Thanksgiving Weekend was definitely the last few warm days we enjoyed. It’s fall, winter is on its way and the change of temperature was brutal. Sunset is early now, it’s pitch black by 7 p.m. and it’s about to be darker even sooner since we’ve just clocked to Daylight Saving Time.
Suddenly, the very same indoor malls I avoided all summer (it’s too cold with the air-con on!) look welcoming again and I don’t want to take quick cold showers anymore but lounge around in the steamy bathroom.
Little by little, I reverted to my winter accessories and products.
I’m picky about my beauty products because I want them to be: 1) affordable; 2) easy to use; 3) effective.
Let me spare you the search for perfect products—I have what you need!
Here are my picks for the season:
Hand cream
I know I should wear gloves but I just can’t bring myself to—come on, it’s only November! Besides, I always lose them or forget to put them on.
A good cream is the best way I found to protect my hands from winter dryness. I’m a big fan of The Body Shop Hemp Cream ($18.50 for a large tube). It’s rich and very moisturizing but it doesn’t leave hands greasy. Plus I love the smell, although I find it too strong to use the other products from the same line.
Lip balm
I love lip balms! They are easy to carry and most smell really good. The basic one I use is Blistex Mint (about $2.00).
I’m also a big fan of Burt Bee’s lip balms (about $5.00) that taste like honey and are super hydrating.
Finally, I have a fancier version, Nuxe’s Rêves de Miel (about $18.00). The texture of that one is much thicker and non-glossy but the fragrance is awesome and it does wonders on dry lips. Note to self: must stop buying so many lip balms…
Scented soap
Back when I lived in France, I always used liquid soap. French have an amazing variety of body washes of all fragrances and for all skin types. However, the choice isn’t as wide in Canada and I found most body washes are expensive and don’t rinse well. So I reverted to bar soap.
I guess I could buy the cheapest one (usually Ivory Soap) but I like to splurge on organic and natural soaps. My favourites are from L’Occitane and are between $6.00 and $14.00 for the biggest bars. One bar lasts for a couple of months taking a shower every day so to me it is worth it.
Cleanser
For a few years, I was faithful to Shiseido’s purifying cleansing foam. But last spring, my mother sent me L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Soap and I immediately fell in love with it.
This is a soap bar but don’t get fooled, the texture is amazingly rich. When I discovered L’Occitane’s soap was only $12.00, I ditched Shiseido and the $35 cleanser. My skin has never been happier!
Cream
For the winter, I need a very moisturizing cream to protect it. I’m a huge fan of Nuxe products (and I can now find them in Canada!) and often use either the Crème fraîche debeauté or the Crème prodigieuse enrichie (both around $35.00). I also like the Huile prodigieuse: the texture is surprising but this is dry oil so it’s not greasy.
How about you? What beauty products do you use to survive the dreaded Canadian winter? Any tips?
Unfortunately, this was NOT a sponsored post. But if these brands want to ship me gifts, samples and other bribes, they are welcome to do so.
I’m a Lush fan! The products are a bit expensive in Canada (at least 40% more than in the UK where I buy mine) but they are marvellous. You should try them, they have wonderful lip balms! 😉
Cleanser : fresh farmacy (it looks like a soap but isn’t really one and leave the skin soooo soft)
Cream : Celestial is very very moisturizing and perfect for the night and the winter (and it smells like vanilla!). In summer, I use Vanishing cream (lavander…hmmm!)
I like Lush products much much more than the Body Shop ones. It feels like they are more natural (even if I know it’s not the case for some products), they are more fun and they are high quality.
I tried Lush here and I never really got into the trend. First, I find their products really expensive (but like you said they may be more affordable in the UK), second I can’t stand inside the store too much because the smell of all the soap is so strong!
I tried their face marks and wasn’t convinced. Nothing wrong with them but a small jar (good for 2-3 marks) came to nearly $10. Ouch!
Oh, I get you. You wasn’t very lucky because you didn’t try their best products at all! I can understand the price, as I said, in Canada, it’s very very expensive (and I don’t get why because I think they’re made in Toronto).
