Showing posts with label skin care. Show all posts

Monday, 17 December 2012

Little things you can do to you make better food choices

Change your grocery list. Instead of the chips get air popped popcorn and avoid and partially hydrogenated oils.
Choose high fiber foods. A good rule of thumb is try to aim for 2 or more grams of fiber per 100 calories.

Avoid High Fructose. It is just another way to add sugar to your diet.

Compare ingredients and go for the product with the shortest list, which means less processing fewer additives and frequently fewer calories

Make good nutrition convenience. Try banishing junk food and buying nutritious stuff for yourself and your family. Always have a full fruit bowl.

Be prepared. Have nutritious provisions at work and in the car if your need them.

Before a party - eat a yogurt or an apple to help curb your appetite.

Tips to battle depression

Research has shown that exercise has shown significant mood-lifting power. Duke University publishers produced results of a study in which they divided depressed patients ages 50-77 into three groups. The first group did 30 minutes of jogging or brisk walking three times a week; the second took the antidepressants Zoloft and the third group did both. After four months, patients in all three groups were doing equally well; the medication offered no particular advantage over working out except in relieving the symptoms a little faster. When researchers followed up later they found a major difference between the types of treatment. One-third of the patients that improved on Zoloft had relapsed whereas 92 percent of those benefiting from just aerobic exercise program were still doing well.

Be careful of diet pills

Just because something is sold over the counter does not mean that it is safe. In studies of diet pill one leading brand had a daily dose of what is equivalent to 30 cans of soda. Such high levels of caffeine can cause insomnia, tremors, stomach problems and headache. In addition to that some pills when tested have tested out to contain very high levels of chromium a mineral that helps regulate insulin and may aid in weight loss. In some cases there was up to 42 percent more chromium listed then on the label which can cause side effects like dizziness, flushing and even kidney failure.
The bottom line is to think twice before taking weight loss supplements.

Where to start? On the road to a healthy lifestyle?

Did you know that an unhealthy diet and lifestyle account for more then 80 of heart disease, 90 percent of type 2 diabetes and more then 70 percent of strokes.
What should you change first? It depends on what you are doing but the top of the list is stop smoking along with a combination of increasing physical activity and making dietary changes. Try eliminating or cutting back on margarines containing trans-fats, deep fried food, and commercial baked goods. Avoid unhealthy carbs which include sugar - especially when found in soda, beverages, snacks and desserts. Also focus on removing the refined starches such as white bread, white rice and pasta.. These starches behave identically to sugar in your body and are low in nutrients and low in fiber. Try replacing the refined starches with brown rice, whole grain bread, oatmeal and barley and quinoa.

One of the best things you can do is eat more fruits and vegetables in a wide array of colors - blueberries, sweet potatoes, kale, broccoli and carrots. To ensure more intake of omega 3 fats eat more salmon, sardines walnuts and flaxseeds.

Remember to make these changes gradually because you will more then likely keep up a habit that is developed over time rather then one that is developed overnight.

Tips for starting a new fitness routine

Remember - the 1st month is the hardest. Making exercise a priority and part of your life is a long-term commitment but if you can keep it up for a month you can do it for a lifetime.
When starting a new routine - don't skip meals and make sure you are getting plenty of water. Don't worry if you have a treat - enjoy it and don't saddle yourself with a lot of guilt.
If you can start with someone else it always helps to have a workout buddy or some kind of support system.

This will definitely increase your accountability.

Expect these types of emotions when starting a new exercise routine

Week 1 - you are excited and motivated about the new exercise regime but set realistic goals - it is better to exercise consistently 3 times a week then commit to do it five a week and fall off the wagon.

Week 2 - your still doing ok, maybe a little sore but feeling good about things. You may notice that your clothes feel better.

Week 3 - you may experience a plateau. Your weight loss may have slowed now but you are definitely feeling better and probably sleeping better. When in doubt - just show up for your work out.

