Dry & Sensitive Winter Skin : Bye Bye

lt's this time of year again, where people bombard me with questions about dry skin.

If your skin gets dry and sensitive in Winter, including eczema:
Try the Zk'in Relief Moisturiser !It works!

It's not greasy either, so you can easily wear it underneath your makeup.

It's my go-to Winter skin primer and works a treat on everyone that has reactive skin, hypersensitivity or just sensitive skin.  If you are someone with eczema on your hands, you also have to get the Zk'in Soothing Hand Cream. It heals the skin in record time and again: It's not greasy.

For my whole guide on how to treat your skin in the Winter season read my post here.

You can get your hands on some directly on their website or at Nourished Life.

Winter Solstice & New Beginnings

Photo of me taken in London by Candice Lake

I have been trying to ignore the fact that Winter hit Sydney, but with today being the shortest day of the year, I have come to terms with it. The heater is pumping, I am wrapped in socks and scarf while sitting in my office and sipping herbal teas. Actually, I am having two cups going at the same time.

Today is supposed to be a powerful Winter Solstice paired with a full moon, which I learned this morning in my yoga class. It's a time for new beginnings, a time to reflect and do a little less.

Inspired by this short cold day, I decided to really embrace Winter this year.
I would love to hear of your rituals, too.
 

My Winter Beauty & Health Rituals And Resolutions

TEA
I have stocked up on organic teas like Dandelion Chai, Rooibos, Rosehip & Ginger and Spicy Yogi Tea. During our recent Byron trip, I really got hooked on healthy coffee alternatives that are just as comforting. My resoIution:
I am reducing my caffeine intake at the same time and will only have the occasional coffee.

WARDROBE
I am planning on getting a nice Winter wardrobe. (The last few years I only had nice Summer clothes and tried to get through the Winter with some old leggings and old jumpers)

BATH TIME
Taking Baths! It's quite an act of self-love and indulgence. I love using Magnesium bath salts, which are extra relaxing and soothing on sore muscles. I am aiming to schedule in more time for baths during this cold season.

NUTRITION
Winter is the perfect time for Soups! We are mixing it up over here and trying out all sorts of combinations. Pumkin, Cauliflower, Mushroom... We love warming spices like Ginger and Chili, which are warming.

YOGA
Morning runs were skipped lately, not only because it's fresh outside, but mainly because it's too dark in the early morning. So we are doing some Kundalini Yoga over here in our loungeroom every morning. We put the heater on and cosy lighting. It's just the best way to start the day.

What do you like to do in Winter?
This might develop into a little Winter Series with more concrete recommendations & tips.

Until then: Stay warm and cosy. x

Natural Beauty Expert Advice for Brides

Photo by Justin Aaron
It's been a buzzing little month this one, packed with great collaborations and opportunities.

One of them was being asked to be part ofthe bridal beauty expert panel for HUM Nutrition.
I am so happy to see that more and more beauty advice follows a holistic approach, considering diet, exercise and natural skin care together as the path to natural beauty.

Read my tips below and make sure to check out the whole article.

“Start a good skin care regime as early before the wedding as possible. Incorporate a gentle exfoliant into your routine in the month leading up to your wedding to get a really lovely glow. Look for natural toxin-free products with some lactic acid or natural fruit enzymes.”

Exfoliating is important to remove dead skin cells that can clog pores leading to breakouts. Introducing the right face mask for your skin type into your bridal beauty routine is also a great way to keep skin hydrated. According to Lundelius, “oily skin can get balanced with a clay mask, while dry skin needs to be nourished with a rich mask containing deeply restoring oils like macadamia, almond or avocado oil.”

Get glamorous bridal hair

Again, pre-wedding hair care begins well in advance of the big date. “It is important to use a sulfate-free shampoo,” says Lundelius. “Conventional shampoos are too harsh on the scalp and hair and will make it dry and brittle over time. My favorite hair treatment is pure organic coconut oil. You can apply it as a deep hair conditioning treatment. Do this on your day off and sit in the sun, which will activate and heat up the oil. The trick to washing out oil treatments? Apply shampoo before wetting your hair, rinse with water, and then use a second shampoo. Lather and rinse well. Then use your regular conditioner.”

Pop the question: Up or down?

When it comes to hair, the big question is whether to wear it up or down, and we got a big consensus on this point: “Wear it in the way that makes you feel the most beautiful and confident!” Lundelius says. “It’s your call. Never (!) let anyone tell you how to wear your hair. Sales assistants in wedding dress shops often want to advise a hairstyle to go with the dress, but remember: Your wedding day is not an advertisement for the dress designer. A good stylist will ask you many questions about your style, the wedding and your personal preferences to help you find the perfect hairstyle for your wedding.”

Robinson agrees. “It’s such a personal thing. At White Rose, we want every bride to feel like the best version of herself. Do you wear your hair up often? If you don’t, why wear it up on your wedding day? Pumping up your hair down looks amazing. But at the end of the day, whatever you want to do and how you feel comfortable is key.”

Maintain your beauty look all day long

If you are applying your own makeup, try these lasting beauty hacks from Lundelius: “It’s all about the correct prepping, priming & setting. First, hydrate the skin according to your skin type and then use a good primer for the longevity of your makeup. If you have oily or combination skin, use a mattifying primer in the t-zone. If you have dry skin, make sure to really hydrate and smooth any dry patches with a rich primer. Always remember less is more, if you use good quality products, you will only need a very small amount. Use a setting spray to hold everything in place afterwards will make sure your makeup will last beautifully through the day.