Autumn is here, and winter is not far away, which I think is brilliant but I know a lot of people don’t exactly look forward to it. While this may mean bidding farewell to sun-drenched days, it’s also a great excuse to treat yourself to some retail therapy. If you’re anything like me, you may be eager to try out some new products and looks now that the days are shorter and the cold weather has arrived. Here are some essential picks you may wish to invest in for autumn/winter.
Lip colours
Do you often look at Instagram photos and magazine shots and wonder how on earth celebrities manage to pull off every lip shade out there? If so, you’re not alone. Lip colour can be daunting for us mere mortals, but don’t let initial fears put you off. In the cooler months, darker, moodier shades are popular, so why not give a new look a try? If you’re a lipstick novice, you’ll find some amazing tutorials online. Personally, I think trial and error is the best way forward. It’s like anything in life. The more you practice, the better you get. It’s likely that your first attempt at pillar box red may end in disaster. But don’t be deterred. Try and try again. If you’re not into the classic film star look, try something a little more vampy like a plum or burgundy. Berry colours are especially popular this time of year and with so many shades theres almost definitely one that will suit you!
Nourishing skin creams
If you suffer from sensitive or dry skin like I do, you may have already noticed the effects of changing seasons and chilly climes. When it’s cold and windy outside, you may be more prone to flaky skin. This autumn/winter, nourishing skin creams and hydrating lotions are an essential investment. Moisturise twice a day, and treat your skin to an indulgent mask from a brand like Tropic Skincare once a week. If you’re getting to the stage where you’re stressing about wrinkles, serums are a great option but always remember that you’re supposed to age and getting some wrinkles or grey hairs is nothing to be ashamed of! If you have very dry skin, consider swapping your normal moisturiser for a night cream, and apply before you go to bed. If you’re on the lookout for some new skincare products, online reviews can be really useful, especially if you have a few bloggers that you really trust the opinion of like I do.
New foundation
With a new season should come new foundation. If you’re prone to dry skin, swap a mineral powder for liquid. If you have oily skin, avoid serum-based products, and use blotting sheets. Powders tend to work best if you favour a matt finish to a dewy look. I’ve tried loads of different foundations and can safely say that you’re very lucky if you hit the jackpot first time. Finding the perfect foundation is a conundrum, and often, you’ll try a few duds before you find the one. It’s always best to try before you buy. If you order online, it can be tough to get the shade right, and you may not like the texture of the product when it arrives. I managed to find the perfect foundation for me at 16, and I’ll be making a post about that soon because I still use it, but in the winter and autumn seasons I quite often mix a bit of it with some moisturiser to work as a home made BB cream while also looking after my skin since it tends to get very dry in the cold and wind.
The end of summer is not all bad news. If you’re hoping to banish the winter blues, take inspiration from me, and treat yourself to some new wash bag essentials. Pamper your skin with all the nice smelling stuff you can find, and try out some autumn/winter looks using new cosmetics. You may be surprised at what suits you.
-Dana
Carry on Beautiful! 