TOP TEN TIPS: AUTUMN/WINTER BEAUTY {GUEST POST}

Unfortunately, it's that time of year again when we are forced to say "so-long" to Summer and welcome the weather change of Autumn. I thought I would get in quick before the temperature drops too much to give you girls some time to prepare with these Top Ten Tips for Autumn and Winter beauty. We are all aware that with cooler weather comes dry skin, thirsty hair, cracked lips and makeup that just doesn't look or feel as perfect as it did in the Summer. In order to avoid these beauty catastrophes, our routine must be converted from Summer to Winter; everything from the lip balm we use to our foundation colour, we have to change to fit the season. 

Tip One: Foundation
I chose to put this as "tip one" because it's one of the most common mistakes that I see girls make and that is not changing your foundation colour from Summer to Winter! There is no escaping it that we loose our tan during Winter as it's reality that we aren't exposed to the sun as much as in Summer. It really does make a huge difference going a shade lighter with your foundation for Winter as bronzers look less "muddy" and blending is made much easier. If you are to change one thing in your makeup routine for winter, make it foundation! You will be able to tell a noticeable difference.

Tip Two: Body Moisturizer
Our skin, along with every other part of our body, becomes more dry in the cooler weather so it's important to change up the products we use on our skin from Summer to Winter. As we gravitate more towards lighter moisturizers and body lotions in Summer, it's crucial to swap them with a thicker and more creamy body butter for Winter. This ensures that our skin receives the extra moisture it needs in this more harsh weather.

Tip Three: Body Wash
For the same reasoning as "tip two" it's important to swap your shower gel for a cream wash product. Again, just ensuring that your skin receives extra moisture in every way possible to make up for the dryness due to the weather.

Tip Four: Eye Cream
If you don't typically use an eye cream, now is the time to start! Moisture around the eyes is great for many reasons, some including; preventing premature wrinkles, reducing the appearance of dark pigmentation and bags under the eyes and of course this all helps when it comes to applying your makeup as it creates a smooth surface for product to glide onto.

Tip Five: Lip Balm 
The most irritating feeling is chapped lips and they are hard to avoid in the cooler weather when the dryness and wind so easily crack our poor lips. The best way to prevent all this is by using a heavy duty lip balm or treatment in the morning, at night and all throughout the day. I recommend the Nivea Intensive Repair balm or Paw Paw Ointment.

Tip Six: Lipstick
It's always wise to think about our lipstick decisions but particularly in Winter when maybe some colours aren't as flattering as they usually are; like your favourite nude from Summer that now just accentuates the more visible cracks on your lips. Not only do I recommend thinking about colour choices but also the type of lip products you're using. I prefer tinted balms or glossy lipsticks as they are the most moisturizing and feel the best on our lips during the cooler weather.

Tip Seven: Shampoo and Conditioner
As with your skin and lips, your scalp also becomes more dry which can put you at risk of nasty things like dandruff so it's always a smart idea to change your shampoo and conditioner to a more moisturizing range and don't forget to deep condition often.

Tip Eight: Darker Colours
Use Autumn and Winter as an opportunity to experiment with darker colours in relation to beauty; whether that be a darker hair colour, more rich shade of lipstick or rocking black and oxblood nails. Go a bit darker than you normally would because it's the short period of time in Australia where you won't look out of place.

Tip Nine: Sunscreen
Now I wanted to touch on this because you all should be wearing sunscreen everyday but sometimes girls only feel the need to do so in Summer. That is a huge "no-no" as sunscreen is important all year round and your skin can still get damaged by the sun in Winter even though it isn't as visible as in Summer.

Tip Ten: Perfume
I put this tip last because not everyone is like me and enjoys changing perfumes with the season but I think it's definitely something fun and fresh to do that helps with keeping things different and new (wow did that kind of rhyme?!).

 Enjoy the change in season but if you are feeling down in the dumps because of summer ending, don't forget to look for the beauty in Winter; Summer will be here again before you know it.

-Karen
BalmainBeauty.com