Winter Beauty Hacks From A Pro!

I first met Alexander James as I meet most of the insanely talented people in my life,  while working on a photoshoot. With clients like Moda Operandi and having worked backstage on Pat McGrath’s team for shows such as Givenchy, Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenburg, Kanye West (Yeezy), Anna Sui, Diesel Black Gold, and Victoria Beckham, I knew Alexander would be a perfect beauty contributor for the website. So without further ado, check out some of his awesome tricks for how to survive this winters brutal weather and still look fabulous.

Winter has finally arrived, and with it a couple additions to my makeup stock as I get my kit ready for the impending sub-zero temperatures. Working in cold climates presents it’s own challenges for a makeup artist (Chafed lips, windburn, etc…) So here are five winter hacks any girl can use to keep her makeup on point during a polar vortex.

Prep Your Skin 

Sub-zero temperatures mean a huge drop in humidity, and regardless of how much water you’re drinking your skin’s epidermal layer is prone to severe dehydration, making it susceptible to wind and sunburn. I’m always explaining to my clients that we don’t wear the same clothes in the winter as we do in the summer, and we can’t get away with doing the same with our skincare either. Replenish your skin overnight with nourishing dry oil, I love Caudalie Premier Cry Elixir and fortify your defenses with an emollient moisturizer with SPF like Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30.

Combat Patchy Foundation

Going along with the theme of dry skin, the number one complaint I get from clients in the winter is that their foundation becomes patchy throughout the day. After a little investigating, I often find that they are using a matte or oil controlling formula, a big no-no in the winter months. Thirsty, dry skin is apt to absorb any trace of moisture from the foundation. This leads to separation and patches in the foundation–much like the cracked sahara clay in the height of the dry months. Give your skin a reservoir of hydration to drink from throughout the day by choosing a foundation with a high percentage of water and emollients. I’m obsessed with Chantecaille Future Skin foundation.

 

Soften Scabby Lips

There’s another area of your skin that’s prone to become painfully dry-your lips. For dry scabby lips, there really is nothing better than paw paw ointment. It’s healing enzymes penetrate the moisture deep into the lip and it’s antibacterial and antimicrobial properties keep any open wounds clean. If you’ve got lots of unsightly dead skin, take a disposable soft bristle mascara wand (Or toothbrush, but be gentle!) and, after a paw paw soak, give them lips a gentle exfoliation. They’ll be kissable in no time.

 

Even-out Ruddy Lip Color

Revisiting our conversation about the dry, cracked clay of the sahara desert, it follows that wintertime is the worst time for a matte lip. The pigment catches to drier areas giving an uneven color to the lip and in a matter of hours your lips will be crying for hydration. Trade out the lipliner and matte lipsticks for hydrating products with a pigment, like Fresh, Sugar tinted lip treatment or Clinique Chubby sticks.

 

No-Run Mascaran- Guaranteed

Spitting snow and strong winds can ruin even the most waterproof of mascaras, and quickly take your makeup from haute couture to hot mess. A tip I picked up from my coworkers back when I worked at MAC was so ingenious and simple, I almost couldn’t believe every girl doesn’t do it; they put a couple coats of their favorite mascara on…after they arrived to work. Sure, It isn’t glamorous, but neither is turning up for work looking like Courtney Love.

Side note: If you are looking for a no-smudge mascara, try Extended Play by MAC Cosmetics. The formula is temperature sensitive, meaning it stands extra stubborn in cold weather but dissolves quickly with warm-to hot water.

Hope you loved all of Alexander’s fabulous tips and tricks for your winter makeup regime. To go see his gorgeous makeup looks follow him on his Instagram here. Thank you all for reading and if you every have any ideas for posts you would like to see on the site give me a shout out in the comments below. Happy Friday everyone!

 

xx

The Everyday Editor