By Rashiada Ricketts
The first of December is less than one week away, which means it’s time to break out the UGGS and the winter peacoat. Staying warm is usually the primary goal when getting dressed each winter morning, but we mustn’t forget to take an extra few minutes to tend to our hair, lips and skin. As the temperature continues to drop, our collection of moisturizers should be growing. Your hair, skin, and lip care regimen may be in need of a serious upgrade around this time of year and going out to purchase a few essential drugstore items will have both your body and wallet thanking you for the remainder of the winter season.
-HAIR CARE
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Moisture-Rich Shampoo and Conditioner
During the winter season investing in a great moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner will be one of the best things you can do for your hair, next to cutting back on the amount of times you wash it a week. If you haven’t already been using a conditioner that promises to restore the moisture to your hair, go out to your local drugstore and pick one up. Anything containing oils such as olive oil, coconut oil or argan oil is a great buy! The Renewing Argan Oil of Morocco collection from the brand Organix will not only restore moisture to the hair but it will provide argon oil to your hair as well. This product can be found at your nearest drugstore for about $14.
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Deep Conditioner/Hair Mask
It’s just as important to invest in a good deep conditioner and hair mask as it is to buy a moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner. If you’re one to wash your hair 2-3 times a week, I would apply a hair mask that 3rd time. But if you’re anything like me and you wash your hair once every week or two, I would do a hair mask every 2 weeks. Remember, the more you wash your hair the more you are stripping away your hair’s natural oils. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Professional Deep Recovery Hair Mask can also be found at a local drugstore for about $7.
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Applying Oil to the Scalp
If you tend to have very oily hair, I would skip this step. Another trick to keeping rich moisturized hair is to apply a small amount of oil to your hair. You want to concentrate the oil from the roots, work it throughout your hair and leave a generous amount to the ends of your hair because they’re the most damaged. One N’ Only Argan Oil will nourish your dry and damaged hair and, best of all, it isn’t greasy! This product can be found at Sally Beauty for around $ 8.
-SKIN CARE
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Limiting Time in the Shower
The cold winter mornings tempt many of us to take long, hot showers; however, too much time in the shower will strip your hair and skin of its natural oils. Taking shorter showers is the most inexpensive way to keep your body well moisturized.
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Deep Moisturizing Body Wash
Yes, once again, I am stressing the importance of finding deep moisturizing products. Dry skin is a common problem in the winter, but a deep moisturizing body wash is sure to reverse this. Dove’s Shea Butter Cream Oil Body Wash Warm Vanilla & Brown Sugar Scent is made specifically for dry, dull skin and the warm scent of vanilla and brown sugar will probably have you feeling a little cozier. This product can be found at any drugstore for about $8.
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Body Butter
It’s important to take a few moments out of your mornings, especially in the winter, to apply a generous amount of lotion all over your body. During the winter I like to switch from my regular lotion to a thick body butter. My go-to body butter every winter is Victoria’s Secret’s Amber Romance for $12. The scent is very warm and sultry.
Face Moisturizers
A nice face crème is also a necessary investment. Your face is probably the most exposed part of your body, so during the winter it is probably the most affected. Finding a heavy daytime moisturizer and an even heavier night crème will do wonders for your face. The Neutrogena’s Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Day and Night Moisturizer are sold separately for $14. These 2 products will moisturize the face without making it look too oily and they are very inexpensive.
-LIP CARE
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Lip Balm
Invest in a good lip balm especially for the winter because chapped lips are a bother and very unattractive. You want to find a lip balm with a petroleum-base because it provides more protection than one that has a wax-base. An amazing lip balm is the Rosebud Lip Salve. It’s a multi-purpose balm with a sweet smell of roses that can instantly bring you back to a much warmer time. The Rosebud Lip Salve can be found at Sephora for $6.
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Lip Scrubs
If you’re anything like me and you like to go the extra mile with beauty care, I would consider investing in a lip scrub. A lip scrub will exfoliate your lips and leave them feeling soft and smooth. Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has a nice selection. Santa’s Lip Scrub by Lush is perfect for the Holidays and its only $9.