Tag: Winter

Winter Skincare Tips from Simple Skincare

We are at that point in the year where are attention is starting to turn towards the festivities of Spring. Trips are being planned, spring wardrobes are being built and self-tanning is in the not-so-distant future. Yet, here we are with frigid temps. As we limp through the last couple of months of winter, it is important to keep those winter skincare practices in step. Alas, they are the only way to radiant, summer skin. Here are three tips that can help both those with oily and dry skin from Simple Skincare:

NUMBER 1: So often when we see dry, flaky skin, we want to over moisturize. But what your skin actually needs is some tender exfoliation! The removal of dead, dull skin will allow healthy skin underneath to show itself. But when skin is suffering, so many exfoliators can be on the harsh side. I’ve been loving Simple® Smoothing Facial Scrub to gently buff my skin. The scrub contains rice granules which work with Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E to reveal brighter and more evenly textured skin.

NUMBER 2: With the heater going full blast, I am always parched. And to add insult to injury, I take steaming hot showers when it is cold out (bad girl – this can dry out your skin even faster!). So, my skin often feels tight after washing. What we need to be looking for are cleansers that don’t strip natural oils from the skin, helping it retain its moisture and glow. Simple® Skincare Moisturizing Facial Wash cleans and nourishes without stripping soap. It also contains Bisabolol (found in chamomile) which is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant.

NUMBER 3: Believe it or not, some individuals can get even more oily in the winter months. Over-drying can actually disrupt the skin barrier and cause an increase in oil production. So, how to cleanse without over-drying and moisturize without clogging pores? Simple® Refreshing Facial Wash Gel is 100% soap-free and leaves more oily-prone skin clean and revived without stripping it of moisture. Post cleansing, shoot for a moisturizer that is lightweight but still offers vitamins to get a full day of moisturization (try Simple® Hydrating Light Moisturizer).

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

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Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm

I have no qualms going luxe with lip balms. Sometimes you just need to bring in the heavy hitters. I’ve been scrubbing, conditioning and moisturizing all winter long. And my lips were still flaky and dry. While I love my Dior Lip Glow for during the day (it has a dose of hydration), I wanted a color-free intensive treatment for night time or when I am typing away at my desk.

This rich balm contains Shea butter, eucalyptus and hyaluronic spheres to fill and smooth lips. Other goodies like Omega 6 ceramide and Virgin Ente plum oil restores a supple, hydrated look look. I particularly like the long-lasting soothing feeling Omorovicza Perfecting Lip Balm leaves with a slight minty tingle. With daily use for over a month, I still haven’t put a dent in the pot of goodness.

Rescue Dry Winter Lips

I’ve been fielding loads of questions about caring for dry, chapped winter lips. I battle dry lips year round, so I am in even more of a pickle when the humidity plummets. Here are my favorites to have on hand over the colder months:

1. By Terry Baume de Rose: I was a little weary of a rose scented balm, but this rich formula melts into a glossy, nourishing treatment. I wore it over red lipstick yesterday and the effect was a blended, shiny pigment with loads of hydration. This also doubles as a great cuticle cream.

2. La Mer ‘The Lip Balm’: If mint is more your thing, this other luxury option is more of a solid balm with still the same nourishing hydration. The balm contains La Mer’s famous Miracle Broth™ with marine extracts, botanicals and vitamins to regenerate the delicate lip skin.

3. bliss fabulips sugar lip scrub: There are a couple different lip scrubs that are often repeated as “favorites”. I’ll tell you why I love this one: it is gentle while removing flaky mess and leaves behind Shea and Cocoa butters to soften and heal.

4. Kate Somerville ‘Quench & Correct’ Plumping Lip Gloss & Restorative Lip Treatment: This option is packed with skin care to help improve the appearance of your lips. The Correct end of the pen contains Hydra8™, boosting collagen renewal and eliminating dryness. On the other side, Quench, adds moisture and plumps. See Kate’s Winter Skin Care Tips here.

5. ChapStick Cooling & Soothing Lip Balm: I couldn’t be more tickled with the latest flavor of ChapStick: Peppermint. The same healing formula now has a cooling feel that seals in moisture while you brave the elements. I can’t think of a more festive lip balm.

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Winter Skin Care Tips from Kate Somerville

If I had to pick one person to be my skin guru, hands down it would be Kate Somerville. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Kate – couldn’t be nicer or more approachable. I have visited her skin clinic in West Hollywood – um… beauty mecca dare I say! And I have tried (or at least sampled) a huge portion of her products. The clean lines, direct approach and efficacious formulas add up to real, smart skin care.