Week 4 - Ask yourself questions like "what can I do better? Can I work out longer and harder? Set daily goals and keep them. Invite your mind into the exercise regime.

Do vegetables lose nutritional value if they are frozen?

The convenience of frozen vegetables does come at a small nutritional cost, but fresh vegetables that have been stored at your fridge for a week or in trucks, trains, warehouses or supermarkets for even loner are not at their nutritional peak either. The more produce sits around, the fewer nutrients it contains. From the moment vegetables are picked, enzymes begin breaking down their water-soluble nutrients. While the ideal option is to buy just picked produce from a local stand or farmers market and eat it the same day very few of us have that luxury. Fortunately, frozen vegetables are a sound alternative. Freezing preserves vitamins, minerals and fiber for about eight months so you should eat your vegetables even if they are frozen.

Tips to help make/keep you thin?

One treat at a time. It is ok to have a cheeseburger once in a while but don't use the justification that since you are already splurging that it ok to order the French Fries along with it. Allow yourself an occasional treat, as long as it is accompanied by smarter food choices like fresh fruit and vegetables.

If you can't just have one - avoid them. There are some treats that you can't just have one so it is best to just avoid those treats altogether. You may discover that a chocolate chip cookie triggers uncontrollable cravings but one square of dark chocolate appeases your sweet tooth quite nicely.

Don't lose weight for some one else. Reset your weight lost goals so they revolve soley around you. Sit down and figure out the benefits to you of changing your lifestyle. Writing down your goals can really help.

Avoid winter weight gain. Keep a bikini or a skimpy sun dress on the back door of your bathroom so you
can visualize yourself wearing it every time you head for the leftovers.

Genetics are not on your side but… there are still things you can do. First of all set realistic expectations. First of all, you may never be a size two but that doesn't mean you can't be a healthy size 10. Small things like walking to the grocery store, choosing the stairs over the escalator can really make a diiference. Research shows that people who are physically fit and maybe carry a few extra pounds as opposed to people who are their ideal size and not physically fit.

After that workout I can eat anything. Most people over estimate the amount of calories burned. After a great workout reward yourself with a bath or a massage not food.

Avoid buffets. Most people love buffets because of the variety but they also tend to overindulge. To be safe just avoid them.

Remember make lifestyle changes don't diet. Quite simply diets don't work long-term so you are better off to make simple lifestyle changes and keep them up over time.

Avoid the hefty salad. A salad heaped with tons of toppings can be just as many calories as a burger. Be realistic about what goes on your salad. Adding a ton of croutons and you might as well be eating a sandwich.

Sweet and Carbs boost your serotonin but thankfully so does exercise,sex and low-fat carbohydrates so choose wisely.

Just because you brought it at the health food section doesn't mean it is healthy. Organic potato chips have just as many fat grams as regular potato chips so be warned.

Pace yourself with the slowest eater at the table. Studies have shown that eating slower can be more enjoyable and led to less calorie consumption.

Let's meet for a walk instead of let meet for drinks. Either way you are getting the same social interaction but also doing something good for yourself. Studies have shown that having an exercise buddy can lead to longer exercise.

Top Beauty Foods

In addition to antioxidants helping fend off heart disease and cancer, while keeping our immune systems, the mind and eyes in good shape they also are know as beauty or power foods. The United Stated Department of Agriculture has put together a list of the 20 foods with the highest concentration of antioxidants.

The USDA's list:

Small red beans
Wild blueberries
Red Kidney beans
Pinto beans
Cultivated Blueberries
Cranberries
Artichokes
Blackberries
Prunes
Raspberries
Strawberries
Red Delicious & Granny Smith apples
Pecans
Sweet cherries
Black plums
Russet potatoes
Black beans
Plums
Gala apples
Walnuts

Foods that didn't make the top 20 but are also packed with healthy minerals and antioxidants include avocado, asparagus, broccoli rabe, and - dark chocolate.
There's another measure, called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), which determines how foods absorb. Foods high on this list include kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, beets and many of the same berries that have high TAC.

The perfect food ?

