We are back to our series today talking all about a fresh start for your skin and hair! I’m so glad to have Rayven Walker sharing her tips!! She is the owner of Beauty & the Blush in Dallas, where she specializes in airbrush makeup application and hairstyling. And in my opinion, owner of the best eyebrows too! 😉
Blustery winter months can wreak havoc on our skin and hair – low temps, high wind and a lack of moisture in the air leaves us all feeling, for lack of a better word, a little brittle. Luckily, there are several easy (and affordable) tricks that help tame that mane and bring dull skin back to life!
The Problem :: Dry, scaly, flaky skin
A dry face on its own can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and irritating enough … but add makeup to the situation and things start to get flaky – quick. My favorite approach to healing dry skin is a dual-product remedy.
In the mornings, apply Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief before your foundation. This oil-free formula is actually a gel-cream that completely hydrates without clogging your pores or making your skin feel greasy and slick. The lightweight formula leaves skin feeling supple, soft and visibly replenished.
For nighttime, slather (and I do mean slather) on Pond’s Rejuveness Anti-Wrinkle Cream. It too is a non-greasy formula but the rich, creamy thickness of it feels amazing on tight, dry skin. And the best part (aside from total hydration) — it’s one of my favorite anti-aging products too. Dry skin and fine lines be-gone with key ingredients like Vitamin E and Collagen.
If cosmetic formulas irritate your sensitive or acne-prone skin – opt for a more natural approach with unrefined coconut oil. Coconut oil can usually be found at your local grocery store or natural foods market and has a handful of beneficial uses, but my favorite is it’s natural healing power for dry skin. Make sure to purchase “unrefined” though, as refined has additives that take away from it’s natural goodness. Begin with your regular skincare cleanser and pat dry. Warm up a tablespoon of coconut oil (in the microwave for about 15 seconds) or simply by rubbing it in your hands and apply it directly to your skin. It is especially great for under your eyes, the creases of your nose and your lips.
Another natural concoction (which I ran across in the January issue of Good House Keeping) for moisture-deprived can be made right in your kitchen!
Combine half a ripe avocado with 1 tablespoon each of yogurt and raw honey and massage into skin, leaving to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. Lactic acid in the yogurt exfoliates, while avocado and honey hydrate.
For a quick (and portable) moisture pick-me-up during the day (that won’t ruin your makeup) try a spritz of Evian Natural Mineral Water Facial Spray.
Problem :: Dry, brittle hair
Luscious, silky locks seem to skip town during the winter months, leaving us high and dry with a crunchy, frizzed mess. You know what I’m talking about … when your hair begins to resemble a stack of hay? It’s just not cute.
Remember that lovely unrefined coconut oil I just talked about? On dry hair, apply 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil directly to your scalp, using your fingers to massage it in and evenly distribute it through the length of your hair. If your hair is dry but still gets oily at the scalp, skip the roots and only condition the ends of your hair. For best results, tie hair up in a loose bun and cover with a shower cap or towel and let it sit for two hours before rinsing it out in a warm shower.
My other favorite product? Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner. It packs olive oil and sweet almond extract, which lends a restorative power in the form of a quick and easy conditioning rinse.
TIP :: Be sure to avoid hair styling products that contain alcohol during the winter months too, as alcohol can exacerbate dryness and itchiness. The new L’Oreal Paris EverStyle collection touts over ten products that are absolutely alcohol-free!
Lastly, my tried and true tip for beautiful, moisturized, healthy, glowing skin and hair may come as a surprise, but trust me, you’re going to love it. Try switching out your cotton pillowcase for a silk pillowcase. It may seem like a luxury, but the benefits are endless. The tightly woven fibers in silk keep moisture locked in, closer to the skin and hair, leaving both more hydrated when you wake up. You’ll notice a difference in fine lines and wrinkles too. Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase increases knots, tangles and even static electricity in the hair, whereas the hair slides on silk, rather than bunching up, for less damage and more overall smoothness.
This post is a part of the FRESH START series. A three-week series to get you ready for 2014. Each week will have a different theme, mind, home and body.
Previous Posts:
Intro | Goal Making | Using the Powersheets | Become a Reader | A Morning Ritual | Creating White Space | An Inspiring Space | Contentment Challenge | Managing Finances | Breathing Easy | Get Moving | Get Juicing
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