Winter Skin Smarts

• Thicken Up: Lightweight moisturisers offer the perfect amount of hydration in summer, especially for those of us with oily skin. In winter, however, it's important you switch to a heavier cream formula to keep your skin hydrated as the weather dries out. Look out for richer ingredients like shea butter or products which claim hydrating or moisturising.  
  
  We like: Eucerin Aquaporin Active Hydrating Cream SPF25 for all skin types, Nature's Nourishment Shea Butter Moisturiser Nature's Nourishment Shea Butter Night Cream, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Day Cream for normal combination skin and L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil Night Cream.

• Wash Swap: If you make just one change to help your skin adjust to drier, colder weather, make it a move from a foaming cleanser to a creamy one. It sounds like a little thing but cleansers that foam tend to strip all the natural oils off the skin leaving it even drier than it already is. Another gentler cleansing option which your winter face will love is micellar water.  
  
  We like: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water for sensitive skin, Bioderma Sebium H2O Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution for combo/oily skin, Eucerin Dermatoclean Mild Cleansing Milk for dry, sensitive skin, Garnier Softening Cleansing Lotion for normal to dry skin and Johnson's Daily Essentials Nourishing Cream Wash.
   

• Start Using Serums: If you aren't already using a serum now is definitely the time to start. A serum works much harder than a cream or lotion in helping restore your skin back to a healthy glow. It packs a double or triple punch of all those good ingredients you find in your moisturiser. Look for a formula that contains hyaluronic acid (for intense moisture) and retinol, which will increase your skin's cell renewal process, meaning you’ll have a fresh face all the time.  
  
  We like: Clarins Double Serum, Endocil Anti-Wrinkle Cream with Retinol
  and Nivea Q10 Plus Anti-Wrinkle Energy Serum.

• Get Layered: Layering your skincare is the best thing you can do for your skin in winter. Apply a face oil or serum onto bare skin then add your moisturiser on top to help seal in your skin’s moisture. Do this as part of your night routine too, the perfect time to get a bit of extra hydration in as the product is able to be totally absorbed while you sleep. Your skin will wake up feeling super soft and hydrated.  
  
  We like:  Celltone Tissue Oil, Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum for Dehydrated and Sensitive Skin and Vichy Liftactiv Serum.
   
  Related: How to Seriously Improve Your Skincare Routine in a Few Easy Steps

• Mask On: In the colder winter months, your skin reacts badly to sudden temperature changes, and this includes stepping from your cold bathroom into a steamy shower. A great way to prevent this while also nourishing your skin is to apply an intense face mask just before you hop into the shower. It will act as a barrier between your sensitive skin and the hot water, and your skin will be calm and not red when you step out.  
  
  If your skin is dry choose a cream mask, and if your skin is irritated but still oily use a water-based gel mask, which will moisturise without adding extra oil. And if you have a combo skin, try multi-masking by using a cream on your cheeks and a gel on your oily T-zone.
   
  We like: Dr Organic Organic Snail Gel Intensive Moisture Mask Sachet, Skin Republic Collagen Infusing Mask, Skin Strategy Soothing and Calming Face Mask and Skin Republic Brightening Face Mask.

• Get Scrubbing: Exfoliating once or twice a week is a cold weather must-do - it removes all those dead skin cells and leaves your skin brighter and more radiant. But as your skin is more sensitive in colder winter months, you have to exercise a little TLC. Switch from the heavier, grainy products (which can irritate your skin and cause flakiness to worsen) to softer, gentler scrubs.  
  
  We like: Avene Gentle Purifying Scrub for sensitive skin, Bioderma Sebium Exfoliating Purifying Gel and Celltone Exfoliating Gel.

• Don't Forget To SPF: Just when you thought we were going to tell you to pack away your sun cream for winter think again. This is the time when a lot of sun damage occurs as we think we are safe from the sun. UVA rays are strong all year round, and those are the ones responsible for wrinkles and skin cancer, so lather up with at least a SPF30 no matter the weather.  
  
  We like: Neutrogena Visibly Even Daily Moisturiser SPF30 and Eucerin Sun Fluid Mattifying SPF50 for face.
   
