It’s no secret that the
winter months can wreak havoc on skin and hair. The seemingly constant wind, rain,
and freezing cold temperatures do plenty to strip away essential natural oils,
leaving hair dry and brittle and skin parched, flaky, and more prone to
breakouts. Throw indoor heating into the mix, and you might find yourself in a
pickle.
Why, oh, why? If you’re
battling the elements this winter, there are a couple of saving graces that you
might want to add to your beauty routine. Making use of the right restorative
products can balance out the winter damage and help you maintain your shiny
locks and smooth, baby-plump skin.
What does winter do to the skin?
There are plenty of reasons
to love winter, from cosy nights beside the fire to mulled wine and sparkling
lights. But there are some drawbacks to the dark, cold weather that we
experience in the UK. Our least favourite of these is the effect that winter
can have on our skin. Dry, flaky, sun-deprived skin isn’t something we strive
for, and while there are some things you can do to fight the inevitable, you
might have to accept it to a certain extent.
To reduce the effects of cold
weather on your skin, you’ll need to get serious about your winter skincare
routine.
How to keep skin healthy in winter
There are several things
you can to minimise winter’s effect on your skin. With the right equipment and
a little effort, there’s no reason you can’t cruise through the season with a
glowing complexion.
Winterproof your home
You might be thinking about
moisturisers, oils, and serums, and while those products do play a big part in
winterproofing your skin, the best place to start is your home environment.
The drier the air around
you, the drier your skin will be. Obviously, there’s nothing you can do about
the outside air (we wish), but you can control the humidity inside your home.
Consider buying a humidifier for your bedroom, or the room where you spend most
of your time. Humidifiers increase the amount of moisture in the air, helping
keep skin hydrated like it usually is in the balmy summer months.
Hydrate your skin through your diet
Diet plays an important
role in the skin’s health and appearance, and foods containing healthy fats can
help to improve the condition of dry skin. This means fuelling up on things
like avocado, oily fish, nuts, chia seeds, and extra virgin olive oil. You
should be drinking plenty of water, too, but we didn’t need to tell you that.
On the other end of the
scale, things like alcohol, coffee, and caffeine can cause dehydration. While
it can be hard staying away from the coffee during dark winter days, it’s
recommended that you try to make the sacrifice if you’re concerned about your
skin’s hydration.
Exfoliate
A little dry skin is
inevitable in winter. Keep its effects to a minimum by buffing flakes away with
a gentle exfoliator two to three times a week. Choose a product
with a mild formula to keep sensitive skin happy and concentrate on areas prone
to dryness like your nose and forehead.
Start using a heavier moisturiser
Light moisturisers have
their place in summer, but when things start to dry out in the colder months,
you’ll need a little more support from your product. This is one of the most
important steps in treating dry skin, so don’t skip it!
Choose a heavy cream moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid. Use it morning
and night to keep skin ultra-hydrated and peachy.
Perfect your bedtime routine
The key to healthy-looking,
hydrated skin day after day is the perfect nighttime routine.
Hot showers are tempting in
winter, but exposure to the warm water for more than a couple of minutes can
add to your skin’s dehydration. Keep the temperature mild or limit your time in
the water to help your skin maintain its natural oils. Switch your regular shower gel or soap for a gentle formula and apply a thick layer
of moisturiser almost as soon as you step out.
Wash your face with a
gentle cleanser and slather on an eye cream, followed by your heavy winter moisturiser.
You might also want to turn your attention to other parts of your body before
you sleep too, applying hand cream and lip therapy before you go to sleep.
All this might seem like a
lot, but when the reward is healthy, glowing skin, we think it’s worth the
effort!
What does winter do to hair?
Like its effect on the skin,
wintery weather and indoor heating can dry hair out by stripping away the
natural oils we love. Thankfully, there are plenty of tricks and products that
can help battle the cold and keep locks looking great through winter.
Be careful with scarves and layers
We’d never suggest you
leave your favourite scarf behind on a chilly winter morning, but have you ever
thought about what those woolly layers are doing to your hair? When you throw
on a scarf or sweatshirt and don’t untuck your hair, leaving it trapped between
your layers, it’s subjected to unnecessary friction which can cause dryness and
damage.
