The cold and harsh winter can certainly play havoc with my body. I go from a summer where I hardly need moisturiser to what seems to an overnight switch to a tight and dry face. But I am armed with knowledge this year, and I’m happy to share some winter beauty tips!

Cleanser

I use a mild cleanser most of the year which gets rid of makeup and does it’s job. Over winter, I’m switching to one that has moisturising properties (Nivea Daily Essentials Cleansing Mousse) so that I don’t strip my skin of any more moisture. A lot of the time, I’m skeptical about any product that suggests it does anything but one singular thing, but so far I’m finding this is helping the tight feeling while also getting rid of my makeup daily.

Water temperature

Usually during winter my showers and face washing is set to the highest possible temperature my face and body can take, but I’m trying to take it down a notch so that I don’t unknowingly cause damage to my skin. It’s a small sacrifice and I still love a good hot water bottle on a winters night with a tea and ugg boots in front of an indulgently pathetic TV show, but I’ve noticed a difference in the skin on my body after a shower. It’s more supple when I don’t subject it to near-scalding temperatures!

Wind in my hair

The windblown look was all the rage twenty or more years ago and I’m embarrassingly happy to share that I partook in the phenomenon back then. But times have changed and I am now no longer happy to sport the style, so I moisturise my hair too, and not just conditioner in the shower. I’ve switched to a dry conditioner (Cedel) which is light enough to style my hair without residue, but heavy enough to coat my hair so that it falls back in to straight place once I get inside. If I’m planning on using my straightener, I also use a straightening balm or spray (Garnier or John Frieda) to add a bit of extra protection.

Moving

Rather than moving house (I wish) this is more the not-succumbing-to-the-winter-under-the-doona that I generally try to get away with. I bought myself a smart pedometer (Fitbit) and am tracking every step I take as well as any exercise I do. I would like to say I’m smashing my 10,000 steps per day goal, but I’m trending around the 8,000 mark. The trend is going upward as I compete with my husband for daily superiority, though! I’m hit and miss on tracking food depending on how good I’ve been (MyFitnessPal app) – I seem to conveniently forget the fun sized Milky Ways I share with my daughter…

Winter is always a challenge to feel like doing anything, but I’m hoping these changes I’ve made will at least help in the chilly battle.