  Related: Want to Know If Your Sunscreen Is Really Protecting You?

Winter Makeover Magic

• Switch Up Your Shades: Although we'd all like to be bronzed goddesses year-round it's time to accept that your skin is going to get paler in winter.  
  
  Buy a foundation a shade or two lighter than your natural tone in preparation. Slowly start to mix the paler shade with your regular shade as the days get colder. In a few weeks, you will be naturally a bit paler and using just your lighter shade.
   
  Try Yardley Airbrush Foundation and Rimmel Match Perfect Foundation which are both great options for winter skins.
   

• Add Some Warmth: Breathe some life into your face by adding warm tones to your make up bag this cold season.  
  Pink blushes with warm undertones (think peach or rosy) and highlighter that is more on the gold than silver side will make you look healthy and perky. We love LA Girl’s Strobelite Strobing Powder 20 Watt.
   
  Cream blushes are great for adding colour while also adding moisture to your face. Some good choices are LA Girl Velvet Blush Contour Stick in Dreamy, Revlon Insta Blush in Berry Kiss or Rimmel Royal Blush Cream in Coral Queen.

• Good Foundations: If you usually use a powder formula switch to cream or liquid when it comes to foundation. Powder can dry out your already pretty dry complexion while creamy formulas will add hydration on top of your rich moisturiser. We like the Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid and Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Cushion foundations.  
  
  It's still a good idea to set it in with translucent powder, however, as winter make up tends to shift due to things like your scarf rubbing against your skin or just by you touching your face.
   
  Related: All You Need to Know About Choosing the Best Foundation for You

• Brighten Up: Finish off by lifting that dull complexion to glowing and gorgeous. If you've got oily skin and think you don't need any more glow, remember there's a difference between sweaty shine and chic shimmer (we're aiming for the latter).
   
  A highlighter is your best bet for adding life to the dullness. Sweep it along your cheekbones, down your nose, on your chin, beneath your brows and in the centre of your forehead. Trust us - you won't look more oily; you'll look like you're healthy and glowing.
   
  We love the convenient three-in-one Catrice Deluxe Glow Highlighter in The Glowrious Three. If you're not sure which shades are best for you, see makeup.com's tips in how to choose the perfect highlighter for your skin tone.

• No More Tears: Whipping winds, rainy days and squinting in the icy cold can all wreak havoc with your look. Trade your regular mascara for a waterproof one to avoid the inevitable smudged panda eyes; more dark circles under your eyes is so not what you need right now!
   
  Two of our waterproof faves are Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Volume and Almay One Coat Multi-Benefit Mascara.

• Give Me Lip: Start your lipstick routine with a layer of lip balm (like Eucerin Intensive Lip Balm). Your lips are naturally prone to cracking in winter and no one wants flaky lipstick.
   
  Choose lipstick formulas that are moisturising and avoid anything matte or are described as 'long-lasting' as these can dry out your lips. We like Yardley's Supermoist Plus lipstick range.
   
  When it comes to your winter make up palette you want warm tones that add life to your look.Rather avoid those pinks and reds with blue undertones and go for rosy, orange or golden hues.
   
  Related: 10 of the Best Lipstick Hacks Makeup Artists Want You to Know

• Read Your Labels: Your winter make-up bag should be full of products that promise to 'illuminate', glow', 'moisturise' and give you a 'dewy' look.
   
  You need to add moisture wherever you can get it during this dry time and this doesn't stop at your moisturiser. Products with these promises will brighten your face, which is always a good thing. Try Catrice

• Fake It: Some well-applied fake tan can do wonders for those of us who can't bear to be pale. Remember to exfoliate thoroughly beforehand and apply in an even layer without missing any key spots (think behind the ears, along your hairline and all those hard-to-reach nooks) and you should be able to fool everyone into thinking you're just a naturally bronzed babe. Caribbean Self Tan Tanning Spritzer makes it all so easy.
   
  Otherwise make bronzer your best friend for a less long-lasting but equally as dazzling look. We like Palladio's Baked Bronzer in Caribbean Tan.