Try tying your hair into a
soft bun beneath your scarf, keeping it safe from the elements but also
avoiding friction from your layers.
Shampoo less
To help keep your hair
hydrated and healthy, consider cutting back the frequency of washes. When you shampoo your hair, you clean away grease, dirt, and
built-up oils from your scalp. Doing this too often, particularly in winter,
can cause your hair and scalp to dry out unnecessarily.
Try to go an extra day
between washes, wearing your hair in a neat up-do if you don’t feel good with
it down. The weekends and days off can be perfect for this, and your hydrated
hair will certainly thank you!
Deep condition once a week
Revitalise your hair with a
deep conditioning treatment once a week. Choose a product that helps
strengthen and moisturise. Simply sink into a warm bath, slather on your deep
conditioner, and enjoy ten minutes of relaxation while the product does its
work.
Use a nourishing oil
We love serums for summer, but when the days are
long and cold, your hair will need a little more intense TLC. Choose a
nourishing hair oil and apply a few drops straight after a wash. You can then
dry and style your hair as normal. The oil will help minimise frizz and static,
protect from heat damage, and keep your hair hydrated against the wind and
rain. You can also finish off your look with a few drops of oil for extra silky
softness.
Searching for more winter survival tips?
Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog and discover the tips and tricks
that’ll see you through the season.
A new year is here! To celebrate, we’re switching
up our makeup and skincare routine. We’re in dire need of a little TLC after an
over-indulgent festive period, and with January sales in full swing, there’s
never been a better time to inject a little newness into the daily toil.
There are plenty of ways to update your routine,
from makeup and beauty to your overall health and wellness, so focus on what’s
going to work for you. If you already have a flawless nighttime arrangement,
why change it?
For many of us, though, there are parts of the routine
that could be just that little bit better. If you’re stuck in a rut and want to
feel happier and more radiant throughout the day, try making one of these small
changes and see how it affects you.
Diet
A good diet is one of the most important elements
of any beauty routine, though it can be easy to ignore in favour of fancy
lotions and potions. If you’ve fallen off the health wagon this winter, now’s
the time to jump back on!
Make small changes to your diet that you’re
likely to stick to. Whether it’s drinking more water each day to switching out
caffeine for healthier herbal teas, there are plenty of options that’ll have
you feeling great.
Skincare
Even the most perfect skincare routines can use
an update from time to time. Refreshing your regular products helps them work
to their full potential and allows you to really understand what’s best for
you.
Try changing your daily moisturiser
for a different formula, adding an exfoliator
into your weekly routine, or applying facial oil before bed. Only you can know
what your routine is lacking, so it’s up to you to identify any problems and
fix them. Of course, if you have your routine down and your skin is flawless as
a result, you might be better sticking with what you know.
Another way that we’re updating our skincare
routine for 2020 is by leaning more towards sustainable and organic
products. There are so many eco-friendly beauty products on the market,
with many of them making use of brilliant new natural ingredients. See what you
can find and feel good about looking good this year.
Makeup
This is the place to have fun. There are so many
changes you can make to your makeup that will have a huge influence on your
look, whether it’s day-to-day or for a special occasion.
Why not test a new eyeshadow colour?
Experiment with winged
eyeliner or switch your regular black mascara for a shade
of brown. You can go natural or experiment with a bolder look. The
possibilities are endless!
Searching for more new year new me
inspiration? Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog for plenty of tips and
tricks that’ll have you feeling like your best self in 2020.
First step, shower. Whether you’re prepping in the morning before work to change quickly after and head right to the venue or are lucky enough to have the time to nip home, great shower products that feel as good as they smell are essential. There’s nothing better than that fresh-out-the-shower feeling with skin just as soft and silky as you dreamed of.
After treating yourself to a luxurious bath and body product or two, if you’re after that first-day squeaky clean hair ready to be dried and styled later on, here are some incredible products for different hair types that will soon become must-haves when you get a taste for how fabulous they are.
