Each season gives us haircare obstacles.  In the summer, humidity flattens our locks or turns us into a ball of frizz.  Winter has its own set of problems.  Hair tends to dry out – just like the Winter dries your skin out.

Winter Haircare Tip #1: Need to combat dry scalp or dandruff?  This is a common Winter problem!  Get a good anti-dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders and avoid washing your hair with very hot water.  You might be tempted to take very hot showers in the Winter because you’re feeling chilly, but they are no good for your hair OR your skin.

Winter Haircare Tip #2: Combat dry hair with shampoos and conditioners containing vitamins and nutrients that lock in moisture and avoid haircare products (like hairspray) that contain alcohol.  Alcohol will really dry out your hair!  If you can, avoid washing your hair too often during the winter months and invest in a leave in conditioner that is rich in vitamins such as A, E, and B5.

Winter Haircare Tip #3: Avoid using the blow dryer, curling and flat irons.  If you must, use a product specifically designed for heat styling to help protect your hair.

Winter Haircare Tip #4: For static-y hair, use your leave-in conditioner before you style.  If your hair is oily, only use conditioner on your ends.  To tame and prevent static fly-aways, you spray a little hair spray on your brush and brush hair lightly.

Winter Haircare Tip #5: If your hair (color-treated or not) starts to look a little dull, a great way to perk up your color (and your mood) is to add a few face-framing highlights.  Add a shine-enhancer to your routine to keep your locks glossy and lustrous.

Winter Haircare Tip #6: Another Winter problem is certainly hat-head!  To prevent this, make sure your hair is totally dry first before you put on a hat.  Another idea is to wrap a silk scarf around your head before donning that Winter hat!

Winter Haircare Tip #7: Get your hair trimmed regularly, 4-6 weeks for short haircuts and 6-8 weeks for longer styles.

Winter is nearly here and I am already feeling the effects: dry skin, static-y hair, and chapped lips. Between the cold dry air outside, the hot dry air inside, and the wind blowing (it dries out your skin, hair, and lips, and you can get a wicked windburn in the winter), winter can wreak havoc on your beauty routine. I tend to get super dry skin around my eyes and mouth, which is so frustrating and uncomfortable! I’ve also experienced chapped hands! It’s the worst!

Here are some tips to help ease your skin and hair into winter:

1. Stay hydrated. Just because you’re not sweating as much doesn’t mean you can’t get dehydrated. Drinking enough water will help keep your skin and your lips hydrated.

2. Moisturize. This might be Beauty 101, but you’d be shocked to know how many people do not moisturize their face OR their hands and bodies. In the winter I like to even go for a creamier body moisturizer.   Some of my favorites are Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion by Clinique and Deep Moisture Body Cream from Neutrogena.

3. Go for a gentler cleanser. I like Dove body wash because it contains moisturizers. For cleansers, I really love Neutrogena’s Extra Gentle Cleanser.

4. Take care of your hands!  Chapped hands can be so painful.  Remember to wear gloves to protect your skin.  My favorite hand cream is Aveda Hand Relief, but there are so many available that are great for your skin.  A little goes a long way.

5. Avoid licking your lips.  The dry air (especially inside) can make your lips BEG for moisture.  It’s so hard to avoid doing, but so important.  Use a lip balm and keep yourself hydrating by drinking water.  Your lips will thank you, and you can avoid the nastiness of having badly chapped lips!  There are also some great lip exfoliants out there (try Sephora) which can help if you have flaky dry skin on your lips.

6. Invest in a humidifier.  This brings me back to when my mom used to run it when I was sick as a kid, but it really works.  My skin gets so dry in the house (especially if you have forced hot air… ouch!) and having a humidifier really helps.  I put it on at night.  It helps me breathe easier and my poor nose and the sensitive skin around my eyes and lips don’t get dried out.

7.  Try to exfoliate, but don’t go overboard.  Remember to moisturize after using a face or body scrub.

8.  Don’t forget your feet!  Just because you’re not showing them off as much doesn’t mean you should neglect them.  I get regular pedicures throughout the year, and you can exfoliate and moisturize your feet very easily at home. Bath & Body Works has a great foot care line.

9. Keep using sunscreen.  This is another practice we usually abandon when summer is over but it’s still so important.  You can protect your skin from drying and aging by using sunscreen EVERYDAY, regardless of the season.  The sun may not be as strong, but each day you are still exposing yourself to harmful effects, even if you’re not feeling the burn.

10. Skip the blow dryer in the winter.  Remember how the hot air from the furnace is bad for your skin?  Well imagine what the hot air aimed at your tresses is doing!  If you must, be sure to invest in heat styling products to protect your hair from the damage of getting dried out.  No one wants static-y hair or split ends!  There are also some GREAT remedies for damaged hair you can find in any drug store, or ask your stylist for a deep conditioning treatment if you’re suffering from dry winter hair.

Have a beautiful winter!

The temperature out there is cold and dreary, which can get most of us feeling a little under-the-weather. When I’m sick, nothing makes me feel better like a hot shower followed by some hot chocolate (or tea). I like to put on lotion and makeup, because it makes me feel a little bit better and a little more normal. I think my favorite thing to perk me up is to put on some mascara and lip gloss. It brightens my whole face and I feel a little bit better and look great with minimal effort.

We asked some of the Beauty Bloggerati, “When you are feeling sick during this cold season, do you wear makeup to feel better or do prefer no makeup at all? And what is your favorite product that makes you feel better?”

I definitely wear no makeup at all when I’m at home, and I wear minimal amounts out of the house. I’m really digging the Pixi tinted
moisturizer and concealer combo (it’s super affordable), because it takes 2 seconds to apply, makes my face have a “glow”, and that
concealer is awesome. I’m almost tempted to rub it all over my face (luckily, I don’t). – Bailey, MakeoverMomma

I love Vickery & Clarke Natural Apothecary eucalyptus & peppermint cold & sinus soak. It smells divine and really works to open up your sinuses. – Amber, BeautyBloggingJunkie

When I am sick, skin care is the most important part of my beauty routine.  As you know, having a cold can cause dry irritated skin.  My saving product is SuperSkin Concentrate by Liz Earle.  If I do have to go out of the house, I make sure the focus is on my eyes, not my dried chapped nose.  Long lashes, a light dusting of shadow and a bit of liner does the trick. For my lips, I’ll stick with Chapstick Shimmer as it helps the dry lips look less offensive and feels great! – Tammy, AMomInRedHighHeels

When I’m not feeling so great I try to have a nice hot shower, and moisturise my face and body.It calms me down immediately. I’ve been using Curel Itch Defense Skin Balancing Moisture Lotion. It’s fragrance free and extremely hydrating. And, I must confess, I apply powder foundation:  Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF 15  by Clinique on top because I can’t stand shiny face and uneven complexion. And I also apply Philosophy Kiss Me SPF 20 lip balm because it has a bit of menthol cooling effect on my dry lips, it adds just a sheer color to my lips, this way I don’t look too pale. You know you are a beauty addict when you don’t stop thinking and applying makeup even when you sick. – Marta, TalkingMakeup

Get more inside beauty info from the rest of the DailyMakeover.com Beauty Bloggerati!

• All About the Pretty
• Hair Thursday
• Makeup and Beauty Blog
• Makeup Bag
• Makeup Geek
• Product Girl
• PurseBuzz
• Spoiled Pretty
• The Jet Set Girls
• These Lips Are Made For Glossin’