Easy Changes To Make This Winter To Prevent Dry Skin

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I recently shared some of my favorite ways to transition my beauty routine into the winter, and while I made quite a few specific product recommendations, I didn't really mention all of the ways that I change my lifestyle when the cold weather hits! These changes are just as important as the product swap outs that I do. There are a lot of little changes that need to take place for me to prevent my hair from getting frizzy and keep my skin hydrated.

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Lip Savers: Products To Keep Your Pout Happy This Winter

Product Sent for Review I Bought It Myself Affiliate Links



I can't be the only one out there that needs to dramatically up their lip product game as soon as the weather turns a bit cold! My lips seem to be pretty sensitive to the cold and low humidity of winter. If I'm not super vigilant about my lip balm, exfoliating and breaking out a heavy duty treatment as soon there's a sign of trouble... well, things can get painful quickly.

So, I've tried a huge array of lip products. Some good, some bad, and some amazing! I thought I'd share my favorites with you.

Scrubs

Not everyone needs a lip scrub, but I definitely do! When using a lip scrub, think of them as maintenance for your lips. You want the dry skin off so the hydrating lip balms and treatments can work right. You can use a lip scrub once or twice a week to do this, though you could just use your toothbrush on your lips and be done with it. (Let's face it, that second option isn't as much fun!)

Personally, I like a scrub once a week or so. I look for a scrub with either lots of small grit or a sugar scrub, those both work well for me. The goal is to wash your lips and have them feel well scrubbed, but not like you scrubbed off the entire top layer of your lips. If your lips are super chapped and peeling that is not the time to use a lip scrub, you'll only damage your lips more! So, only scrub healthy lips.

Here are the lip scrubs that I've tried and loved in the past, not all of them have made it to the blog.

1. Lush Bubble Gum Lip Scrub

2. Bite Beauty Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub

3. Bliss Fabulips 'Pout'-o-matic Spa Powered Lip-Perfecting System (my review)

4. e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator (mentioned here)

5. Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

6. Sara Happ The Lip Scrub Brown Sugar Lip Exfoliator (my review)

7. Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Lip Scrub

Hydrators

These are my daily go-to products for hydration. I leave them on my nightstand, always have one in my purse and usually will apply one of these products at the beginning of my makeup routine. By the time my mascara is on, my lips are perfectly prepped for a lippie!

8. Kiehl's Since 1851 Lip Balm #1

9. Aquaphor Lip Repair Ointment

10. MAC Lip Conditioner

11. Nivea Lip Butter Raspberry Rose Kiss

12. Eve Lom 'Kiss Mix' Lip Treatment

Intensive Treatments

When your lips are acting up, you need to turn to a more intensive treatment. While I still use my hydrating products during the day, I'll turn to one of these super hydrators a few times a day as well. They also offer ingredients that will help my lips recover quickly, and they can take the place of my regular hydrating balm or they're an extra treatment.

14. Jouer Lip Enhancer Conditioning Lip Treatment

15. Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment

16. Hourglass N° 28 Lip Treatment Oil

17. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy

18. AmorePacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment

19. Osmia Organics Honey-Myrrh Lip Repair

20. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

21. Clarins Moisture Replenishing Lip Balm

Anti-Aging Products

Yes, even your lips age. Because most of us don't remember to apply sunscreen to them, along with the extra thin skin in this area, it can be one of the earliest areas to age. Luckily there are quite a few lip products that have ingredients specially formulated for reversing, or at least fighting, this process.

22. StriVectin Clinical Corrector Anti-Aging Lip Tint SPF 20

23. Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Lip Treatment

24. La Mer 'The Lip Balm'

25. Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Eye & Lip Cream

26. Clinique All About Lips

27. Your Best Face Define


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Combating Winter: Preventing the Winter Hair Freeze with Nicholas Penna, Jr.

Today's tips for your hair come from Nicholas Penna, Jr., from Salon Capri in Newton and Dedham, MA.

1. Get Rich Quick. No, not your wallet—your shampoo. Pick up a moisture rich shampoo and conditioner for the winter months, preferably one with vitamins and oils. Nick suggests L’Oreal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Liss Ultime shampoo and conditioner. “It’s good to change up the product you use every few months so your hair doesn’t build up immunity to the ingredients,” Nick points out.

