Autumn Beauty Tips

Summer is officially over (sob) – it’s time to pack away your bikinis and shorts for another year and dig out your knee high boots, favourite jeans and cosy knits – today marks the first day of Autumn! The impending colder air, wetter weather and central heating can wreak havoc with your hair and skin but don’t panic, with a bit of pre-planning in the beauty department and some TLC you’ll be in tip top shape, no matter the weather. To give you a helping hand the girls at waxu Waxing Salons have compiled a list of their favourite top 10 winter beauty hacks to keep you looking and feeling your best when the temperatures drop!

1. Change to a Cream
You may think that the beauty industry’s winter push for more heavy-duty products is simply a scam to squeeze more money from beauty lovers’ purses, but the truth is, your skin really does need special attention at this time of year. Ironically despite being wetter, in the colder months the humidity levels drop significantly. This reduction in moisture in the air inevitably leads to sore, dry, flaky skin. Not only staying on top of, but upping your moisturising routine is absolutely crucial! Move to a thicker cream instead of a light lotion to restore radiance and avoid products with fragrances, which can be irritating to dry, sensitive skin. Apply your moisturiser immediately after cleansing to lock in moisture for a bright, dewy, healthy winter complexion. For the ultimate skin treat try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, £24 – it’s a bit of a splurge but your skin will love you for it.

2. SPF Protection
UV rays from the sun are just as strong and damaging to your skin even when it’s cold, wet and cloudy outside (scarily up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds). Regardless of the weather, moisturiser with SPF protection should be worn every day to help protect your skin against UV rays that cause aging and, potentially, skin cancer. Wearing a moisturiser with a minimum of SPF 30 every day will decrease the speed of the skin’s aging process by a whopping 24% – if that’s not enough incentive we don’t know what is!  Check out Clinique ‘Moisture Surge’ CC Cream, £25 – it’s a little bit pricey but contains SPF 30 and is slightly tinted so it colour-corrects while it hydrates and protects – double whammy!

3. Exfoliate
You should exfoliate all year round, but it’s even more important at this time of year. Between the cold air outside and dry indoor heating, your skin cells dehydrate and die out faster in winter. Regular exfoliation (once a week will suffice – if you exfoliate too often your skin will paradoxically become even more dry and irritated) buffs away this dead, dull skin, allowing fresh, bright, new cells to come to the surface. Exfoliating away the dead cells also improves the effectiveness of your moisturiser as they block the moisturiser from penetrating through to the new, healthy skin cells that actually need it! Give Nivea Gentle Exfoliating Scrub Normal & Combination Skin, £2 a go – it’s packed with Vitamin E which makes it fabulous for winter and is amazing value for money. Win, win!

4. No Chapped Lips Here
Windburned lips are quite literally a pain – cold air and wind really affects your lips causing them to become chapped and incredibly sore. Carrying a tube of soothing lip balm in your purse or pocket and applying it regularly (once an hour and after every drink) is the best defence against lip chapping. Also avoid licking and biting your lips and try and breath through your nose (not easy we know but worth the effort) when you are out in cold weather to reduce further irritation. Look for a lip balm with a paraben and fragrance-free formula and a high quantity of shea or cocoa butter, which nourishes and moisturises. Burt’s Bees Ultra Conditioning Lip Balm with Kokum Butter, £3.69 is 100% natural, has no added flavours or fragrances and is scientifically proven to offer 4 hours moisturisation with just 1 application – we don’t think it get’s much better than that!

5. Keep Hands Hydrated
Even if you wear gloves religiously, extreme cold and winter wind is hard on your hands. Hands can turn red, cracked, and rough by February – not a good look! Combat the elements by carrying a rich hand cream with you at all times and applying it regularly throughout the day (and after every hand wash). Look out for creams containing butters and oils which create a protective barrier on the skin that helps to retain more moisture and Aloe Vera or Chamomile extract which not only moisturise, but help to soothe and condition dehydrated skin. Palmer’s, Coconut Oil, Hand Cream, £3.49 is a great winter handbag essential for smooth, stroke-able hands all day every day.

6. Wrap Up Warm
If you must go out on a cold, windy day, wrapping up warm and covering the areas exposed to the elements is the best line of defence. Wear a hat and gloves and cover up the bottom half of your face with a scarf to protect your hair, lips and skin from the cold air and harsh winds and prevent moisture loss and chapping. Unfortunately hats that sit on the forehead, and scarves that cover the lower face, can trap oil and encourage breakouts. Choose natural, breathable fabrics as much as possible and wash your hats and scarfs regularly to remove oils and dirt that could transfer onto your skin, causing irritation and dreaded spots.

7. Eat Well
Leaving and arriving back home in the dark and cold doesn’t help when it comes to making healthy choices and it is tempting to pick up the takeaway menu or pop a ready meal in the microwave after a super long day at work. To keep your skin and hair looking radiant ensure you maintain a well balanced diet by eating foods rich in Omega-3, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants such as fish and vegetables. Veggie filled soups and stews are a winter must being easy to prepare and easy to cook – you can even chuck everything in the slow cooker in the morning and enjoy a piping hot meal as soon as you walk in the door. Voila!
Check out the BBC’s top 20 Winter recipes for some inspiration.

8. Stay Hydrated
Unlike the summer months where you constantly drink water to keep cool, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated in the colder months swapping ice cold drinks for caffeine filled warm drinks and hot toddies. Try to drink the recommended 8 glasses (2 litres) of water everyday to help flush out toxins and keep your complexion hydrated and clear. In addition to giving your skin a much needed boost, drinking water can also help to increase your energy levels, help your brain to function and aid weight loss… winner winner!

9. Invest in a Humidifier
The combination of the Winter’s dry air, your heating on full and closed windows can wreak havoc not only on your skin but also on your respiratory system. By using a humidifier whilst you sleep your skin will feel rejuvenated and beautiful in the morning. Kiss goodbye to dry skin, lips and hands and wake up feeling like you’ve had an evening in the spa! You can pick a brand new humidifier up from as little as £14.99 from high street chains such as Argos or Tesco so it’s not going to break the bank.

10. Good Night
Sleeping is a great way of keeping your mind and body refreshed and rejuvenating your skin and let’s be fair, with the long cold nights that shouldn’t be a problem at all! Put your pyjamas on, make yourself a hot drink and snuggle in bed with your favourite book. Sounds perfect!