Is tanning on your to-do list for your Christmas party prep this year? If so, feast your eyes on these stunning products to give you that summer glow all through the winter. Yes, we could embrace the natural colour, but a subtle golden kiss wouldn’t hurt anyone now would it? If you’ll be wearing a Christmas party dress showing a fair amount of skin too, why not go for that gorgeous golden glow?
A classic mistake we tend to make if getting our nails
done too far in advance, now that’s perfectly fine if you’ll be treating
yourself to a salon trip but if it’s a DIY job then it’s worth planning it out.
The last thing you want to do the night before your Christmas party is your
nails and then scuff them from all the buffing and tanning the next day. So,
after the shower, hair washing and glow up, now would be the best time to do them.
When it comes to Christmas party makeup, it’s usually safe
to say that we’re all after that extra special glow. Whether it’s with a touch
of shimmer or a vibrant lipstick, it’s nice to have that one guaranteed occasion
every year when you know you can go all out and live your best glamourous life
for the evening.
If you’re a fragrance fanatic it’s likely that you know
just how important different scents are when it comes to making memories.
Some say Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and many agree. It’s
a festive fun-filled season of indulging, treating your loved ones and celebrating
together. Christmas parties are always some of the most memorable events with
legendary stories that will live on forever especially in the workplace. So,
why not mark the occasion and treat yourself to a new fragrance?
Got a Christmas party coming up and need some makeup ideas to recreate that gorgeous glow you’ve been pining after all year? We’ve got you more than covered – covered head to toe in festive glam. From dreamy shimmer shadows to silky highlighters for your face and body, these products are must-haves this winter!
Joan Collins Good To Go Brush Caddy Complete Collection, £65.00
Before we dig into the cosmetics themselves, no makeup bag is complete without a luxurious set of brushes. This elegant set of Joan Collins Timeless Beauty Pencils and Brushes is a great set to invest in with brushers perfect for face powders, blushers, bronzers and eyeshadows.
Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Facial Primer, £29.99 / RRP £38.50
This glowy primer is perfect for adding a natural, dewy luminosity to your skin under your foundation – it’s the best place to start when it comes to achieving the ultimate Christmas party look. With the winter weather inevitably drawing closer each day, this is a great product to keep your skin looking and feeling nourished.
BareMinerals BarePro Performance Wear Foundation, £18.99 / RRP £31.00
If you’re a Bare Minerals newbie, this foundation is definitely one to try. With a new liquid mineral formula that cares while it covers, this foundation improves the appearance of skin texture over time while blurring pores and imperfections. Offering 24-hour coverage that is totally breathable too, this foundation is perfect for lasting all through the night of your Christmas party.
Stila Shimmer And Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, £13.99 / RRP £24.00
Achieve show-stopping, professional results with Stila’s Shimmer & Glow Eyeshadows available in a range of gorgeous, glam hues. This product a cult-favourite thanks to its pearly formulas and smooth applicator making them super easy to apply. It’s the perfect addition to have any eye look to give it that extra touch of party glamour.
Elizabeth Arden Grand Entrance Mascara Set, £21.99 / RRP £25.00
Featuring the Grand Entrance Mascara, All Gone Lip and Eye Makeup Remover along with the Precision Glide Eye Pencil in Black Velvet, this set will help you achieve a stunning dramatic lash effect with intense volume, length and lift. To make any eye look pop, a liner and mascara will always do just the trick.
Huda Beauty Lip Contour Set Vixen, £28.99 / RRP £30.00
Huda Beauty makeup products are incredibly sought after and these lip kits are no exception. This set contains liquid matte minis in luscious dark brown and red hues with a defining lip liner so you can cloak your lips in a long-wearing, velvety-matte veil of conditioning colour for your Christmas party.
Lord & Berry Glow On The Glow Highlighter Kit, £29.99 / RRP £35.00
Featuring four shimmer finish highlighting powders, Glow On The Go is the ideal way to customize your festive glow. The unique, light-reflecting formula can be applied wet or dry for a luminous radiance. You can use the palette on your eyes as well as your face not forgetting your body too! For the ultimate luminescent look for your Christmas party, sweep some highlighter across your chest, shoulder and legs.
