How to Save Your Skin This Winter: PRODUCT REVIEWS

Winter is here - which means colder weather, shorter days, and beauty problems. If you're like me, someone with already problematic dry skin, the freezing temperatures and strong winds can make our skin even more dehydrated, flaky, and dull. Here are some of my favorite products to help your makeup look good and your skin looking better during this long winter season.

Mac Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

Price: $29
Availability: Mac, Department Stores

Whether you're about to go to sleep or you're waking up early in the morning, this multipurpose product that is great for cleansing and removing dry skin. This is my HOLY GRAIL exfoliator! I have used others in the past and nothing compares to this! I bought it back in July 2013 and I still have not finished it yet. Just a small amount of this baby packs a punch! A dime size amount is usually sufficient, expect for some days when my face needs a good polish. This exfoliator leaves my face feeling clean, soft, and smooth. In addition, it will help those with sensitive skin, since it's made with all natural ingredients, such as real volcanic ash and sugar crystals. Most importantly, using this gentle exfoliator improved the appearance of my makeup - my foundation and concealer do not look cakey, apply easier, and leave my skin with a more radiant glow!

Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20 

Price: $34

Availability: Sephora, Ulta, Macy's

      This beauty balm is a multitasking skincare product that has become a fan favorite. Why do so many love this beauty balm? For starters, this product works well after the first use and even better over time. Urban Decay claims that customers rave about seeing a huge difference in their skin after using this product in a matter of eight weeks. I do not know if this is actually true, but I do love the product's soft, silky, velvety consistency that makes my face feel weightless! After application, it leaves my complexion more hydrated and looking and feeling more natural. In addition, this beauty balm has anti-aging properties which is excellent for my dry skin problems (which of course are more severe during the winter time)! With the help of subtle amounts of shimmer, this beauty balm also helps make my skin look more luminous and lively. This product can be worn daily because of its SPF 20 sun protection and I like to use this after my face primer and before my foundation and concealer. 

Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse Foundation 

Price: $8 (varies)

Availability: Ulta, Drugstores

This foundation is PERFECT for dry skin and is one of my other holy grail products! I started using this foundation back in my junior year of high school and I have been through four or five of these since (and I have several in backups as well)! In my opinion, this is one of the best foundations you can get at the drugstore - trust me I have tried a bunch. This, among the Loreal True Match and Revlon Color Stay are my drugstore favorites, but I always keep coming back to Maybelline! Not only is it affordable, but this foundation is also super moisturizing, creamy, and easy to apply. Since this product is a cream foundation, it is long-lasting and has a lightweight consistency. I have worn this foundation without a primer and a setting spray and it has lasted 6 - 8 hours on its own. It also applies and blends well with a brush or even with your fingers, if you are on the go. I like to use either Real Techniques Buffing Brush, Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, E.l.f. Small Stippling Brush, or Urban Decay Optical Karma Blending Brush. I do not prefer using a sponge to apply this with, just personal preference, but I do like to use a brush to apply and then using a sponge to blend (either Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge or Beauty Blender). I also love that this product can double up as a foundation or be used as a spot concealer. No matter how much I apply, my face does not feel cakey or heavy. I cannot recommend this foundation enough - I just love it so much!!!

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xoxo, Rachel