Life
Chapped lips, dry hair, cracked knuckles: welcome to winter. The season may be good for skiing, but it's definitely not good for your beauty routine. This time of year leaves you feeling dried out and full of static, not to mention pale. So knowing the right beauty tips to get you through the winter is essential to surviving the season and still feeling like your best self.
When you think of winter beauty, you might think it's quite lovely. Rosy cheeks from a walk in the wind, a porcelain complexion from avoiding the sun, and the chance to wear deep red lips and nails. This is a sweet, snow bunny look. The unfortunate thing is, it's rarely the case in real life.
Instead, you are left with skin that's dry as a desert, hair that looks like it's been rubbed by a balloon, eyes that make it seem like you haven't slept in days, and a a complexion that's akin to Casper. Winter air is dry and cold, which is a perfect (snow)storm for leaving your skin flaky and lacking moisture. You'll notice it quickly: your lips start to crack, your hands feel like sandpaper, and your hair is brittle as a bone. As if it wasn't already hard enough to feel sexy during winter (hello seven layers of bulky cable knits), now even your beauty routine is taking a hit.
But for every problem, there is a solution. These easy beauty hacks will have your skin and hair feeling more like June than January. They'll help you feel moisturized and fresh, even in the middle of a nor'easter.
1
Shampoo Two To Three Times A Week
Lazy girls, rejoice! Washing your hair everyday is not only unnecessary, it's also actively bad for it in the winter. According to Prevention, washing your hair daily strips your hair of its natural oils, which will lead to dryer hair. Instead, wash your hair every two or three days in order to keep your locks luscious.
2
Avoid Soap-Based Facial Cleansers
Allure notes that soap lather drys out the skin, and since your skin is already losing moisture due to winter weather, it's important to use a non-foaming cleanser throughout the season.
3
Drink Plenty of Water
People tend to drink more water in the summer when it's hot outside, but getting the proper amount of H2O is just as important in the winter, if not more so. As Popsugar points out, water improves circulation, which helps prevent dryness and flaking in the skin.
4
Moisturize Before Bed
You know to moisturize after you shower, but it's also important to lotion up at the end of the day. Dematoligist David Bank, told Prevention that the elevation in body temperature during sleep helps products to better seep into the skin and have a more lasting effect.
5
Use A Boar-Bristle Brush
Perhaps the worst part of winter is the super static hair. Honestly, maybe even worse than shoveling snow off of your car. To combat the static, salon owner Carmine Minardi suggests using a boar-bristle hair brush, as she told Prevention, since it's less prone to static than metal, plastic or nylon.
6
Don't Put Foundation On Dry Skin
You know what looks even worse than dry skin? Foundation on dry skin. According to allure, the makeup will actually accentuate the problem. Opt for a moisturizing foundation, and definitely don't use powder.
7
Use A Deep Conditioner Weekly
As your skin gets drier, so does your hair. In addition to using less shampoo, Huffing Post recommends using a deep conditioner will help re-moisturize your hair.
8
Use Waterproof Makeup
Waterproof mascara isn't just for the beach. Cold winter walks will have your eyes tearing, which means you may get to work and look like you just had an ultimate ugly cry. Using waterproof makeup can help your face look fresh, even after coming in from the cold.
9
Wear Gloves To Bed
Winter is all about bundling up — not just when you're outside, but when you go to sleep! After you moisturize for bedtime, put on a pair of cotton gloves. Real Simple notes that gloves will allow the skin to better absorb the moisture. And you'll be warm and toasty all night long!
10
Use Static Gaurd In Your Hair
Don't spend the winter looking like you just discovered electricity. Spray Static Gaurd on your hairbrush before brushing your hair. Although traditionally used to keep slips and dresses from clinging, the product works just as well on your locks. It'll help calm the static.
11
Don't Forget Sunscreen
You may not be showing a lot of skin this winter, but the skin that does have to bear the cold definitely needs SPF. Sun protection is important all year long, not just when it's hot outside.
12
Get Non-Medicated Saline Eye Drops
Dry eyes? Real Simple recommends using eye drops to lubricate and reduce redness and to help prevent dryness, wear your shades.
13
Take Shorter Showers
It's freezing out, so of course you want to stay in the shower as long as possible. But spending the extra minutes under the hot water is actually counterproductive. As noted in Allure, heat compromises the layer of skin that keeps in moisture, which means you're making your dry skin problem even worse.
14
Choose Metallic Blue And Bronze Shadow
Frosted colors on winter skin are not a good combination; they can make you look washed out. Instead, opt for metallic blues and bronzes — they're a much better palette for winter.
15
Try Coconut Oil On Your Face
Coconut oil is basically a miracle product. One of it's many benefits, according to Refinery 29, is that it naturally hydrates the skin. Just be careful if you're prone to acne, as oils tend to bring out zits.
16
Add Milk To Your Bath
Got milk? I hope so, because Women's Health notes it can soften and exfoliate the skin. Adding two cups of skim milk to a warm water (not hot) bath can help you reap the liquid's benefits.
