How to Update Your Beauty Routine for Winter
Now that December has arrived, it’s beginning to feel a lot like winter in Los Angeles (finally!). It always comes on suddenly; it’ll be hot until it’s not. But alas, with the drastic drop in temperature and the wind picking up, our skin and hair tend to take the brunt of it. To beat the weather at its own game, we’ve got to switch up our beauty routine for winter so we can look our best this season.
Ditch the Powders and Mattes
Powders and matte products can call attention to dryness on the skin and lips. To help keep skin moisturized and looking vibrant, switch to cream products for the face. This includes cream blushes, cream eyeshadows, and liquid highlighters. These can instantly uplift dry, dull skin and help you achieve (or fake) a healthy, natural glow. You’ll also see benefit from switching out your matte foundations for bb/cc creams that have a satin or dewy finish. Set your makeup with a setting spray to keep everything in place, and spritz throughout the day when you need a little refresher.
Products Pictured: Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator // Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick // NYC Smooth Skin BB Creme // Maybelline Color Tattoo // e.l.f. HD Blush // Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch // Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray // Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup
Treat Your Hair to a Deep Condition
My hair gets even drier and frizzier in the winter. Not only do outside elements suck the life out of it, but running the heater inside can also cause dull hair. I find weekly deep conditioning treatments to do the trick in keeping my hair shiny and healthy. Don’t forget to apply leave-in oils throughout the week to maintain the moisture. Concentrate on your ends, which tend to dry out the quickest!
Products Pictured: DermOrganic Leave-In Treatment // Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil // Freeman Beauty Papaya & Mango Moisture 3 Minute Conditioner // Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque // Nuance Salma Hayek Healthy Shine Nourishing Oil
Choose Heavier Moisturizers and Lotions
Is your light summer moisturizer feeling sub-par with the weather changes? Instead of applying more and more, you may need something a heavier to combat dry patches and scaly skin. Since I use so many liquid/cream products in my makeup routine during winter, I tend to focus on switching up my nighttime moisturizer. I’ll opt for something rich and emollient that will refresh my skin overnight. On nights I really need a skin saver, I’ll use a serum for extra moisture. I also make it a point to apply eye cream to keep the delicate skin in that area soft. Body butters are an especially luxurious and effective choice for keeping the rest of your skin hydrated. Applying shower oils will also help prevent tight skin post-shower.
Products Pictured: Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter Body Lotion // Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer // Suave Moroccan Infusion Dry Body Oil // Aveeno Skin Relief Shower & Bath Oil // Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer
When Choosing New Products, Don’t Skip the SPF!
Just because the sun’s not out doesn’t mean you get to skip the SPF! UV rays are still present, and sometimes stronger, on cloudy days. So when you’re swapping out that summer shade foundation for your not-so-tan shade (sorry…), make sure you’re still getting everything your skin needs to stay protected. Learn more about protecting your skin from winter sun damage in my post here.
Products Pictured: SolScents Sunscreen // Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer // Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup
Exfoliation is Key
It’s time to step up your exfoliating game! To smooth out your skin and eliminate patchiness, use a gentle exfoliant to revitalize your face and body. When you’re exfoliating, avoid using too much pressure while rubbing so you don’t irritate your skin. This will rid your face and body of dead skin so that moisturizers will sink in more effectively and makeup will apply more smoothly. Follow up body exfoliation with a shower oil for baby smooth skin.
Products Pictured: St. Ives Even & Bright Face Scrub // Trader Joe’s Fuji Apple Sea Salt Body Scrub // Amopé Electronic Foot File // ToiletTree Skin Cleansing Brush
Have you switched up any favorite products this season?
Love seeing so many of my favorite products in this list. Because my skin is so dry and eczema prone, I swear I go through the thickest creams this time of year.
My eczema comes out on my face during winter (and on my body during summer… no idea why!!) but I have to be super diligent about moisturizing! 🙂
With my dry skin I definitely opt for more creams!
I actually love to wear mattes in the winter!
I like matte eyeshadow but my skin can’t handle matte foundations this time of year!
Bookmarking this for when I get home!
I totally need to try some of the things in this post
Awesome tips. And I really enjoy the NYC BB Cream, For the price it’s FAB!
Same!! I wasn’t sure I’d like it because of the shimmer but it’s surprisingly subtle and nice
Great tips! It really is important to remember SPF!
What a great list to share!
I am loving this post! I stock up on moisturizer in the winter!
Such fab tips! I agree sunblock needs to be used year round.
Keisha xo
Glad you agree 🙂
Informative post!
Thicker moisturizer is definitely the way to go!
I have to really up my moisturizing game in the winter! Great tips!
Great tips. I definitely have to use a thicker moisturizer in the winter.
I agree, sunscreen is mandatory year round!
Thanks for such helpful tips!
I think that moisturizing heavily is key to keeping skin supple and hydrated throughout winter!
This is such a wonderful post and great tips! It’s important to understand how seasons affect our skin and bodies and we have to change things up accordingly.
Winter hit us this week too, sigh. Not for long though, should be in the 80’s this weekend. I also switch to more creams instead of powders in the cooler months and exfoliating is #1 on my list, head to toe. I do a mild brown sugar scrub for my scalp about every 10-14 days. SPF all year for this Florida girl!
Exfoliation is the only way I can keep my body from being disgustingly dry and flaky in winter, so amen to that! Great tips all around.
I need to get on my exfoliation! It is time.
Good tips! Love that L’Occitane moisturizer btw 🙂
I do too, but it’s so expensive!! I’m hoping this jar lasts me forever!!
I love that Hair Mayonnaise – it’s transforming!
Great suggestions!