BEAUTY | THE SETUP » By Jennie Wong

It’s deep into winter and our lips are dry, hands are dry, skin is dry, everything is dry. What to do? Make sure our beauty routine is seasonally appropriate. Here’s how.

We’ve often heard that you can grow a ‘tolerance’ to products and there is this hazy idea that we need to rotate through different products. We particularly hear this about shampoo. However, I think the important thing to focus on is that during different times in the year, our hair, skin, and body need different things. During winter, the air is drier and we tend to receive less Vitamin D from natural sunlight. This means that we need to find products that will nourish our skin in these harsher conditions.

My aim here is not to push particular products but to encourage you to find products that work for you. I am including recommendations solely as reference for you. ☺

Face:

For the winter, find a face cleanser that is thicker or creamier than your summer cleanser because (a) we wear more makeup in the winter (b) pores are needier of a deep cleanse (c) exfoliation is good for sloughing away dead or dry skin.

I love this Origins frothy face wash because it is made for combination skin and is gentle enough for winter use. This unscented, creamy white face wash lathers up in warm water and tightens oily areas (i.e. the T-zone) without drying out the rest of the face. 

It took me a long time to find winter makeup I was happy about. As you know, I am religious about my Bare Escentuals – but it wasn’t cutting it in NYC. My skin was simply too dry to take the mineral powder so it sat on my skin visibly. To remedy this, I made a complete switch to (gasp) liquid makeup: a BB cream layered under a tinted moisturizer plus a liquid concealer. I was wary of switching to liquid because to me it’s synonymous with clogged pores and blemishes, but I have finally found what I’m looking for.

I apply a layer of Dr. Jart+ BB Cream all over the face followed by my Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (Nude). Next, I conceal with this silicone-based Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer Concealer (Medium). This routine gives me moisturizing coverage and a natural, seamless finish. I use my Nuance by Salma Hayek bronzer and theBalm Mary Lou Manizer highlighter to add back warmth and glow. The whole theBalm line is available online, at Birchbox.com, and at Duane Reade. #winterradiance

For the lips, I swap my regular Chapstick for a heavier balm. Chapstick Medicated works well, as does Burt’s Bees, which lacks the addictive ingredient of petrolatum in Chapstick. If you need something stronger, try a straight active ingredient product like Vaseline or A+D Ointment.

Hair:

I use commercial brand shampoo and conditioner but I have noticed that my post-perm hair needs more love in the mornings. I use this Ouidad Curl Cream when it’s poofy and needs more weight, or this Paul Mitchell Super Clean Sculpting gel (unscented) when I need control and definition.

Skin:

As for the body, make sure you are lovingly applying body lotion after the shower, in the morning, and before bedtime. I use fragrance-free Aveeno body lotion and Loccitane hand cream (lavender). As for the cuticles, I like Sephora by OPI’s Cuticle Treatment (which seems DCed!). My manicurist swears by Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, but I find it too oily and scented.

Speaking of the shower, my friend Machiko has lately been encouraging me to spend more time on my skin, particularly with the use of a muslin cloth and/or a dry brush. I’ve recently started using a muslin cloth, and I love the idea of self-care and regular exfoliation.

***

Lastly, hydrate. Drink a lot of water, hot, cold, flavored, lemon, seltzer, whatever, drink a lot of water. Beautiful skin starts from inside and preventative care is always better than treatment.

And if hydration from the inside out isn’t enough, try from the outside in. :D Meet my winter lifesaver, the humidifier. My Vicks Warm Mist humidifier ($30) adds back moisture into the air and leaves me feeling hydrated and refreshed every day. I’ve noticed a difference in my hair, skin, nails, and consequently complexion and makeup application. I’ve already converted two of my friends, going on three. It’s been my best investment all winter. *fist clench*

What is your winter routine? Tweet your tips @etrethegirls. ❊