Skin woes: last-minute winter skin relief

Skin woes title

We are finally in the home stretch!  Less than one month left until it’s officially spring.

With all the snow, the polar vortex, and just the fact that I live in Winnipeg (AKA Winterpeg, AKA colder than Mars on New Year’s Eve), my skin has taken a beating this winter.  Although this post may have been more helpful a few months ago, better late than never!  Just because the weather may be warming up (think -12 C instead of -30 C), it’s still important to keep nice and moisturized.

Here are my top picks for skin, hair, and lips.

Skin

1. Eos Hand Lotion – A little trick for keeping your paws nice and moisturized is to apply a hand cream then pop on a pair of specialty gloves before you hit the sack.  By the time the morning comes, your hands will feel nice and moisturized (plus, it also cures the case of cold hands!).  The Eos hand lotion is also the perfect size for travel, so pop it in your purse for touch ups throughout the day (you may want to leave the gloves at home though..).

2. Organique Shea Butter Body Balm in Greek – Not only does this Polish-brand’s body butter smell like all sorts of amazing (seriously, this scent is to die for), but the body butter melts into your skin once it makes contact. I love applying this at night because it does get quite greasy, so once I wake up in the morning, everything is nice and smooth.

3. Homemade Organics by Jen Cracked Foot Relief – This foot pomade is not only wonderful for your feet, but you can also apply this to anywhere that needs some relief.  The waxy texture will cure even the most chapped lips, cuticles, you name it!

4. Philosophy My Heart to Yours Body Lotion – Not only am I obsessed with this vanilla/citrus scent, but this lotion gives you some serious much-needed moisture.  This is a wonderful anytime of the day moisturizer that will give your skin a much-needed drink of moisture instantly.

5. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +  My holy grail, can’t live with it, most-faved item of all time.  I have been using this moisturizer since I was 15 and haven’t stopped since.  Although I may branch out some days, I always go back to my tried and true.

Hair products

1. Pantene Pro-V Silky Moisture Whip – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love this stuff.  Apply a dollop of this Cool-Whip textured product to damp hair for smooth, moisturized locks up to 72 hours.

2. Pantene Expert Keratin Repair Ampoules – I like applying a hair masque at least once a week instead of my usual conditioner just to add some moisture and shine.  You get five of these bad boys in one pack and they really do a great job leaving your hair looking – and feeling – like a million bucks.

3. Organique Coconut Oil – Coconut oil seems to be the fad product of the moment, but really it’s great for everything.  Although it’s best to apply this to your hair at night and then sleep with a shower cap on to seal everything (make sure you rinse in the morning), I have applied a small (read: little tiny bit) to my ends for some added moisture where I need it the most.  I want to add that you have to be careful with this stuff and not go overboard.  You want your hair looking shiny, not greasy.

Lips

1. Rosebud Salve – Another one of my absolutely can’t-live-without-it items, I use Rosebud Salve for errrr-thing. Not only is it good for your lips, but apply it on dry cuticles, pimples, burns, mosquitos bites, you name it, for some relief.

2. Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue – Everyone loves Maybelline’s Baby Lips and their Dr. Rescue line provides some medicated relief for cracked and dry lips.  I have the rose-tinted one, but it comes in a variety of colours and a clear one, to provide you with some instant relief.  I do want to note that according to the package, you should apply this more than three to four times in the day, and it does have a medicine-like smell, which I actually find plumps my lips for some reason.

What are your favourite items for curing winter skin?  

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Up the hi-def! Make Up For Ever releases HD Pressed Powder

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Just like any other beauty blogger, I have a few products that are must-have holy-grail items. Although it hasn’t been getting much love as of late (too many products to try, too little time), I swear by the Make Up For Ever (MUFE) HD Microfinish Powder.  This white powder sets your makeup and is perfect for photography (think wedding photos, graduation photos, really any event where there’s photography) because it makes your makeup look as perfect as it does in real life (sometimes, you can look a bit whiter in photos because some powders contain sunscreen, which reflects light back).

As much as I love this product, I do have a few qualms.  Because it’s a loose powder, the stuff is awful for travelling, unless you can ensure it stands up straight or tape the nozzles so no powder can get out.  I used to travel with it all the time, but as soon as I opened the jar, white stuff got everywhere and it made it look like I had way too much fun in my hotel bathroom. Plus, no one wants white powder all over their stuff (try explaining to the TSA guy that it’s setting powder, not cocaine).

