In the colder weather, skin and hair can look and feel dry, dull and drab. But there are some quick fixes that can help! Here are 10 inexpensive but totally effective beauty products that brighten your complexion and give you silky, smooth hair. The best part? Most can be found at your local drugstore for under 10 bucks.
The perfect shampoo and conditioner combo. Pantene’s Expert Collection Pro-V Age-Defy Shampoo and Conditioner claims to fight the seven signs of aging in your hair (hey, did you know your hair is aging too?!). But what really grabbed my attention was its claim to “control stubborn, frizzy grays.” (I have been toying with the idea of not coloring my hair anymore, so my roots are a tangle of wiry grays.) The best part? It smells great and is highly moisturizing, which is something we all need this time of year to treat super-dry and over-processed hair. $9.99; target.com
Intensive hair mask. L’Oreal just launched their “Advanced” line that addresses specific hair needs, and I have been obsessed with their Power Moisture Rush Mask. It smells fantastic and gives hair a silky, smooth and deeply hydrated feeling. It also makes my hairstyle look halfway normal, despite being stuffed under a hood or hat most days. $6.99; ulta.com
Under-eye concealer. Having a baby has aged my under-eye area way beyond my years, to the point that covering my dark circles has become a daily ritual. I am constantly on the lookout for the miracle eye product, and lately have been impressed with L’Oreal’s True Match Crayon Concealer. It’s easy to use–it’s basically a giant crayon–and offers a light, silky coverage. (You could easily use it on other areas of your face as well.) Another great feature is that it comes in both neutral and warm undertones, so there are plenty of color matches for everyone. $7.99; target.com
Dark spot eraser. Maybelline’s Age Rewind Dark Spot Eraser Treatment Corrector is another easy-to-use product for illuminating your face. It’s dispensed from a little sponge-tip applicator, smoothes on easily, and covers all one’s under-eye darkness–as well age spots, sun spots, and acne discolorations. I love that it stays on all day long without seeping into wrinkles and crinkles. Plus, it contains Vitamin C, which is important for fostering bright healthy skin. $7.99; target.com
Lip color. The perfect lip product for this time of year–when you want a little color but also need something that will moisturize–is Maybelline’s Color Whispers. They come in a range of great colors and you can easily toss one in your diaper bag or pocket to use out and about with no mirror required (i.e. at the playground). I’m currently loving the shade Coral Ambition, which is a light coral and peach color, perfect for the first hints of spring. $5.99; target.com
And more lip color! I have a huge girl crush on Drew Barrymore, and now that she is a mom I love her even more. (Especially the fact that she’s been very public about not rushing to lose her baby weight.) She also just launched her own makeup line at Walmart called Flower. I have tried three of the lip products and have been very pleased. The packaging is beautiful for a drugstore line–black and white with rose gold accents in a bold, art deco style–and the price is right. Some of my favorites are: Flower Cosmetics Kiss Stick Velvet Lip Color in color Chocolate Lily, Kiss Stick High-Shine Lipstick in colors Black Rose and Coral Floret, and Lip Service Lip Butters in color The Princess in the Peony. $6.98; walmart.com
Worth The Splurge!
Highlight your face. After you have tamed your unruly hair, covered up dark spots on your face, and brightened your lips, the last step to a radiant look is your complexion. Dry winter skin lacks luminosity but you can fake it with some strategic highlighting! I prefer cream highlighter in winter, but you can also use a powder or even liquid highlighter. Some of my all-time favorites aren’t under $10 like the rest of the products on my list, but I think they are worth the splurge. I recommend these for a natural glow: Benefit’s Waat’s Up! ($30; sephora.com), Benefit’s High Beam ($26; sephora.com), and Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer ($28; sephora.com). Try adding some highlights to the high points of your face– including cheekbones, underneath your eyebrows, a swipe down your nose and around your Cupid’s Bow (above your upper lip)–for a youthful radiance!
