Get That Winter Glow

Living Magazines Winter Skin Glow

We may not be able to have huge parties over the festive season, but you can still look fabulous this winter, even if you are celebrating at home

Winter beauty often concentrates on party make-up and hair ideas, but as we write this, it’s not clear quite what Christmas will look like this year. Whatever happens, we think it is unlikely we will be going to big office parties and having huge family celebrations, However, don’t let that stop you looking fabulous this winter!

And looking fabulous should start from the skin outwards, as Lucie Fountain, Salon Director at Tring’s Elementary Skin & Body explains: ‘A lot of us have been wearing less make-up this year and so this Christmas put your skin health first and let your natural radiance sparkle and glow. Make sure that you thoroughly cleanse your face every evening to remove any dirt left on your skin.

‘I always recommend a clay-based cleanser, such as REN’s Clearcalm Cleanser, in the evening, as this can work to pull out the impurities, followed by a nourishing moisturiser on your face and neck. Overnight our clever bodies work to produce the oils and hormones that we are lacking so a clean canvas is very important to aid this.

‘My number one product recommendation for glowing Christmas skin is REN’s Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial. This transformative treatment works to exfoliate your skin, using AHAs to deep-clean pores, even up texture, support natural cell turnover, and boost radiance, giving you a radiant sparkle.’

Over in Berkhamsted, Cecily Day Spa Manager Nikki Marsh also focuses on getting super skin: ‘One of the most effective treatments for getting your skin sparkling is the Dermaplane Facial. With the use of a surgical scalpel, the therapist removes layers of dead skin cells and the vellus hair better known as peach fuzz. Your skin will look smoother and brighter and feel baby soft and you’ll have the perfect base for that smooth foundation application to be “night out’’ ready!’

Now your skin is looking fabulous, let’s take a look at your crowning glory. Tring hair stylist Emi Jean McKenna, founder of The Happy Place Salon, explains this winter’s hair trends: ‘Clients have been bored during lockdown. For the first time their freedom of self expression has been taken away from them. They have been craving a change, so whether it’s big or small, bold or subtle, there are definitely exciting hair trends emerging for winter.

‘A look that a lot of social media influencers have opted for is 1970s layers. Evolved from the ‘french girl fringe’ trend, the look has become more layered, textured and voluminous. The Farrah Fawcett bounce is back!

‘Ice-white hair has been an ongoing trend, but for those clients who realised during lockdown just how high maintenance it is (and how hard it is to achieve at home) it’s been time for a new look. Soft, sandy, golden, honey and toffee tones – it’s all about warming up the skin tone after missing out on summer holiday sun. This tends to be done with a balayage technique to ensure longevity and low maintenance.

‘For something a little more out there, but still reasonably low maintenance, soft metallic peach hues are becoming increasingly popular. This is a great option as it fades to a soft golden tone. There are products on the market such as Bleach London’s Awkward Peach shampoo and conditioner that adds tone as you wash, keeping the look for longer.

‘Face framing balayage has been a trend for a while now. But like the metallic peach trend, clients are opting for something a little more fun. Colour pop panels give your look an extra bit of interest and self expression, without the maintenance of bleaching the whole head.

Living Magazines Christmas bow‘Who knows if we will be able to have Christmas parties this year? But somehow I don’t think it will stop the Christmas cheer or people dressing up. The summer saw playful trends of colourful clips and scrunchies. This Christmas it will be all about festive Christmas bows. An easy look to achieve, whether it’s half up, half down or a slick back pony. Nothing says Christmas more than a Christmas bow, and it’s a super-easy, stylish look to achieve.’

Finally, make-up trends for the season include winged eyeliner, a fabulous purple smokey eye, to replace the ubiquitous grey/black smokey eye, and thick, heavy silver or gold eyeshadow for a 70s disco look, complete with long, spidery black eyelashes. From London Fashion Week earlier in the year, winter trends for lips include statement red lips in matte and gloss, darker, vampy shades such as Oxblood, while violet and fuchsia enter the ring along with fabulous metallic lipsticks in gold and bronze for a truly sparkling party look.

Nailed it!

Daisy Kalnina, founder of TheGelBottle and Peacci, comments: ‘Winter time is all about warming up to the season and we expect trends to lean on earthy and dark tones. Peacci’s Cinnamon Spice, a deep burgundy brown, will prove popular this Christmas as seen at the Rejina Pyo show at London Fashion Week. We’d recommend making this look extra glossy for the perfect festive vibes with Peacci’s Gel’ous Top Coat.’