WINTER SELF-CARE

The holidays have passed, the days are still cold, the nights are still long...so it’s only natural for us to crave a little bit more TLC during these last winter months. 

 

This is exactly why this week, I thought I’d give you a little insight into my own winter self-care routine. From daily facial care to body and hair care, hopefully, a few of my favourite tips and tricks will inspire you to take a little bit of time for yourself, too.

 

FACE CARE

 

Taking care of my skin in the wintertime is crucial to how confident I feel, so I always ensure to make it a priority.

 

When it comes to my general skincare routine, I’ve found a regimen that works for me and it’s exactly what I continue to do during the wintertime. However, I have incorporated a few things that are exclusive to the colder months, as my skin tends to quickly dehydrate due to the increased heating (and is much more prone to breakouts, thanks to #maskne).

 

Daily:

 

Every morning and evening, I use a gentle cream cleanser (as opposed to a gel cleanser, which often leaves my skin feeling stripped) to remove any makeup and excess oil. I always follow up with a serum as well as my favourite winter moisturizer for sensitive skin:

 

YONKA PARIS - SENSITIVE SKIN CREAM $76

 

I also use the IMAGE Skincare Medicated Acne Lotion on any blemishes I may have as a way to diminish the appearance of dark marks caused by blemish scars.

 

And most importantly, each and every day, I wear a sunscreen-based primer under my CC cream or my foundation. This is probably the habit I am most proud of establishing in 2020––right after my commitment to drinking 2L of water every day!

 

GM COLLIN PARIS - VASCO-TONIC CONCENTRATE $66

 

IMAGE SKINCARE - MEDICATED ACNE LOTION $58.50

 

TIZO -  FACIAL PRIMER SUNSCREEN SPF 40 $55

 

Weekly:

 

Because I have sensitive skin, I exfoliate only once or twice a week using the GM Collin Exfozyme Exfoliant and follow up with their Glow Mask. This helps remove dead skin cells and debris all while rejuvenating the glow in my complexion, which tends to dull during the colder months.

 

After my Virtual Consultation with my BSE aesthetician, I was recommended to start an at-home microneedling routine. I’ve only just introduced this routine 1-2x per week and I plan on working my way up to every other night for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. So far, I've been impressed––I promise I will be reporting back!

 

On the nights that I do my microneedling, I follow up with the serum included in the Starter Kit and I do not use any other products in order to avoid aggravating my skin.

 

BODY CARE

 

If I have an hour of free time to scroll through my phone, then I definitely have an hour of free time to light some candles and take some time for myself.

 

Whether I’m about to take a shower or a long bath, I love to pour myself some tea, set up some candles and pull out my dry brush––one of my absolute favourite winter body care tools. Dry brushing in circular patterns with a coarse, natural-fibre bristle brush helps remove dead skin and improves the skin's ability to eliminate toxins through the pores.

 

By combining this 2-3x a week and using a Babor moisturizing body lotion every day, my skin stays silky smooth in the winter.

 

BABOR BALANCING BODY LOTION $45

 

I also pay particular attention to my hands, as the harsh cold causes them to crack and dry up. I always carry my favourite IMAGE hand moisturizer and I reapply regularly, especially after putting on hand sanitizer!

 

IMAGE SKINCARE HYDRATING HAND & BODY LOTION $60

 

HAIR CARE

 

Every winter season, my hair gets incredibly dry––causing a hair static frenzy. I have found that the best way to remedy this is to opt for a Revivogen Pro weekly hair mask and apply oil to the end of my strands daily.

 

I also make sure to trim my split ends at least twice during the winter months, and I always apply a heat protector to prevent further damage when I straighten or curl my hair with heat tools.

 

REVIVOGEN PRO VOLUMIZING HAIR MASK $47

 

OVERALL SELF-CARE

 

Regardless of all these parts of my routine, self-care is an inside job: which means it goes a lot further than the products I use. It’s also prioritizing my sleep, drinking an adequate amount of water every day, and finding time to move ––even just a little bit!––every single day.

 

It’s the little things that, in the long run, add up to your wellbeing. Make sure to carve out time out for yourself every week, even if it’s just for a few simple things. You’ll thank yourself for it later, we promise.

 

On that note, wishing you all and only the best in 2021,

 

Mathilde