How to Survive Winter Weather

The cold weather has well and truly arrived, and it has been quite a hit to the system! When you are used to high-30 degree weather on a daily basis, anything under 20 degrees feels like the Antarctic! Insert the 'Winter Saviour' post!

Winter for me means everything is dehydrated, so moisturising products are my go-to. Hand creams and lip balms are products most beauty-lovers own in abundance, but not all products work to really rehydrate the skin from its bottom layers. The Nuxe Reve De Miel Lip Balm* is a product I have been raving about non-stop. Unlike petroleum-jelly based lip balms that only coat the lips and require regular application, this balm really nourishes, repairs and soothes your lips. Its consistency is very unique; like a whipped, buttery pot of honey-smelling goodness. I lather it on every night before bed. On first try I knew I loved using the Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream*. With ingredients like wild blackcurrant berries and hibiscus flowers it certainly smells lovely, pure avocado oil ensures it really hydrates dry hands and the quick absorbing formula makes it pleasant to use. Plus what gorgeous packaging! Antipodes is a brand that really does not disappoint, a second product that I use and love is the Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenishing Serum. It is my go-to when my skin is giving me any sort of issues. This oil can transform the dullest of skin overnight and ensure you wake up with plump skin, boasting a healthy glow. This serum is an oil formula therefore I recommend using it at night. It has a strong smell that I cannot pinpoint but have grown to like. 

Sticking to the oil products, Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil* is a great body conditioner if you do not like thick creams. It has a spray applicator and hydrates really well without feeling overly sticky. I was pleasantly surprised by this multi-purpose oil which can be used on the face, body or hair. If my skin is really dry I like to spritz some oil into my bath while the water is running.

This past two weeks my skin has been in a terrible state; small bumps appeared all over my face from a combination of a product-intolerance and dehydrated skin. I decided to pick up the Avene Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream. This super thick cream is meant to help restore the skin's cutaneous barrier. It is a hypoallergenic product formulated for sensitive and fragile skin. At first use this cream reminded me of that thick white paste that mothers put on babies' bottoms to prevent rashes, which I suppose is a barrier cream as well. I will have to keep you updated on this product but so far I have found using this at night helps protect my skin from reacting to dry conditions. 

As I mentioned in my hydrating skincare products post, serums have various purposes. The Indeed Laboratories Hydraluron serum is an essential during winter as it is the most hydrating serum I have found. The hyaluronic acid works to hydrate your skin from below the surface. It is a clear liquid that can leave your skin feeling tacky, but it goes away once you apply a moisturiser. 

A tinted moisturiser is the best base-product for dry skin during winter. There are options ranging from really affordable to the more pricey, trust me to fall in love with the latter. I tried a sample of the Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturiser purely for the sake of trying it - no way was I paying $74 for a tinted moisturiser. Famous last words huh? Even before my sample ran out I had purchased the full size. I love the dewy-finish, I love the luminous effect it has on my complexion and I love that it feels and looks natural! 

Lifestyle-wise a cuddly blanket, delicious-smelling candle and a good book is a must for cold nights in! This fluffy blanket is from Kmart and a total bargain as $20 (although it does leave fluff on everything it touches). I recently picked up The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins which is a thriller, a genre I haven't read since Gone Girl but I am excited to see how it is. On a side note, who else has been watching the TV show Stalker?! It is addictive. What are your Winter saviours? Now I think I need a cup of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows!

*Products that I have received as a PR sample. All opinions remain unaltered and I am not obliged to review these products.

Three Must Have Skincare Savers

Sometimes your skin really just needs a little extra TLC, be it dehydrated skin or chapped lips. I have three quick skin saver products at the moment, all which are readily available and very affordable.

First product I want to mention is something I accidentally stumbled across. I was picking up some (often repurchased) rose-hip oil, and obliviously picked up the Swisse Argan Oil instead. Once I got home and realised, I was too lazy to exchange it for a rose-hip oil, so I decided to try the argan oil.. AND WOW I WAS IMPRESSED. I love that it doesn't smell as bad as rose-hip oil and have seen some improvements in my skin since using.

Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and Omega 3, 6 & 9; which helps improve skin elasticity, hydration, ageing and blemished skin. I most often use argan oil as a night time serum applied before my moisturiser. Since using this oil I have noticed healthier, hydrated and clearer skin. Argan oil has been said to also help rehydrate dry and damaged hair through application to the ends of the hair, and can also be used on cuticles.

Nothing annoys me more than having dry and chafed hands, this is where Swisse Hand Cream comes in (P.S I just realised two out of the three products are Swisse, but this is in no way sponsored I just love their skincare range!). There is a massive list of 'good' ingredients in this hand cream, and as with the argan oil, a number of 'bad' ingredients (such as parabens, silicones, mineral oils and synthetic fragrances and colours) are not used in these products. The hand cream smells beautifully citrus'y, is non greasy, absorbs super fast and of course - is very hydrating. 10/10 for Swisse on these beautiful products.

Last, but not least, I would like to talk about the new Nivea Lip Butters. I was hesitant to try these as I am a sceptical on lip balms and butters. I find they never really hydrate my lips, just leave my lips needing more moisture. It has been a long time since I have liked using any lip balm other than my trusty Carmex, but can I just say - I love the Nivea Lip Butters! I picked up the vanilla & macadamia one when they were on sale at Coles and I am most definitely going back for more scents. The one that I have smells beautiful and it is a lovely creamy texture that is super hydrating on the lips.

I am heading to Melbourne for a shopping spree next week and would love to hear what your favourite skincare savers are, please leave a comment below for any recommendations!