Foods with deep rich colors signify a very strong concentrated dose of antioxidants. And we have studies that show us that berries, in and of themselves, help prevent bladder infections and Alzheimer's, age-related brain decline. Berries have fiber, but the also have vitamins and minerals, and they're low in calories and they're sweet. So they're perfect." Beans, dried or canned, are wonderful. Canned beans are just as nutritious.
One way to get a lot of antioxidants in one sitting is through a delicious salad. People think of salads as lettuce and tomato, but you can make so many interesting salads with so many personalities by mixing all sorts of healthy foods together

How to avoid late night eating?

Does this sound like you? You inhale a light yogurt for lunch and eat hardly anything all day so by the end of the day you are so hungry that all your discipline goes out the window. You have a night eating habit and are someone who uses food not as fuel but as an antidote to stress. There are two troubling behaviors that come into play with night eating and those are mindless consumption and lack of portion control. This can make trying to lose weight extremely difficult and can also increase the likelihood of obesity.

Why do we eat at night?

Many women eat late at night because that is the only time of day that they get in any peace and carbohydrates offer stress relief because they raise the level of serotonin, the good mood chemical in the brain that makes us feel at ease. Other diet minded women eat very little during the day thinking their self -discipline will carry them through the evening, only to have the strategy backfire. Going for long period restricting food makes it harder to eat reasonable when you begin to eat.

Tips to stop night eating?

Don't starve all day. Make sure to eat breakfast, lunch and snacks so you are not ravenous in the evening. Curb your appetite- Try a drink that nutritionist call Citrus Chill which is a squeeze or lemon and lime and some artificial sweeter over crushed ice. Try on of these before dinner and after dinner.
Set a clear food cut off time - Try brushing your teeth at 7:30 pm and designate that as your food cut off time. This is hard at first but gets easier over time.

Wardrobe Basics - Items Every Women should have?

Weather you are just starting out in this world and need to put a foundation wardrobe in place or if you are giving your wardrobe a refresher here are some wardrobe ideas to help you get started. Two pairs of dark slacks - either black or navy blue. Go with a slim cut in a wool crepe or a seasonless cotton.
One pair of dark slacks for the evening with a fuller cut. These can be a fabric that drapes either a light wool or jersey mix.
Two pairs of jeans -one hemmed for heels and the other hemmed for flats. Jeans that are hemmed for heels you should see just the toe box.
Three skirts - a pencil skirt, a A-line skirt which incidentally looks good on all body types and a skirt in a neutral fabric so you can mix and match with others items like tweed, wool or boucle.
Shirts - A white button front shirt and a few t-shirts.
Three sweaters - The fabric should be a lightweight, merino or cashmere.

One should be black and match your black trousers.
The second one should be more neutral like off-white, camel or taupe.
The third sweater should just simple be a sweater that you love and feel great in. Nothing too dressy - one you can wear to the office and with jeans.

Two Jackets

A tailored jacket that matches your black pants.
A sporty leather jacket

Three coats

A classic trench coat or raincoat with a zip -out wool liner for multiple seasons.
A knee-length transition coat that works for day and night.
A winter coat in a wool or cashmere blend or if you live in a warmer climate try tropical wool.

Dress

A little black dress

Three Bags

A classic leather style with clean lines that works for everything.
A catch all fun tote bag
A envelope shaped, bracelet style for the evening.

Shoes (5 pairs)

A pair of black pumps 2.5-3.5 inch heel in a the current style.
A evening shoe with a close toe in a black satin.
A pair of tall black boots
Bad-weather boots
A pair of sneakers or tennis shoes.

How to dress 10 pounds thinner?

Start with the butt - Your bottom and hips will always look thinner when you are dressed in a solid color and it doesn't even have to be black it can be a beautiful incandescent hot pink if you like but solids tend to slim where other patterns don't. Now a lot of us don't go around wearing patterned pants but a lot of us wear patterned dresses and skirts - so be warned.

