Beat the Winter Blahs

I've lived on the West Coast for 10 years now. When I first moved out here, I used to laugh at the locals who complained about the "cold" when it was 50 degrees out and felt it necessary to bundle up under layer after layer of heavy winter clothes as soon as September became a memory.

My how things have changed. In my 10 years here, I have found that I, too, am a weather wimp. And now that Daylight Saving Time has come to an end--and Halloween is just a haunting memory--I find myself dreading the winter and all that comes with it: cold weather, possible snow, dry skin, chapped lips, static-filled hair.

Well, the good folks over at Women's Health (and in their book Age Erasers for Women) have some tips for all of us as we get ready for upcoming (or already here!) winter weather. Here you go--be sure to add your thoughts by leaving a comment!

Skin

• Not only does dry skin cause a lackluster complexion, it also keeps hydrating lotion from keeping your skin moist. Get rid of excess dry skin with a body wash with exfoliant and also a gentle exfoliating face wash.
  
• Because dry skin causes fine lines to be more visible, make sure you’re using a thicker face lotion with firming benefits.
  

Makeup

• Winter is the time to forget the foundation which tends to settle into dry areas on skin giving your complexion a patchy look. Instead, camouflage dark circles with a light-diffusing concealer.
• The skin around your eyes is delicate and prone to dryness and windburn. Try using a sheer indigo blue or emerald eye shadow to downplay redness, and apply with a damp brush to help it stay put longer.
  

Hair

• Because the minerals in tap water and detergents in shampoo can cause your scalp to itch and flake, now is the time to skip the shampoo. Try a dry shampoo on your roots which will absorb the extra oil and you can comb out in the morning.
• Inflate your drab winter hair by adding volumizing mousse to your styling routine.
  

Body

• If you’ve been considering laser hair removal, now is the time to do it. Because your hair and skin will have more contrast as your summer glow is gone, the treatment will be more effective.
  
• During the holiday season, cosmetics counters are crammed full of gift sets that go on sale afterwards. This gives you the perfect excuse to find those fragrances you’ve been meaning to test.
  

Check out all the blah-beating beauty tips here