Fall’s Top 5 Beauty To-Do’s

A few days ago, I received my weekly email from Lowes that reminded homeowners to carry out the top 8 tasks and improvements to their homes for winter preparation. The “to-do” that struck me the most was to “seed and fertilize your grass”. Now, I’m not a believer in residential grass – because it’s a waste of water and the harsh chemicals from non-organic fertilizers harms our freshwater systems, but just the idea of fall harvesting, seeding, and fertilizing helped me to better explain what it is that I do to prepare for the upcoming winter and spring seasons. I like to think of the fall and winter seasons as being my “hibernation beautification” periods of the year. I do a bit of harvesting on my moisturizing essentials, and make use of winter norms like slippers and electric blankets to help with overnight deep conditioning. Allow me to share my fall “beauty to-do’s” with you that prepares you for the freshest, and glistening skin that you can show off next year. 

#1 DO UPDATE YOUR NAIL, LIPSTICK, BLUSH, AND EYESHADOW COLORS

Many women tend to think that it’s okay to wear your bright tangerine nail, lip, and eye color year round, but the fact is that it’s not okay. Warmer and sultrier colors are welcome in the winter, and it’s the more perfect time to let those lovely colors on the other side of the spectrum have their chance to emerge into the spotlight. 

Simply, how to fix this problem is by translating your favorite summer color to a muted and darker version. You can still enjoy your favorite color orange, but try going from a bright orange to a burnt orange or from a bright red to a wine red.  Nearly all cosmetic brands have a team specialized in color trends that make these color transitions easier for you with the introduction of their seasonal collections.

#2 DO STOCK UP ON YOUR WINTER FOUNDATION

If you’ve ever worn makeup, then you do know that your complexion in the winter is usually lighter than it is in the summer due to lack of exposure to direct sunlight. By now, it’s been at least four to six months since you’ve used your winter foundation and it’s time to replace it for bacterial reasons. When you make your trip out to restock, make sure that you test your color in natural sunlight even if it means stepping out of the department store and into natural sunlight with a mirror. 

You might want to even try a creamier version of your foundation to sustain against harsh winter winds. And, even though there may not be as much as direct sunlight in the winter, please continue to wear your SPF in forms of hydrating lotions.

#3 DO PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM YOUR WARM WOOLENS

           

Have you ever noticed hair breakage at the nape of your neck during the colder seasons? Well, the breakage is due to your favorite wool winter coat and or scarves. If you have longer hair, protect it from your winter coat by incorporating a stylish silk blend scarf to buffer between your hair and the collar.

It may even help to switch your hair style and wear a nice and sophisticated high pony – but be careful from pulling too tight on your hair, you don’t want too much stress on those tresses. A simple pony or a curly style in the winter will also allow you a few months to wear heavier creams and deep conditioners on your hair. Why not give your hair a break and save your straight and flowing styles for the summer breezes?

#4 DO DEEP MOISTURIZE DURING COLD WINTER NIGHTS

Take advantage of your electric blanket and down comforters at night by buttering up in your most lavish and nourishing vitamin-e infused moisturizer. Make it a twice-weekly ritual to exfoliate and allow yourself to repair from the sunburns and scrapes of summer fun. If you don’t have an electric blanket, invest in one, because you can also save yourself some money by turning down your heat and turning your blanket up during the night. 

For a little extra attention to your feet and hands, where cotton gloves and a triple pair of socks after applying a deep moisturizer. Wake up to super soft feet, but be sure to wash thoroughly before carrying on with you day, because you don’t want to cause fungal problems.

#5 DO DOUBLE UP ON THE DRINKING WATER

We all like to turn up the heat in the winter to stay warm, but staying warm sometimes means staying dry. Keeping your heat controlled to a temperature at about 72 degrees is the optimum temperature to render you a cozy comfort level. It also helps you to save you money on your heating bill, and keeps you from having dry and chapped skin. Even while driving your car in the winter, pay close attention to how much you’re drying yourself out. Usually static electricity upon closing your car door is the sign that the temperature level is too high.

Also to combat the effects of staying warm drink lots of water to stay hydrated and invest in a humidifier. It even helps to allow steam from showers to migrate to other areas of your home, but try not to have very hot showers because they too can contribute to dry skin.

One last trick up my sleeve that must be carefully executed is to use the steam from your teapot as a mini pore opening facial treatment. Sometimes when I’m in the mood for a little chai tea or hot chocolate, I stand over my teapot to allow my pores to open and impurities to escape just before I cleanse and apply a facial mask. Don’t stand over a steam that’s too hot, allow a few minutes for the water to cool down, before trying this.