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Taylor Hill attending the CFDA Awards
Credit: Getty Images
As the northern hemisphere nudges deeper into their summer season hasn’t scrolling through Instagram become battlefield of beauty envy? Nothing makes winter more depressing than catching an A-Lister on vacation, fresh-faced and upping their dose of vitamin D, or seeing them in gorgeous, dewy make-up coming down the red carpet? (See: Victoria’s Secret Angels Elsa Hosk and Taylor Hill at the CFDA Awards earlier this week. Are you kidding me with that glow?)
Winter is a daily battle between the elements and your beauty routine but while weather cops the majority of our whinging, it’s what’s happening indoors (think: hot showers, amped-up heating) that presents the biggest enemy to getting pretty. If no amount of oils or creams seem to cure chronic dry patches, and your foundation clings and cakes to the flaky skin, a multi-pronged approach is in order – and it starts with your skincare.
We spoke to Jenny Fitzpatrick, National Education Manager at Too Faced Cosmetics for her tips on dealing with dry skin and flaky foundation in winter.
Start with your skincare
As soon as the central heating goes up inside, your skin dries as a response, creating more uneven texture for your foundation to cling to. The first step to a flake-free base is smooth skin, so start with exfoliation.
Rather than a granular scrub, which can aggravate already inflamed skin, focus on breaking up the texture via a light peel, which will gently and gradually slough away dead skin build up and brighten the complexion, without irritation.
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DR. DENNIS GROSS, ALPHA BETA UNIVERSAL DAILY PEEL, $126. SHOP NOW
KIEHL’S, NIGHTLY REFINING MICRO-PEEL CONCENTRATE, $82. SHOP NOW
Hydrate right
Moisturisers don’t need to be thick and heavy to do their job, many of the latest high-tech moisturisers hydrate deeply via a light cream or gel.
Building up your skin’s barrier function will improve the overall look, feel and function of the skin, while anything featuring anti-oxidant will protect against free radical damage from the elements.
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Aesop, Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Hydrating Cream, $80. SHOP NOW
Guerlain, Abeille Royale Honey Nectar Pump Lotion, $89. SHOP NOW
Avene, XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm, $37.99. SHOP NOW
Avoid powder, instead opt for a hydrating foundation
Powder is designed to soak up excess shine, which works on oily areas but will only highlight dry patches, so powder with precision.
“You can mix a moisturiser or primer with foundation to create a really creamy, hydrating base and powder by the nose or where you see pores,” explains Fitzpatrick, who uses a ‘press and roll’ technique, rather than traditional sweeping to apply powder. “It ensures an even distribution of product, more control and won’t exacerbate dry skin,” she says. “A tapered brush will work best for the ‘press and roll’ application.”
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Press in your foundation, don’t rub
Avoid buffing in foundation as the rubbing will only exacerbate and create excess texture, precisely what you don’t want.
“It’s about avoiding anything that could create uneven texture so something as simple as switching to a sponge or brush and really pressing the product in layers will make a huge difference to the finish,” says Fitzpatrick.
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Cover Image: Getty Images