De-emphasize your waist - If you are trying to deemphasize your waist and or your middle then avoid crop jackets because they break up your natural lines rather then help you create long, lean lines.

Smaller bust - if you are small busted then try for some wrap shirts, which will give you the illusion of a bigger bust and smaller waist.

Big hips - go for some flat front pants, which are always a winner.

Big hips - don't be afraid to go for a black pencil skirt with black hose. It will make your hips do a disappearing act.

Big Bust - avoid lighter colors on top for they will over-emphasize your bust size and go for a geometric-shaped top with a slim pant and you will have a more balanced look.

Trying to play up your waist - try a slightly raised waist that tends to make the torso look narrower and a flared skirt which also makes the waist look narrower.
Unless you are a super model avoid horizontal stripes.
Only buy a pleated skirt if the pleats are stitched down and don't bunch up at the waist adding thickness.

Tips for wearing slim pants

Don't be afraid to wear slim pants -even if you don't have the perfect figure they actually make you look taller and leaner if you do them right. Try wearing a form fitting hip length tunic which can help you hide your problem areas. A cowl neck or pattern around the top will draw attention away from problem areas
Don't underestimate the power of dangling earrings and powerful accessories.

The Biggest Fashion Shopping Mistakes

Don't talk yourself into an outfit that isn't flattering to your frame. There are only two kinds of clothes in this world. Clothes that flatter you and clothes that don't and avoid the latter regardless of how popular and trendy they are.
It is one thing to go shopping with your girlfriends because that can be very social and enjoyable but keep in mind don't shop with a competitive friend because she will cajole you into buying more and possibly unflattering items weather or not you need it.
If you are shopping for a cocktail (event) dress remember to bring your shoes. That way if you need to have in-store alterations you will be all set

If you need to power shop remember to bring a list. This can help focus your attention and keep you on task.
Nothing good will come from buying uncomfortable shoes regardless of how fabulous they are.
Don't buy something you don't need because it is a fantastic sale price. I know we have all done this but it is a waste of money and closet space.
Don't buy on impulse. Ask yourself the following questions when deciding if to buy. Do I need this? Does it fit with my lifestyle or wardrobe? Where am I going to wear this? If you are still undecided then put it on hold and if you are still thinking about it at the end of the day -buy it.

Fashion Shopping tips for you

Spend money on great shoes because they can make or break an outfit. You can even wear them with jeans and look fabulous!
Buy items that fit your lifestyle. If you know you are going to live in your jeans then it is ok to spend $150 a pair especially if you had to try on dozens to find the right fit. Buy clothes to suit your lifestyle.
Spend money on staples on shoes, bags, a cashmere sweater, a black pair of pants and skimp on belts, socks, trendy tops, scarves, hats and sunglasses.

Before you shop know what you own. Make a point to go through your closet at the beginning of every season.
Invest in undergarments because the right foundation garments can make everything you own look better

Friday, 14 December 2012

For Winter-5 Beauty Care Tips For All Types Of Skin

5 Beauty Care Tips For All Types Of Skin

Beauty Tips

Winter is harsh and dry but your skin does not have to be. Drink plenty of water and keep skin dryness and itchiness away, they say, but is this enough? Nay! While this might be one of the tips, read our remaining Skin Care Tips to replenish the glow of your skin this winter.

1. Moisturize your skin as much as you can in winters

Do you know that your skin care routine demands a change with weather? For example, you need a water-based cream in summers and an oil-based lotion, cream or ointment in winter. The rationale behind it is to form a protective layer on your skin to prevent moisture escape and skin dryness. While you choose skin oil, go for mineral oil, avocado oil and almond oil etc. Butter or Shea oil can clog your skin pores making it really greasy.

2. Be gentle to your skin in winters

If you find dry and brittle skin on your face, hands and feet, you need not use harsh peels or astringents on them because they can filch your skin’s vital oil leaving it dryer. Add cleansing milk or foaming cleanser to your winter skin care range and peel mildly with plenty of skin hydrating.

