MUSE Loves: Winter Beauty

It’s officially the dead of winter, and if your hair and skin aren’t seriously feeling the effects of the weather right now, you’re probably not a real person, and this isn’t the post for you.For all the chap-lipped, flake-skinned, dry-haired, dandruff-permeated folks on campus (and I really hope that I’m not the only one): here are MUSE’s favorite, tried-and-true winter beauty products.1. Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle CreamNothing says, “it’s winter” quite like a pair of hands that look like they belong in a senior home. When moisturizer just isn’t enough, slather some of this all around your dry cuticles before bed. It smells like lemon cleaner, but trust me, the results are worth it.2. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In ProductMy hair routine is usually kept as low-maintenance (read: lazy) as possible. Curly hair is dry as it is, and only gets more dry in the winter. To keep my hair’s Hagrid-like tendencies at bay, a couple of spritzes of this after the shower leaves it less frizzy, shinier, and smelling delightful.3. Boots No7 Total Renewal Micro-Dermabrasion ExfoliatorIt’s hard to go wrong with the Boots brand in general, and this exfoliator doesn’t disappoint. I use it once a week as a way to sort of reset my skin after all it’s been through. Follow up with a deep moisturizer (or Kiehl’s concentrate if you’re feeling indulgent) and your skin will end up unbelievably soft.4. Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery ConcentrateThere is a reason this stuff gets so many rave reviews. While it left my wallet weeping a little bit, it really is like a cure-all for college. Partied a little too late last night? Pulled an all-nighter at Stauffer? Massaging a few drops of this on your face at night leaves you waking up to soft, smooth, glowing skin. Cannot recommend enough! 1. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White Eau de Parfum SprayI am a huge Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen fangirl, and can’t help but jump on board with any product they put out. In the case of this perfume though, the fawning is warranted- Elizabeth and James Nirvana White is the perfect winter scent. It’s made up of peony, muguet, and musk, a mix of sharp and delicate scents that are sure to make a cold winter day a little bit easier to bear.2. LUSH Breath of Fresh Air Toner WaterThis toner, meant for skin that has been “ravaged by the elements”, is unfortunately all-too-necessary in the Kingston wintertime. Made up of ingredients like aloe vera gel, rosemary oil, and even fresh seawater (how is it kept fresh in the bottle? I don’t know, but it works), this spray has never failed to get me through the longer winter months. I definitely recommend it for anyone with sensitive skin.3. Ice Cream GO Light Crystal Beauty Fluid Shine SolutionWhile shine solutions usually bring to mind greasy, flat hair, this aptly named GO Light glossing fluid leaves hair looking soft and silky. The solution is applied to hair when wet and is also perfect for protecting your mane against heat-styling damage. If you find your hair drying out once the snow starts to fall, this styling product may become your lifesaver.1. Benefit Fake UpI’m not going to lie…this was an impulse buy at Sephora. BUT I am so happy with it! Deep into winter, when your skin is dry as a bone, and you get a pesky pimple, this is the best cover up. Think, concealer meets lip balm (weird, I know) but give it a try; you’ll like it as much as I do.2. Moroccan OilWe’ve all heard about how great Moroccan oil is, but for a curly haired gal in winter, Moroccan oil is MAGICAL. My jar of oil has lasted me for years; it does wonders after a shower and to tame down those frizzy bits. If you haven’t tried it, do it.3. Ouchless Ribbon ElasticsI know. Hair elastics, really? Yes. I had seen these elastic floating around and thought they were simply a fad. However, with thick hair, they are excellent! If you have a mane to tame, definitely try these out. I haven’t had any break on me, or any leftover kinks!4. Dermalogica Clear Start LineFor those of you with troubled skin, rejoice! Dermalogica skin products are really the best of the best, and their prices show it. However, they recently released a line for younger skin, which is significantly less in cost, so you can use it more. My faves? The foaming wash (it smells like cucumbers, mmm!) 1. C.O. Bigelow Rose SalveI would bathe in this sh*t. That’s how much I love it. This extremely moisturizing salve is designed for use on the “lips, face, cuticles, elbows, knees, chapped or very dry skin patches,” and it’s also really, really addicting. I can honestly say that I’ve tried this salve on all of the above-mentioned locations, plus many, many more (including my eyelids, which was oddly satisfying). But my salve-slathered body part of choice is definitely my lips. I apply it when I wake up, before I go to bed, after I take a shower— the list doesn’t end! And lucky for me, it probably won’t ever end, because I own a LIFETIME SUPPLY OF THIS STUFF. You should too.Runner up goes to my trusty tub of Vaseline, who lives in my backpack, and is almost as good as le salve (bonus: Vaseline doubles as the most incredible eye makeup remover).2. Fresh Rose Floral TonerI have a really hard time getting my a** out of bed during these long, cold winters, so I love anything that gives me a little jolt of energy in the morning. Though it’s not quite as effective as coffee, this stuff smells lovely, hydrates my skin, and is a totally refreshing pick-me-up. I spritz my face and neck with this a few (dozen) times after I wake up in the morning – but not until I’ve applied my rose salve, of course! I owe it to our EIC Jaclyn for introducing me to the wonderful, wonderful world of toners.3. NYX Chunky Dunk in Pomegranate MartiniThis is the perfect winter lip stick/gloss hybrid, and it’s definitely a stand out in my makeup bag right now. NYX’s deep berry shade is flattering against all skin colors, and transitions flawlessly from day to night –pair it with mascara for class, or with a cat-eye for a night out on the town. It’s also exceptionally hydrating, so there’s no choosing between color and moisture – you get the best of both worlds!4. Art Deco Camouflage CreamThis is the teeniest, tiniest little package of under-eye concealer that I have ever seen, but it seriously lasts forever. And it works wonders. My skin has yellow-undertones (at least that’s what Sephora once told me). I don’t know exactly what all of this means, but I do know that in the winter, said yellow-undertones equate to horrifying dark circles under my eyes, no matter how much sleep I get. For me, every day would look like a Friday morning Stages hangover if it weren’t for this camo cream. Tip: Apply concealer in an upside down triangle under each eye for maximum coverage. 1. AVEDA: All-Sensitive Moisturizer & Balancing Infusion for Dry SkinATTENTION TO THOSE WITH EXTREMELY DRY SKIN: These products literally save my face from the horror that is Ontario winters. I use these two together daily by mixing a few drops of the oil into the moisturizer. One pump of the moisturizer goes a long way, so these products are perfect for long winters and won’t leave you wondering where all your $$$ has vanished to.2. Josie Maran: Argan Oil Hair SerumThis hair serum literally feels like silk. It adds shine and tames the frizz that surrounds my head like a bad-hair-halo in the winter months. It also smells kind of like the beach—case in point.3. Fresh: Sugar Lip PolishFresh has an amazing variety of lip balms and stains, but my favourite product has to be the lip polish. It exfoliates and conditions, not to mention that it’s made with brown sugar (yum!) It gets rid of that extremely unwanted flakey-lip-thing that usually presents itself during the winter months. Plus, it’s made with jojoba oil, which not only nourishes the skin, but also sounds super cool. 1. Klorane Dry ShampooTo keep my hair from looking dry and dull from the harsh cold, I try to keep washing my hair to a minimum – I typically shampoo every other day. But nothing makes me more uncomfortable than having greasy roots, and this dry shampoo saves me from that horror. An added bonus is that it gives my hair the texture it needs to hold certain styles, AND it has a nice, gentle scent.2. Blistex Lip MedexMy lips get scary dry in the winter and I need to re-apply lip balm probably three times a day. I love this “lip protectant” because it looks something my physician would prescribe, and it definitely does the job at keeping my lips hydrated! Plus, it gives your lips a tingly feeling so you can even feel it working its magic.3. Diorskin Nude BB CrèmeI usually opt for pressed powder foundation, but in the winter, I need an extra kick of moisture for my skin. I’m a huge fan of Christian Dior’s Diorskin Nude BB Crème – it gives a decent amount of coverage that’s appropriate for everyday use, and when paired with my daily moisturizer, keeps my face hydrated all day long.  Yours Creatively,Abi Conners, Creative DirectorGraphics: Abi Conners, Into the Gloss