Autumn is a tricky month for your beauty routine. There’s still the lingering hint of sunny summer days which dewy skin, beachy hair, and punchy lip colours. But the closer we get to winter, the greater need there is to offer your skin some extra TLC. You’re in that awkward in-between stage where your products need to both hit the summer and winter mark. Here are five staples (which you can shop from the comfort of your office A/C, of course) to help you fearlessly tackle autumn with your best face forward.
Exfoliate Exfoliate Exfoliate
Not only does it feel good, it helps to get rid of the dead skin cells that lead to flaky patches and overall dryness. Do it gently though — too much elbow grease can lead to irritation, sensitivity, and even more dryness. Dermalogica’s Ultimate Buffing Cloth will give you a power buff without any pain, or try a luxe body scrub packed with sugar crystals and essential oils, like this one from Payot to make this extra skincare step one you’ll never want to skip.
Bring Back the Moisture
Your go-to face moisturiser probably won’t cut it when the temperature drops. Look for words like “intensive” and products with the highest percentage of ingredients for repairing dryness. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and aloe vera are all great. But caking on the creams can be even worse for your skin than not applying them at all, causing bumps and clogged pores. Focus on finding a cream that suits your skin’s specific needs, and use it in combination with a skin oil too add an extra layer of moisture. And whatever you do, don’t forget SPF.
Prime your pout
Cracked lips are one of the worst things about cold weather, and also one of the most immediately noticeable to both you and everyone else. Stay away from super sheer or shiny lip products, as these will only draw attention to chapped areas, and instead choose a lipstick or tinted balm with moisturising properties. The Burt’s Bees ultra conditioning lip balm tube are a steal at just $6.95, and By Terry’s Baume de Rose lip protectant is a cult staple you should already be using obsessively. This face, lip, and cheek combo from Laura Mercier is also perfect for cheating your way to a windblown glow.
Fight the frizz
The best way to hang onto every last second of summer is with a head full of tousled waves. But if your post-beach look is more ‘80s Sarah Jessica than Victoria’s Secret, Original Mineral is here to help. This cult Australian brand’s Frizzy Logic is packed with certified organic Argan and Macadamia oils which locks in moisture and smoothes to sultry up your strands without weighing them down.
Best feet forward
Sleeping with your socks on might not be the most sexy thing you can do, but your feet- and whoever is looking at them- will definitely thank you for this trick. Apply an intensive cream for dry feet and cracked heels- we love Dr Hauschka hydrating foot cream and KORA Organics rejuvenating foot balm– and put some clean cotton socks over the top. It’ll literally give you gorgeous feet while you sleep.
