Winter may be coming but dry skin doesn’t have to
While some revel in the colder seasons, the approaching winter means stress-induced sleepless nights due to creeping exams, culminating with the inevitable winter woes faced by many students. All those Red Bull-fuelled all-nighters and chilly winter winds can lead to one unfortunate thing—dull, dehydrated and tired-looking skin.
Although your skin may not have fully recovered yet after the onslaught of midterms, you’re now also dealing with the effects of extreme weather conditions while trying to keep the last hint of your summer glow. Luckily the Fulcrum is here to help you say goodbye to a lifeless complexion and say hello to glowing winter skin!
Scrubbed Smooth
First thing’s first, get rid of all those dead skin cells to reveal the softer skin beneath. Exfoliation allows for your moisturizer to better penetrate and prepares your canvas for “Operation: Illuminated Skin”. Choose a creamier exfoliator with spherical exfoliating beads, as its gel counterpart strips away surface oils crucial for colder weather.
Product recommendations: Murad Smoothing Polish at $35-$40 or St. Ives Even & Bright Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange Scrub at $5.99-$6.99.
Ovenight Moisture
Your regular moisturizer simply won’t be enough for winter defence, so it’s time to pull out those heavy-duty sleeping masks. Hydrated skin is key for reviving a sallow complexion. Overnight masks infuse your skin with the moisture it desperately needs, and since the formulas are thicker, you receive an extra dose of hydration.
Before applying it, grab a rose water toner and spritz away, following immediately with the mask. If it’s a particularly frosty one out, you can continue to spray rose water throughout the day to replenish your moisture barrier.
Product recommendations: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Honeydew & Chamomile Sleeping Mask at $1.50-$1.99 and Lush Eau Roma Water Toner at $10.95-$22.95.
Double Up
A cold weather emergency skin kit is not complete without facial oil. Just a few drops of your favourite facial oil over the mask locks in the moisture. Rub the facial oil in your hands, pat it onto your skin and work it in a circular, upward motion. In the mornings, you can use the oil on its own, or mixed into your moisturizer to create a soft glow.
Product recommendations: Jeffrey James The Glow Oil at $12.99 or L’Oreal Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil at $19.99-$24.99.
Dew the Glow
Now it’s time to incorporate the fall/winter runway beauty trends that will complement your dewy complexion. Nothing says fresh skin like a good glow from an illuminator. Highlight the high points of your face, which are the top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow and above your brow.
Product recommendations: Forever 21 Tri-Color Illuminating Bronzer at $6.99-$7.99 and MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in various colours at $37.00.
A Hint of Blue
Smudged blue liner along the waterline instantly brightens the eye. Just line your lower lash line and use your finger to smudge away to make your eyes stand out.
Product recommendations: Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Bluefin at $29 or Annabelle Kohl Eyeliner in Midnite Blue at $5.99-$6.99.
Flushed Cheeks
A bright pink or red blush instantly livens your complexion, and avoids the dullness that comes with the lack of sunshine in the winter months.
Product recommendations: Mac Mineralize Blush in Love Thing at $32 and NYX Powder Blush in Desert Rose at $9.99-10.99.
Follow all of these beauty tips, and watch your lackluster skin transform into a winter wonderland.
