Face, body and hair care fixes for Canadian cold weather
While working at a camp in California, this past summer, I earned the charming nickname “Crocky.” Though admittedly I have an inclination for eating meat and loving the colour green, my crocodile-inspired name had nothing to do with my consumption or dressing habits. Rather, my inability to keep warm, much like a cold-blooded reptile, was at fault for my christening.
“But you're from Canada!” fellow staff and campers, alike, would protest, as if coming from a colder climate would exclude me from being affected by lower temperatures. Zipping up my hoodie, my reply was always the same, “I'm cold in Canada, too.”
Truer words have never been spoken...especially as of late. After travelling for a month in the southern hemisphere, and spending much of my time in a city practically on the equator, I am FREEZING now that I'm back home. Although realistically, I know that -6C is fairly mild for mid-January, I can't help but layer and bundle beyond what most people consider “normal.” Piling on clothing is the best solution for keeping warm, but what about protection from the harsh elements for your skin, hair and nails?
Unfortunately, winter is not discriminatory: It will dry out and strip moisture from every pore and follicle on your body. The only benefit of this, for me, is justifying my ever-expanding collection of lotions and potions.
After many trials and errors, I have chosen some favourites that have earned permanent status in my vanity, for times in both wealth and struggle:
For your face:
Steal — Aveeno's Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15, $28
Thick enough to deeply moisturize, but smooth enough to sink right in, the texture of this face lotion is perfect. Its scent is light and pleasant, while its formula is gentle enough for any skin type. With its ability to improve skin tone and clarity, your complexion will seem not only brighter, but as well, smoother.
Most products that use light deflectors make your face look kind of like a disco ball, but Aveeno got it right with its subtle enhancements that bring out the best in your skin, without producing any glimmer. As a bonus: your derm won't have to scold you about not wearing SPF year round, as this one packs it in for you.
Splurge — La Mer's Creme de la Mer, $265
I'm not going to lie, I've never actually bought a whole jar of this cream (the price tag has deterred me), but I gladly (and greedily) snatch up travel-sized samples from the counters at Holt's.
I first became interested in La Mer after reading about it repeatedly, in practically every fashion magazine ever printed. With a celebrity roster that rivals the waiting list for a Birkin, I wanted to see what the fuss was about.
Not just another “hyped-up by Hollywood rip-off,” La Mer has some serious scientific credential, and by that I'm not simply referring to its unique blend of vitamins and minerals, or its catalogue of ingredients which include a rare type of sea kelp harvested only twice yearly.
No, it's a matter of the way it's made. By fermenting the ingredients for four months, energies and properties are released creating the most luxurious cream ever.
Let's get physical:
Steal — The Body Shop's Body Butter, $20
Crazy thick and incredibly smooth, this butter takes my skin from scaly to silk in just one go. With varieties available for every skin type, some are spiked with oils for maximum moisture and absorption. Although each blend smells terrific, and all are exceptionally moisturizing, I favour the not-too-sweet Olive for the winter months.
Splurge — Kiehl's Creme de Corps, $56
With nourishing cocoa butter and sesame oil, it's no wonder that this all-natural cream has won tons of beauty awards from mags and boutiques, alike. Also available in a lightweight lotion (developed by popular demand), nothing beats the dryness out of your skin quite like this luxurious emollient. Boasting the ability to transform skin “heretofore unattainable” in just 10 days, my skin's texture, after one use, is reason enough to have me hooked.
Care for your hair:
Steal — Neutrogena's Triple-Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask, $11
I am a huge fan of hair masks, as I reserve shampoo and conditioner for colour and/or texture treatment.
Neutrogena combines three mega-moisturizing ingredients (hence triple-moisture): olive, meadowfoam seed and almond, to treat and protect all areas of your hair, from the inside out. A little goes a long way, and even if you only let it sink in for as long as it takes you to shave, you will definitely see and feel a difference in your mane.
Splurge — Moroccanoil's Restoratives Hair Mask, $36
I will admit it - I am somewhat biased. I only tried this line because I hoped it would transform my bleached and razored hair into the long luscious locks Moroccan women typically possess. Being of Moroccan heritage, all that it would take is a deep-conditioning treatment, right?
As ridiculous as it may sound, this hair mask nearly had the power within it to make me look like a true Perez, in turn making my mint tea-guzzling family proud.
