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.

2) If you have a foundation you simply can’t part with, make it winter-friendly! Before applying, mix a little of your foundation with your favorite oil-free moisturizer.  I like a 2:1 ratio, personally.  You’ll notice that your new “tinted moisturizer” applies much more evenly and beautifully than usual.  You can also use this trick to make your blush and bronzer winter-friendly.

3) Take care of your lips and eyes! As the weather gets colder and drier, the lines around your lips and eyes can look crepey.  Avoid this look by applying eye cream under your eyes AND around your mouth.  This will keep you looking youthful and fresh.

4) Take Warm, Not Hot Showers: Although you may be tempted to take long, hot showers to ward of that winter chill, avoid them; they actually draw moisture out of your skin and make you itchy.  Instead, take luke-warm showers and apply your usual moisturizer to DAMP skin.  This will help keep your body smooth and silky!

5) Wear sunscreen! Like so many of you, I used to think that sunscreen was unnecessary on un-sunny days.  But did you know that you could still harm your skin, even in rain and snow? So reduce your risk of sun damage and slather on the suncreen every day.  I like Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock in SPF 30.  It’s extremely lightweight, waterproof, and non-comedogenic, and is enriched with anti-oxidants to help skin fight the harm caused by environmental damage.

6) Does your hair get frizzy in the wintertime? Avoid the frizzies by washing less often and using a leave-in conditioner.  If you get oily bangs, like me, use a dry shampoo to eliminate that greasy look without drying out the rest of your hair.

Do you have other cold-weather concerns? If so, email me at beautyorbust@gmail.com!