Beauty remedies that will noticeably perk up your skin and tresses
Feeling a bit run down? Lacklustre? Thirsty? Here’s some tough love: the way you feel is most definitely the way your skin looks – run down, lacklustre and thirsty. This time of year is brutal on skin and hair, between the excessive alcohol and caffeine, cold weather alternating with forced indoor heat, and general lack of sleep.
While I can’t gift you a few extra hours of sleep nor convince you to drop the bubbles and coffee, I have some beauty remedies that will noticeably perk up your skin and tresses.
For the ultimate treat, the Nature’s Indulgence facial at Willow Stream at the Fairmont Pacific Rim is pure hydrating decadence. Nestled in a heated, plush down cocoon, you are instantly lulled into a relaxed state as your 90-minute facial begins. Using 100 per cent natural, non-toxic, handcrafted luxury skincare products from Tata Harper, this is hardly your typical spa treatment.
From beginning to end, this facial is designed to restore and deeply hydrate your skin, incorporating elements of facial massage and lymphatic drainage. It features four different masques custom-selected to suit your personal needs, although almost all will include the Resurfacing Mask, a beta-hydroxy treatment that acts like a traditional peel, eating away at all the dead skin cells that cause dull, ashy skin, without requiring any downtime. A thorough exfoliation is essential as it clears away surface debris allowing serums and moisturisers to penetrate more deeply, providing longer-lasting effects. ($289, 90 minutes)
To continue the care at home, consider that your freshly cleansed and exfoliated face needs some protection. Avène’s newly reformulated Trixera Nutrition Nutri-fluid Cleanser ($30, available Feb 2017) is an ideal product to comfort and cleanse skin, packed full of soy oil, evening primrose oil, and essential fatty acids, it never over-strips skin. Winter conditions really stress skin’s natural moisture barrier to the point where most people have a very difficult time retaining the hydration they’ve worked so hard to infuse into their skin. Their Cold Cream line is perfect for this role. Their original Cold Cream ($21) is a lusciously thick balm that immediately offers relief and protection to the skin. Put a tiny amount on fingertips, tap together to warm the product up, then stipple lightly over the face.
If you’re more inclined to stick to your usual skincare regimen, Dermalogica’s Gentle Soothing Booster ($69) is a calming fluid concentrate that you can simply add to your favourite moisturiser, masque or foundation. Extracts of honey, chamomile and cornflower help this booster to soothe sensitive skin aggravated by windburn or breakouts and, most importantly, restore moisture levels. The all-new Phyto Replenish Oil ($103) is an impossibly lightweight oil that packs a punch. Layer this quick-absorbing oil under your moisturizer or even on top of your makeup throughout the day for a quick, dewy (but not greasy!) pick-me-up. An ideal, instant protective layer for those of you who are winter runners.
If your main concern is dry, crunchy hair, Subtil Elixir Intense Nutrition Shine Oil ($45) by Phyto will dramatically improve your hair’s condition. This preshampoo oil should be applied to dry hair, from mid-length to ends and let it soak in for a minimum of 20 minutes. It’s a particularly fabulous treatment to put in your hair before a workout, where heat and extra time will really allow the oil to penetrate deeply. You’ll be addicted to this product but use it only once or twice a week. And once your hair is restored to its shiny,
lustrous glory, protect it with Phyto’s Phytokeratine Repairing Thermal Protectant Spray ($32). This is a unique heat protectant, free from silicones (so it won’t build up or weigh down your hair) and rich in texture (though it’s magically light enough for fine hair). It’s heat-activated, with hydrolyzed plant extracts to protect, botanical keratain to repair, Hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and ceramides to seal in the hair’s cuticle.
The name says it all: Butter Babes. This new Vancouver line launched their body butter ($58) only last spring and it’s already selling out everywhere. They make only the one product (for now, though a body exfoliator is in the works) and they do it exceptionally well. Their body butter is entirely organic, free from all toxic chemicals and harmful preservatives. The owner actually first created this balm to treat her brother’s persistent psoriasis – and it worked. This is a vitamin- and antioxidant-rich treatment made with deeply moisturising, raw, vegan butters and oils. Perfect for keeping all you babes hydrated and nourished through the winter.