Argan oil, exclusively derived from Argana trees native to Morocco, is combined with fatty acids and vitamins to restore damage and leave your hair considerably healthier and shinier.
“But you're from Canada!” fellow staff and campers, alike, would protest, as if coming from a colder climate would exclude me from being affected by lower temperatures. Zipping up my hoodie, my reply was always the same, “I'm cold in Canada, too.”
Truer words have never been spoken...especially as of late. After travelling for a month in the southern hemisphere, and spending much of my time in a city practically on the equator, I am FREEZING now that I'm back home. Although realistically, I know that -6C is fairly mild for mid-January, I can't help but layer and bundle beyond what most people consider “normal.” Piling on clothing is the best solution for keeping warm, but what about protection from the harsh elements for your skin, hair and nails?
Unfortunately, winter is not discriminatory: It will dry out and strip moisture from every pore and follicle on your body. The only benefit of this, for me, is justifying my ever-expanding collection of lotions and potions.
After many trials and errors, I have chosen some favourites that have earned permanent status in my vanity, for times in both wealth and struggle:
For your face:
Steal — Aveeno's Radiant Skin Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15, $28
Thick enough to deeply moisturize, but smooth enough to sink right in, the texture of this face lotion is perfect. Its scent is light and pleasant, while its formula is gentle enough for any skin type. With its ability to improve skin tone and clarity, your complexion will seem not only brighter, but as well, smoother.
Most products that use light deflectors make your face look kind of like a disco ball, but Aveeno got it right with its subtle enhancements that bring out the best in your skin, without producing any glimmer. As a bonus: your derm won't have to scold you about not wearing SPF year round, as this one packs it in for you.
Splurge — La Mer's Creme de la Mer, $265
I'm not going to lie, I've never actually bought a whole jar of this cream (the price tag has deterred me), but I gladly (and greedily) snatch up travel-sized samples from the counters at Holt's.
I first became interested in La Mer after reading about it repeatedly, in practically every fashion magazine ever printed. With a celebrity roster that rivals the waiting list for a Birkin, I wanted to see what the fuss was about.
Not just another “hyped-up by Hollywood rip-off,” La Mer has some serious scientific credential, and by that I'm not simply referring to its unique blend of vitamins and minerals, or its catalogue of ingredients which include a rare type of sea kelp harvested only twice yearly.
No, it's a matter of the way it's made. By fermenting the ingredients for four months, energies and properties are released creating the most luxurious cream ever.
Let's get physical:
Steal — The Body Shop's Body Butter, $20
Crazy thick and incredibly smooth, this butter takes my skin from scaly to silk in just one go. With varieties available for every skin type, some are spiked with oils for maximum moisture and absorption. Although each blend smells terrific, and all are exceptionally moisturizing, I favour the not-too-sweet Olive for the winter months.
Splurge — Kiehl's Creme de Corps, $56
With nourishing cocoa butter and sesame oil, it's no wonder that this all-natural cream has won tons of beauty awards from mags and boutiques, alike. Also available in a lightweight lotion (developed by popular demand), nothing beats the dryness out of your skin quite like this luxurious emollient. Boasting the ability to transform skin “heretofore unattainable” in just 10 days, my skin's texture, after one use, is reason enough to have me hooked.
Care for your hair:
Steal — Neutrogena's Triple-Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask, $11
I am a huge fan of hair masks, as I reserve shampoo and conditioner for colour and/or texture treatment.
Neutrogena combines three mega-moisturizing ingredients (hence triple-moisture): olive, meadowfoam seed and almond, to treat and protect all areas of your hair, from the inside out. A little goes a long way, and even if you only let it sink in for as long as it takes you to shave, you will definitely see and feel a difference in your mane.
Splurge — Moroccanoil's Restoratives Hair Mask, $36
I will admit it - I am somewhat biased. I only tried this line because I hoped it would transform my bleached and razored hair into the long luscious locks Moroccan women typically possess. Being of Moroccan heritage, all that it would take is a deep-conditioning treatment, right?
As ridiculous as it may sound, this hair mask nearly had the power within it to make me look like a true Perez, in turn making my mint tea-guzzling family proud.
Argan oil, exclusively derived from Argana trees native to Morocco, is combined with fatty acids and vitamins to restore damage and leave your hair considerably healthier and shinier.
