OUR EXPERT TIPS ON HOW TO LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST THIS WINTER
Winter has officially arrived and with that means the resurgence of dry skin, patchy makeup and the consistent runny nose. Unlike Summer, the colder and darker Winter season not only means a change in what outfits we’re wearing (hello woolly jumpers and cashmere and goodbye linen and lace), it also means changing how we look after our wellbeing and what we use in our skincare and makeup repertoire.
But what exactly should you be changing? What rituals and products should you add into your rotation to ensure we feel happier and healthier this season? Well, we sat down with Cult Beauty Makeup Artist Kimi Nguyern and Cult Beauty’s in-house doctor Dr. Ishrat Ahmed to learn more about what we can do to look and feel better this Winter.
In This Article:
- What Does A Good Wellness Routine Look Like
- What Are Common Skin And Body Concerns Over Winter And How Do We Prevent Them
- Kimi’s Tips For Winter Approved Makeup
WHAT DOES A GOOD WELLNESS ROUTINE LOOK LIKE
“Shaping a good routine is really important to reduce stress, increase wellness and improve focus.” explains Dr Ishrat. “I would recommend waking up and going to bed at the same time every day. Having this type of routine makes most people feel more in control of their day. Once you’re up, drink a glass of water and avoid looking at your phone for at least 10 minutes. Focus on your breathing and maybe try a short meditation. This will help you to focus on mindfulness, focus on the present and feel relaxed – all helping to reduce your cortisol levels. I’d also recommend eating a balanced breakfast and drinking one cup of coffee.” she explains. “Movement is also incredibly important. It increases dopamine, reduces stress and cortisol. I would suggest doing a form of exercise you enjoy like the gym, yoga or even a brisk walk two hours before bedtime. To help you relax before bed, dimming the lights in your room, reducing screen time and having a warm shower all help to increase your natural sleep hormone – melatonin.” And if we wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep? “Try to get up out of bed and read something until you feel sleepy – avoid your phone and blue light as this will make it harder to get you back to sleep. ” says Dr Ishrat.
WHAT ARE COMMON SKIN AND BODY CONCERNS OVER WINTER AND HOW DO WE PREVENT THEM
With cold air, a drop in humidity and the constant transition from warm offices and homes into the cold outdoors means normally healthy skin is left feeling dry and dehydrated. To help combat this, Dr Ishrat suggests using hydrating formulas that contain urea and ceramides. “Hydrating cleansers that are oil based, hydrating toners and soothing serums containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides are better to use over Winter because they act as humectants to lock in moisture and offer barrier support to protect your skin’s lipid layer.” she explains. Together, a skin care routine that’s powered by nourishing ingredients will replenish moisture loss, strengthen your skin barrier, reduce redness and help your moisturiser lock in all your hydrating hard work. And finally, don’t forget to apply SPF. “People still need to use sunscreen over winter because it still protects against skin cancer and significantly reduces signs of skin ageing. UV rays are still present over winter even when the sun doesn’t appear to be shining, so you should use as much SPF on your face in winter as you do in summer.”
127
38.00€
1
19.95€
148
47.45€
288
14.95€
177
33.95€
379
22.60€
But dry skin isn’t just on your face. With the constant washing of hands and the multi-layers of clothes, the skin on our bodies is also at risk of suffering from dehydration. To help combat this, Dr Ishrat suggest using a hydrating body wash or a shower oil. “Soft wash cloths are also great but try not to let the water get too hot in the shower. Applying a body lotion on damp skin is also better after the shower than apply on completely dry skin. You can be as generous as you like and you should ideally be moisturising your body twice a day.”
54
29.95€
16
27.95€
36
45.45€
8
28.20€
40
14.95€
8
66.95€
KIMI’S TIPS FOR WINTER APPROVED MAKEUP
“Skin prep is so important when it comes to long-lasting winter makeup,” explains Cult Beauty MUA Kimi. Before you even pick up a makeup brush, it’s worth understanding your skin type and texture, then building a skin care routine that supports your complexion through the colder months. Once your base is prepped and perfected, it’s time to apply your makeup with intention. Below, Kimi shares her expert winter-approved tips to help your makeup stay fresh, radiant and comfortable all day long.
1. How to prevent foundation looking cakey:
253
35.95€
229
42.00€
156
56.45€
903
31.50€
609
29.00€
2. How to hide dark circles:
Colour correcting. Seems tedious, but it really makes a difference in terms of brightening the undereye. It also eliminates the amount of concealer you use, and in return helps with makeup not sitting into fine lines and wrinkles.
244
29.95€
66
32.45€
29
12.10€
3
21.95€
273
35.00€
3. How to stop makeup settling into fine lines
43.95€
533
20.30€
70
34.95€
80
25.90€
4. How to stop makeup coming off if you have a runny nose
Use a dabbing motion vs a wiping motion with a runny nose. As for a specific product, I would also recommend a setting spray and I wouldn't powder over the nose area. This way you're still able to do liquid touch-ups throughout the day without disrupting your base.
5. How to stop your eye makeup running if you have watery eyes
71
28.00€
24
28.80€
1
32.45€
1
23.00€
153
33.50€
105
30.45€
6. How to prevent makeup from transferring on turtlenecks/coats and scarves
29
32.45€
1895
36.95€
341
31.60€
164
22.60€
So, what does this all mean? In short, winter doesn’t have to bring dull complexions, patchy makeup or low energy. By embracing a mindful wellness routine, nourishing your skin with hydrating, barrier-supporting formulas and adapting your makeup techniques to the season, you can stay radiant, comfortable and confident all winter long. Now, light that candle, run a bubble bath and prioritise those eight hours of sleep — after all, we spend around 25 years of our lives doing it… so we may as well make it count.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Midweight SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or a fantasy romance novel, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
