1. Set the scene
Don't let the early evening darkness get you down. Warm up your interior and add a cosseting winter aroma and the soft glow of candlelight. If you're planning to celebrate mid-winter Christmas, opt for a suitable fragrance to feast by, something redolent of the tree, or spicy, rich or fruity. Try Ecoya's limited edition Blue Cypress and Amber Madison Jar candle ($49.95, stockists see ecoya.com); or dine a deux to the decadent aromatic embrace of Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir candle or diffuser.
2. Deep cleanse
Ensuring hair is well-washed and rinsed is a given, but adding an extra step with exfoliation is an emerging trend. Beauty obsessives might want to add this to the list of things to try on a wintry evening, the idea being it will help remove stubborn styling elements and pollution as well as re-energise the scalp from massage. The latter helps product penetration to maximise hair health.
Try Naturica Detoxifying Comfort Scrub, $30, with the matching shampoo from this sustainable Italian botanical brand. It uses porous pumice from Sicily as a gentle exfoliant in conjunction with nourishing ceramides and anti-oxidants. For salon stockists ph 0800 255 747.
Kerastase also has a pre-shampoo cleaner inspired by face care rituals in its Chronologiste range. Soin Gommage Removateur is said to stimulate and activate hair follicles, to support growth.
3. Deep heat
Snuggle up on the couch under a cosy blanket as a reward for extending yourself with exercise. That’s the stuff you undertake not just for form and fitness but to kick-start your system and rev up those feel-good endorphins. If you’ve gone for a brisk walk or a run in the bracing outdoors, you’ll enjoy the warmth back indoors all the more.
Afterwards, remember to wind down with a stretch and try a rub-down with your favourite body cream or oil to further condition your limbs. Try soothing any lingering soreness by relaxing with this pretty Willow & Finch lavender scented wheat bag ($39.95) from Isabel Harris, Newmarket, isabelharris.co.nz
4. Three-step care
If summer is slip, slop, slap, then make winter scrub, soak, slather and we’re not talking about cleaning the bath, but rather stepping into it. Showers are quick and easy, but baths are for luxuriating leisurely, so shut the door and make the time do double duty by adding in a little buffing and polishing. Reinvigorate your skin with scrubs, masks and moisturisers, so you emerge from your spa at home relaxed and in tip-top condition.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.Try Savar Spa's Sugar Scrub ($51) followed by its Ultra Nourishing Body Butter in Ginger & Lime ($45), or opt for the Pacific Coconut fragrance for an easy escape. From selected retailers, see savaronline.com
5. Build a barrier
Keep environmental extremes from doing their darndest by ensuring you maintain adequate moisture levels in your skin to deter dryness and chapping. Lips, hands and faces all need plenty of TLC when wind and cold combine with home heating to leave us feeling taut. Souped-up skincare promises plenty, but the basics are your best building blocks, so like drinking water, make all-over moisturising your daily essential, all year round.
Try Aesop's new Elemental Facial Barrier Cream ($80) from World Beauty stores, worldbrand.co.nz, for a nourishing mix with plant waxes and oil to protect dry, sensitive skins exposed to dehydrating conditions.
6. Best foot forward
Tired feet are troublesome and at this time of year we all too often ignore our trusty transport. Though shoving our feet into tights and boots keeps our toes warm, out of sight and out of mind can lead to down at heel. Ensure you provide some wriggle room in your beauty regime for good foot care by keeping nails tidy and cheerfully painted and giving feet a massage from time to time to keep them soft and supple so they can emerge like a butterfly from the chrysalis come spring.
Try Linden Leaves Foot Massage Cream ($34.99) from one of the few foot ranges which uses something other than peppermint as its primary fragrance, in this case a fresh blend of cucumber, sage and lemongrass. Stockists see lindenleaves.com
7. Shine time
Banish boring, with a touch of glitz in your makeup. It’s the perfect pick-up on a dull day, be it a slick of gloss, a glitter nail or a touch of shimmer on the eye or cheek. For parties, channel disco drama, a look we will be seeing more of as the year progresses. Try Revlon’s Photoready Eye Art pens, $23.50, to channel your inner drama queen. These feature a cream shadow at one end, colour co-ordinated with sparkle at the other which can be used just as a liner or across the lid or on lash tips.
