The beauty changes to make now it’s autumn
With autumn in full swing it's likely that you're beginning to feel the full effect on your skin. The lighter lotions that you relied on over the summer might not offer enough hydration now, while the combination of central heating and cold weather could result in frizzy hair for some. Here are the straightforward tweaks to make to your routine that will help combat autumn's beauty dilemmas.
Strengthen your skin barrier
The onslaught of central heating and cold weather can cause havoc with your skin. While it’s essential to keep skin hydrated to retain that healthy glow, it’s even more important to strengthen your skin barrier, which in turn locks in hydration.
Lipids and ceramides are the buzz ingredients in this field and help to boost your skin’s barrier. Look to Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Omega Serum, ￡32, and Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum, ￡39 for 30.
Tone down redness
With cold, windy weather comes red, flushed cheeks. While most of us might agree that a rosy complexion can be incredibly flattering, autumn rarely brings about that kind of flush. Instead in looks sore and angry.
The trick to combating it isn’t with a thick layer of foundation, instead employ a skin-soothing serum or cream (look to, Dermalogica Barrier Repair, ￡32.80) and then target problem areas with a full coverage concealer, such as Nars Soft Matte Concealer, ￡24. This not only tones down the redness, but it also gives you a natural rather than masked finish.
Swap bronze for blush
It might seem counterproductive to replace pinky tones after you’ve just camouflaged redness, but it will bring your skin back to life. Opt for natural tones rather than anything too bright or bold. Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk, ￡15, is particular good as it’s neither pink nor bronzy gold. Apply it below your cheekbones, using your fingers for a seamless finish. Be warned though, a little goes a long way.
While blusher won't give you that just-stepped-off-of-a-place glow, it will garner plenty of compliments and give you a complexion more in tune with your surroundings.
Don’t forget your feet
When you’re slipping into tights or socks every morning it can be easy to forget about your feet. In the winter months it’s more important than ever to keep them in tip-top condition though. Whether you treat yourself to a monthly pedicure at Cowshed, or invest in a Magnitone Well Heeled Express Pedicure System, ￡24.99, it’s worthwhile looking after your feet.
We also firmly recommend using Dr Hauschka Hydrating Foot Cream, ￡16.50, at least twice a week. It does what it promises on the bottle without any of the stickiness that’s usually associated with foot cream. Plus, it smells rather lovely too.
Spritz your supplements
Vitamin D is in short supply throughout the winter months and with a range of health concerns, including rickets, diabetes and depression, linked to its deficiency, it's worth taking note. While you can eat the recommended amount with platefuls of tuna, mackerel, cheese and egg yolks, there are also plenty of supplements. Perhaps the easiest and most effective method is Better You D Lux 3000 Oral Spray, ￡6.39. One spritz every day will see you through the cold months, and it’s safe to use in pregnancy.
Fight frizz as your sleep
Cold weather can cause your hair to feel dry and brittle. It can also result in frizz. The best way to reduce it is by adding a hair mask into your routine at least once a week and investing in a silk pillow. The silk reduces friction and come morning your hair feels soft and smooth. Plus, it's also good for lines and wrinkles.
We recommend Slip Pillowcases, ￡79. They're expensive, but they genuinely do make a difference. We've noticed that sleeping on silk also increases the longevity of a blow-dry.