How to survive the winter

The cold is coming! The cold is coming! Each year, I dread the blistering cold (ok maybe not blistering, since I live in SF, but still!).  I hate how my skin reacts -  with dry patches, occasional cold sores (gross), and dull-looking skin.  But replacing all of your skincare and makeup with winter-friendly substitutes is a waste of your hard-earned dough.  Here are some tips to make your skincare and makeup last through the winter:

1) As the weather gets colder, and your skin dries out, it’s tempting to exfoliate often to get rid of those dry patches.  But don’t! What your skin needs most in the winter is hydration.  So instead of scrubbing away your dry patches, exfoliate just once a week, and apply a rich, moisturizing cream daily.  I like to apply moisturizer to my dry areas immediately after washing my face, then, after it sinks in, I apply moisturizer ALL OVER my face. Having a nice, dewy face will also help your makeup adhere and last longer.

A little costume help, courtesy of Allure.com

Click the pic below for Allure’s easy costume suggestions!

 

Last chance!

My faaaaaaaavorite beauty store is having a sale! That’s right – Sephora is currently offering a 20% discount to friends and family.  Just go here to get your personal promotional code, and start saving! The discount applies to online purchases only, and does not apply to orders previously placed.  Hurry up! Offer ends November 2, 2011 at 11:59 PM.

What will you buy?

Here are some things I have my eye on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walgreens Beauty Sales – Thru October 29, 2011

Check out the latest sales from one of my favorite drugstores, Walgreens.  Stay beautiful!

CoverGirl Cosmetics - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off

Maybelline Eye and Lip Cosmetics - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off

Sinful Colors Nail Color - $0.99

Walgreens Brand Provectin Plus or Skin Essentials Skin Care - 20% off

Nivea Skin Care - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off

Clearasil Skin Care - $2 off

Yardley Bar Soap - $0.69 with in-ad coupon

Revlon ColorSilk Hair Color - $2.99 with in-ad coupon

Rogaine - $39.99

Not a great way to start the day

I’ve been trying my best to bring myself good beauty karma – I’ve been religiously washing my face before bed, gifting beauty products to friends and family in need, and spewing advice.  But sometimes, no matter what you do, a beauty emergency finds you.  With all the travel I’ve been doing lately (LA with friends, and Albuquerque to see my new niece), it was only a matter of time before I got a dreaded cold sore.  Cold sores are the worst.  But where do they come from, and how can we get rid of them?

According to WebMD, cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). The herpes simplex virus usually enters the body through a break in the skin around or inside the mouth. It is usually spread when a person touches a cold sore or touches infected fluid-such as from sharing eating utensils or razors, kissing an infected person, or touching that person’s saliva. I notice that I tend to get cold sores when the weather is irregular and when I fly (there’s something about that airplane air that ain’t kosher).