10 Winter Hair and Beauty Tips | Beauty Care slideshows | Well Being center

Protect Your Skin

It's really important that you protect your skin, especially through the cool winter months, as central heating systems, harsh breezes and inclement weather can all dry out your skin, causing redness, roughness and flaking. Protect skin by using heavy night creams before bed, light moisturizers in the morning and by using plenty of hand cream and body lotion. After showering at night, take a good 10 minutes to rub a body lotion or better yet, a body oil into skin - it'll make your skin feel incredibly soft and should keep skin smooth even through the coolest days.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Rachel Kramer by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/rkramer62/5462029735/
TEASER : Photo courtesy of Alexander Saprykin by Flickr : http://www.flickr.com/photos/ghostofsasha/5566912807/

Don't Forget the Hand Cream

Our hands are one of the most neglected parts of our bodies, and through the winter, they can become even more neglected. Dipping hands into hot washing up water and using harsh hand gels can all make your hands feel a little unloved, so protect them by using plenty of hand cream. Hands can get chapped very easily through the winter and can be sore, too, so carry a little pot of hand cream around with you to protect your hands on the go. Rub it in before you put gloves on to help it sink in even further and to seal in moisture.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Miyuki Kobayashi by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/sakura_chihaya/2309371605/

Change Your Shampoo

Hair needs just as much love and protection as skin, and just like you'd change your moisturizer in the winter in favor of something heavier, it makes sense to change your shampoo and conditioner too. Look for moisturizing, nourishing varieties, rather than light cleansing varieties, as these can be slightly too light through winter and can leave hair feeling dull. When you're styling hair, it's even more important through the winter to use heat protect products as hair will be drier and frizzier due to the cooler weather. It's also a good idea to use a leave-in conditioner, as well as a wash-out conditioner.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of whologwhy by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/hulagway/4257537239/

Use a Hair Mask and Hair Oil

If your hair is feeling particularly dry, dull or lank, it's a good idea to use a hair mask and hair oil a few times a week, but generally, you should use both at least once a week. Hair masks help to restore lost moisture, and the most effective way to use them is on warm hair, in a warm room. Apply to shampooed hair, wrap your hair in a warm towel and sit in the bathroom for 10-15 minutes for the mask to set, then rinse under warm water. When using hair oil, follow the same steps. Never apply masks or oil to the roots of hair.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of UrbaneWomenMag by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/88092208@N06/9490508241/

Ditch the Bronzer

Bronzer is an effective, simple way to give you a tanned, golden appearance, but using it through the winter could cause you to look a little off-kilter. Through the winter months, ditch the bronzer and use a rosy cream blush instead, applied to the apples of your cheeks - it'll make you look like you've just stepped inside from a long, rousing walk in the cold. Rosy blush will look much more natural throughout the winter months and it has the added bonus of making you look more youthful, too. Stick to light, cream textures, rather than powders, or stains - they'll last longer.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Maegan Tintari by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/lovemaegan/7139804815/

Load Up on Omega-3s

Cold winter weather can increase the pain felt from inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, and can also leave you feeling a little bit miserable - not a good look for anyone. Combat the winter blues and ease the pain felt on joints by taking an omega-3 supplement or by eating foods rich in it, like fish, walnuts, flaxseed and edamame beans. Winter squash contains omega-3s, too - roast it and serve with fish and edamame for a truly healthy meal. If you can't get omega-3s from your diet, a supplement containing 1,000mg per day is the next best thing.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Sam_Catch by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/samcatchesides/5419124619/

Get Fruity

Fruit rich in fiber can not only help to ward off heart disease and liver problems, but it can also improve skin tone and texture, make your eyes look brighter and your hair look shinier. Cool, right? For the most nutritional benefits, choose fruits that are in season - things like apples, kumquats, clementines, grapefruits, kiwis, pears and satsumas. They'll be fresh, which means that they'll contain more vitamins and nutrients, plus they'll be utterly delicious, too. Buy them from your local farmer's market or grocers and try to choose a wide range of fruit, rather than sticking to one fruit all the time, for the most nutritional benefits.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Calvert Cafe &amp
Catering by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/calvertcaters/3546376487/

Milk and Honey Mask

Nourish your skin and help to protect it from winter damage by using a homemade milk and honey mask a couple of times a week. Warm up a teaspoon of runny honey in the microwave (very gently) and stir in a teaspoon of milk. Rub it into skin and leave to sit for 15 minutes. The proteins and lactic acid in milk will help to exfoliate skin, removing dead skin cells, while the honey works as a brilliant natural moisturizer. Remember, a thin layer goes a long way, so don't use too much of this mask.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of athriftymrs.com by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/thriftyuk/8166528877/
www.examiner.com/article/homemade-milk-and-honey-facial-mask

Soothe Your Scalp

Scalp feeling a little tight and itchy? That's no surprise - the cold weather can dehydrate skin, especially on your scalp, leaving it tight and red and causing flakiness. Soothe your scalp by using a dandruff-fighting shampoo and by choosing moisturizing, restorative shampoos. If you have dandruff, rather than a dry scalp, specialist shampoos and steroid creams might do a better job, so see your doctor. Help to prevent damage by wearing hats when you go out and don't put too much stress on your scalp - no pulling or scratching as you'll cause further damage and don't use harsh products!

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of UrbaneWomenMag by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/88092208@N06/9713110465/

Use a Setting Spray

Blustery winds can not only cause rough, red skin, but can also make your eyes water - which can cause your makeup to literally run off your face. Your hair can also get very mussed up in the wind, so one way to keep your makeup in place and your hair looking salon ready all day long is to use a setting spray. A misting of hair spray will usually do for your hair, but for your face, you'd be better off using a setting spray that's specifically designed for use on your skin. Some people use hair spray on their skin, but this really isn't advised as it could dry skin out.