winter beauty

baby, it’s real real cold outside and i’ll be the first to admit that it’s tough to find makeup that flatters a face that’s well…flaking off. ’tis the season for me to be exfoliating all the time, along with stockpiling the best and brightest beauty products that will detract from my angry dry skin. here are a few of the things working to keep things calm and bright:

1 – exfoliation is crucial to my winter skincare routine. simple smoothing facial scrub has enough abrasion for me to know that it’s working but not so much that i can overdo the scrubbing. it cleanses as it scrubs so there is no need to double wash – my skin is left feeling soft and smooth!

2 – while i fight shine all summer long, there is nothing that brings me more happiness in winter than glowy skin. marc jacobs lightshow luminizing powder enhances all of my good features and, at the same time, allows me to hide my flaws behind a subtle veil of shimmer.  it also brings out the absolute best in my cheekbones.

3 – hand cream most certainly has a season and when it rolls around, i am never caught without a little blue tin of nivea creme. it’s luxurious, non greasy, and it soothes even the driest hands. the reasonable price tag means that i can keep one in my purse, at my desk, and in my car – meaning that hydrated hands are always at the ready.

4 – while peach-apricot blushes are normally reserved for spring, i find that a flattering pop of color can be the ultimate weapon against chilly weather, paler than average skin, and an overall lack of glow. nars guy bourdin blush in day dream is just the ticket to brighten up gray days and to bring a little vibrance to the situation.

5 – red lips are a festive solution to dress up an otherwise dreary complexion. i am yet to find someone that lipstick queen medieval does not flatter. the deep glossy tone delivers a healthy stain, infused with vitamin e to combat chapped lips. it’s sheer so you can layer it to get a bold look, or go easy for a more subtle tint.

6 – for a playful finishing touch, try demeter pixie dust. you’ll be left smelling of pixie sticks, with a citrusy sugar fragrance that’s equal parts youthful and addictive. one spritz lifts my spirits and instantly brightens my mood – and just like the dust that makes peter pan fly, the sweet stuff always leaves me thinking happy thoughts.