5 fabulous winter skin soothers...

this time of year is my favorite when it comes to weather. in my neck of the southern california woods, the days are sunny, mild {low to mid 60s}, and sometimes warm {low 80s}, but complimented with a cool breeze {or high winds}. nights and early mornings are chilly {20s-30s} and i love it. it makes me so happy to layer up with scarves; i relish the opportunity to wear my coats and gloves, and i never complain over having a numb face after being out for an interval run or brisk walk with my dog in the early morning hours.

unfortunately, my favorite season of year is responsible for my dry skin, something i could complain about. thankfully, this beauty girl keeps an arsenal for parched skin, so i don't have to!

i love and often use olive and coconut oils , two of the best natural ways to bring soft, suppleness to any dry area of the body, but also turn to these fabulous goodies for dry skin relief...


for hands:

Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment ~ suitable for sensitive skin, i was introduced to this product a couple of months ago; it's a fragrance-free formula and not only makes my rough hands feel instantly hydrated, but contains antioxidants to help keep hands looking young.

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy ~ shea butter and restorative sea salts are key ingredients in this lovely gem of a moisturizer. i love the light fragrance, inspired by the sea air.

Ahava Mineral Hand Cream ~ this silky, lightweight skin savior gives my hands the moisture they need thanks to its richly soothing dead sea minerals.


for body:

Julep Body Creme ~ i've become quite smitten with this brand's line of nail polish and was thrilled when i discovered how fabulous their body cream is. scented in pomegranate, this formula {rich with shea butter, avocado and jojoba oils} is decadent and highly moisturizing, but not greasy in the slightest.


Upper Canada Soap Sweet Vanilla Fig Body Butter ~ talk about fabulous, this rich, hydrating blend of shea butter, cocoa, fig and vanilla fruit extracts leaves my skin feeling amazing and really locks in moisture. the natural ingredients make my eco/green girl side quite happy as well. :)


tell me: what products do you use to soothe your winter skin dryness??

Expert Nail Tips from Katie Cazorla

'tis the season for dry hands and nails? no, it doesn't have to be, beauties! take it from me ~ i have some tips to share from Katie Cazorla, owner of the fabulous nail salon and boutique, The Painted Nail and star of TV Guide network's reality show, Nail Files {i admit, my new guilty pleasure}.

along with these tips and tricks, i also asked Katie to share her favorite trends, personal nail-friendly products and the one *shade* she absolutely would wear forever...

enjoy!


first off, thank you for taking the time to give us the top nail tips of the season, Katie! will you share with my readers your advice for keeping hands looking fab through the harsh, cold winter season?
KC: "always have cuticle oil in your purse ~ applying it often will keep your cuticles from drying out, which can be painful, which is totally not fab! moisturize often, and never have chipped polish! i'd rather see bare nails than chipped polish!!"

i couldn't agree more ~ boo to chipped polish! in addition to cuticle oil and a good hand cream, what are your fave, must-have products?
KC: "The Painted Nail polish because i love to layer polishes for a custom nail look! sugar scrubs! they're so amazing {especially in colder weather} to slough off dead skin. plus, they smell delicious and feel great! finally, a top coat... you never know when you're going to need to freshen up your mani!"

what would you say is the must-wear nail trend of this current season?
KC: "DESIGNfx nail appliques by Dashing Diva, with a soak off gel top coat!"

what nail shades are hottest right now?
KC: "anything with GLITTER!"

i love it! adding sparkle makes any day better! now, will you share your personal mani/pedi routine with us?
KC: "i always exfoliate with the ME! Bath ice cream sandwich in the shower, then use The Painted Nail Vanilla Cranberry shimmer creme so my feet are soft and sparkly. i am very particular and i want my pedicure water HOT with a Me! Bath ice cream scoop soak: strawberry flavored."

how often do you change your polish?
KC: "i personally do it everyday or every other day. i am neurotic! but to keep my nails healthy, i use a clean layer of soak off gel so my natural nail isn't destroyed by acetone!

if you could only wear one shade for the rest of you life, what would it be?
KC: "it would be glitter, and YES that is a color in my book, because it makes me happy!"


thank you so much, Katie, for taking the time to share your fun nail tips, recs and personal routine!

if you're ever in the neighborhood, be sure to visit The Painted Nail and tune in to watch Nail Files on TV Guide network {check your local listings}!

Total Beauty: Help for Your Dry, Winter Skin

you may be experiencing what many are also experiencing this time of year: dry skin. blame the cold, blustery weather. it's been seriously cold this season, and even my oily skin isn't too happy.

read on to get some answers on how you can help fix your dry skin issues...

Quick Fixes for Dry, Winter Skin

Fix chapped, dry lips and skin in a jiffy with these cold-weather beauty busters

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care article When the weather turns from sunny and mild to cold and blustery, our skin often turns too -- from supple and hydrated to cracked, flaky and ashy. Learn how to soothe it with these tips. See advice

xo

Winter Beauty: MAC Love Lace

MAC has 4 post-holiday collections out now and this Love Lace collection, available until february, definitely has my attention...

couture's fascination with lace is a long love affair. intensely intimate, our newest collection captures lace's notoriety and allure. if ever there was a moment to do away with the winter doldrums and add some instant intrigue, this is it.




Lipstick

Pretty Please-- pale pink pearl (lustre)
Intricate-- frosted cool icy taupe (frost)




Lipglass

Icescape-- sheer pale pink with pink pearl (frost)
Utterly Discrete-- sheer frosted cool icy mauve (frost)




Eye Shadow
Pincurl-- dusty white (frost)
Hypnotizing-- frosted greyed mauve (frost)
Love Lace-- frosted mid-tone grey-ish blue (veluxe pearl)
Suave Intentions-- light frosted silver blue (veluxe pearl)




Kohl Power
Sense of Style-- blackened deep marine blue
Raven-- intense red with black pearl
Feline-- rich black

Eye Kohl
Fascinating-- intense matte white





Zoom Lash
Zoomblack-- rich black

Brows
Stud-- deep rich blackened brown





Lash

44 Lash-- unique combination of separate bundles at inner corner and dramatic winged outer corner





Nail Lacquer

Light Affair-- creamy pale grey taupe


i love Light Affair-- it's such an amazing, refreshing color! visit maccosmetics.com or your local MAC retailer for more info.

what do you think of the Love Lace collection??


xo
info and images courtesy of MAC; collages created by me :)