Winter has arrived in Canada. The rooftops have been blanketed in snow for several weeks now, which made for a beautiful white Christmas. With temperatures that often dip below minus 30 degrees Celsius, the cold weather brings with it several beauty challenges, including dry, dull skin and hair. In this post, I am sharing some of my favourite beauty products to battle the effects of a cold climate.
- John Frieda Sheer Go Blonde Controlled Lightening Spray
As a natural blonde, I am always disappointed to see my summer highlights fade when the weather gets cold and grey. During the fall and winter months, I rarely leave the house without a toque pulled down to my eyebrows and over my ears. My blonde hair darkens and looks dull and matte. I have been using this lightening spray from John Frieda during the dreary winter months for several years now as a way to hold on to my summer locks. It gently lightens blonde hair and it’s easy to add a couple of spritzes of this heat-activated product to wet hair once a week before blow drying. I usually buy this product at Shopper’s Drug Mart, but it’s available online here. - The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil
I have rather sensitive skin and the cold weather can make it feel dry and look dull. When it feels like my face could use a little extra TLC, I will often use a facial mask (my favourite is this Aztec clay mask with apple cider vinegar) followed by this Body Shop facial oil. The oil is lightweight and quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving my face feeling soft and hydrated. Bonus: it smells lovely. - The Body Shop Almond Hands & Nail Manicure Cream
During the winter, my hands become red, dry and painful. Besides shovelling snow and cold wind that feels like a slap in the face when walking out of the door in the morning, chapped hands are one of my most hated realities of life in Canada from November through March. Some hand creams fail to absorb into the skin properly making it hazardous to pick up anything made out of glass after application. However, this almond hand cream from the Body Shop has become a quick favourite; it leaves my hands feeling smooth and moisturized without being slippery or sticky and has a nice light almond scent. I was a fan of the Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector for several years, but found that the smell could at times be a bit strong and overwhelming. The formula of the almond cream feels lighter and more suitable for use during the day. - Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
This is an example of an excellent impulse purchase. I picked up this cream on a whim while Christmas shopping to avoid paying shipping costs. This Kiehl’s facial cream is light while still being super moisturizing. I apply it both mornings under make up and before bed, and it sinks in to the skin almost immediately, leaving my face feeling very soft and hydrated. It is scent free, which is great for a facial cream, and it has not caused me to have any breakouts. All around success! I will be repurchasing this facial cream for sure. - NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm
I already raved about this lip balm in last year’s Winter Favourites (read the post), but I had to include it again here as it’s been a cold weather lifesaver and I can’t imagine a Canadian winter without it. It’s a bit pricier for lip balm, but the little jar just keeps going – I’m still working on the jar that I picked up last winter. I use this NUXE honey lip balm several times a day and it leaves my lips feeling soft and hydrated. LOVE it. - Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water
I used to wash my face with a natural soap as most other cleansers and make up removers irritated my face and left my skin feeling stripped and dry. While the natural soap was gentle on my skin, I often felt like it did not remove those stubborn bits of make up. As there were several bloggers who mentioned this micellar water from Garnier, I thought I’d give it a try – I’m so glad I did. No wonder everyone had so many nice things to say about this stuff. It’s like a magnet for makeup and dirt and leaves skin feeling clean, hydrated and refreshed without water. I use it mornings and evenings and always follow it with the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. So far so good.
Armed with my beauty arsenal, I am ready for January. Bring it on, winter, I’m ready for you.
Do you have any beauty or skincare favourites you rely on during the winter months?
M.
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