Winter is fast approaching, and colder climates can mean that our skin can take a beating if we aren’t prepared with a good routine and a few key products.

1. Wash your face and remove makeup with a cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of it’s natural oils. I love the Shu Uemura cleansing oils because they remove all your makeup and leave your skin feeling amazingly soft and smooth.

2. One of the most important things to avoid during the cold weather is dehydration. A hydrating mist  like MAC Fix + spritzed on the face before moisturizer is like a glass of water for your skin.

3. When it comes to moisturizer Embryolisse is fabulous. It’s nourishing to the skin, lightweight, and can be used during the day under foundation or at night to help skin repair itself while you sleep.

4. Removing dead skin cells will help prevent your complexion from looking dull, which is a direct result of dry skin. Try Beauticontrol Multi-Acid Peel for spa results at home.

5. Don’t forget about your lips. Protect the skin on your lips from chapping and cracking with a soothing lip balm such as Kiehls

1. Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil 2. Kiehls Lip Balm #1 3. BeautiControl Multi-Acid Peel 4. MAC Fix+ 5. Embryolisse 

It seems like everywhere I go women are talking about cosmetic surgery, botox, and anti-aging products. Everybody wants to stay looking young or look younger — myself included. Beauticontrol’s Regeneration line of products, is an amazing less invasive alternative to youthful looking skin. Tight, Firm and Fill face creme works to stimulate the epidermis and tighten the skin. Skin firms up as more collagen is produced, and special hyaluronic spheres plump the skin up causing wrinkles to virtually disappear. The product starts to work immediately, and in 4 weeks 100% of panelists that tested the product showed tighter, firming skin. 94% saw a more luminous complexion, and 84% saw less fine lines. Sounds good to me!

People often wonder, when it comes to foundation which is best. The fact is it depends on lots of variables. Such as how do you want your skin to look? How much coverage do you want? Which type of foundation do you like—liquid, powder, cream? What type of skin do you have? Because the answers to these questions can change with age, season, or occasion, there’s always more than one foundation that will work for you.
Here’s a quick breakdown on powder foundation and liquid:

Powder Foundation

Convenient because it’s two things in one and comes in a compact with a mirror

Generally full coverage

Option of applying with a sponge for maximum coverage, or a brush for less

Matte finish

Adheres to dry or textured skin which enhances the problem and is not flattering

Liquid Foundation

Comes in different forms: water based (hydrating) emollient based (heavier coverage) silicone based (smooth and easy to blend)

Variety of finishes: matte, semi matte, dewy

Manipulate finish by how much you apply—sheer it out or build coverage up

Apply with different brushes, sponge, or fingers

Customize colours by mixing to match your skin

Here are our tips to achieve the ultimate in dewy skin:

1. Exfoliate. At least once a week will increase cell turn over and remove any dead skin from the surface which can cause the complexion to look dull

2. Hydrate the skin with a skin mist that contains water, vitamins and minerals. Try Shu Uemura Depsea Spray.

3. Moisturize. Once the skin is wet it will lock in moisture better.

4. Primer that evens skin tone and texture and delivers radiance. Try Armani Light Master Primer

5. Apply foundation that has a glowy finish like Armani Face Fabric Radiance

Shu Uemura just launched 3 new skin care products specifically for oily skin-that means me! The line is inspired by water lilies, and is designed to combat both external and internal stresses that cause excess oil on the skin. Primarily I’ve been using the Intense Pore Perfecting Solution. It’s a lightweight lotion that feels cool when it goes on, and shrinks my pore size noticeably. I also found I had to blot less throughout the day. However, you can also use the solution over the top of make up to touch up.

Today I picked up the rest of the line (I like it when things all go together) The way it works is to use the Clarifying Refreshing Lotion (In the Shu world lotion means toner) after cleansing. Then the Pore Perfector then the Clarifying Balancing Moisturizer. Gel-like in texture this helps keep skin shine free by absorbing excess oil, but still looking radiant. Here’s to a slick free complexion!

The healthiest way to slow the aging process down, is by protecting your skin against UV rays. Use a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protectors, and remember to reapply after being in the water. Try Shiseido Ultimate Protection Cream for Face SPF 55.

Image from studiojordan.com

I’ve been using  MAC Mineralized All-Over Lotion on myself and others and I only wish it came in a larger size! It contains key ingredients like muru muru butter, aloe and charged water infused with diamond powder. It feels very lightweight and gives tons of moisture and hydration to the skin. What I like the best about this product though, is the gorgeous sheen it leaves behind. It’s not shimmery in anyway, but instead leaves dewy glow. Amazing on the face as it’s fragrance free. Love it on the body for moisture and a beautiful glow.

Who doesn’t need more moisture on their skin right now? For maximum hydration spritz your face with a water based mist, like Stella McCartney Toning Floral Water and then apply your moisturizer. Moisturizer penetrates better on damp skin for a more smooth, supple complexion.

This is so delicious I absolutely love it! I fully admit to being addicted to body products: hand creams, shower gels, moisturizers I have to have a selection on hand at all times. I usually go for sweet smelling things so when I tried this Laura Mercier Soufflé Body Creme in French Vanilla, I realized I’d just found la crème de la crème. Besides the rich Tahitian and Bourbon vanilla scent, it feels fantastic on the skin. Shea butter, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as sweet almond oil and honey really drench your skin in moisture without a greasy feel.

What’s so great about EA 8 hour cream? It’s jam packed with super moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum and vitamin E. This original skin protectant dates way back to the 1930’s and is still a staple in any savvy make up artists kit. The emollient texture leaves dry skin anywhere on the face or body feeling soothed and hydrated. Because of it’s natural sheen, Backstage it’s often used to highlight the high planes of models faces, gloss lips, and tame brows.