With this cold weather, we all need some expert hydrating solutions!
We’ve definitely hit the coldest days of the entire year. Let’s hope it doesn’t get any colder, but that cold weather is not ideal for your hair and skin. Your makeup doesn’t set quite as well… and your skin is flaky and your hair is plagued with that static we all hate. You don’t have to sit back and do nothing.
Studio 5 Style & Beauty Contributor Megan Moore shared how to winter-proof your look.
Find all the products Megan mentioned on her website.
The Impact of Cold Weather
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your skin and hair. “In the winter, we actually go into a slight hibernation when we have less hours of sunlight,” Megan explained. This means our hair and nails stop growing as fast, and our skin cells don’t turn over as quickly. The combination of cold air and indoor heating can lead to dry, flaky skin and staticky hair.
First Step: Exfoliation
One of the key steps for healthy skin in winter is exfoliation. “We need to exfoliate more,” Megan emphasized. “A lot of times when people are dry, they think, ‘Oh, I don’t want to exfoliate. It’ll make it worse,’ but we sometimes have to help it along.” She recommended using a chemical exfoliant that gently peels away dead skin cells to reveal fresh skin.
“ You’re not scrubbing. You’re using antioxidants, some acids that will help peel that off for you and then you can go in with your moisture,” Megan explained. She does this process once a week, and said that it is a little pricey, but worth it.
Essential Moisturizing
After exfoliating, it’s important to moisturize. Megan suggested using products from Kiehl’s, known for their ultra-hydrating formulas. “Their ultra facial cream… just floats across the surface of the skin. It’s buttery and smooth, but not greasy,” she emphasized. For hands, she recommended Kiehl’s hand cream.
Layering Extra Moisture for Makeup
To keep your makeup looking fresh, Megan advises a technique called “sandwiching” moisture. “Starting with a really hydrating kind of dewy serum underneath… and then all my makeup. Then we’re going to sandwich it on the other end with a hydrating finishing spray,” she explained. Using an oil-based finishing spray will lock in moisture and create a barrier against dry air.
“I would say go creams if you can with your makeup in the winter,” Megan said. By sandwiching your moisturizing products, everything will lay down better on your face.
Exfoliate and Hydrate Lips
Lips can get really dry in the winter. Megan suggested using an exfoliating silicone brush to gently scrub away dead skin. “ I love this in the shower. You want to steam some heat on your lips and then you’re going to scrub them. It’s also a temporary plumper,” she said. “It’s going to bring blood to the surface of the lips.”
For hydration, Megan swears by Laneige’s sleeping masks, which give you intense moisture overnight. “I go through these like crazy,” she emphasized.
Combatting Dry and Staticky Hair
Winter leaves hair dry and full of static. Megan recommended Living Proof’s Air Dry, which is like a hair lotion, “ It’s going to give weight and moisture to the hair so it doesn’t fly away as much,” she said.
Megan also shared a unique way to apply hairspray. “Use the can as our smoother. It’s going to iron the hairs down in place and you don’t get sticky hands,” Megan explained.
Find more beauty advice from Megan on Instagram, @beautysnoop, or at thebeautysnoop.com.
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