2. Be Exotic. “One of the hottest new trends is incorporating Argan oil into your beauty routine,” reports Nick. Argan oil contains fatty acids, Vitamin E and antioxidants that restore your hair’s natural luster without a greasy shine. Nick recommends using the oil like a serum. “Use about a dime sized amount and comb it evenly through damp hair,” says Nick. Or, look for a conditioning treatment that contains Argan oil like Shu Uemura’s Silk Bloom Restorative Treatment.

3. DIY. If you want a more wallet friendly way to add some essential nutrients to your ‘do, try adding a nickel sized amount of honey or olive oil to your daily conditioner. Nick’s tips to creating your own spa night at home are to soak a hand towel in hot water and let it steam with you in the shower. Massage your strands with the conditioning olive oil treatment and let it rest. Wring out the hot towel and wrap it tightly around your head and relax for 30 minutes. Invite some friends over and you’ve got yourself a spa night!

4. Go All the Way. While blow drying and using hot tools definitely dries up your hair, it is somewhat unavoidable during the cold months. “If you’re going to blow dry, always use a thermal spray or serum that will protect your hair,” urges Nick. Try L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Cellular Thermo Spray. Moreover, Nick insists you go big or go home when blow drying. “Blow drying your hair half way will only create frizz and damage. If you spend the extra 5 minutes using a round brush to blow your hair out to a smooth finish, it makes all the difference,” he says.

5. Avoid the Freeze. “Never go outside with wet hair,” says Penna. Wet hair and even damp hair can easily freeze once temperatures drop into the 30s, and frozen strands mean split ends. “If you have to run outside, be sure to work a quick squeeze of serum in your hair before tucking your hair beneath a hood or hat.” Don’t be discouraged by hat hair—the serum will keep your hair smooth and moisturized, so you won’t have to worry about frizz or flatness.

6. Nourish from the Inside Out. Be sure to indulge in the season’s offerings—proteins, fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and essential oils that help keep your hair healthy from the inside out. “Believe it or not, eating balanced foods will improve your hair’s natural shine, bounce and body! Many of winter’s seasonal goods, like dark leafy vegetables, beans and carrots provide the exact nutrients to promote shiny, silky hair.”

Nicholas Penna, Jr., is the Owner and Lead Stylist of SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham, MA. Nick has received international recognition with awards from Vidal Sassoon (for “Excellence in New Design.”) and the Guillaume Award in Berlin, Germany. Nick is routinely called on her expert hair tips and tricks and his advice has been featured in countless beauty magazines. He regularly styles hair for photo shoots and high-profile events such as New York City Fashion Week.

SalonCapri to be one of only 12 salons in the country to house the L’Oreal Professionnel Haircolor Center on premise. SalonCapri is also one of three L’Oreal expert teaching centers in the country, along with Fred Segal Beauty in Santa Monica, CA and L’Oreal’s own headquarters in New York’s SoHo neighborhood.

SalonCapri

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Combating Winter: Beautiful Brows

Today's tip comes from Anna Castillo, a Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of ink...cosmetics


I am hooked on Threading! It is fantastic! It tingles a little but the results are amazing! I will never go back to waxing as long as I have hair on my brows!

Looking for ideas/tips for sexy brows? Read this.

Shapely and neatly kept eyebrows enhance the beauty of your eyes. Eyebrow experts state that beautiful eyebrows are actually the result of two primary eyebrow needs ­ shaping and filling-in the eyebrow gaps. In addition, various hair removal techniques can actually transform the look and impression of a person in a positive or negative way.


How to Groom Naturally Beautiful Eyebrows?
For naturally beautiful eyebrows which imply shapely and well-filled eyebrows, you would need to brush off all the powder and foundation. In addition, comb the hair upwards and outwards to get a wide-eyed look. Finally, keep the eyebrows in shape and place by applying some gel on them.


How to Groom Thick and Unruly Eyebrows?
If your eyebrows are thick, bushy and growing out of proportion with your eyes, you need a definite trimming. Various options available for grooming overgrown eyebrows are listed here below:

• Threading
• Plucking
• Waxing

Ensure that you begin by trimming and applying astringent on the eyebrows. Also keep in mind that short hair can be pulled out completely and will cause less pain. Long strands should be simply trimmed with small scissors.


How to Groom Scanty Eyebrows?
Spares or scanty eyebrows can be filled-in with the help of the following techniques:

• With the help of an eye shadow brush, carve a line along the length of the
eyebrow.
• Use an eyebrow pencil to define the shape and to fill the gaps in between
the eyebrow.
• Soften your eyebrow by applying some powder over it. Then apply a thin line
of eye shadow over it to fill the gaps.


