Look out ladies! The holidays are here…time to get cozy with family, friends, and perhaps a special someone beneath the mistletoe! Don’t let dry skin or chapped lips put a damper on your mistletoe moment! We’ve teamed up with Shirley Tol from Shizo to compile a list of tips and tricks to defend your skin as winter weather wages war. Shizo is an online shopping paradise for natural beauty devotees. Discover high end natural and organic brands that you won’t find on every street corner. Shizo offers you luxury products for the whole family. You can safely add them to your beauty regime, without worrying about nasty chemicals. All products are free from harsh synthetics, such as SLS, parabens and propylene glycol and are cruelty free.

1. Don’t neglect your vitamins! Namely, vitamin B. Traditionally used to cure depression, this supplement also contributes to skin immunity and is especially important as winter winds and dry indoor air strips skin of natural moisture. One a day and you’re on your way.

2. Buy a humidifier. As temperatures drop, we crank thermostats up, sucking moisture out of the air inside of our homes, and consequently out of our skin. Combat this cycle by placing a humidifier in your room to supplement moisture into the air. Your body will take in the extra humidity, making skin softer, and as a bonus by keeping your mucus membranes moist, you will be less susceptible to winter colds and flu!

3. Revamp your routine. During the wintertime many of our regular sources of moisture disappear. Cassie suggests going beyond simply applying extra lotion, and recommends moisture-minded individuals boost the amount of moisturizer in all products. Using a creamier cleanser, a heavier lotion, and an extra moisturizing body wash will give skin exactly what it needs to stay smooth throughout the season. Also, don’t forget to pamper hands and lips, as these areas are very prone to dehydration through the winter months.

4. Scrub, Scrub, Scrub! Turn the tides on moisture-sucking hot showers by using your time in the tub to exfoliate one to two times per week. Body scrubs containing sugar, coconut oil, and avocado oil will remove dead skin cells, allowing new growth and creating natural barriers against harsh weather to keep water inside the skin, rather than out.

5. Rethink your menu. A holiday season without tasty treats and festive feasts is like wearing the perfect outfit with the wrong underwear. The essential elements are there, but it just doesn’t feel right. Unfortunately, indulging comes at a higher cost than just added calories. Cassie explains, “Holiday parties encourage excessive drinking and salty holiday foods, which suck moisture out of your skin.” We’re not suggesting you swear off all Starbucks and holiday ham, but being mindful of the effects of dehydrating foods and drinks will do wonders for keeping your skin soft and youthful.

6. Don’t forget sunscreen! Though it’s difficult to believe that powerful rays reach us in even the chilliest months, sun reflecting off of snow can produce glare capable of causing major skin dehydration. Wearing sunscreen with a level of at least 30 SPF daily (even on hands and lips) is a must for maintaining healthy, soft skin.

7. Wear the right clothing. Always wear gloves when outside to protect your hands from excessive dehydration.

8. Invest in a rich moisturizing lip balm. In the cold days it is even better if it doesn’t contain water as an ingredient. Water will cause your lips to dry out even more.

Products to look out for:

Circaroma is an award winning brand with natural and organic skincare and bodycare products. Circaroma was founded by classically trained aromatherapist Barbara Scott. Using a powerful fusion of aromatherapy and herbalism which draw on ancient wisdom and modern interpretation, a complete range of sensuous face & bodycare has been created for you to cherish and nurture your skin.

Your winter essentials:

Circaroma Lip Butter Vanilla & Warm Spice.
Butter up with this rich balm to protect and nurture you lips during the cold winter season.

Circaroma Refreshing Body Polish
An invigorating body polish to refresh and detoxify with wild Cederwood and deep cleansing natural sea salt.

Circaroma Intensive Treatment Hand Cream.
This luscious and ultra moisturizing hand cream will leave your skin deeply hydrated and protected. Nicely scented with Bergamot, Lavender, Coconut oil and Patchouli.

Who really wants to wash their hair every day? For years I used my mother’s second day hair ‘trick’ of sprinkling baby powder on my crown to absorb excess oil. The technique is fine in a quick pinch but the heavy white residue can leave embarrassing flakes on your clothing and look messy under bright lights.

Thankfully a new generation of dry shampoos exist that enable you to sleep in longer, preserve a blow out or get a mid-day volume lift.

Check out our favs below.

The All Nighter is made with natural plant-based ingredients and natural minerals, gently scented with essence of tangerine (to freshen without being too perfume-y). The All Nighter Styling Powder also contains real silk powder to add manageability to hair, and it imparts a luxurious satiny feel. It’s even available in six shades which is great news for brunettes.

Lulu Organics hair powder is made with white clay, baking soda, USDA Organic corn starch and rice powder, and Oregon Tilth Certified Organic horsetail powder and essential oils. This earth friendly formula is available in four delicious, distinctive scents: Lavender/ Clary Sage, Patchouli/ Amber, Jasmine and Tuberrose.

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo is based on softening, protective oat extract, cyclodextrins and natural polysaccharides to clean the hair without washing, as often as required. Your hair regains volume and lightness within minutes. It’s a bit pricey and hard to find in stores, but it’s worth it for the scent, and lack of residue this project leaves.

Ever use a dry shampoo? Dish about it here: