As the last of the autumn leaves fall from the trees and the skies turn grey for the wintery months, it is only logical that just as our wardrobe changes, so too do our beauty needs. For while some things are appropriate year round (impeccable grooming, drinking more water), most things in our beauty routine can benefit from a little seasonal tweak here and there. So if you haven’t already, these are a few of the best seasonal beauty switches you can make in your routine:
Skincare: Skin has a rather unwelcome tendency to be dull and lifeless in winter. Give it a helping hand by sloughing away dull skin twice a week with a gentle exfoliant, switching to a slightly richer face and eye cream than you would normally use in the summer months and, if you can manage it, adding a radiance-boosting serum for day (I love Caudalie’s Vinoperfect serum) and a vitamin-packed hydrating oil or treatment for night time a couple of times a week – either alone or beneath your face cream. As is usually the case, I personally swear by Aesop for all of the above (I used to have sensitive and irritated skin in winter, but they put a stop to that), but their Damascan Rose Face Treatment and Parlsey Seed Facial Cleanser (with lactic acid which acts as a gentle exfoliant every time you use it) are particularly excellent.
Body: Yes, you may hidden beneath layers of cashmere, but parched skin is never pretty. Make exfoliation and hydration your bathroom mantra. Twice a week in the shower, scrub all over (I use either Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub or Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Polish squeezed on a loofah glove) then douse yourself in a rich body cream or a heavenly-scented body oil from neck to toe (I adore Lierac Huile Sensorielle). Make sure you stay hydrated the rest of the time too (I’m personally in favour of a moisturiser with a hint of self tan so that I don’t look ghostly pale, but on others this can just look unnatural, so use whatever you love).
Fragrance note: Unless you are strictly loyal to a single signature fragrance, don’t forget to change your fragrance with the seasons. I’ve just brought out my favourite cold-weather scents, Stella McCartney Parfum (I love the new floral bottles) and Diptyque L’Ombre Dan L’Eau – both deep, warm rosy florals which feel luxurious on a cold morning.
Makeup: Now is the time to switch your candy brights and sweet pastels for something with a little more oomph. I’m normally a dolly pink cheeks and nude lip kind of girl, but at the moment I’m addicted to the way a deep red lipstick (at the moment, Chanel’s Rouge Allure in 71 Fatale is my favourite – a deep burgundy red), a plum metallic shadow (Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre mousse shadow pot in Ebloui, which makes my eyes look so green) and a warm, glowy complexion look against a dark wintery palette.
For eyes: go for plummy or bronzey metallic shadows blended all across the eyelid, or stay simple with a bold flick of liquid eyeliner and fluttery lashes. Don’t forget the waterproof mascara and eyeliner if there’s a downpour outside!
For lips: swap your candy brights or pale nudes for a deep red (don’t be shy – the effect it has on a drab grey day is addictive!). Go for lipstick over gloss, and make lip balm your best friend (wind-chapped lips are never pretty).
For cheeks: keep your complexion warm and glowy with a touch of luminescent highlighter along the cheekbones and a sweep of coral or plummy blush. If you have dry skin, you may also want to try switching from a powder blush to a cream or gel version.
For nails: Whereas in summer I was addicted to sugary pastels and neon reds, now it has to be either deep plummy shades, metallics, or glittery sparkle (which makes even the greyest day fun and twinkly). Don’t forget to keep polish neat, as chipped polish is harder to hide when you’re wearing dark burgundy.
Which seasonal beauty swaps will you be making?
Love, Miss B xx
Lovely post as always
Thank you!
B xx
Absolutely LOVE your beauty posts! Thanks for the tips, I am normally quite good with skincare for my face but appauling when it comes to exfoliating body, will take on board these tips! x
Thank you so much Lola! And it can be so easy to forget these things, but it really does make a difference!
B xx
Great post..What moisturiser with self tan do you use? I love Diptyque L’Ombre Dan L’Eau..I’m already trying to deal with drier skin than usual. Blech!
For me it’s bringing out the plum colours as well, blushes and lips. It’s also when I can wear heavier spicier scents like L’Artisan’s Havana Vanille.
Thank you! As a gradual tanning body moisturiser, I love either Palmer’s Cocoa Butter gradual tan (it’s cheap as chips and smells like cocoa!) or St Tropez Everyday. Ooh, I love L’Artisan too!
B xx
lol…love this reply, very funny! u sure got talent with words;)
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
Great post! My skin is definitely feeling the winter freeze right now, and I have noticed that I need to use more color on my face to balance out the dreary gray weather and heavy winter clothes. This post gave me the push I needed to actually go there 😉
Thanks! Good luck with the winter skin and grey day-combatting!
