HOW TO ACE YOUR WINTER FACE

Winter is an awesome season, it gives us Christmas and the excuse to layer up and wear chunky scarves so what's not to love?!  Something that may not love it quite so much though, is our skin.  My skin is unpredictable and sensitive most of the year, but particularly when the weather gets colder and the wind gets harsher.  For the last few weeks I have had dry patches on my skin and more spots than usual, so I took this as a strong hint that I needed to step up my skincare routine and look after it better.  Here I have put together some of the products that I have been using to make my skin look and feel a little better; I'm obviously no expert but this combination seems to so far be working for me!  

Most of my skin's problems stem from the fact that it is dehydrated, so the first thing I make a conscious effort to do is drink more water (I definitely don't drink enough).  I also have been reaching for the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, which I put on a couple of nights a week so give my face a much needed moisture boost.  I love how my skin feels the next morning, and it even looks better.  

A good face oil also helps, I find it strange how they work because my skin is pretty oily by itself, so putting another oil on top feels a bit like I'm clogging it up even more!  This is not the case though, and I find that using the Balance Me Facial Oil softens my skin and provides some good moisture - it is richer than using a regular moisturiser and helps even if you only use it a few times a week.

Now if you've ever seen any of my past Face of the Day type photos, you will have noticed that I'm rather pale.  I do embrace this, I accept the fact I'm never going to have the same golden glow that so many lucky so-and-so's have and I do my make up accordingly without adding more than a little bronzer etc.  However, come winter my skin tone becomes borderline corpse-like, and this mixed with my unfortunate dark circles under my eyes can make me look less Dita Von Teese and more Dita Von Death, so out comes my little saviour in the form of James Reed Sleep Mask Tan.  It goes on at night and by morning I have a very subtle and natural tint of colour to my face, which provides a good base colour for the rest of my make up to go over.  This works as any other facial tan would, so the usual rules apply, such as exfoliating before and between uses and blending in well.  

Lastly, I choose a foundation that is going to give me the sought after 'lit from within' look.  I recently treated myself to Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and this is just the base I needed to achieve that radiant glow.  The coverage is light to medium, but with the help of some concealer it is the perfect base for faking a healthy winter glow.  

So there are a few bits that help me and my skin through the winter season!  Obviously a few more usual bits are involved too, such as moisturiser and cleanser, but I picked some stand out products that I really couldn't be without!  What have you been reaching for in this colder weather? xx