Stop Making These Winter Beauty Mistakes Now!
Winter is a magical time of year for just about everything besides our skin!
The colder it gets outside, the warmer the heat blasts inside, which can take a major toll on your hair, face and body.
Yep, dry, flaky skin isn't pretty with or without makeup. And we know that turning down the thermostat isn't really an option, especially in super cold climates, so we've sleuthed out some things you can easily switch up in your beauty regimen that will make a huge difference so you can look like this all winter long…
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1. Take a Cooler Shower
It might be tempting to take a super hot shower during the winter, especially first thing in the morning when you wake up and it's freezing inside your house. But after about 10-15 minutes, the heat begins to compromise your skin's lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture, which will make it harder and harder for your skin to retain moisture all winter long. Try turning down the temperature or taking a quick hot shower that's less than five minutes.
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2. Use an Oil-Based Cleanser
Oil-based cleansers like Juice Beauty Organic Facial Wash are really gentle on the skin. Foaming cleansers usually have ingredients that strip the skin's natural oils and even have drying agents to fight acne, which will only cause your skin to get drier and more irritated during the winter. Foaming cleansers can be great during the warm, humid months, but do your face a favor and switch up your cleanser during the winter.
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3. Exfoliate Three Times a Week
As we mentioned, dry, flaky skin isn't cute. And you know what's even worse? Dry, flaky skin with foundation on it. In order to prevent flakey face makeup, it's important to exfoliate three times a week. There are so many great exfoliants on the market, including ExfoliKate by Kate Somerville, which is a little pricey but worth it.
4. Keep Up With Your SPF
One of the most common mistakes people make is forgoing SPF during the winter months. Even though the sun might be less intense, the sun's damaging rays still exist in the winter, which can cause major damage over time. This is especially true if you're going outside to ski or snowboard at higher altitudes where the sun is closer and more intense. Pick up a moisturizer with SPF, like Neutrogena's Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15, to simplify your morning routine.
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5. Lay Off the Bronzer
Unless you just got back from a warm winter getaway in the tropics, it's a good idea to lay off the bronzer. Sure, you can still use a darker powder to contour, but there is no need to give yourself an all-over, bronze glow when it's snowing outside! Instead, opt for warm, peach blushes that add a natural flush to your face, or even a blush bronzer hybrid, like this one we are obsessed with from Too Faced called Pink Leopard.
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6. Don't Neglect Your Hands & Feet
Cracked dry heels are as nasty looking as they are painful! Same goes with your hands, which are constantly in and out of water all day. Apply an uber hydrating lotion at night to keep them healthy and hydrated.
7. Use Waterproof Makeup
Waterproof mascara isn't just for summer! Super cold temperatures can cause your eyes to water, which can create an eye makeup nightmare—gasp! Also, you never know when you might get trapped in a winter rain or snow storm, so it's always good to be prepared. Otherwise, you might look like this…
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8. Clarify and Deep-Condition Your Hair
Just like your skin, your hair and scalp get dry and flaky, too, in the winter! Try clarifying your scalp once a week with apple cider vinegar, and make sure to use a yummy hair mask once a week as well. And, don't forget a little hair oil on the ends after you shower! Some products we like are ACV by dpHUE, which is a nice apple cider vinegar wash, Joico's K-Pak Luster Lock for super healthy ends, and Ouai's hair oil!
(via Ulta and Sephora)
9. Use the Right Kind of Lip Balm
This might seem like a no-brainer, but you could be using a lip balm that is drying out your lips! Avoid anything with menthol and stick to organic formulas and lip butters.
10. Try Face Oil Instead of Cream Moisturizer
Facial oils have gotten a bad rap for a long time, but they are so good for your skin and they don't cause breakouts. In fact, oils used specifically in facial oils are non-comedogenic, which means they literally don't clog pores. And get this—some oils have acne-fighting properties, so you can hydrate and treat a pimple at the same time! Furthermore, face oils are much more hydrating than creams because they sink deep into the dermis, which is great for super dry, winter months. On the downside, oils don't come cheap, but one we like that's on the less expensive side (of oils) is this one from Jurlique.
(via Jurlique)
11. Throw on a Sheet Mask While You're By the Fire
There's clearly a theme with this story—heat=dry, unhappy skin, and sitting next to a warm fireplace is no exception. So, why not throw on a hydrating sheet mask while you're sitting next to the fire? Genius, right? We like Skin Laundry's Hydrating Facial Sheet Masks.
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12. Mix Oil Into Your Foundation
Mattifying foundations are fantastic for humidity, but can be your worst nightmare in the winter. Using these can quickly lead to tight, dry skin. Luckily, there are lots of options. You can add a a few drops of argan oil to your sponge before dabbing it in your foundation. You could also swap out your foundation for a tinted moisturizer. Or, you could invest in a foundation with argan oil mixed in already, like Josie Maran's Argan Oil Foundation.
(via Sephora)
And while we're talking beauty, HERE are some fantastic gift ideas for the beauty lover in your life!