Radiant Skin-- Regardless of the Season!

    It happens to all of us. Eventually Summer passes, and our tans fade, along with that summer "glow." Without even realizing it, we become pale and pasty, and our skin becomes dry. Beyond just dealing with dry skin, the condition looks and feels bad, and prevents makeup from going on smoothly. Are you ready for radiant skin, even in winter? Read on!


First Things First


It is time to slough away that dead skin! An exfoliator such as Apricot Scrub by St. Ives, or truly any face wash that contains scrubbing beads will do the trick. I'm currently hooked on L'Oreal's 360 clean deep clean cream face wash. Not only will it last you months, it smells wonderful and comes with a little "scrublet." This bad boy will clear all of your pores, and leave your skin feeling velvety soft! If you don't want to buy a new face wash or invest in an exfoliator, you can also use your current face wash on a wash cloth to get similar benefits.


Next Steps


After roughing up your skin a bit, it is crucial to follow up with a moisturizer. If you moisturize after you wash your face, you will seal in the moisture from the water, as well as receive the added benefits of the moisturizer. If you have sensitive skin, take it easy on the exfoliation, and make sure to follow up with a gentle face lotion. If you have dry or oily skin, a face lotion that I highly suggest is the Health Skin Face Lotion SPF 15 by Neutragena. This lotion contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid, which continues to renew your skin and erase the appearance of fine lines and skin discolorations, leaving your complexion even and vibrant.


Time for Makeup


After you have applied moisturizer, continue on with your normal makeup routine. Now that you have rid your skin of its dry appearance, it's "glow" time! Using a bronzer brush, apply a bronzer that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin color to the hollows of your cheeks. If you make a "fish face," you will want to apply the bronzer just under your cheek bones, sweeping back towards your ears. If you use blush, apply a nice rosy color to the apples of your cheeks while smiling-- this will allow you to better locate the apples of your cheeks. Next, blend the bronzer and the blush together as to avoid lines! 


Hint: A bronzer with a warm, subtle glow highlights your bone structure and adds a nice vibrant touch to winter makeup. Be careful not to go overboard, however! I recommended Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in "Dusk" for this look.  


Enjoy!