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear, £0.99 / RRP £4.99
What could be better than a nail strengthening formula and a bit of colour – glitter too, is the answer. This nail polish in the shade ‘Flirt’ is incredible and a must-have in your polish collection. This irresistible copper colour compliments so many skin tones and will extend that festive flow to your fingertips and toes too.
BOSS The Scent Absolute For Her, £60.99 / RRP £76.00
Finally, to top off your Christmas party makeup up look, a spritz (or ten – guilty) all over your body will give you even more confidence. You’ll be sure to turn a few heads with a gorgeous glowy makeup look while leaving a trail of the sweetest most delicious scent behind you. This BOSS fragrance features notes of honeyed peach and coffee. How dreamy!
By now we’re all trying
to reduce our footprint and live a life that’s a little eco-friendlier. Whether
you’ve gone full vegan and plastic-free (we salute you) or you’re
focusing on smaller changes to do your bit, there’s an eco-friendly beauty
product out there that’s screaming to be added to your rotation.
Wave goodbye to
unsustainable beauty creams, makeup, and hairstyling. There’s a whole host of
lovely eco-friendly products out there that will work just as well – maybe
better – than your old favourites. Rethink your beauty collection with some of
the best eco-friendly makeup and sustainable beauty switches.
Plastic-free shampoo bars
Switch out your usual shampoo, which probably comes in a plastic container,
for an eco-friendlier shampoo bar. Shampoo bars help cut back on waste
packaging and can be much friendlier on your purse strings. Win-win!
Plastic-free soaps over shower gels
If you enjoy a lathering of
shower gel as part of your daily routine, you might want to consider switching
to a bar of soap if you’re concerned with the environment. Like
liquid shampoos, shower gels come in plastic packaging like bottles, tubes, and
tubs.
While a lot of this
packaging is recyclable, you can’t always be sure of its fate when you drop it
into your blue bin. It’s best not to go for plastic packaging at all to help reduce
production of the single-use stuff we hate. Switch to a bar of soap and scrub
up with peace of mind. Here are some of our favourite plastic-free soap bars:
We’re sorry to say that
face wipes are bad for the planet. Bad. They contribute over 90 per cent
to the UK’s drain blockage, and they feature plastic binding that makes them
super-robust and difficult to get rid of.
Try face wipes by Yes To if you’re looking to reduce your single-use
plastic consumption. They’re made without plastic so they’re biodegradable,
which means you can enjoy clean skin and a cleaner conscience. We love their cucumber wipes for ultra-freshness.
Choose reusable packaging!
Most makeup products come
in plastic packaging (sigh) which can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
Fight the single-use pileup by choosing makeup in re-usable packagings, like
glass jars or metal containers.
We also recommend you use
pencil makeup wherever possible. For example, pencil eyeliner is made from wood
and will decompose, while liquid eyeliners often come in plastic tubes.
Looking for more beauty and lifestyle inspiration? Keep exploring the Fragrance Direct blog and discover our favourite products and step-by-step guides to creating new looks you’ll love!
When your family and friends won’t give you a straight answer, you’ve got to take matters into your own hands one way or another. Buying Christmas presents can be a little bit stressful when you have no idea what to get. Not today. With our guide to Christmas gifting based on the magical wonders of zodiac signs, you’ll never be short of ideas again. So, let’s get stuck in.
Aries 20 March – 19 April
Aries enjoy a personal feel to their gifts because they like to be recognised as individuals although they’d appreciate almost any gift because they believe it’s the thought that counts. If you really want to blow an Aries away, treat them to something new that you know matches their style and tastes.
For Him: Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Male Gift Set 125ml
For Her: Gatineau Limited Edition Best-Sellers Collection
Taurus 20 April – 20 May
Tauruses are ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty. It’s likely that your Taurus friend has exquisite taste and would love to receive a luxurious gift. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to spend lots on them. The ideal gift for a Taurus is something personal with that extra special touch.
For Him: Proraso Vintage Refreshing Grooming Selection Tin
For Her: Clarins Instant Beauty Makers Collection
Gemini 21 May – 20 June
A Gemini’s interests are forever changing and they’re always getting into new things so it’s pretty hard to predict exactly what they’d want. However, you just can’t go wrong with individualisation. Geminis are the sign of communication and learning, so something hobby-related is always a safe bet or something for them to use to wind down and have a pamper would be perfect.
