Winter-proof your beauty routine

COLD weather can often mean dry and cracked skin, which isn’t a good look. Jessica-Anne Lyons shares her top tips and favourite products so you can put your best face forward this winter.

1. Exfoliate dry skin

With harsh winds and overused heaters, dry and flaky skin can become a real problem in winter. So invest in a good exfoliating facial scrub and incorporate it into your beauty routine between your cleanser and your moisturizer.

Most exfoliators come in cream-form with small beads or sand particles which help remove dead cells when gently rubbed onto the skin. Don’t overdo it though. You only need to use a facial scrub two to three times a week.

If you have dry legs or arms, you can also get body scrubs to buff away tortoise-shell-like skin in the shower.

My picks

• St. Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub ($9.99, Priceline)
• Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Cocoa Body Scrub ($10.99, Priceline)

2. Moisturise for smooth skin

Now that you’ve gotten rid of all those flaky bits (gross, right?) it’s time to hydrate your skin with a good moisturiser. Always apply a moisturiser after cleansing and toning and before you begin your make-up routine in the morning.

In winter, we tend to wear more powder-based make-up, which can be very drying. Using a moisturiser beforehand is a step you can’t skip if you want beautiful luscious skin.

For your body, try a creamy body butter after you have a shower or bath. And remember the best hydration your body can get is from two litres of water a day.

My picks

• Nivea Visage Young Control Shine Mattifying Gel Cream ($9.99, Priceline)
• The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter ($27.95, The Body Shop)

3. Take care of your hands

If you’re a fan of nail polish, you’ll know having dry hands and fingers is not desirable. Luckily it’s easy to fix!

For cracked skin around your nails, get yourself a cuticle cream. They’re great for keeping your cuticles healthy and all you have to do is massage it into each of your nail beds.

For soft hands, a thick hand lotion or cream applied every few hours will make sure you look and feel smooth and supple!

My picks

• Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Crème ($14.99, Priceline)
• Lanolips Rose Balm Intense for Very Dry Hands & Nails ($15.99, Priceline)

4. Get kissable lips

If you suffer from chapped lips in winter, use a lip scrub to quickly achieve a smooth pout. All you have to do is gently apply the scrub to your lips and buff away with your fingertips.

If you don’t have a scrub handy, a wet toothbrush will also do the trick. Simply rub the bristles on your lips in a circular motion to get rid of any dead skin.

Now that your lips are smooth, apply your favourite balm and you can kiss dry lips  goodbye for winter!

My picks

• LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub ($9.95, LUSH Cosmetics)
• Lucas Papaw Ointment ($5.99, Priceline)

5. Smudge-proof makeup

Now that your skincare is all sorted, it’s time to prepare your makeup. To avoid panda-eyes when it rains, choose waterproof mascara. Most makeup brands offer waterproof versions of their best-selling products, so you should have no trouble finding your favourite.

If you’re fond of wearing eyeliner, try a gel formula instead of a liquid or pencil liner. Gel variations are creamy and have better staying power in wet weather than other variations. Just keep in mind that waterproof makeup formulas can dry out if worn too often. Make sure you fully remove your makeup at the end of the day to prevent the risk of brittle eyelashes and irritated eyelids.

My picks

• Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Mascara ($16.95, Priceline)
• Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Waterproof Gel Pot Eyeliner ($12.95, Priceline)