Love Your Hair, Love Your Skin – Winter Beauty Tips by Josefina As a principal ballerina, my dance career offered me the opportunity to travel and perform extensively in many European countries. Caring for my appearance on-stage and off-stage was more than a question of personal pleasure, it was my livelihood. With time, I learned to use beauty tricks that I adjusted and applied, almost religiously, according to the season, a number of which I share below: As the seasons change, so should your beauty regimen. Since cooler fall and winter temperatures tend to dry our skin, invest in a great moisturizer to keep it well nourished. Here are some of my tips to help you protect the beauty of your complexion: Exfoliate your skin (face and body) using a mixture of extra virgin olive oil combined with brown sugar. Apply moisturizing cream within one minute of washing your face, to seal in the natural moisture. When going out in cold weather, use foundation: it will act like a protective layer, against cold and wind. Apply eye cream around the eyes more than once per day, even on top of your concealer, to protect and moisturize regularly the delicate skin around your eyes. Apply SPF even on the dark days of winter. Inside, your face will be protected against the damages done by artificial lighting. Exfoliate your lips by rubbing them lightly with your toothbrush. Follow with a moisturizing cream. The season for sun-kissed curls may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide under a hat till next summer. Healthy hair has memory and it will spring back to life, once sunny days return. Abstain from trying to fight your natural hair type—if your hair is frizzy, avoid using the hot iron continuously, for example. Adapt your hair to the new season with these cold-weather tips: Forecast: cold, windy, dry. You’ll want to be warm; you’ll want to look good: Keep your hair well moisturized. If possible, don’t shampoo more than two times per week; over-washing will strip away your hair’s natural oils, giving you dull, dried-out locks. Once a week, before shampooing and conditioning, massage your scalp with warm extra virgin olive oil. When heading outside, protect your hair from harsh winds with silk-lined scarves and hats. The silk will keep your hair soft and smooth. Sleep on a silk pillowcase to protect your hair from breakage. Forecast: rain or snow. You’ll still want to be warm and still want to look good. Give your hair a much needed break—skip the hot styling tools whenever possible Use a leave-in conditioner. Avoid gels, mousses waxes or pomades; they can get messy when mixed with moisture and will remove the healthy shine from your locks. If you must use these products, take the time to read the ingredients; avoid any product that has a high percentage of alcohol (i.e. if alcohol figures in the top five ingredients, leave that product on the store shelf). Traditionally, autumn allows for more dramatic make-up and darker lipstick shades, but why not try changing your hair color? Two shades darker or lighter than your actual color will subtly change your appearance. Transform locks from mousy brown to luscious brunette or go from strawberry blond to jewel-toned auburn. Refreshing your appearance will boost your mood instantly. Chapped hands and unfriendly feet? No problem. For ten minutes, soak your hands and feet in warm water combined with a cup of milk and a teaspoon of olive oil. The lactic acid in the milk will help you get rid of unwanted dead skin cells, while the olive oil will soothe the skin. Rinse and apply a rich moisturizing lotion. Wear cotton gloves and cotton socks overnight. In the morning you’ll enjoy softer hands and feet than you’d ever thought possible. Have fun, be gorgeous and enjoy your life to the fullest. Josefina discusses many of the European beauty secrets she has discovered in her book “Get Smart, Get beautiful, Get Men”, an effective and stimulating guide to the art of beauty, dating and mating. You can get a copy of the book from her Web site: www.askjosefina.com/ as well as at online stores as www.amazon.com, etc.