dry. dry. dry. - winter hydration guide + products

Holy crap it's dry. my face, my body, my hair! tight. static. horrible. 

Let's hydrate. I've already lectured you about hydrating your face and under eye area. If you missed it you can check it out here. 

This post was inspired by our horribly dry conditions and by a post from the lovelies over at The Beauty Department. They posted this amazing piece about hydrating your skin before you shower to arm yourself against the harsh hot water! This blew my mind so of course I had to try it. 

Their advice: 

1. Apply a generous amount 

2. Warm up with your hands and 

3. Apply all over avoiding the face. 

Then simply shower like normal! What a concept. They used body oil, but I tried it using coconut oil. So basically it was AMAZING. My skin was so soft and happy. No more scaly legs. Imagine that. 

Don't forget to moisturize within the first 3 minutes after getting out of the shower/bath. The pores on your skin are still open and will absorb the most product within that time. Try L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream. 

Don't forget about lips and nails! Anyone normal is obsessed with the EOS balls.. did you know that E.O.S stands for evolution of smooth?? Me either.. I think I have had every flavor and lost every flavor... 

Deborah Lippmann's cuticle oil makes me feel like I just stepped out of the salon. My cuticles are ragged this time of year and need some comforting. 

My hair has been crazy dry lately too. I just tried Aveda damage remedy leave-in product from a sample and I just might have to splurge for it. It made my hair super soft. I have also been noticing that my hair wasn't staying straight and was frizzing really easily. I asked my darling hair magician if there was anything I could do. She said to make sure I was applying enough product. Now I've always been afraid of adding too much thinking it would make my hair look greasy. She said to apply the product to my hair when wet, right after drying, and again after straightening. Serum times three and I've noticed a huuge difference with my hair staying straight and frizz free. I use It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum. 

1. Trader Joe's Organic Virgin Coconut Oil 2. L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream 3. EOS Lip Balm 4. Deborah Lippman Cuticle Oil 4. IT's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum 6. Aveda Damage Remedy Leave-In Treatment

I'd love to know your tricks on staying hydrated during the winter. Comment people! I hope I'm not blogging to myself. 

xoxo. LP

Night & Day

Hi Beauties, 

Starting out this whole blog thing I'm going to keep it sweet & simple with a double product recommendation. Skin care reviews can be hard since it takes time to see results of products past the initial texture and smells. Today, I bring you two little numbers that are tried and true and that I personally, cannot live without. 

Daytime hydration: Try Clarins Bright Plus HPBrightening Hydrating Day Lotion SPF 20  $62

This SPF 20 moisturizing lotion evens and brightens dull skin. Special ingredients help to fade dark spots and even out the skin tone too! I like this moisturizer because it drys down to a soft matte without leaving the skin feeling greasy. It wears great under makeup and provides sun protection. 

For the night: Try Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Intense Night Cream. $62 

This concentrated night cream boosts the skin's ability to recharge and rehydrate during its nightly repair process, plumping fine lines and improving tone and texture. Skin looks and feels stronger and healthier. Secretly, I sometimes wear this during the day.. shhh! I recently discovered that my skin gets dehydrated really easily which in turn makes me incredibly oily. I'll wear this guy day and night in those cases and my skin is back to looking pretty great in no time. 

Sorry that these products are not entirely budget friendly. If it's any consolation, you need a very small amount of each so you shouldn't be needing a new one for at least 6-8 months.  Think of your skin as your #1 accessory, consider how much you spent on new shoes this month... this is your face! 

xoxo. LP