Caring for winter skin

• Help with hydration. No matter how much you spend on this season’s newest colors, your skin will look drab and dull if it isn’t properly cared for. Start with a fresh, clean face, and then follow with a protective cream. When choosing a moisturizer, let your skin type guide the amount of moisture and hydration you need. Remember that all skin typically needs extra hydration in winter because of the dry, cooler weather. For a product that moisturizes and shields your skin from the elements, try MD Formulations Critical Care Shielding Crème.
• Add SPF. Many people associate sunscreen with the sunny days of summer, but it’s vital to wear sun protection all year round. The easiest way to add sunscreen is to pick a moisturizer with sun protection, such as NeoStrata Daytime Protection Cream SPF 15. If your moisturizer doesn’t include SPF protection, then select a separate sunscreen like Cellex-C Sun Care SPF 30 Plus.

A natural, radiant complexion

• Laying the foundation. After applying your moisturizer, follow with a creamy foundation that blends with your natural skin tone. If you have fairly clear skin, try a tinted formula that doubles as a foundation. For another option, try a light foundation that doesn’t weigh skin down like Philosophy Supernatural Air Brushed Canvas SPF-Beige — a great foundation for all skin types, from acne-prone to dry.
• Perfect blends. As the days get darker and your skin gets fairer, you might have to change your foundation color. For the perfect match, blend a lighter color (that works well with your lighter skin tone) with the warmer shade you wore during summer. Don’t try to disguise pale skin with darker shades, or your face will look obviously overdone and different from your neck!
• Natural flush. For a beautiful glow this winter, choose a matte finish blush or bronzer, which will give a natural flush to dull skin. Most people look stunning in shades of mauve or berry. But, if you’re a redhead or have yellow undertones, pinks are a better choice. If you’re naturally fair, don’t try to make up for your lack of color with blush that’s too bright. Use this rule of thumb: The lighter your skin, the lighter the blush.

Amazing eyes

• Smooth and soothe. To combat dryness and fine lines, apply a moisturizer, like NeoStrata Eye Cream-PHA 4, under the eyes. After letting the cream soak into the skin for a few minutes, blot off the excess with a tissue. Not only will this smooth the eye area, but it will help the concealer and shadow stick to the skin, preventing it from flaking off.
• Color-correct. Use concealer to fix under-eye flaws. Green will counteract red hues, like acne, scars or birthmarks, while yellow concealer in a shade lighter than your skin tone will hide under-eye circles. Philosophy Supernatural Concealer is a palate that contains three different cream-based shades to cover everything from under-eye circles and blemishes to discoloration.
• Embrace neutral hues. Matte eye shadows are a winter alternative to summer shimmers, which will appear too artificial in the cool months. Start with a dark brown or black eye shadow and blend upwards to get a subtle smoky look. Follow with a lighter shade that’s a variation of the same color, such as gray, beige, tan or peach. Gutsy girls can try copper, green, blue or even red. Use multiple shades of the same color for a variegated look. Finish with a touch of black eye liner or, for the more adventurous, select shades such as navy, plum or hunter green. In general, when choosing colors, don’t feel restricted by the latest trends. Choose colors that suit your skin tone.

A perfect pout

• Lip care. Before applying any lip color, make sure to moisturize your lips to prevent the color from flaking off and looking dull. Also, exfoliate your lips with a dab of Vaseline. Use a toothbrush to buff off dry skin, and follow with an intensive moisturizing lip balm.
• Love the nudes. Lips play by the same general rules as the eyes. Say no to shimmery pastels, which will make your complexion look washed out. Instead, either use a nude color or dab concealer on your lips, followed by a clear moisturizing gloss. If you need more hydration for aging lips, try the tinted, anti-aging formula of Yonka Color SPF 10 Lip Balm Color.
• Playing with colors. As a general rule, if you’ve played up the eyes, play down the lips and vice versa. So if you want to play up your pout, ease off the black liner and stick to creamy neutrals for the eyes; then choose a bold lip color.

Although the weather outside is cold and dreadful, your appearance doesn’t have to follow suit! With the right skin care products and techniques, your face will look luminous all season long.