Colors for Beautiful Eyebrows
Some eyebrows are very dark and others light. Giving them the right shade and color can further enhance the beauty of your face. Discover beautiful eyebrows by applying the following technique to accurately add or shade your eyebrows:

• Dab some eyebrow powder over your eyebrows
• Keep using a sharpened eye pencil alternately to define the shape and arch of the eyebrows
• Finally, for a natural and softer look dab the lines carved by you with a clean piece of cotton


Quick Tips to Fetch Beautiful Eyebrows
Some tips for flaunting the beautiful pair of eyebrows are listed here below:

• Ensure that the curve and length of your eyebrows are in alignment with your eyes
• Do not over-pluck, thread or wax your eyebrows
• Always pluck in the right direction starting from the bottom
• Use astringent on the beginning and end of any hair removing procedure to disinfect the area
• You can apply eyebrow powder over your eyebrows before the threading technique for lesser pain, redness or swelling


Do not over-do your eyebrows either through makeup or removal techniques.
Look chic and beautiful by keeping your eyebrows simple, clean and neat.

Anna Castillo is a Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder of ink...cosmetics. She has the most interesting job history of any successful makeup artist. She started her career as Special Forces (Military Police) in the Air Force, and worked her way up to Special Agent with U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI, Federal Agent). Makeup was something of a hobby for her, but while still in the military she was able to pursue it and actually started ink...cosmetics with a loan from her mom. I love that she's worked so hard and if you look at her portfolio on the ink website you'll see that she does amazing work.


ink....cosmetics

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Combating Winter: The FULL At Home Spa Treatment

Tips for a DIY Home Spa Retreat from Arbonne's Sr. Director of Product Development, Debbie Hicks. Debbie has tips to experience a full, all inclusive spa day at home.



Melt away the stress...release toxins...calm and center yourself... by treating yourself to a spa retreat. To keep things within budget, treat yourself to a do-it-yourself home spa retreat. Set aside at least 40 minutes to 1 hour for the ultimate in skin pampering and glowing bliss....after all...you are worth this time you give yourself. Here are simple steps to a pampering, skin glowing home spa treat.

Step 1: Dry Body Brushing - Use a dry body brush on the entire body (from feet to shoulders) to help stimulate circulation and remove surface toxins that can make skin look dull and tired.

Step 2: Massage - Use a good spa-quality massage oil to melt away stress. The massaging action helps improve skin's microcirculation to remove toxins and accumulated wastes. With a good sap-quality oil, you should be able to treat yourself to a gentle facial massage as well.

Step 3: Exfoliate - In the shower, exfoliate your body to eliminate dryness with a fine, sea salt foaming body scrub. The sea salt helps remove dead surface skin cells and toxins from the skin's surface. Exfoliate the face and neck to also lift dead skin cells and to give skin a healthy glow. Use a facial exfoliator that contains soft gentle rice or jojoba beads that won't aggravate the skin. Also apply a facial exfoliant on damp skin and massage onto skin with gentle, circular motions.

Step 4: Sea Mud Face and Body Mask - this is a real spa luxury, as the sea mud further draws out impurities while gently caressing the skin with natural heat from the sea mud. Once the mud is rinsed off, skin looks soft and glowing.

Step 5: Sea Soak - Now this is an indispensable treat to get a real glow going. Fill a tub with warm water, to which you add a few scoops of high quality sea salt. The soak will melt away stress, tension and aches and pains, with further helping to eliminate toxins. Soak quietly listening to your favorite music, by your favorite candlelight, as you quiet your mind. You arise from the tub feeling like a totally new, glowing you.

Step 6: Moisturize - Liberally apply facial and body moisturizers to seal in moisture, soften skin and maintain a healthy glow.

Step 7: Relax - Enjoy a soothing cup of herbal tea - peppermint or chamomile for example.

Before joining Arbonne, Deborah Hicks served as VP of Business and Product Development for Cosmetic Essence, Inc., where she created brands and led award-winning product developments for some of the largest retail chains and entertainment studios in the U.S. and Canada. Deborah was also previously in leadership positions with international cosmetic industry leaders Yves Rocher, Clarins and Estée Lauder. She holds a master's degree in business management and an undergraduate degree in biology.

Arbonne

Image- Dennis Wong

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Combating Winter: A Trio of Products to Fight Winter and Aging

Today's tips come from Victoria Girard, the woman behind Reveal Great Skin. She's a busy woman and like me she loves to look into why things do, or don't, work! Today she's sharing some of her favorite winter busting tips.