For Him: Bomb Hammer Time Toolbox Gift Pack
For Her: Dermalogica Smooth Skin Favourites Gift Set
Cancer 21 June – 22 July
Cancers love making memories and will always appreciate something based around that. Whether it’s a gift that relates to something you both love, have a joke about or memory of, they’ll love it. Perhaps you even have a scent-sational memory together. Here are a couple of iconic fragrances they may have tried and loved in this past but buying for a Cancer is truly down to you.
For Him: Calvin Klein Eternity Men Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml
For Her: BOSS Orange Women Gift Set 30ml
Leo 23 July – 22 August
Leo’s are lovers of anything and everything. Whether it’s art, beauty or fashion, their interests are limitless. A typical Leo pays lots of attention to their looks too, so something to indulge in could make the ideal present for a friend of this zodiac sign this Christmas.
For Him: Prada L’Homme Aftershave Balm 125ml
For Her: Elizabeth Arden Mini Lip Gloss Set
Virgo 23 August – 22 September
Virgos are typically obsessed with practicality and productivity. They’re all about purpose and so they’d find a gift that they can physically use useful and would be incredibly grateful. Perhaps they travel a lot and they’re in need of useful products to take with them on their journeys. That would be a great place to start looking!
For Him: Versace Eros Flame Eau de Parfum Spray (Travel size 30ml)
For Her: Giorgio Armani Si Fiori Eau de Parfum Spray (Travel size 30ml)
Libra 23 September – 22 October
Cosmetics and beauty supplies are the way to a Libra’s heart. They don’t keep up with trends – they set them. This sign is typically the most up-to-date with lots of things that are going on in the world – and the shops. Why not show a Libra close to you just how much they mean to you with a little bit of luxury this Christmas!
For Him: BOSS The Scent For Him Gift Set
For Her: SOSU By SJ You’re Making Me Brush Ultimate Collection
Scorpio 23 October – 21 November
Known for their complexity, Scorpio’s are one of the most difficult zodiac signs to buy for. They’ll sense a last-minute gift any day any time, so you’re best off putting a decent amount of thought into this one and really think about what they’re into. Anything sentimental is always a safe bet so get thinking, get shopping.
For Him: Armani Code Absolu Gift Set 60ml
For Her: YSL Libre Eau de Parfum Spray 90ml
Sagittarius 22 November – 21 December
The adventurous ones. A typical Sagittarius loves to explore and travel. They’re the friend that’s probably already got their summer plans sorted filled with a holiday and a couple of road trips. Anything travel or sun-related would make a fabulous gift along with anything practical they can take on holidays with them would be perfect.
For Him: Man Stuff Ultimate 6 Pack Gift Set 150ml
For Her: Milkshake Sun & More Body Set
Capricorn 22 December – 19 January
Being an earth sign, a Capricorn enjoys a gift with purpose. People of this sign are often associated with status and achievement so a standout gift if your best bet. They’re not after the biggest, best, most expensive present just something they can connect with whether it’s one of their all-time favourite beauty products or something new to try out that you think they’d love.
For Him: Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette For Him 150ml
For Her: Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Eau So Sweet Gift Set 50ml
Aquarius 20 January – 17 February
An Aquarius loves a gadget. They love technology and exploring new things. Something new and fun would be right up their street as it’s these kinds of spontaneous gifts that they love receiving the most!
For Him: Edwin Jagger Ebony 4 Piece Shaving Set
For Her: Beurer TL100 2 In 1 Daylight And Moodlight
Pisces 18 February – 19 March
As water signs, Pisces love a gift with sentimental value and emotional meaning. Pisces are not naturally materialistic people, so a big, expensive gift isn’t likely to impress them as much as something that shows you know them really well. They’re always daydreaming so the more creative the gift, the better.
For Him: Ted Baker Ted’s Grooming Room Travel Trio Set
For Her: NUXE Aquabella Beauty Pouch
We hope you found this guide to Christmas gifting based on your recipient’s zodiac sign helpful!
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