:
First apply a thick slick of lip balm to soften lips and leave for 10 minutes. Next, gently exfoliate dry, flaky skin with a soft baby toothbrush using light circular motions. Blot your lips with a tissue to remove excess balm.
Reference: Body & Soul
In winter, heating, air conditioning and cold winds all play havoc with skin, hair and make-up. Here’s how to counteract the beauty problems that arise when the temperature drops.
1. Dark circles under eyes
The delicate skin under your eyes can be easily irritated in winter, especially if you’re tired and stressed. Nasal congestion due to cold or flu can also dilate and darken veins that run from your eyes to nose. To help alleviate dark circles, see a beauty therapist about having lymphatic drainage to move toxins; start using an eye cream; drink plenty of water; and boost blood circulation through regular exercise (which we tend to do less of in winter).
Quick fix:
To disguise dark circles, use a light-diffusing cream concealer. Apply and blend with your little finger, then lightly dust over a sheer, peachy loose powder to balance the blue tone of the dark circles.
2. Breakouts
Even though breakouts are caused by excess oil production, don’t go on an oil-reducing mission in winter. If you dry the skin out too much, more oil will be produced. Because your skin loses about 25 per cent of its ability to hold moisture in the winter months, the cleanser that kept you shine-free in summer is likely to dry out your skin now, so try switching to a more nourishing cream cleanser. Also regularly exfoliate so oil can get out and spots can start to heal.
Quick fix:
Apply a concealer directly to blemishes using a small brush, then pat around the edges with your finger to blend.
3. Split ends
You can’t fix split ends, but you can temporarily mask them. Nourishing hair with treatments and using a leave-in conditioner can calm split ends and prevent future splitting. To maintain healthy ends, have your hair trimmed every six weeks and use specialised protective products to protect it from heated appliances, the sun and when colouring.
Quick fix:
To mend split ends temporarily, rub a dab of thick styling cream between your fingers and pinch it over frayed pieces. Use the teeniest, tiniest dab or your ends will look stringy.
4. Washed-out make-up
In winter, pale skin can look pasty; olive skin can take on a dull, greenish tone; and dark skin tends to look ashen. A blend of blush and bronzer on the apples of your cheeks, and a wash of foundation a tad darker than your natural skin tone, will give you a healthy winter glow. Just remember to apply your foundation evenly – and don’t forget your neck!
Quick fix:
Be more dramatic with your eye make-up – especially when you’re wearing dark colours and heavy fabrics. Avoid frosted shadow, as it can wash you out, and choose lipstick over stains, which are drying and can look patchy.
5. Brittle nails
Again, dry and cold winter air – and washing hands more often in hot water – can take their toll on your nails. Once a week, rub cuticle oil into and around nails to keep them hydrated. Also get into the habit of rubbing moisturiser into your cuticles and nails after you wash your hands. Keep a tube of moisturiser next to the kitchen or bathroom sink as a reminder.
Quick fix:
Brushing on a nail hardener will help to toughen and protect weak spots.
6. Flat, lifeless hair
Cold, dry winter air can make hair limp, lifeless and prone to static. Fortunately, fixing the problem can be as simple as switching products – just don’t overload your strands or they will fall flat. Changing how you condition your hair (applying conditioner only from the ears to the ends), and asking your hairdresser for layers, can boost your hair’s volume.
Quick fix:
For instant volume, tip your head upside down and run your fingers through your hair as you blow-dry to give the roots lift. When you tip your head back, continue to blow-dry without brushing and your hair will appear much thicker. To get extra oomph, apply a volumising mousse on the root area only.
7. Cracked heels
Cracked heels are not just a summer condition – the cold can take its toll on your heels, too. Follow this foot-softening routine once a week: apply a rich moisturiser to your feet, then soak them in really warm water with a few drops of a nourishing oil (such as jojoba). Let them soak for 15-20 minutes, then while still damp slough off dead skin with a pumice.
Quick fix:
To soften and help seal cracks, slick on an ointment, then wear cotton socks while you sleep.
8. Frizzes
Air conditioning and heating zap moisture from your hair, making it look dull and dry. The best way to restore softness is to shampoo with a moisturising formula twice a week; then follow with a rich conditioner – but don’t rinse it all out. This will help keep the cuticles of the hair shaft smooth and add extra weight, which also fights frizz.
Quick fix:
A great blow-dry can transform even the frizziest hair. The trick is to always angle the flow of the air downward to smooth frizzy cuticles and to finish with a shot of cold air.
9. Dry skin
As much as it’s tempting to stand under a long, hot shower when it’s cold outside, resist the urge. The hot water will begin to compromise your skin’s lipid layer that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat or shorten your shower time, and moisturise straight after the shower while your skin is still damp, using a cream that creates a barrier to stop moisture from evaporating. Also apply a creamy-based mask once a week as a moisture booster.
Quick fix:
Invest in a facial. You’ll be cleansed, exfoliated and nourished, which will get your skin back on track.
10. Chapped lips
Your lips lack sebaceous glands that produce sebum (which is the skin’s natural protector), so they dry out and crack easily – especially in winter. Regularly apply a lip balm that contains a high concentration of beeswax and paraffin wax to protect and soften. At night, apply an eye cream on the lips and to the surrounding skin to prevent those pucker wrinkles. And avoid licking your lips – it only makes them drier.
Quick fix:
First apply a thick slick of lip balm to soften lips and leave for 10 minutes. Next, gently exfoliate dry, flaky skin with a soft baby toothbrush using light circular motions. Blot your lips with a tissue to remove excess balm.
Reference: Body & Soul
Reference: Body & Soul
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