1. Exfoliating with a good facial scrub (Victoria's pick is Shankara Microcrystal Exfoliation Treatment) will help remove any dry flaky skin and will help your other products work more effectively.

2. Red light therapy systems increase the moisture content within the skin keeping it soft and supple.

3. Argan oil is a real treat for dry winter skin. This "liquid gold" drenches your skin with moisturizing and nourishing oils. Massage it into your skin at night and your complexion will look dewy and luminous in the morning.

Victoria Girard is the woman behind Reveal Great Skin. She has a lot of in depth skin care reviews and is very straight forward in what she expects of skin care- work and make her life easier.


Reveal Great Skin

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Combating Winter: Super Clean Your Skin

Today's Combating Winter tip comes from Dr. Debra Jaliman, whose advice I've been reading for years in magazines like Allure and Vogue. I'm so honored that she contributed to this series! She has a book coming out next month, Skin Rules, which promises to be a great "how-to" book for great skin.


As a dermatologist in private practice and a mom I never seem to have enough time for everything I want to do.

I really like the sonic technology to super clean skin without causing irritation and to give it great glow. It also helps products penetrate better as the dead skin cells are removed. So whether you are using anti-aging products or acne products they will be more effective as they absorb into the skin. Clarisonic makes the best one because it has a choice of different brush heads but it is also the most expensive. Olay Pro X Advanced Cleansing System is another good choice and is less costly. Neutrogena Wave Spinning Power Cleanser is the least expensive option. They all offer great exfoliation a great pick-me-up for dull winter skin.

Debra Jaliman MD is a well known dermatologist in New York. Her practice on 5th Avenue has been on the cutting edge of dermatology for over 25 years. She was among the first to use Botox, and her office remains a national training center for Allergan. Dr. Jaliman has provided dermatological and skincare expertise to several top medical and consumer brands and companies, including Banana Boat, Elizabeth Arden, Noxema, Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation, Philips Norelco, Proctor & Gamble, SmithKlein Beecham and more. She has been featured in many national magazines such as Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Fitness, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Ladies’ Home Journal, Lucky, More, Newsweek, O, The Oprah Magazine, Parents, Prevention, Shape, The New York Times, Vogue and more.

In March Dr. Jaliman's new book, "Skin Rules: Trade Secrets From a Top New York Dermatologist" will be released. See the official site of Skin Rules or pre-order Skin Rules on Amazon.



Note from Christine- I've reviewed 2 of the 3 cleansing systems that Dr. Jaliman mentioned, and I'm currently using the 3rd (the Olay Pro X) for a future review. Stay tuned for a review soon!

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Combating Winter: Turn Your Bathroom Into a Hawaiian Spa Getaway

When I lived in Southern California, my husband and I were stressed out and worked crazy hours. To help ourselves relax and reconnect we jetted off on vacation once a year, and because we like not having to worry about if the water was potable and to spend as little time as possible on a plane... We usually went to Hawaii.

One of our favorite vacations was to Kauai, where we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. It was beautiful, the food was great and the pool.... wow, I don't even know what to say. Amazing. I distinctly remember amazing massages at Anara Spa the day after our arrival, and the next day I had a facial that left me glowing until well after our return home.

Some day, I'm definitely heading back!

The estheticians at Anara Spa (Maureen, Valerie & Rochelle) put together some easy DIY skin treats with readily available ingredients. The scents will induce thoughts of summer & relaxation, and your soft skin & hair will thank you. I already feel more relaxed!

Face Treatment
1 banana mashed
¼ c sugar
2 T milk
1 T honey
Mix and gently rub onto face. Let sit for a minute or two and rinse.

• Sugar exfoliates, banana nourishes skin keeping it supple and glowing, milk nourishes skin and provides lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, that exfoliates and cleanses. Honey softens skin and is anti-microbial.

• Can be refrigerated & reused within a week. Double recipe for a full body treatment.


Hair Treatment
1 banana mashed or ½ avocado
3 T coconut oil
Mix together and massage into hair.
Leave in hair for 5 minutes. Rinse.

• Banana and avocado are nutrient rich, nourishing hair, coconut oil deeply moisturizes making hair soft and manageable.


Bath Treatment
½ c oatmeal (in cheesecloth bag)
½ c sugar
¼ t vanilla

Dissolve sugar in the bath water. Place cheesecloth filled with oatmeal in water. Add vanilla to water just before getting in.

• Oatmeal cleanses, exfoliates and soothes skin, sugar encourages new skin turnover and collagen growth, the aroma of vanilla soothes the nerves, reducing stress.