Anyways, I was in Sephora a month or so back and roaming the aisles like I always do (#beautybloggerproblems) when I came across the MUFE HD Pressed Powder.  It was like a halo of light shining down onto the black compact.  Like the MUFE angels heard my wish and released their glorious powder in a compact form.  I think my heart may have stopped for a split second when it sunk in that, yes, this powder was real and I wasn’t dreaming.

Open Compare

The MUFE HD Pressed Powder comes in their sleek, uber-sexy black compact, complete with mirror.  The packaging is pretty much identical to their Pro Finish powder, but without the sponge.

According to Sephora’s website, the compact comes in two sizes: 0.07 oz (C$26) and 0.21 oz (C$41).  With that being said, I’ve only ever seen the larger size.  You can still buy the loose powder too if that’s more of your jam, which they also rebranded with new packaging.  In terms of the most bang for your buck, the HD Microfinish Powder is better for your wallet (0.3 oz for C$39, 0.14 oz for C$22), but you don’t get the convenience and simplicity of the compact. If I had to choose one, I would go with the compact.

Okay, so here’s why you need it.  You apply this magic wonder after your foundation as a finishing powder.  Ideal for all skin types, this lightweight powder softens the appearance of fine lines and pores, while also slightly mattifying the face and reducing shine.  It also adds a soft-focus, naturally radiant effect to blur imperfections. I like using a kabuki brush to apply it; MUFE has one for C$60, but if you are thrifty like me, get the $6 ELF version, it does the job perfectly.

Before After

As you can see from the above photos, my face doesn’t look as shiny and my skin tone appears more even.

I have loved MUFE’s HD Microfinish Powder ever since I first started using it like three years ago.  I still have tons of the powder left, so it’s definitely a great product to have on hand for really anyone.  I love that the brand came out with a compact version of this cult classic, and once I run out of the powder, I’ll just keep repurchasing the compact.  Even though you don’t get as much, and it’s a few dollars more, I love the convenience of the compact version more.  Kudos to you Make Up For Ever!

Have you tried MUFE’s HD Pressed Powder?  What are your thoughts?

Also, don’t forget to enter my $50 Wal-Mart gift card giveaway.  Canadians only, ends Monday!

Please note, this post contains product that were sent by PR. All opinions are my own.

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Bare essentials: Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs collection

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If you know me, you will know I love my lipsticks.  If you really know me, you’ll know that I mostly only wear nudes or pinks.  So when I found out that Maybelline was releasing a collection that only had nude shades, I just about died.

I have been a huge fan of Maybelline’s lipsticks since they released their Color Sensational Vivids collection a year or so ago.  Knowing how amazing Maybelline’s lipsticks are, I knew that this collection would not disappoint.  The Buffs is also part of their Color Sensational line, so that means that they are very pigmented and moisturizing.

Colours names

The 10 shades in the line range from a concealer-like nude to a deep wine colour.  Since they are all nudes, they range from having pink, red, and brown undertones.  So that means that if you are pale as me or darker, you can find a shade that’s perfect for your skin tone.  Total plus in my books!

Since I am quite fair, my favourites are 910 Bare All (this is a great base colour, I don’t think I would wear it solely on it’s own), 915 Blushing Beige (my favourite), 920 Nude Lust, and 930 Truffle Tease.  For the most part, I have been wearing Blushing Beige probably most days since I got them.

Bare All Blushing Beige Nude lust Maple Kiss Truffle Tease Stormy Sahara Untainted Spice Espresso Exposed

There are two more colours which I haven’t tried, 935 Sin-A-Mon and 940 Touchable Taupe. Overall I was actually surprised by this collection.  Obviously I love the lighter shades but even the darker ones, those of which have brown undertones, are quite wearable on me and my fair skin as well.  I do want to note that as amazing as these colours are, the lighter ones don’t have the best wear on them.  I find I have to reapply every hour or so.

Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs collection launched a month or so ago so check your local drugstore for a display.  I believe that they are part of the permanent collection.  Shop around for the best price, so far Wal-Mart Canada are the cheapest I’ve seen them.

Have you picked up any colours from The Buffs collection?  If so, which is your fave?

Also, don’t forget to enter my $50 Wal-Mart gift card contest, Canadians only!

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