Now that we are officially in winter and we have already had a couple of snow days in the UK, I thought it was about time to switch up my skincare to match the new season. I have oily combination skin but I have found my skin quite dry lately due to the contrast between the outside cold and then the warmth indoors.

I have upped my hydration game by introducing the Aurelia Cell Repair Night Oil into my skincare. I always use face oils in my skincare routine but I found this one to be more nourishing than the previous one I was using, it also sinks in quite quickly. The rose and mandarin oil help protect and hydrate the skin leaving a glowy complexion by morning whilst the neroli and lavender oil allow you to relax and de-stress aiding restful sleep. It really was love at first use.

I have wanted to try the ByTerry baume de rose for ever but I could not bare to give £39 for a 30g lip balm, I just find it too excessive. But when I saw that they were selling a mini version as part of their Christmas collection I knew it was my opportunity to try it. I have not been let down by it, it's a true cult classic and for good reason. It’s deeply nourishing without felling too heavy or sloppy, it also works wonders under lipstick. I love using it at night and waking up to baby soft lips by morning.

 During the day a like to top-up using the Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturizer. The packaging is more practical for on-the-go application. I love how soothing it is when applied to dry lips, the formula contains fatty acids which nourish and protect the lips.

As I mentioned before my skin has started to feel quite dry, therefore I have reintroduced exfoliators to my skincare routine. Currently, I am using the Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant and TheOrdinary Lactic Acid 5% + 2%HA. They are completely different but both really good. The Dermalogica daily superfoliant is a physical exfoliator, it has a unique formula as it is a powder that turns into a paste on contact with water. It has tiny grains that dissolve once you start rubbing it into your skin. Its very mild and great for daily use.

The ordinary Lactic Acid is a chemical exfoliator, as any regular exfoliator it gets rid of dead cells and improves skin texture but if you do use lactic acid be sure to use and SPF the next day as it does leave your skin vulnerable to sun damage.

I have also swapped my trusty micellar water for balm cleansers as I feel it's less drying on the skin and a bit more nourishing. My favourite one at the moment is the EmmaHardie Moringa Cleansing Balm but I have recently received a mini version of the cult classic Eve LomCleanser and will start using it tonight.

Dry body oils have become a thing of the past for me and I have started using rich body creams again. My absolute fave it the RitualsSakura Body Cream, I just love the amazing scent and how soft it leaves my skin. I have yet to try a body cream that I love more.

Let me know what skincare products you´re introducing into your routine to battle these cold days.

Introducing red

I am not a big fan of red as I don’t think it suits my skin tone but every winter nearing Christmas time I try to make it work. Wearing red on my nails is a Christmas must have, I currently have Essie´s Maki Me Happy paired with a glittery top coat.

As for red lipstick, its not that easy for me to find a good shade, I was really impressed with this red liquid lip colour by Trish McEvoy as it is a really good shade for me and incredible comfortable to wear.

Doubling up on hydration

The contrast between the cold streets and the warm heaters can really make your skin suffer. I don’t normally use hand creams but find it’s a must in winter. This indulgent Bal DÁfrique hand cream from Byredo is absolutely amazing and the scent is out of this world.

Returning the glow to your skin

Skin can become quite dull in winter. To get that summer glow I use a combination of face oils and illuminating primers. My favourite one by far is the Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow it just gives a subtle glow all over.

Staple lipstick

Every season I find a staple lip colour that I wear non-stop. This time I have fallen in love with the Audatious lipstick in Anita by Nars. This shade has always been a favourite in my collection but they have launched it in the limited edition gold packaging, it looks stunning!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season; I’ll be back next Thursday.

Big hugs and kisses!

Using hair driers, straighteners, curling tongs, balayage, highlights all this contributes to dry hair and therefore hair breakage.

I must have been around fifteen when I first started highlighting my hair. I would also use my hair straighteners on a daily basis and let me tell you my ends were so dry they looked like straw.

With time I learned how to keep damage and breakage to a minimum and thought I would share with you my holly grail products to prevent dry hair.

Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral. This hair mask is incredible for dry ends, I found that it really made a difference to state of my hair when I started using it every time I washed my hair. Hair masks can be a pain as I hate waiting 5 minutes for it to work its magic but I assure you it is worth it. It leaves your hair nourished, soft and smelling incredible without weighing your hair down.

Morrocan Oil. This is a cult classic and rightfully so, I have tried many hair oils but I haven’t found one that I like more than this one. The one pictured above is the light version of the classic oil. Its best used for thin or light coloured hair. I sometimes use it on wet hair or dry hair after styling and it just makes your hair shine and soft.

Olaplex No 3 is a mini miracle in a bottle. This product works to mend the structure of the hair by knitting the bonds in your hair back together, meaning that after one treatment, your frazzled ends will be left looking much healthier. Your hair will also feel softer, shinier and easier to manage.

Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Resurfacing Reinforcing Milk. This product is amazing at minimising split ends, if you use a lot of heat it your hair you need this product in your life. It protects weakened, damaged hair from the aggressions of blow-dry and makes hair easier to style. It’s a must if you heat style your hair.