Anara Spa

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Combating Winter: Tips from a Veteran Beauty Blogger

Believe it or not, most of the girls crazy enough about makeup to have a beauty blog know each other. We belong to blogging groups, we attend blog conferences, see each other at Fashion Week (though admittedly I don't usually go to Fashion Week).... you get the picture. Some girls are more vocal than others, and over the years some of the faces come and go.

During my 5 years of blogging, one of the most consistent and well known faces is Carleen. She somehow writes a lot of blogs, keeping the content fresh and updated. I'm not sure how she does it! Carleen has some great mid-winter tips, I'll be taking her advice on both my hair and nail color!

Every year around February it comes without fail-that feeling that winter must end now! Of course it isn’t anywhere as close as I would like it to be, so I do what I can to start feeling like maybe, just maybe, spring is around the corner. One of my favorite tricks is to brighten up my hair.

Normally, I have red hair with a few gold and blonde highlights. In fall, I tend to take it heavier on the base shade and perhaps a bit darker or with lowlights added. So, when February comes, I switch to a lighter spring look. The base color changes to a lighter red or a medium blonde, and I have a full set of blonde highlights added. The result is a more spring or summery look with lots of color pop from the highlights. It always lifts my mood and makes me feel like I am getting ready for spring.

A few other beauty tricks I like to try are switching from the darker nail polish shades that are popular in winter to a lighter or more natural shade. French manicures are also great for a look that fits in any season, but with a lighter feeling that is not as associated with winter. I also like to go shopping for my spring handbag. Buying a nice light color bag is always a pick me up, and getting out of the house and moving around is great for lifting the spirits.

Carleen Couter is a beauty and fashion writer with an obsession for makeup, shoes, and handbags. You can find her at Beauty and Fashion Tech, Girl Gloss, Bag Blog Shoe, and Run Gadget.

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Combating Winter: Keep Your Nails Looking Great!

I fully admit that despite the amount of time I spend on my nails each weeks, they're often the first area to show the stress of winter. Today I have some great tips from Nail Beauty Expert Katie Saxton from Custom Nail Solutions.


Diet Right
Take in calcium, iron, protein, and vitamins A, B, C and D and your nails will gradually grow stronger and healthier. Take in a lot of biotin.

Eat the right foods. Try fish, chicken, eggs, cheese, milk and plenty of fruits and vegetables. These are also great foods to keep you healthy overall!


Consistent Nail Maintenance
Scheduling regular manicures is crucial during the winter months if you want healthy nails. You can schedule in-salon manicures, or do them at home. Both work as long as you are doing them regularly.

File, buff and massage the nails. Purchase a buffer, and start at the cuticle and move forward to buff the entire nail bed. The buff will keep your nails from cracking.


Protect Your Nails
Nail strengtheners and hardeners. Think of it as conditioner for your hair. It cuts down on nail chipping most of all!


Cuticle Care
If you don't want to spend money on name brand cuticle products, you can also use olive oil right from your kitchen! Whatever you decide, leave it on for five minutes to fully replenish your nails. Don’t wash your hands completely, allowing your nails to get the richest conditioning possible.

Use lotions to keep your hands moisturized. During the winter months, hands become dryer than we’d like. Use a few times a day and you’ll feel the difference.
Refuse the urge to bite your nails.

Don’t use your nails to pry open jars; find the right tool instead.

Custom Nail Solutions gives you beautiful, natural-looking nails that are custom-made just for you. You can have lovely salon-looking nails on your own schedule and in the comfort of your own home. The concept of Custom Nail Solutions was invented by a cosmetic dentist. The nails are custom fit from a personal impression, using dental putty, taken from each clients individual nail beds which are as unique as your fingerprint.


Custom Nail Solutions

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Combating Winter: Bring a Touch of the Tropics to February

A few days ago I shared Liza Lentini's amazing winter tips for makeup. Today is a great tip for hair!


This is my favorite winter trick...put just a little bit of coconut oil in your hair. Coconut oil is a superb moisturizer, and its scent is an instant elixir, uplifting and evoking dreams of summer days of fun in the sun.

Organix makes some tasty coconut hair products, but I like to use essential coconut oils, which can be found all over your favorite city, or easily on Amazon.

Liza Lentini is the makeup artist behind Liza Bella Makeup Design. A former model, Liza also studied painting at the Massachusetts College of Art. Since 2003 she has been a popular bridal makeup artist in the NYC and Hamptons area.

