How to get the perfect glow on a cold winter's night.
By Sam H. Escobar — Written on Dec 31, 2012
Just because the temperature drops doesn’t mean your love life needs to, too. Sometimes, the chill of this season can make locks dull and skin dry. So, if you want your date cozy, but not your nose rosy, try a few of these subtle, easy tricks tonight to maintain a glow that lasts all winter long.
1. Creamy Cheeks
Blush is the best way to get glowing, but a cream formula makes it even better because it melds right into the skin and looks naturally gorgeous. For best use, remove a little chunk of cream blush using your fingernail. Then, rub the makeup in between your thumb and fingertip until it’s smooth and warmed. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards along cheekbones.
2. Exfoliate & Moisturize
Because of the dry air and harsh winds, skin can get flaky and dull — not the best accessory for any date outfit. One of the best ways to combat this is to ensure that the dead skin cells are not piling up and diluting your pretty complexion. Using a loofah and shower gel for your body and a more gentle exfoliator like Ole Henrikson’s Walnut Complexion Scrub, then applying a hydrating moisturizer will help ensure you’re as bright as ever. There are also tools to help this process along if using a product exfoliator doesn’t tickle your fancy. As someone with dry skin, I swear by my Clarisonic Pro; I use it each night to thoroughly cleanse my skin and get rid of dead cells and makeup, which thereby lets my face lotion and anti-aging products absorb more effectively. On nights when I’ll be going on dates, I always do another short once-over to make sure my skin is looking extra fresh and glowing.
3. Use A Humidifier
I honestly have trouble going for more than one night without a humidifier on because I instantly notice the difference in my skin and eyes (not to mention throat). Keeping one on during the evening hours can help combat the air-drying effects of your heating system.
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4. Hydrate Your Hair
Your skin isn’t the only part of you that can look dull during the colder months. To make sure your locks are looking as lovely as ever for the special evening, use both a gentle hydrating shampoo and deep conditioner to prevent it from drying out. Then, apply a few drops of luminizing hair product such as Alterna Bamboo Silk-Sleek Brillance Cream to towel-dried hair and style normally. Keep a little travel size version in your purse for touch-ups in the event that the two of you venture outdoors and your hair winds up stressed out from the weather.
5. Drink, Drink, Drink!
Staying hydrated is integral to your heath, but it’s also so important to your beauty. It might be tempting to reach for a cup of hot coffee, but instead, opt for tea or simply water to get hydrated. Your skin will be dewy and glowing, as well as a much better surface for makeup to blend onto when it comes to going out.
6. Wear Sunscreen
UVA rays — which cause both cancer and wrinkles — are the same all year round, regardless of what the thermostat says. This is a given the rest of the year, too, but in winter, it’s especially important because many people’s skin is already prone to dryness and cracking. Sun damage can be more severe and can cause an even more unsightly appearance of redness and irritation. In particular, if you’re a winter sports lover, you need to lather it on because snow reflects quite a bit of the sun’s rays and will definitely leave you burned if you go unprotected. Trust me — this isn’t the kind of glow you want.
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7. Mix Up Some Glow Lotion
Have dull-looking skin on your legs, shoulders and décolletage? Try mixing some body lotion or tinted moisturizer with a bit of highlighter. You can try either a liquid one, such as Benefit’s High Beam, or a powder version like Korres Wild Rose Mineral Illuminating Powder. Rub some along the fronts of your thighs and shins to get a sexy, long-legged look, then apply a bit onto shoulders and along the collarbone for an added shimmering draw to your center.
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