Hey, feel that cold burning your skin and turning you a fetching shade of blue? Welcome to winter. The harsh wind, cold temperatures and central heating winter likes to throw our way can play havoc with our hair, skin and nails leaving us looking less than our best and relying on beauty editors slinging us the odd ‘Get your body back into beach mode’ type articles in their magazines come May. Save yourself from expensive treatments and products by looking after your assets on a budget during the hardest of months so you can slink into your bikini with out (too much) fear and hard work come the summer.
Your skin – 1 2 3
Exfoliate
You don’t need an expensive exfoliating product to get rid of those dead skin cells. Invest in a good body brush and give your skin a good dry scrub before you get into the shower. Don’t go overboard, inflamed skin suits no one even if you can get away with roll neck sweaters as a cover up. You can buy a body brush from most high street pharmacists for around £5 and it could last you years.
Moisturise
I’m sure elbows and knees unite and have a conference around mid-September to decide which week they’ll turn dry and ugly looking. A good spot of exfoliating can work wonders here and so can dedicated moisturising. I’ve found that cheap as chips genius product, Baby Bottom Butter from Waitrose works wonders and lasts an ages because a little goes a long way. My ugly elbows were returned to their butter soft, summer state after three applications. Elbow win!
Tan
Look, it’s winter, no one expects you to be tanned, certainly not in the UK anyway. So ditch the faux tan and embrace the world of pale or tights.
Hands and nails
When it comes to your hands and nails prevention is better than cure. Treat yourself to weekly DIY manicures or homemade hand softening treatment and try your best to wear gloves when out and about. Gloves not only keep your hands warm but prevent your skin from drying out or cracking.
Face and lips
I find my face suffers worst in the winter months, what with the cold weather and central heating it can really get abused. My wonder product is olive oil, I keep a small bottle on my bedside table and rub gently into my skin and lips after cleansing before bed.
Feet
Feet never really get the best deal of it do they? During the summer they’re hot and sticky and in the winter they’re dry and mottled looking, whoever invented feet needs to go back to the drawing board and do a redesign. If you want your feet to look in tip top condition for Christmas parties try soaking them in a bowl of warm water with around 20 drops of tea tree oil added which can really soften and soothe winter weary feet. Follow up by painting your nails a bright colour, allowing to dry before slathering your feet in olive oil and popping your feet into a pair of socks and taking yourself off to bed.
Hair
For many people our hair becomes drier in the winter months making it a straw like frizz bomb and even more unmanageable than usual to deal with. Washing your hair too frequently could be stripping your hair of oils and drying it out, during winter months try not to wash your hair as often, tie it back or wear hats so the wind can’t tangle it and treat your hair to a homemade conditioning treatment once a week
How do you keep your skin, hair and nails in check over the winter months?
{Photo: sunshinecity}
