Beat the beauty blues this winter
BODY NEEDS NOURISHMENT
FROM the animals to the withering trees, the cold season can be harsh on everyone – and that includes our bodies as well.
Notwithstanding the various flu viruses we are exposed to in winter, some areas of your body also take a beating from the cold weather.
Your lips, hair, and cheeks might need special attention if you don’t want to enter spring looking like you just escaped from a natural disaster.
We spoke to beauty therapist Siyabulela Myeni from Devor cosmetics about how to pay close attention to these areas, and survive winter with our fabulousity intact.
Myeni says that many people tend to concentrate on being snug and warm in winter, and forget to nourish their bodies.
“This is the reason some people even neglect to drink enough water in winter. When it’s cold we tend to shut down and focus on surviving the cold, which can often lead to neglect,” he says.
Myeni has the following tips on taking care of our bodies:
LIPS
Winter effect: chapped, broken, bleeding lips.
“Lips tend to lose moisture faster than they do in summer, and you may get dry more often during the day,” he says.
“This can lead some people to fall into the bad habit of biting or chewing away at their lips, leading to bleeding or broken skin.” Fabulousity tip: Myeni recommends getting rid of flaky skin on your lips with a simple DIY trick.“Use an old toothbrush and brush away all the flakes on your skin. Next, use a strong barrier cream or lip balm.”
Myeni ’ s home-made lip balm solution can be made using ingredients found in your kitchen.
“Combine beeswax, almond oil, wheat germ oil, a few drops of lavender and honey. Mix it all up and heat the mixture. When it cools off, you will have an effective chapped lips solution,” he says.
CRACKED FEET
Winter effect: dry, flaky and cracked heels
Ever noticed how, when putting on your socks in winter, it feels a bit different? You may have fallen victim to winter’s cracked feet syndrome.
“Contrary to what most people believe, cracked feet are not a direct result of being unhygienic.
“It is a common condition that affects people, especially in winter due to the rapid loss of moisture in our bodies,” Myeni says. Fabulousity tip: “I have found that aqueous cream or any rich cream [the more natural, the better] mixed with essential oils such as lavender and myrrh, is beneficial to help restore suppleness.
“Also, wearing thick woollen socks immediately after applying the cream can help retain the moisture during the day, making your feet soft and smooth when you take them off.”
DRY SKIN
Winter effect: ashy, dull skin.
It is a fact that cold conditions can lead to ashen skin, even when one uses body lotion.
Myeni says take note of the kind of body lotion you use to nourish your skin, because you cannot use the same lotion that is used in summer.
“Skin is very delicate and sensitive in winter, and this is because the sebaceous glands don’t secrete enough oils. The dry and cold weather conditions tend to exacerbate the situation.” Fabulousity tip: “Invest in nourishing and lubricating creams with oils such as geranium, that has a balancing effect on sebum production.”
DRY, BRITTLE HAIR
Winter effect: breaking, dull hair
Finding more and more hair on your comb during winter? Myeni has some tips for you. Fabulousity tip: “Avoid the use of hairdryers during winter. Rather opt for drying your hair naturally using a towel to prevent moisture loss.
“Also, shampooing and conditioning your hair is much more essential in winter because this will help with locking in the moisture. Another tip is to use rosemary for a final rinse after washing your hair.”