So, today I am thrilled to share some of Kate’s Winter Skin Care Tips. Her main message: As the winter month approach, it’s important to tweak your skin care regimen to balance the harsh temperatures and your skin’s confusion to the drastic changes in environment. Now is the season to Exfoliate, Hydrate and Moisturize for glowing skin!

So excited about the recently launched Ultimate Kate Rewards – the loyalty program for KateSomerville.com. This program allows you to earn points for sharing, purchasing online, reviewing and much more. The points can be redeemed for rewards. And enrollment is free. Find out more here.

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Winter Weather Blues – Dry Skin Cures

I woke up to the coldest morning yet this season and my skin definitely knew it. Adjusting to a colder climate has set me on a search for what battles itchy, dry skin best and I have some leaders already lining my shelves. Here are my favorite lotion and potions to protect your skin from winter dryness:

CeraVe Moisturizing Skin Cream: This thick cream is like a little tub of drugstore heaven. The dermatologist-developed formula has no scent, focusing only on deep hydration. Its patented MVE formulation releases ceramides and other essential ingredients throughout the day. There is zero irritation, and anyone with sensitive or irritable skin should love this. On really dry days, I slather this on as soon as I get out of the shower. It absorbs quickly and leaves skin quenched all day long.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè: I can’t resist a good European import. Especially when I see it in makeup artist’s toolkits so frequently. Often used as a primer, this has a rich lotion consistency while providing cream-strength hydration. I love soothing my skin with this cream after retinol agitation. The formula contains emulsifying and softening agents with active moisturizers that are symbiotic with our skin’s natural balance and encouraging the rebuilding of the hydrolipidic layer.

Kiehl’s Limited Edition Kenny Scharf Creme de Corps: I’m frankly embarassed it took me so long to try this iconic lotion. But might as well try out the limited edition Kenny Scharf version for my first time. Again, this is an unscented lotion – I feel like the focus should be on hydration for serious dry skin. The classic formula absorbes quickly, plumps skin and heals. I like using this at night because there is no stickiness when you are under the sheets.

Caudalie Vinotherapie Divine Oil: This smells so similar to my old, impossible to find favorite – Tocca Body Oil – that I can’t help but go gaga. The spray dispenser is so much easier to use than a simple open top. This particular item is fragranced, but in the most soothing, spa-like way (“subtle, floral and sunkissed fragrance, punctuated with woody undertones”). Grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan oils are combined with anti-oxidant polythenols. My skin looks more luminous. And last night, I even used this on dry ends of hair. It absorbed quickly and left my hair shiny and bouncy. And confession, I even sprayed this on my face with results similar to my trusty Rodin Olio Lusso.

JR Watkins Body Oil Mist: This drugstore body oil also has a spray nozzle and drenches the skin in moisture. I’ve been using lavender, coconut and grapefruit and adore them all. Apricot kernel oil and vitamin E to nourish the skin while providing nutrients. And the oil is quickly absorbed.

And of course, my beloved bliss body butters work great on dry winter skin. See my review from yesterday here.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

New Nail Lacquers from Le Métier de Beauté

Le Métier de Beauté nailed it with their Fall/Winter Lacquer collection (pun intended). Cocoa Crazed are elegant nudes. And Coromandel Collection is more of a edgy, gemstone glam, developed by Neiman Marcus’ Ken Downing. The formula is 3-Free without formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), Proposition 65-compliant and fortified with strengthening proteins and hydrators. I’ve found these polishes to be perfectly on trend and last longer than other brands. What do you think? Which are on your holiday wish list?

Cocoa Crazed: A Nuanced Twist on Neutral Nails Shades include (from top to bottom):

Cocoa Me Crazy – vanilla bean cream with cocoa flecks
Hottie Choco-latte – creamy, shiny chocolate brown
Cocoa Cabana – bodacious brown with a hit of shine
Hot n’ Saucy – deep cocoa infused with cherry red under-tones

Coromandel Collection: Ming [Dynasty] meets Modern. Shades include (from top to bottom):

Indo-sheen Red, an entrancing bright ruby. “Indo-Sheen Red captures the magic!” declares Mr. Downing.
Saucey Plum, a dark and stormy plum. “It’s rich, regal and ready for your favorite looks for Fall.”
Cloisin-navy, a dark and creamy navy. “My new neutral for the season, it’s deep and mysterious.”
Made in the Jade, a willow tree green. “Reflecting the luminosity of precious stones, it’s an intermix of fashion-forward greens.”