3. Avoid excessive skin exposure

Harsh winter elements i.e. cold winds, freezing temperature etc. are disastrous for your skin and one of the main reasons of skin dryness in winters. Wear gloves, scarf and warm dress while you go out. Apply sunscreen on face and hands at least 30 minutes before going out because glare of winter sun is equally harsh to your skin.

4. Avoid hot baths

Sure, it feels great to dip your feet in hot baths in winters but do you know that intense hot shower breaks down the lipid barrier of your skin resulting in loss of moisture? Prefer lukewarm baths instead and make sure you stay in water for less time. Add a pinch of baking soda to your bath to stave off the skin itchiness – one of the leading causes of skin dryness.

5. Eat healthyto give your body all the necessary nutrients and energy it needs in winters

This is the best winter skin care tip for all those who are interested. Eat as many green vegetables as you can in winters. Fresh fruits i.e. sweet grapes, apples, juicy berries etc. are a great way to maintain your body’s fluid balance.

Finally comes the drink plenty of water part about which there is absolutely no denying. Practice skin care by giving your body plenty of water. Water is essential to keep your skin well-hydrated; it helps excrete the toxins and wastes from your body. Intake of 8 – 10 glasses of water is a must for everyone who wants healthy glowing skin all year long and not just winters.

AGING SKIN CARE TIPS

Tips For Aging Skin Care
Anti-aging skin care tips deal with dermal and soft-tissue fillers for cosmetic facial rejuvenation and refurbishes the natural radiance and elasticity to the skin. Use of wrinkle fillers are less accurate but concise, used for correcting localized facial defects such as fine lines, folds, furrows, scars, skin depressions cause because of fat loss and more. There are many cases, where wrinkle fillers seem to be the only working way to correct certain skin defects discussed above such as fine lines, folds, furrows, scars, skin depressions cause because of fat loss and more. It is important to note that, minimal defect including fine lines or moderate wrinkles need treatment by topical agents before fillers or lasers. Following are some of the best anti-aging skin care tips to make sure you don’t look older than your age:

Noninvasive treatment for anti aging skin care
Noninvasive treatment and modestly invasive skin rejuvenation procedure corresponds to a transitional range of choices for anti aging skin care with modest amount of risk and usually noticeable rarely dramatic enhancement. Incase basic anti-aging skin care tips and topically active agents are not sufficient, then these techniques are worth trying, as this will correct your signs of aging to a mild to moderate percentage.
Invasive rejuvenation technique for anti aging skin care
Invasive rejuvenation technique is usually well thought-out for moderate to severe signs of aging and is an effective anti-aging skin care. This is considered when a distinguishing change is required. Actually, certain problems, such as substantial facial sag or severe wrinkles are likely to be significantly diminishing by noninvasive techniques.
Manufacturing and Research & Development of:

Skin Care Products
Bath & Shower Gels
Facial and Skin cleansers

SENSITIVE SKIN CARE

Know You Skin Type We are aware of the common skin types, namely, normal, dry and oily. But all these three skin types can be equally sensitive. Sensitive skin also requires sensitive skin care, so it is important that proper skin analysis and diagnosis prior to follow any regimen. It is best to visit a dermatologist for your skin analysis as they are best to say if the skin type is sensitive or not. Doctors can know if the skin is sensitive by checking for skin reactions like blemishes, erosion or pustules, dryness of the skin and tendency to flush or blush in exposure to sun or chemical products.

Taking Care of Your Sensitive Skin
Most of us complain of having a sensitive skin type which is allergic to most skin products and cosmetics. Since, sensitivity heightens the skin's reaction to certain ingredients, skin care for sensitive skin requires some extra efforts. It is important that you test each and every products you buy before starting its full time use. Since, skin care products are mainly formulated using chemicals, it is important that you first do a patch test to determine whether the product suits you or not.