B xx
Okay, I’m sold: I’ll give Aesop a try. With all the stresses of the move, my skin is going through hell so looking forward to trying it. Did you visit their shop in the Marais?
My skin has been so up and down lately (an unwelcome combination of stress, hormones and changing seasons) but everytime I go back to Aesop I see an improvement (and I love their whole brand philosophy). And I didn’t make it to any of their Paris stores this time, but I’m sure they’re charming!
B xx
Beautiful as always… I usually just wear a thick line of liquid eyeliner… But recently I thought that it’s time for a change. But, honestly, I don’t know where to begin… I have brownish-greenish eyes, what eyeshadow colour will benefit my eyecolour?
P.S. Have you ever considered doing a make-up tutorial? 🙂
xxx
I must confess, even as a beauty junkie I do get stuck in a rut of doing the same beauty looks each day once I know they work for me. But sometimes a change of beauty is as good as a brand new coat or shoes to make you feel like a fabulous woman on an otherwise drab day!
If you have greeny brown eyes, why don’t you try a shadow like the Chanel one I pictured? It looks a bit red in the pot (it’s a sort of rusty plummy colour) but it is actually so warming and flattering on and brings out green eyes like nothing I’ve ever tried (mine look positively emerald when I use it!). Looks great with either a deep red lip, or some rosey cheeks.
I can absolutely do a tutorial! What do you want to see?
B xx
Thank you, I’ll definitely try this eyeshadow!
As for tutorial, it would be great to see a video or just pictures of your favourite make up for a day look & for a night one! It would be just wonderful!
Thanks so much again! xx
I’ve switched my blusher and added a more intense moisturiser and serum for my face but always forget the body moisturing – I use the palmers self tan too but probably only once a week – slap on the wrists!
Do you use the brush that comes with the Chanel or something else?
The doll on fashion
Even once a week is better than nothing, but it makes all the difference to use every day (particularly if you’re exfoliating before hand).
I actually use a proper eyeshadow brush (this one is so great for seamlessly blending any kind of shadow, and then a pencil brush for a hint of colour beneath the eye) when at home, then pop the little mini brush that came with it in my handbag for touchups. Hope that helps!
B xx
I love your photography skills. And everytime I read your Beauty Wednesday blog post I want to sprint to my department store to try everything you mentionned, it’s such a great selection of products!
Oh thank you so much! And so glad you love the beauty posts!
B xx
Informative as usual. I’m pretty good with autumn/winter skin-care programme, but the tips above are nicely welcome too;-)
Good girl! And thank you
B xx
I love this post! Its thoroughly interesting and original, unlike similar articles you can read in magazines. I love recommendations for new product too, so this is parfait.
Grand bisous, Bella x
Fantastic post. I will have to try Aesop. During the winter my skin becomes soo parched and sensitive.
A big problem for me is foundation – my skin is so dry that the foundation just flakes and looks horrible. Is there anything you can suggest? x
Another fab and useful Beauty post, Miss B=) I’m loving these, it’s like you’ve got everything covered for us! hehehe
I have to say, i’m always in a make up rut as i always use the same old boring smokey eyes or nude lip gloss, no matter what the season. But i think you might have changed my mind. My sis just got me a dark red lipstick from Rimmel London and i can’t wait to use it and flaunt it,lol
After your continuous praise about Aesop, i really think i gotta give it a go, maybe this will be one of my Christmas pampering gifts to myself=)
And i love the Stella McCartney Parfum bottle, it’s sooo girlie=D I’ve been using Chloe Eau De Parfum for the past 2 years and i still love it!!! But i’ve been meaning to look for a new fragrance too.
Once again, great informative post!
p.s Hope you’re keeping yourself warm in chilly Cambridge/London=)
Cinz
http://cinzee.wordpress.com
i am currently loving metallic nails! do check out Aluminium by NARS Holiday Edition.. absolutely gorgeous!!
xx
It is coming into summer in Sydney. But many of your tips are the same :: exfoliating is essential before applying a tinted/gradual tan moisturiser and waterproof mascara for all the time in the pool or at the beach.
I change from a luminescent liquid foundation (Chanel) as the sheen is too much in summer to a compact (MAC), less eyeshadow and either a pale gloss or a bright coral lipstick.
SInce you’re a fan of Caudalie, I would also very much recommend their crushed cabernet scrub for the body in winter. I have been using a trial sample and I am totally hooked!
http://www.styleonthecouch.com
Thanks for the tip on Caudalie serum – I’ve been trying to find something to brighten/even my skinton for aaaages, and I have a feeling that might be just what I’ve been looking for. It’s an expensive purchase for me, I’ll admit, but hopefully it’ll be worth it (and reduce my concealer spend!). x