winter beauty

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Looking Alive with Pacifica Fluffy Blushy

Today is the last day of winter, and I hope you’ll all join me in a chorus of “Hooray!” as we begin to look forward to warmer temperatures and sunnier days. I, for one, am ready to put winter – and the corpse-like hue of my complexion – behind me.

If you think I’m exaggerating, please allow me to share this story with you. While setting up for a photo shoot at work several weeks ago, my colleague snapped a few photos of me to test the lighting. He looked puzzled at his camera as he flipped through the pictures. “I think there might be something wrong with the flash – you don’t look well in these pictures.” So I took some test shots of him to compare. Turns out, our setup was fine. I simply have the skin tone of a vampire.

Enter Pacifica Fluffy Blushy, which I purchased not long after the photo shoot incident in hopes that it would help me look more… alive. It comes in five shades. I opted for Bloom, a peachy pink. And let me tell you, I’m in LOVE. It has a light, bouncy texture that applies like a cream and is very subtle – you can build for as much or as little color as you like. As a person who sees herself on video meetings every day, I can tell you that even the lightest application of this little blush makes a huge difference. Amazing what a slightly rosy cheek can do for a person!

If you, too, are suffering from a winter pallor that is downright concerning, I can’t recommend this blush highly enough.

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Beauty Quickie: Philosophy Kiss Me Tonight Lip Balm

Who: Philosophy

What: Kiss Me Tonight Lip Balm

When: Every night, and sometimes in the morning

Where: My bedroom

Why: This rich but non-sticky lip balm is extremely hydrating and leaves lips instantly looking and feeling healthier. This balm kept my lips from cracking and peeling through bitterly cold winter weather conditions and through Covid. Plus, I like its cheeky name and tagline. Highly recommend.

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Winter Frizz Fighter

Staticky winter hair got you down? Me too.

For the last few weeks I’ve been battling frizzy flyaways mixed with strands annoyingly plastered to my face. And if I dare to touch my hair with a glove on? Forget it. Static season is here and I’m sick of it.

Or at least I was, until a few days ago when I opened my bathroom cabinet and spotted the word “HYDRATION” printed across a bottle of Moroccanoil All In One Leave-in Conditioner. Ah yes! The secret to less static: moisture. So I squirted a couple pumps of the conditioning spray into my palm, rubbed it between my hands and gently distributed through my hair, careful not to weigh down my roots. Then I brushed it through my hair and styled as I normally would.

I immediately noticed a difference. My hair was far less affected by static, and actually looked healthy. And it didn’t get greasy or flat as the day went on. I’ve used it the last few mornings and I love it – it’s officially my new winter go-to.

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Manna Kadar Lip Bliss: The Cure For Chapped Lips

We all have our favorite lip balms. Sure, I’m always down to try the newest lipsticks and tinted balms, but when it comes right down to it, you’re always going to find classic Burt’s Bees in my purse and a candy cane Chapstick in my medicine cabinet. However, come the first week of February with its dry indoor heat, biting outdoor winds, and a level of dehydration that I don’t quite understand, and I start looking for that holy grail of winter beauty products – something that will un-chap my poor lips.

Enter Manna Kadar Beauty Lip Bliss Lip Mask. It came in an Allure Beauty Box last fall, and aside from its cute pink and gold packaging, I didn’t think much of it. Then my lips started to get dry, cracked, and downright angry. My usual chapstick seemed to make them feel worse, so I swiped on some Lip Bliss. Instant relief! The tube said to apply before bed for maximum results, so I did. I woke up with smooth, soft, happy lips. I no longer go to bed without it.

I occasionally use Lip Bliss as a daily lip balm as well. It comes in a tube but isn’t sticky or overly glossy. It has a mild, pleasant, slightly sweet scent and is extremely hydrating. Pro tip: you can use it on cracked cuticles, too!

If you’re searching for a quick and easy fix for chapped winter lips, look no further. You can find Lip Bliss here.

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January 2016 Empties

Since we’re smack dab in the middle of winter, it’s no surprise that my most recent batch of empties includes skincare standbys and some soothing hair products. Let’s take a look:

  
Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula: This easy to use 2-step anti-aging treatment has been a favorite for years now. It smooths without irritating my skin and helps fight winter flakiness. I was thrilled to receive this little three-pack as a freebie with my last Sephora purchase. 

Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer: The only thing better for my winter complexion than the above-mentioned peel is following it up with a generous layer of my favorite moisturizer. This skin-softening, ultra-hydrating moisturizer is my winter favorite. 

Davines LOVE Shampoo & LOVE Conditioner: I didn’t love this smoothing shampoo on its own – it made my locks a little limp – but paired with the conditioner it left my hair soft and bouncy. It also kept my scalp moisturized. I’m really not a fan of its heavy floral scent, so I won’t be purchasing it again. 

Dove Advanced Care Beauty Finish Anti-perspirant Deodorant: I don’t know about the “beauty finish” part, but I loved the clean scent of this deodorant and it left me fresh all day long. A solid pick. 

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Winter Obsession: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm

So winter happened. I’ve been quite happily bumbling along these past few months, thoroughly enjoying the mild weather we’ve been having, when suddenly, out of nowhere, it’s cold outside and my lips are super dry and chapped. 

  
Luckily I recently received a tube of Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm. I’m new to the brand and the balm, but I slathered some on over the weekend and I’m already hooked. It provides instant relief to dry, scaly lips and is incredibly long lasting. It contains an SPF of 25, making it ideal for outdoor sports, and its natural mint and shea butter combo is very soothing. And even though it contains mint, I don’t find that it has any taste or scent – rare in a lip balm these days. If you’re looking for a good winter balm, I definitely recommend this one.