Skin Care for Sensitive Type
Whatever skin care you do, make sure that it is done the natural way. Avoid chemical products and cosmetics that have strong or harsh ingredients. Also exposure to allergens like dust, sun, pollution and pollens must be taken care off. For best sensitive skin care, going herbal is optimum. Products infused with herbal and organic extracts do not cause reactions and are good for sensitive skin type.

BLACK SKIN CARE

Black is Beautiful
World over black skin is considered exotic, and to preserve such skin type some special care is needed. Black skin care is quite different from the skin care regimen of people who have a lighter complexion. To look and feel beautiful, it is important that people with dusky or American-African skin type follow a few basic skin care routine.

Black Skin Woes
Black skin type tends to get more dark when exposed to the sun because the skin contains a greater number of melanocytes. Although this process is skin's defense mechanism against sun rays, the black skin tends to become more tanned. Coupled with perspiration, which is another problem with black skin type, the skin appears greyish at times. Black skin, especially the American-African type is also susceptible to skin cancer. However, with a few black skin care tips, it is possible to keep all these skin problems at bay.

Tips for Gorgeous Black Skin
Skin care for black skin includes regular cleansing-toning-moisturizing. However, the products used should be mostly alcohol free and water-based. Exfoliation is absolutely important however go mild while using the scrubs. A sunscreen with a high SPF, preferably 30 or more which protects from both UVA and UVB rays must be applied each time you step out in the sun. While using make-up, ensure that you use a water based foundation that blends well with the skin choose a shade that matches your skin tone.

Expert Help
If you have any dermatological issues, it is best to seek medical help rather than trying off-counter drugs. Dermatologists can suggest special black skin care treatments like peels, micro-dermabrasion, medical facials, acne drugs, laser treatment, or complex skin therapies depending on the skin condition.

Beauty Skin Care Tips for Winter Season

Winter season is a very beautiful season, though the chilly winds of winter season can cause adverse effects on your skin. In order to have a beautiful glowing skin through winters, you must follow certain steps regularly. The most important fact that is to be realized is the adverse effect that the sudden change in temperature can have on your skin. When you enter a centrally-heated room, your skin faces difficulty to adjust to the cold temperature against it, resulting in redness of skin. In winters, the affected skin of hands and feet can sometimes lead to bleeding of heals. Therefore, you must follow a skin care routine in winters. Although chilly nature of winter season affects sensitive skin very adversely, yet you can enjoy winter season as much only if you take good care of your skin.

Reasons behind affected skin in winters:

Cool and dry winds of winter season affect your beautiful skin by producing redness.
Excessive use of hot water affects your skin.
Less consumption of water takes away the glow from your skin.
Washing your hair with hot water leads to dandruff and affected skin.
Winter sunlight harms skin cells and can lead to allergies, redness and even skin cancer.

How can you protect your skin against winter season?

Chilly breeze harms your facial and body skin. Hence, in order to maintain the beauty of your skin you must use a skin moisturiser on a daily basis.
Raw vegetables should be consumed more because they have higher water concentration in them, which fulfills your need of water.
Mix three drops of olive oil in half cup of water. Add 5-6 drops glycerine to it and apply it to your skin. This will enhance your skin complexion.
Consume at least ten glass of water daily.
In order to protect your skin from harmful effects of sunlight, apply sun block to your skin with an SPF value that is compatible to your skin type.
Apply a mixture of rose water, glycerine and lemon water to your hands and feet. This will protect your body skin against winter season.
Treat your skin to cleansing with a moisturising lotion daily. Also, provide your skin with facial treatment at least once a week to fight back the effects of winter season on your skin.
Before and after taking a bath, apply coconut oil to your skin. This will help in the nourishment of your body skin in winters.
Those who suffer from dryness of lips in winters must apply olive oil to their skin before sleeping and may use a chap stick in day time.