If you want to try it again, their must is certainly their solid shampoos. I never want to go back to the classic ones, it’s the best! (try the Seanik one). I’m sure you’ll be convinced this time! (it’s about 8$ for the shampoo and it lasts about 4 months, and it’s very convenient in many ways)
“you weren’t”. Oh, dear english, I shouldn’t write you after work, it’s a disaster.
Are they made in Toronto? I have to check that, that would be funny!
I have heard of their shampoos and I’m curious to try, although I’m not sure whether I’d like them, I’m picky about my hair product (well, I want a shampoo that doesn’t weight down my hair). Any particular scent/type you’d recommand?
Je passe en français 😀
Au contraire, ils sont parfaits : ils laissent les cheveux très souples et légers, et donnent même un peu de volume. Ce n’est pas le cas de tous les modèles, mais je pense que tu ne peux pas te tromper avec le bleu “Seanik” (Océanic), je trouve que c’est celui qui convient à tous types de cheveux. A éviter le Brillantissime, par contre, c’est parfait pour les cheveux frisés mais je trouve que ça rend lourd les autres… En tout cas, je ne repasserai plus jamais à un shampoing liquide, ça c’est sûr !
Bon, ton enthousiasme est contagieux, je vais me lancer! Il ne me reste plus beaucoup de shampooing, ça tombe bien. Je t’en donnerai des nouvelles.
My cabinet is full – of products with no scent and for very sensitive skin. And it seems to me that every time I find the perfect product,the manufacturer stops making it.
I do love Boot’s # 7 serum!
Oh yes, I remember you saying you had very sensitive skin. I tend to go for no scent gentle products too these days.
Ha, it was winter what forced me to use products like these. My skin and lips cracked. Now, I use some lotion for my hands, applied before I go to sleep, and lip balm so that they don’t crack. I know that they are needed, but still, there’s this weird feeling that there’s too much product on my body…
You’re a guy: for a woman, there is no such thing as too much product! 😆
My lips are extremely dry in winter. I guess one of the reason is that I don’t eat enough fruits. Also, I always remember to put cream on the face but I always forget about taking care of my lips. I strictly stick to a moisture routine. 😀 I use green tea cleansing oil, then, a depsea lotion, following, a serum, and next, an overnight repair cream (since Autumn, I use it daily and every night), and the last step, a sunscreen with SPF 20 (not every single day, but I try to use it at least 3 or 4 times per week). Sometimes, I’m just wondering if I have “eaten” too much chemicals through my skin.
That sounds like a good and wise routine!
Most face cream now have some kind of SPF which is good because I always forget to put it on.
How interesting Zhu 🙂 I am faithfully using sun block now that I realized pigmentation began to surface 🙁 (right after my scorching Shanghai/Beijing trip). I used Avene product and Vichy too and for lotion, I am a die hard fun of Bath & Body works but unfortunately they don’t take overseas sales order so usually I tried to order online via my credit card company 🙂
Vichy and Avene are two great brands. Can you find them easily in Singapore?
I’ve never tried Bath and Body Works. I don’t even know if we have it in Ottawa!
Hi, Zhu Long time no see~ Enjoyed so much of you Halloween photos on your Flickrs. Great captures and so fun to watch! I don’t have the cocooning experience yet, but I can image all these beauty survival kits that everyone needs to prepare! Time flies, I remember you guys stayed away from the cold last year. Planning to be in a warm place this year again?
Aw, I don’t know yet… but winters are long anyway, I’m bound to get some of it! That’s why I have to be prepared 😆
Salut Zhu,
Even though we don’t have the same rigourous winter as you Canuks,it is still winter and moisterizing is a must.
I don’t use tons of products; a Diadermine day creme and products from La Roche Posay for my sensitive skin. I also swear by Neutrogena for hands.
Take care & stay warm!
La Roche Posay is a great brand, I used it a lot in France! Too bad it’s very expensive here.
I love my natural chapstick. That’s mostly all I need besides my swim suit, a towel and lots of shampoo and conditioner and way too many showers to wash away the chlorine..
Chaptick is definitely the number one accessory to carry in Canada 😉
That’s a very apt title for the upcoming winter season. It hasn’t even fully come yet and I’m hating it already! hah
I know… I’m not really ready for winter yet!