My skincare is pretty consistent, having tried so many things I know what works for me and what doesn’t. But having said that – as the seasons change so does my routine. The colder air means less water in the environment, and indoor heating changing temperatures suddenly from outside to inside – it can really play havoc with your skin leaving it dehydrated and prone to fine lines. Winter is usually the cue for my scaly skin returning oh and hello there rough elbows! Covering up with winter knits – who knows whether I shaved yesterday or last month. But it does make it trickier come the New Year when I am shocked into sorting myself out. So knowledge is power and all that – and the general beauty theme for Winter is hydration – skin, hair, body. This Winter I started early and pleased to be able to share with you my arsenal of Winter beauty products… the old, the new and the damn right impressive…
Face
Pricey I am afraid but so darn good I am never going back… Sunday Riley! I use UFO when I need help with breakouts, Luna every single night (I am obsessed) and Good Genes as an occasional treat. If your skin is sensitive it might be too much – see if you can give it a patch test before buying it.
Nuxe creme fraiche de beaute – a perfectly priced, perfectly effective little moisturizer that’s just been reformulated and gives you 48 hour hydration. I carry one in my handbag now as I kept getting a little dry patch by my mouth and this has sorted it right out.
Balance Me Hyaluronic plumping mist – this is brand new and seriously clever!!! Another one I leave around the house downstairs and give myself a mist when I see it. So clever it even works over makeup so if you find your skin drying out during the day pop a bottle in your handbag. Winter essential!!!
Glamglow mask – I have to confess this has been sat in my bathroom cupboard for months now and I finally tried it a few weeks ago and now cannot get enough. When I wake up in the morning my skin feels incredible. And unlike some moisturising masks it hasn’t clogged up my skin. It’s also a great little bargain product which always helps.
Dermalogica daily microfoliant – this is a product I used years ago and forgot about, it’s quite pricey too but lasts a long time. When I was getting little bump spots on my cheeks I rushed out to buy it as the glycollic acid didn’t seem to be helping – I wanted a physical scrub to work on the rough patches. And it worked.
Peter Thomas Roth Acne face wash and glycollic acid face wash – these are year round favourites of mine and I cannot see myself changing my cleansers anytime soon. I use the acne wash which has 2% salicylic acid every night to wash the day away – all the makeup dirt and grime. Before I found it I had terrible hormonal acne all the time. Unfortunately they don’t sell it in the UK anymore so I have to buy in bulk and pay taxes from the USA. The one they do sell here (white bottle) just didn’t work as well for me – mine is a grey bottle and a very different formula. The glycollic wash I tend to use in the morning to freshen my skin up.
Vichy Mineral 89 – this is a new product for me and I would highly recommend it! It is an intense hydration product perfect for Winter. Helps with signs of tiredness too – you know I am sold on that! Feels like a watery gel and absorbs into your skin in an instant. I use it before I use a moisturiser and on days when I don’t use Sunday Riley. Really helps get the moisturiser to work hard. Great product and at a really great price.
Tea tree oil – anytime I feel one of those pesky hormonal spots rearing its ugly head I sleep with tea tree oil on. Nine times out of ten its gone by the morning. It does stink the bedroom out though!
Origins spot remover – another great little product in the spot battle! It contains salicylic acid and you can pop it over the spot and then wear makeup if you want to.
Elemis pro-collagen marine cream spf 30 – I have only ever used this when I got the teeny bottles from BA flights over the years and I finally got my hands on a tub and I am never going back. It is just so light and sinks straight into your skin. My absolute favourite moisturiser and having the added spf is fantastic as you really don’t want to forget spf in the Winter months.
Neutrogena hydro-boost gel cream – the best budget cream with hyaluronic acid – being a gel cream the consistency is lovely for Winter. This is always in my cupboard.
Rapid lash serum – another year round product I started using in my wedding-day prep all those years ago. When I actually remember to use it before I go to bed the results appear within about two weeks.
Charlotte Tilbury magic night cream – when my skin is looking really dehydrated this is my go-to night cream. It lasts a long time – very heavy formula so use just the smallest amount. It really works to get that moisture back in and makes for a great base for makeup when you wake the next morning.
Body
Lano allover – such a good cult-classic all over body moisturiser for the colder months. I’ve been lathering it on before bed and works a treat.
Vita Liberata body blur – I usually don’t use any tan in the Winter months but this is great if you just want a bit of colour for an event or night out. Makes your skin look airbrushed!
Ren anti-fatigue body wash – still loving this so much, as I said before – anything that helps with my sleep deprivation I am trying it!
Lips
Lanolips – wow I love this stuff. I love the packaging, the little nostalgic tube, the fact you can use the smallest amount and lips are instantly softened and moisturised. Love!
Makeup
Laura Mercier – secret camouflage concealer and invisible pressed setting powder. I have used the concealer before but rediscovered it. So good for blemishes! The setting powder works amazingly for me as I don’t normally use foundation so this just gives me some matt where I need it.
Laura Mercier foundation – in the photo above I was wearing their flawless finish foundation and it is amazing. It totally evens out your complexion, lasts and doesn’t look too ‘done’ if that even makes sense…I tend to just wear foundation for nights out so this will last me a long time.
Charlotte Tilbury – Healthy Glow, ‘Supermodel’ shade eyebrow pencil and their black mascara – all utterly fabulous and don’t buy anything else now!
Charlotte Tilbury – Pillow talk lipstick. This needed its own line as its taken me sooooooo long to get hold of one. Worth the wait though. And I am on waiting list for when they’re back in stock again… if you want to try you can sign up on their website.
Bobbi brown pot rouge in pale pink – I have used this for years now, I tend to swing between three shades but its been the pale pink for the past year. A few dabs on the cheek, bridge of your nose and the temples for a youthful sun kissed look.
Hair
Moroccanoil – I have been trying the range this month and my standout favourites are the glimmer shine that you use after its styled to give your hair a bit of shine – works so well on slightly frizzy hair like mine. And also the oil treatment in light. Makes my hair feel so silky!
Hair Xpertise – Argan Oil. This is my go-to budget hair oil. Have used it for years! Its sold in Boots in a little brown box.
72 Nourishing shampoo & Hydrating conditioner – this is really quite good. I don’t normally buy anything other than Aussie but was given this to trial and fell for it big time. Its the first time in about ten years that I have EVER not used the Aussie three-minute miracle that I am obsessed with. That’s saying something for me!
Elasticizer Philip Kingsley – addicted to this now. Just need to try to remember to use it more!
And as you all know how much I LOVE to wear a hat especially in Winter I wanted to let you in on my hat trick to not NOT get hat hair when you take it off!
- Hair must be 100% dry before wearing said hat.
- Traveling outside – loop and tuck into the hat to stop the frizz.
- Before you put the hat on just flip your parting onto the opposite side you would normally wear it. When you take the hat off flip it back to your usual spot and you’ll still have the volume! Ta-da!
Love to hear your comments, questions and tips.
Thank you so much for reading,
Ashley
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