Tis the season to add a little more color.

So once the long nights set in and the temperature gauge begins to plummet what can be done to heighten your looks during the colder months?

Skin Care for the Winter: If you carry out a minimum of maintenance during the winter months you can counteract the adverse effects of indoor heating. The simple solution is to moisturize – preferably all over but especially the face. Include the following steps in your winter regime and you will notice a difference after only a week:

Take warm showers and/or baths and try to cool the water before you get out. First of all, this will help avoid any nasty temperature change when you get out but will help the skin retain moisture.
Moisturize with body lotion whilst still wet. Then simply pat dry with a towel – again this helps to lock in moisture.
Try to apply moisturizer last thing at night as part of your cleansing bed-time routine. Apply especially around the eyes.

Avoid Alcohol-heavy Products: Alcohol dries the skin so with the winter temperatures you receive a double-whammy. Be careful of hair products especially with a heavy alcohol content because it will dry your scalp. For girls applying breast forms with adhesive, the chances are you are using an alcohol rub as part of your preparation. Make sure after you remove the forms and cleanse the chest area that you thoroughly moisturize so, that the skin recovers.

Lip Care: Chapped and cracked lips are not attractive to look at. Don’t ruin a good makeover with unattractive lips. Use lip balm regularly and preferably one with an SPF 15 sunblock. If your lips are starting to crack then try to find a balm that includes t-tree oil that helps the healing process. An alternative to lip balm is good old-fashioned Vaseline.

To Tan or not to Tan: It’s a personal choice but most of us do look more glamorous with a healthy hint of a tan and it’s probably worth it when going out and you want to look fabulous. If tanning salons are too time-consuming and/or expensive there are many good products on the market for cultivating a fake tan. Check out your local pharmacy.

Winter Color: In general try to compensate in winter with dark shaded! Try experimenting with rich browns. These colors work very well during the festive months.

Lips: Try some berry and purple/plum colors in winter months. These tones not only add immediate color to your cheeks but their purple-tinge accentuates the white of your teeth, again accenting a healthy, glamorous look. Winter is the ideal time for finding your favorite red lipstick a la Marilyn and marrying it with your favorite Little Black Dress for the party season.
Eyes: Metallic’s, earth tones, browns, and golds this party season! Of course, the gray smokey eye look will probably dominate and can be worn all year round. A good black eyeliner accentuates and then a simple plumping/thickening mascara will really emphasize those eyes.
Cheeks: Try applying with a brush a bronze color from the ‘apple’ portion of your cheeks and then contour one shade darker just underneath the cheekbone to give your face more dimension.

Don’t be afraid to be bold especially if you are going out during the party season. Even glitter or shimmer powder applied all over the face can give a different, but flattering look for the winter. Don’t overdo it or you’ll look like something out of a circus. For a very subtle and healthy look for the evening, events finish off with dusting shimmer powder on the top of your cheeks, top of the nose and chin. The effect when light touches the face is quite magical.

Remember as always a little maintenance goes a long way so, stay away from extreme heat (and cold if possible), moisturize often to counter the effects of dry and flaking skin and you’ll maintain a naturally healthy appearance. Counteract natures drab gray hues and short days with wearing more vibrant colors when applying make-up. If lucky enough to get out during the party season then turn it up and try color palettes and effects you wouldn’t normally use.