Because every bathroom needs a yellow plastic duck

My poor dry hands are a constant reminder that winter is here and that the season is tough on the body and the mind. I can’t do much for my spirits but eat Lindt chocolates and take long walks when there is still light out (i.e. before 4 p.m.) and when it’s not too cold. For my body, I can buy “fixes.” Sort of.

Here are the products I’m currently in love with. None of the brands paid me to write about them, this is my honest unbiased opinion!

Bed Head by TIGI shampoo line

I used Fructis (Garnier) for years, but the products kept on getting more and more expensive, so I embarked on a quest for the perfect shampoo. I don’t style or colour my hair and I’m very low-maintenance, but I find a good shampoo that doesn’t weigh your hair down makes all the difference. A subtle scent is also welcome, as well as good lathering properties. Well, I found all of this in the “Bed Head” shampoo line. First I had the “anti+dotes re-energize shampoo,” now I’m using the “superfuel recharge shampoo”. The bottles are huge and come with an easy-to-use pump (that actually goes all the way down, so you can finish the bottle properly). These products are usually around $20 full price, in Canada you can often find them half-price at Winners, or discounted in major drugstore chains. The first bottle lasted all summer, so it’s a good investment.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Kiehl’s is a US brand that started as an apothecary 160 years ago. They recently opened a store at the revamped Rideau Centre in Ottawa, and I wanted to test their products. I bought one of their best-selling creams and I’m very happy with it: it’s moisturizing, and scent-free and the texture feels very light. I’ve been using it for a month now and it does a good job of protecting my skin from the cold and the wind.

Glysomed Hand Cream

This is still the best and cheapest hand cream I can find. I have tubes of it in my bag and at home, and it feels like putting on an invisible glove. I have yet to try their feet and body creams but they seem like a good deal as well.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion

Only a few products from this UK brand are available in Canada, but I’m a big fan of the body cream. The large-size bottle with a pump is a great value, and I love the scent (it smells like chocolate!). My only complaint is that it’s hard to empty the bottle properly with the pump system, as it doesn’t go all the way down and the cream is pretty thick.

Blistex Lip Medex

I got a really bad cold sore the last time I was sick, and my lips were painful for days. This is the only lip balm that helps, and I now use it daily… No wonder, it’s the same brand family that makes Glysomed. It does a great job of shielding your lips against the dry weather and has a pleasant minty scent. One downside: I wish it existed in stick, the jar isn’t great for a quick fix when you are outside.

How about you? What are your favourite beauty products this winter?

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6 Comments

  1. Shannon December 22, 2014 at 4:15 am

    I am constantly looking for the perfect shampoo. I have super greasy roots and super dry ends, so I have to play around with shampoo and conditioner combinations. And I hate styling my hair.

    Oh Blistex! How I miss it!

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 23, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      If you need Blistex, I can always send a few jars/sticks to you!

      Reply
  2. Holly Hollyson December 22, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    I love that cocoa butter, I am so glad they sell it here. I am also a fan of mane and tail conditioner as my hair (long) gets so knotty on scarves and such in this weather – it is amazing!

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 23, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      Noted. The UK has awesome products, I find.

      Reply
  3. Cynthia December 23, 2014 at 5:37 am

    I always buy a bunch of Blistex products when I’m in North America, I prefer the lip oinment or the one in sticks.

    Reply
    1. Zhu December 23, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      Blistex is awesome, can’t believe it doesn’t exist (AFAIK) in Europe.

      Reply

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