Winter Beauty Mistakes

Winter Beauty Mistakes we often make without realising: 

LINGERING IN A HOT SHOWER

When it’s ten below outside, it’s tempting to turn your morning shower into a half-hour steam-a-thon.

But after about 15 minutes, all that heat begins to compromise your skin’s lipid layer, a complex of fatty acids that holds in precious moisture. Turn down the heat as much as you can—or at least shorten your shower time.

THE WRONG LIP BALM

It’s no secret that your lips get more chapped in the winter, but not all balms are created equal: The most important thing is to use one that is viscous, not waxy, so the ingredients penetrate fissures. Stay away from anything with lanolin (especially if you have eczema or supersensitive skin), and, since fragrance is the number-one skin allergen, avoid anything that’s heavily scented or tastes like your favourite candy.

FROSTY LIDS

The weather may be frosty—but your eyelids shouldn’t be. This time of year, frosted shadow can make your skin look washed-out (or make you look like an ice princess, and not in a good way). Instead, experts suggest metallic periwinkle blue and bronze shades as surprising winter choices.

HAIRCOLOR FLUB

White-blonde highlights that look perfect in the summer can highlight the wrong things in the winter—such as an ashy, pallid complexion. Same goes for a too-dark single-process. Use these tips to winterize your hair colour:

If you’re blonde, go more golden and less beige, and ask your colourist to weave both highlights and lowlights throughout your hair for a warmer look.

Light brunettes should consider deepening their hair to a warm chestnut colour; dark brunettes, a deep chocolate hue. For both, be sure to ask your colourist for a multidimensional look. If you want highlights, ask for face-framing balayage ones—these hand-painted pieces tend to look more natural on dark hair than do foil streaks.

Amp up red hair with a copper or deep auburn tone—anything but bluish or burgundy, which looks fake. Because red fades quickly, top the colour with a clear glaze to seal it.

Don’t go more than two shades lighter or darker—dramatic shifts can look severe against pale winter skin.