Winter beauty essentials

Winter is coming...
no, I am totally not binge watching Game of Thrones right now. But really, winter is coming...like four weeks till Christmas. Whos´s excited?

With the sudden drop of temperatures, people started digging out winter coats from their wardrobes. I did, too. However, wearing thicker clothes is not the only thing that changes with the winter fast approaching; make-up does, too. I mean, we are seeing more and more burgundy on lips, eyes and nails since the start of september, but that doesn´t mean we have to put it in a drawer and revisit it next year. I think that using those colour tones is more than appropriate in winter, too. Generally, using natural, more intense tones is a must (think wine, emerald or earthy tones).

Apart from being a bookworm, traveller, cook and a history freak, I am also a total make-up lover. And that is precisely the reason why I decided to talk to you about what I think are the most essential makeup and beauty items you should reach for in winter months.

Lancôme Teint Miracle, Max Factor Face Finity, Max Factor Créme Puff.

So let´s start with the face. Everything gets dry in winter and the best thing you can do is bring the moisture back. Now I am not talking about the basics like your face cream and stuff, I am talking about the appearance because that´s essentially what make-up´s for.  When I first tried the Face Finity by Max Factor, I didn´t really like it. It seemed like it made my face look even more dry that it was before. I gave it a try few weeks ago and used it in combo with the Lancôme foundation and let me tell you, it´s a match made in heaven. When talking about the foundation, if you like that full coverage, look away because this one is quite sheer. But what it does is make your face look flawless; it evens out the skin colour and pushes away that redness that winter-dry skin can sometimes have.  Finish it with a light dust of the Créme Puff and you are good to go, girl! 

NYX Lingerie in "Exotic", NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in "Transylvania", NYX Full Throttle Lipstick in "Night Crawler", NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in "Burgundy", Tanya Burr Liquid Lipstick in "Martha Moo", Rimmel Kate in "107".

Lips are definitely my favourite part of doing my makeup all year ´round. But when the winter comes I feel like I come alive with it. The season offers such a wide range of colour that you really can make your pick. Those who know me probably know that in colder moths I usually opt for more bold tones, such as the above-mentioned burgundy. Of course my first love was the iconic Rimmel Kate in "107". The lipstick first appeared with the boom of matte lip finishes and it has not left my side ever since. If I want to wear a bold lip yet still feel comfortable, I always choose my trusty 107. However, if I am feeling myself, I usually go for the star of past few seasons; the liqid lipstick. I have a wide variety here for you; you can get a vampy lip by using NYX´s "Transylvania" or "Night Crawler". If you´re up for a more earthy tone, I recommed NYX´s "Exotic". And last but not least, the neutral and more natural lip tone is appropriate in any season and lately, my favourite is Tanya Burr´s "Martha Moo" which was named after her puppy because the tone reminded her of the colour of its paws. Cute, right? 

Essence Smokey eyeshadow stick in "Love is in the air-don´t breathe", Essence Must Haves in "Hello Sunshine" and "Brownie´licious" and Elf Highlighter & Bronzer in "Bronzed Glow".

I am super picky when it comes to highlighters and that´s why I hardly ever change what I like. I came across this Elf highlighter in England and I fell in love the moment I tried it in the store. You can´t really tell what the colour is because it doesn´t really look like a silver or gold. The closest thing I could call it is a very soft champagne colour. Most of the drugstore highlighters either have glitter in them or leave a white streak on your cheek but this one does not! I am shooketh! 

Next in line are the Essence eyeshadows. I love this eyeshadow stick in a light mauve colour because it´s super easy to use. Paint it on your lids, smudge the edges and it´s done. The Must Haves eyeshadows are the drugstore surprise of the year for me. They are nicely pigmented and have cute names. I like to use the orange one as a tiny bit of a shade in my crease or all around the mobile lid when I want to use a brownish colour on my lips. The dark brown is quite a universal shade for me because when I don´t use it as an eyeshadow, I use it on my brows. Talk about the multifunctionality...

Manhattan Waterproof Dip Eyeliner in "black".

In my opinion, winter is the best season to wear an inky-black eyeliner. You ask why? Because for me it´s the only season when it doesn´t smudge. I think you all know the ever-lasting problem of eyeliners smudged all across your eyelids.... Well, it doesn´t really happen in winter!  This one is a classic and is affordable. I first thought that it would be sheer and I would need more layers to make it opaque (because of the low price) but low and behold, it´s the best one I´ve ever tried! 

Oriflame Tender Care Protective Balm.

This is an old one but it´s still going strong. The Tender Care by Oriflame is basically something like a clear vaseline with a restoring, healing ability. I liketo use it every night before going to bed on my lips as a lip balm. But sometimes, when I feel my skin under my eyes is a bit tight, I apply a generous layer and leave it overnight. In the morning when I wash my face it´s like my undereyes magically change into baby butts. So soft! 

Calvin Klein "Eternity".

I think perfumes are an essential part of the beauty "department". Everyone wants to smell nice, right? This one gives me the classic soapy vibes. If I apply too much, it can get pretty heady but a decent spritz of this on your skin or clothes gives you a nice and cosy clean smell. Definitely what I want to smell like in the winter months...

So this is it! My beauty essentials during the cold winter months. What are yours? Let me know!

Until next time,

čauko, Lenka! :)