Wait a second: weren’t we chatting about summer until like 10 minutes ago? Winter came furtively, and all of a sudden, it feels like we are on the Arctic Circle. Ok, maybe we are exaggerating a little, but the truth is, cold temperatures are a serious issue! Low temperatures and no rain make the air very dry, and the consequence of that is that our skin loses the little water it already carries. Day after day, the condition of the most exposed parts of our bodies – our face and our hands – gets worse and worse, until you get to the point of almost turning into a reptile. Yes, worse than Colton Haynes in Teen Wolf. This is the time “rehydration” should become the most important word of your life. Yes, even more important than “mum” or “thank you”. When asked how you are, feel free to answer “rehydrate”.
Drinking lots of water will of course be step number one in this direction. Feeling lazy? There’s an app for that, so no excuses, really. Deep hydration should start from within your body, and then move on to the surface. If you train your bodies, who knows, maybe you will even manage to get seasonal reserves of water, who knows? Step number two: get the right products. Creams, lotions, oils, balms, anything goes. Reinforce your beauty arsenal as well as your beauty routine, never forget to apply face moisturizer before you start with your makeup – we all know you normally would – and allow yourselves to get a little dewy. Don’t obsess with matte textures: your face will thank you. Now, on to the painful stuff: forget smoking hot showers. The hotter the water you use, the more you deprive your skin of the natural oils it produces to create a natural barrier against the cold. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
If you really can’t give up on hot showers, at least make sure you apply a moisturizer right after you finished – if not a cream, at least a body oil. And now, here comes my favorite part: masks! Now is the best time to apply masks on your hair, masks on your face, masks on your hands, masks on your feet: masks, masks, more masks! Wow, I managed to write that seven times in a row: did you grasp the idea? Every boost of nutrition is welcome this season, so, organize a pajama party with your friends, and get ready with your masks. You’ll see the results the next day! Lastly, remember to wrap yourselves up nicely. Keeping warm will help your skin not to get chapped and stop your transformation into a reptile. Scarves and gloves must become your best friends this season! Happy winter, and have fun!
Cover photo by Chiara Predebon