Ah, February. The temperature is colder, the days are shorter, and let’s face it—the last thing you’re thinking about is looking glamorous on your way to Chemistry at ten in the morning. Actually, if you’re like everyone else around you, you’re probably having the hardest time just getting out of bed. What is this awful feeling, you might ask yourself? Oh, right, it’swinter—the season where virtually every other creature besides you gets to experience the joy of hibernation. All the same, just because it’s gross outside doesn’t mean you have to be. So, here are some hair, nail and skin tips to keep you looking like a spring chicken even if it’s not exactly spring just yet.
Hair Tip #1 Dye = Die
Try to avoid harsh chemicals this season. Just like the barren trees, your hair shaft and follicles get just as dry and can become over-processed which could lead to split ends or severe breakage. This is not to say that you can’t try out that new hair color you’ve been dyeingto use, but just be aware that your hair will need extra moisture if you decide to do so. So, if you must take the leap be sure to deep condition your hair thoroughly for 5-10 minutes once a week. This will help determine whether or not you’ll be getting a trim or a haircutthis spring.
Hair Tip #2 Lay off the Shampoo
If you have read any beauty articles within the past five years I’m sure you’ve heard that shampooing your hair too much dries it out. Well, bear with me because I’m saying it again! It’s better for the overall health of your hair to give it a rest from the overrated daily shampoo routine. But, when you do, be sure to use moisture-rich products by brands like Pantene or John Freida.
Hair Tip #3 Good Condition
Contrary to belief, “condition” doesn’t always refer to the step that comes after shampooing. There are plenty of other techniques that can give you the same effect in addition to your favorite conditioner.
For naturally curly or wavy hair, consider Organic Root Stimulator’s olive oil sheen. Don’t let the “oil” part fool you. It sprays out in a light mist and gives your hair both moisture and sheen without weighing it down. Spray it in your hands, rub them together, run your fingers through your hair and voila! Goodbye, split ends and dry hair. Hello, shiny and soft.
For naturally straight hair, consider maintaining your hair’s natural oils by investing in a dry shampoo. It is designed to gently remove all the dirt and grime in half the time it takes to wash your hair. With this trick, you can go at least a day without shampooing.
Hair Tip #4 A Hot Mess
Embrace the messy bun! Whether you decide to spice it up with a couple scattered braids, a clip-in feather or just a really cute headband, a messy bun is the quickest fix to a rough morning or a bad hair day. As long as you gently brush through the hair once to make sure it is evenly separated, this hairstyle is virtually damage-free! Just remember not to over brush (or, comb) your hair because doing so creates a build up of negative ions that cause more harm than good as far as split ends go.
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Nail Tip #1 Stay Polished
The best tip for nail care in this gross weather is actually to keep them polished as much as possible—especially if you intend to grow them out. Nails are most brittle in winter and the more you use your hands, the more prone your nails are to breakage. The best thing to do for winter nail health is to keep them polished because the polish acts as a protective barrier.
Think you’ll have a hard time maintaining your nail color? Go for deep tones or nudes like Essies Eternal Optimist polish. Yes, they are polar opposites, but you’re less likely to gripe over them once they begin to chip. Dark nail colors give a grungy edge once they begin to wear and most nudes are hardly noticeable so you’re safest with these colors.
Nail Tip #2 Kit It
For Christmas, a friend of mine bought me a nail kit by Deep Sea Cosmetics. It includes a nail file, buffer and most importantly cuticle oil and hand lotion. These have been my Savior this winter! The minerals in the lotion and cuticle oil make my hands rich in emollience and it smells great too.
Nail Tip #3 File. Don’t Clip.
Given the toll your nail strength has already taken due to the changing seasons, the worst thing you could do is clip them. They are already fragile so, why hack them off? Gently file your nails avoiding the sides as not to create weak spots. Just for good measure, keep them at a respectable length to avoid severe breaks. Besides, who wants to deal with claws poking out of their gloves anyway?
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Skin Tip #1 Cover Up!
The absolute best thing you can do to protect your skin from the elements is to keep it out of them! Now, I’m not saying you should go out and buy a morph suit, but cover what you can when the weather asks for it. This not only helps your skin keep its natural moisture, but it makes sure that your added moisture stays in place. Plus, with so many cute options for scarves, gloves and hats, why not take advantage and play with layers?
Skin Tip #2 Hydrate
Lotion is skin’s best friend in the winter. Even if you can’t take the time out everyday to lotion your whole body, at least moisturize your hands, face and feet. They will thank you once spring break rolls around. Jergens Ultra Healing and St. Ives 24-Hour Moisture are great for keeping skin soft and hydrated without feeling greasy.
Skin Tip #3 Scrub-A-Dub-Dub
Along with moisture, it’s also important to exfoliate. Invest in an exotic body scrub and use it at least three times a week on your body and once daily on your face. St. Ives makes awesome apricot face scrubs that also help fight acne. As far as body scrubs go, I’m a huge fan of de-luxe BAIN in rosemary-mint for a morning pick-me-up or lavender for a soothing cool down in the evening. The microbeads in these scrubs are designed to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a fresh start, literally!
So, what is my method to all this madness? One word: Survival. In one form or another it’s the key to making it through a harsh winter—both physically and mentally. Though you might feel like you’re in a beauty rut, honestly, winter is the time for you to spice things up in that medicine cabinet of yours. Enjoy mastering the art of NOT being a bum, even if you feel like one. Take care of yourself. You don’t have to look like a beauty queen to be able to pamper yourself like one. So, go ahead, indulge. You deserve it.