Did 2021 seem to fly by for anyone else? One minute you were sitting by the pool, complaining about the heat and how your makeup was melting off your face, while the next minute you’re bundled up from the cold with Christmas music playing from every store you walk into!
With the holiday season comes an air of excitement, good food, and childhood memories – but let’s not also forget the holiday parties, work get-togethers, and festive family pictures! With more and more people feeling comfortable connecting in person for the holidays this year, you won’t be able to hide behind a Zoom filter in 2021. It’s time to dust off those boots from the back of the closet and whip out your fun holiday makeup!
It may have been a bit since you’ve rocked a red lip or glittery eye shadow, so here are five important winter skincare and makeup tips to keep you looking fabulous at your next winter event.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
While the number of advertisements that come with this time of year may be increasing, the temperatures are decreasing, bringing with them the cool winter air that can leave your skin feeling dry and dull. Combat the dryness by applying a generous amount of moisturizer both in the morning when you wake up, as well as part of your nighttime routine. If this is already worked into your daily skincare regimen, don’t be afraid to apply more generously during this time of year.
And for cozy nights when you are curled up next to the fire with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate, apply a sheet mask for additional moisture. Stay away from charcoal masks that dry out the skin in the winter, but instead look for moisturizing, creamy masks.
Don’t forget the sunscreen!
You may think that because the sun isn’t out or blasting down on your skin that you can easily skip this step. However, many times those cloudy days bring with them a higher UV than normal, leading to sunburns or skin damage if sunscreen with a high SPF isn’t applied. Shoot for a face sunscreen with 50 SPF or higher – and don’t just settle with the excuse of “there’s sunscreen in my liquid makeup!” That won’t cut it.
Also, don’t forget your scalp! Make sure to apply sunscreen to your part and/or hairline unless you know that you will be covering your head with a hat or cute beanie that day.
Apply our finishing spray – especially for those holiday parties!
Don’t let all that time you spent on your bold lips or sparkly eye shadow go to waste without using our finishing spray. The whole purpose of a setting/finishing spray is to prolong your makeup! And ICYDK, a finishing spray actually tends to work better in colder months because most people don’t experience as much oily skin, making your makeup last even longer!
Finishing spray also helps with waterproofing, so those of you that live in areas with winter rain or snow don’t have to worry about your makeup not lasting past the Uber ride there. Applying a setting spray will also give you a dewy, glamorous finish, as the spray will work to dissolve the makeup (a good thing!) which makes it stay longer. Apply by giving a few generous mists right after your finish your makeup and waiting two minutes (to allow it to set) before bracing yourself for those cold outside temps.
Pro tip: bring a compact and powder to your event and do regular touchups to make your holiday look last longer! It’s especially good to apply after you’ve finished that scrumptious Thanksgiving day meal or after you’ve dove into the dessert tray.
Always carry a lip balm.
No one likes cracked, dry, or chapped lips, especially on New Year’s Eve when it’s getting close to midnight! Carry lip balm with you throughout the day and night and apply anytime your lips need some extra love. If your look involves lipstick, don’t be afraid to apply Chapstick before your lipstick.
It also may be helpful to bring Vaseline (a great lip moisturizer) to apply on top of your lipstick anytime you’re lips are feeling a bit dry. And of course, anytime you reapply lipstick, make sure you spritz our setting spray to keep that luscious lip color locked in longer! Don’t forget to wait two minutes for it to set in before you go back for seconds.
Apply an antioxidant serum.
Let’s be real – this time of year, you are more likely to overindulge with an extra glass of egg nog or go for that extra piece of pie (your aunt did make both pecan and pumpkin, after all!) Additionally, with the extra time off of work, you’re more likely to stay up past your normal bedtime – all factors that can wreck havoc on your skin. An antioxidant serum combats these “pour” decisions (wink wink) that protect the skin from these extra holiday stressors. Antioxidant serums also serve anti-inflammatory purposes, which means they reduce swelling and can lead to a more youthful appearance – isn’t that something you usually have on your list to Santa anyway? Pro tip: When choosing a serum, make sure to find one with the most powerful antioxidants for your skin – Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B3.
Whatever holiday events you have planned for this season, make sure to take time to relax and rejuvenate. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a jam-packed schedule of social outings, but know that you don’t have to commit to everything that pops up on your calendar. Take some time to choose which events are important to you. Then, make sure to schedule a night for yourself to binge watch cheesy Netflix Christmas movies, soak in a warm bubble bath, or relax with a face mask and mani/pedi – your skin and body will thank you and you’ll be ready to get back to the hustle and bustle in no time!