5 Tips to Get the Softest Skin, Ever

Just because we get to bundle under layers of sweaters now and hide our skin doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care of it. We’re no longer frolicking in bikinis in the summer and focusing on every bump and flaw on our skin, but the cold air does wreak havoc on our skin and leave it dry and dull.
Dry skin leads to flaky and itchy skin in the winter, and those thick wool sweaters won’t help. We have the tips for you to get the softest skin – ever – so when you do have to show your skin (you never know if a surprise vacation will happen or you’ll be under the covers with People’s Sexiest Man Alive) you’ll be silky soft to the touch. Daily lotions are great, but may not give you the luxurious butter feeling you crave. And body butters won’t do much if you haven’t exfoliated dead cells away.
Follow these tips for the softest skin, ever:

1. First things first: avoid ingrown hairs and red bumps by changing your razor frequently. A month-old razor will harbor bacteria and be more dull than a new one, causing irritation when you shave. You should change your razor after every few uses.

2. Get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating. Use an exfoliator like Elemis Spa At Home Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, which deep cleans, prevents ingrown hairs, and tones for smooth skin.

3. Exfoliating too much can lead to irritated skin so switch out with a moisturizing body wash like Aveeno Active Naturals Body Wash Hydrating Fig + Shea Butter, which cleanses and hydrates.

4. Lock in moisture with a body butter. As soon as you step out of the shower, massage an indulgent body butter like The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Body Butter all over your skin. Cocoa butter is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants so it’ll keep your skin feeling super soft all day and all night.

5. If you still have dry areas like your hands or feet, apply a moisturizer and vaseline then cover with socks or gloves before going to bed. Rinse off in the morning and you should notice softer skin.

6 Winter Beauty Mistakes and How to Fix Them

When it’s cold outside (and inside) we tend to stay under our thick blanket longer, take extra long hot showers, and skimp out on our morning routine when we’re running late. But it’s essential to take care of our skin and change up our beauty routine during the cold months so we don’t end up with flaky skin, cracked feet, and dry hair come spring. Read on for the beauty mistakes you may be making this winter and how to fix them.

1. Avoiding your feet. Although they’re hidden in thick socks, rough feet aren’t fun to cuddle with and it’ll be hard to get them in shape for spring if you don’t maintain them. When you give yourself a pedicure (if you don’t actually go pay for one every few weeks), actually spend time soaking your feet in the bath before removing calluses and dry skin with a callus stone like Tweezerman Pedro Too Callus Stone. And don’t forget to moisturize! Try one of these body lotions all over your legs and feet.

2. Not wearing waterproof makeup. Waterproof mascara may seem like something for summer in case you find yourself by a pool, but the cold weather and wind can cause you to tear up and in turn cause your makeup to run. Wear a waterproof mascara like Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara and eyeliner that will stay put all day like Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner. But don’t forget to take it off every night before you go to bed!

3. Taking a long, hot shower. While taking a 20 minute steaming hot shower sounds like the best way to wake up in the morning, it may be doing more harm than good to your skin. The hot water dries out your skin, making it harder to retain moisture when you step out. Turn down the temperature and shorten your shower time.

4. Going for sun-kissed skin, but ending up with a fake summer tan. You may want a nice glow even in the winter, but avoid looking like someone from “Jersey Shore” and limit the spray tans and bronzers. You can get a spray tan once in awhile when you’re feeling a little pasty and compliment it with a moisturizer that’ll give you some color like Jergens Natural Glow Firming Daily Moisturizer. Use a touch of bronzer like Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder where the sun would hit you on your face (cheek bones, nose, etc) for a sun-kissed tone but don’t go crazy with it.

5. Skipping SPF. It may be cold outside, but that doesn’t mean the sun isn’t impacting your skin. Being outside unprotected means the sun is slowly damaging your skin, even if you’re only outside for 30 minutes. To make it easy, use a moisturizer with SPF in it like Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

6. Styling hair without a heat protectant. Winter means we’re styling our hair with heat tools more often than we’re letting it air dry. Using blow dryers, straighteners, and curlers without any kind of heat protectant will lead to dry, damaged hair. Spray a heat protectant like Nexxus Heat Protexx Heat Protection Styling Spray on damp hair before styling.

Pages