As winter approaches, and the cold weather begins to make you contemplate hibernating for the next four months, you deserve a pick-me-up asap. The last thing that you should be worrying about is your body protesting the chill by wreaking havoc on your skin, or sitting in class with mascara racoon eyes. Whether you’re desperately in need of some retail therapy to distract you from the impending doom of exams, or your parents keep pestering you to send them your holiday wish list, here are the ton ten beauty products that make -30℃ weather a bit more bearable:
1. Almond Shower Oil – L’OCCTAINE
Most of us use the cold as an excuse to not let our legs see the light of day, and take a break from waxing and shaving, as we slowly morph into a human – gorilla hybrid. However, with L’OCCTAINE’S Almond Shower Oil, the pros of shaving definitely outweigh the cons. This heavy formula is everything that you imagined luxury to feel like – and has you smelling, and feeling like heaven for days afterwards. It can also be used as a body wash, that leaves skin feeling silky smooth (I hate using such a cliche, however, for this product, it really is accurate!) so that you don’t need to face any dry, cracked skin that makes you question whether you can go into public wearing a onesie so that no one sees your human scales.
2. Tinted Brow Gel – Anastasia Beverly Hills
Back in the olden days, when pencil thin eyebrows were apart of the coveted beauty ideals, the only thing that we had to worry about running was our mascara. Now, for those of us who need a bit of – help – achieving the bold brow, we need to be fearful of any water (such as SNOW) touching our Lilly Collins – wannabes. This new tinted brow gel by Anastasia Beverly Hills combines the colour you would expect from a pencil or a powder, with the ‘stay – put’ insurance of a clear gel. It also gives a ‘volumizing’ effect, which makes even the most drawn – on brows look natural.
3. Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993 – Urban Decay
If the odds weren’t in your favour, or you were just too busy to drop everything and patiently wait at your computer in the middle of the day – chances are, you did not score one of Kylie Jenner’s new lip kits. If you don’t want to shell out $1150 (a current asking price on eBay) for a product that will realistically end up more on your Starbucks cup than on your lips, the Urban Decay 1993 lipstick is perfect for you. Presumably names after the decade when deep brown shades were all the ‘rage’, Urban Decay’s formula is creamy and long lasting, and the matte finish adds a modern touch. And if you’re still mourning over the Kylie lipstick that got away, use this shade with one of the millions of Kylie lip tutorials (note – not the Kylie lip CHALLENGE).
4. Green Tea Sleeping Mask – Sephora Collection
Two things that you can find on every college girl’s dream holiday wish list? More sleep and perfect skin. With Sephora’s sleeping mask you can get both priceless items for $5. All you do is put the mask on before bed, watch some Netflix while it dries (I’m not complaining at an actual excuse to do my favourite hobby) and go to sleep. Then, when you wake up in the morning, simply wash you face and voila! perfect skin awaits you. Sephora has released eight different types of masks, each targeted to fit different skin problems, however, the green tea one is mattifying and takes care of blemishes – meaning that neither the pizza you eat while studying or the wine you drink while celebrating is going to affect your skin.
5. Hoola Matte Bronzer – Benefit Cosmetics
For those of us who don’t want to be called ‘as pale as the snow,’ or get uncomfortable when our relatives tell us we look like we’ve spent too much time indoors, Benefit’s cult favourite bronzer is a must. Its rich enough to make you look like you spent your winter break on a Caribbean island instead of sitting in your childhood bedroom remembering how embarrassing you were during high school, but light enough to avoid looking like you watched a makeup tutorial done by Snooki. Its matte finish allows you to look polished and natural for school – even if you’re still wearing the makeup you wore to the bar the night before.
The Naked palettes are absolutely iconic now. Urban Decay has released four of them, and each has gained a beloved following of everyone from beauty addicts to those who can’t even do their own eyeliner. While this is an ‘older’ product, I really do believe that the brand put their best shades into it, and created a versatile palette that really is useable for any skin tone and occasion (what can I say, I consider it my first beauty love – I can’t help but brag about it). There are a combination of sparkly and matte (do you see a trend?) eyeshadows, that are easy to layer on top of each other to seamlessly transform your day look into one that is nightclub appropriate.
7. Step By Step Contour Stick Trio – Smashbox
In the age of Kim Kardashian and the clown contour, I felt as though it was necessary to include a product that can create model-worthy cheekbones on any face. The Smashbox contour sticks are perfect for anyone who is terrified at the idea of turning their face into a different (more sculpted!) face. They glide on incredibly easily, making them much more accessible than most dip – in pots, so that you always know that you’re getting the perfect amount of product. The three colours make it almost impossible to find any basic contour DIY that you can’t follow. Simply think of it as a grown up drawing book – you have the instructions (also included in the set) in front of you, all you have to do is draw the shapes.
8. Triple Performing Facial Emulsion – Benefit Cosmetics
If you’re reading this, I can assume that you’re the age of a typical college student, which means I have bad news for you. You’re at an age where you need to start taking care of your skin asap, so that you can ensure that in thirty years from now people are shocked when they find out how old you actually are. Benefit’s moisturizer’s formula is perfect because it hydrates, protects and comforts your skin – letting you have the benefits (that was a pun) of three products, without the cost. It also contains SPF 15 which is incredibly important year round to avoid the harmful and deadly effects of UV rays (try to avoid reading that in a voice that sounds like your mother’s). If I haven’t already sold you – it smells great, which is rare for most creams, and especially for most suntan lotions, that usually smell like someone tried to bottle a commercialized version of Hawaii and an entire coconut.
9. Dior Vernis Gel Shine and Long Wear Nail Lacquer in Tra – La – La – Dior
If anyone has been keeping up with Scream Queens, or has picked up any fashion magazine lately, pastel colour have become a permanent statement. Instead of wearing it head to toe (Chanel #1?), having a hint of it on your nails is a perfect amount. The almost nude colour elongates the look of your fingers, and the Dior formula is perfect for ensuring that your new favourite look is long – lasting. It also avoid having your grandmother scrutinize your undone nails or – ‘even worse’ – black nail polish at the Christmas dinner table. The less time you waste hearing the story of ‘back in my day, a proper girl would never wear such a colour…” the more time you have to open presents. The name of the polish is festively brag – worthy enough that you’ll be dying for you friends to ask what the colour is.
Blinc has created the mascara equivalent of the ‘cool girl,’ unfussy while seemingly naturally perfect and ready for anything. This waterproof, smudge proof mascara will accompany you through snowstorms, ski trips, and New Years Eve celebrations without so much as a single flake leaving your eyes. Its thin brush allows you to take your look from ‘I woke up like this’ (well, basically) to ‘are you wearing false lashes?’ with just a few brush strokes.