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Combating Winter: How to Protect Your Hair This Winter

The weather in Boston isn't a joke. With the Nor'easters going through there, the long winter and all of the snow, they take hair protection seriously! I got a few tips on how to avoid damaging your hair in the winter weather from Alex Safar, master stylist and owner of Salon Acote in Boston.


Thick/Coarse Hair
Thick, coarse hair needs extra help during the winter season. Hydrating your strands will help make them more manageable and soft.

Alex recommends trying MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask to repair dry hair in the cold.


Normal/Medium Hair
Thin to normal hair can easily dry out, especially in the winter. Shampooing your hair can strip the strands of its natural oils, so try washing less. To keep your hair looking great in between washes, Alex likes using Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo.


Color-Treated Hair
Protecting your hair color from the elements is so important during the winter months. Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color is a gentle cleanser and moisture treatment. Oribe Conditioner for Beautiful Color restores and extends your dye while protecting your hair from future damage.

Alex Safar, master stylist and owner of Salon Acote in Boston. Alex has acquired knowledge from his father Gaston as well as extensive education in creative color theory with Redken-New York and Goldwell-Boston, and modern cutting with Vidal Sassoon in Miami.

Salon Acote is located on Newbury Street in Boston’s prominent Back Bay. The salon offers comprehensive services, from the signature haircut and color services, to the Keratin hair treatment and Remy-made hair extensions. The salon also features a breathtaking outdoor terrace with cappuccino and wine bar. Salon Acote has participated in and hosted events during Boston Fashion Week and Fashion's Night Out Boston.

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Combating Winter: Exfoliate and Oil Your Skin to a Healthy Glow!

Vanessa Somerset, a formerly licensed esthetician and the creator of Sevansa Spa has a great tip for smooth and hydrated skin in the middle of winter!

At least once a week, I exfoliate my face and apply a light facial oil. I do this routine at night before bed. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, which allows the beneficial ingredients in my moisturizer to be more readily absorbed into my skin and boosts skin regeneration at night. I wake up the next morning with softer, renewed skin and a healthier glow!

While there are lots of ways to exfoliate and some great skin oils out there, I did ask Vanessa for some recommendations from her line. Her picks:

Oregon Peppermint Exfoliating Grains, use with gentle, upward circular strokes on your face and neck in order to increase circulation to the skin.

Moroccan Neroli Renewing Treatment Oil, which contains oils of sesame seed, kukui nut, and meadowfoam. This light oil is all natural, vegan, and suitable even for oily skin types.

Vanessa also uses a moisturizing mask to help combat dehydration, and luckily you can easily make it yourself with ingredients from your own kitchen!

Hydrating Mask
½ banana
¼ cup oatmeal
¼ cup water
1 tsp olive oil
Directions: Mix all ingredients together. Apply to skin and leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse. You can keep any unused mask in the fridge for later use.

Vanessa Somerset, is the owner and creator of Sevansa Spa, an all-natural, handcrafted aromatherapy product company. Sevansa Spa's products are vegan, all-natural, and handcrafted in small batches.

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Combating Winter: Switch it up!

Today I got some great advice on getting through a long winter from Moxie of Moxie Reviews.


I live in the Boston, MA area, and therefore, every year I do have to deal with mid-winter “blues.” My tips are not for those who are truly depressed, and just can’t shake it off. I’m not making light of those people who should seek professional help. There are many not-for-profit agencies that the States offer, and you should please find out what resources they have for a medical condition of true depression.

January is tough because we’re on daylight savings time, so sometimes it seems like there is very little time in the day to see the sun shine! What cheers me up? Here’s a list of things that I do to beat the gloominess of the season.

Get outside and get some fresh air. Besides the fact that I have to wear a big winter coat/hat/mittens, I still remember to put on my sunscreen! Walking with my children and/or my dogs helps cheer me up.

!t’s winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to fake a tan. I like to use a faux tanner so I don’t look incredibly pasty and blend in with any snow that might be on the ground!

Switch body wash! Try a different wash with more zip in the fragrance.

Try a new shampoo and conditioner!

Moisturize right after your shower with a different scent. I use a heavier moisturizer in the winter months, so it’s a perfect time to change/try a new one.

A new lipstick color, or a new lip gloss to brighten up your face.

New blush color! I love to purchase a new one to add a bit of color to my face.

Try a new nail polish color!

Moxie Reviews™ is a cruelty free beauty blog, concentrating on organic and natural beauty products. This is one of my favorite sites for info on cruelty free beauty!

Moxie Reviews

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