I don’t know about you guys but my skin gets fried this time of year. Between the lack of sleep and sun, dry air, too much time indoors, masks and perhaps too many cocktails, it really takes a beating and, unfortunately, the older I get the more it shows. While I do try to keep up with my healthy habits, sometimes I’m in need of a quick fix (like when I have a family brunch on New Year’s Day after being up all night drinking champagne). After years of being a make-up junkie, I have picked up a few tricks to help either restore my glow or fake it if I’m really in a pinch.

Skin Care for Tired, Dull Skin

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Clean Beauty Products for Dull Winter Skin

What to do for Tired Eyes:

Highlighting Stick: I use Glossier’s Haloscope a highlighting stick that comes in three shades (Quartz is my shade of choice). I apply it in both the inner and outer corners of my eyes to help give me that bright-eyed, well-rested look. Bonus: You can use this highlighting stick all over your face to give it a nice dewy glow. I like it because it blends nicely and looks subtle and natural.
Shimmery Shadow: When I use a neutral shimmery eye shadow, I feel like it gives me an instant eye lift. I like soft pinks, champagne, taupe, beiges for every day because they are foolproof to apply and look natural. A quick sweep of eye shadow and mascara and I’m good to go. I love the shades in Jane Iredale’s eye shadow trio in Sundown.

What to do for Dull Skin:

Facial Razor: This is one of my newest tools to help create a nice clean surface by removing hair and dead skin cells that can dull skin and make it more difficult for your glow-inducing products to do their job. I was a little intimidated at first but it’s super easy to use, it did not irritate my skin at all and I was really pleased with how clean and smooth my skin was afterward. I like this one from Sephora. Still not sure about the facial razor? An exfoliating facial wash or scrub will get rid of dead skin cells. I really like Acure’s Brightening Facial Scrub.
Facial Oil: I’m a big fan of facial oils. They give a good boost of moisture without being oily or greasy and leave skin looking hydrated and refreshed. There are about a zillion different versions of facial oils out there but I really like the ones by Beautycounter or for a less expensive option try Acure’s Rosehip Oil. All of the oils are natural and botanically-derived so they sink right into the skin and do not clog pores.
Highlighting Sticks and Powders: Highlighting products can be applied to several key places on your face to give you a lift. Apply to your cheekbones, brow bones, jawline, bridge of nose and your forehead along your hairline. Make sure you blend really well and check yourself in natural light to make sure you didn’t over do it (speaking from personal experience). I like Beautycounter’s Luminous Highlighting Powder.
Hydrating Facial Mists: I’m going to be honest when I say I thought these were useless, but when I was desperate to find something to help give me a mid-day moisture boost, I decided to give one a try. I really like Wander Beauty’s Glow Getter Mist and OSea’s facial mists. They both give a little moisture boost and refresh and perk up skin.

What to do for Pale Skin:

A sweep of lipstick is a good way to perk up a pale face!

Bronzer: I use a shimmery bronzer (no matte, powdery products on my face) to highlight and define certain areas on my face like the hollows under my cheekbones and my forehead along my hairline. I always think a little bronzer helps you look more refreshed and if applied correctly can give you that healthy sun-kissed glow. I like Beautycounter’s Radiant All Over Bronzer (it’s also on sale right now).
A Little Color on Your Lips: A little touch of color on your lips can help brighten your face up. This is what I do for pictures as opposed to full on lipstick so I have a fresh, natural look in photos but not “made-up.” A lip stain works well but I also I take any complimentary shade of lipstick in a darker color (I think pink or rosy shades work best) and apply just enough to give some color and then just enough lip balm to add some moisture. I also like lightly tinted lip balms. I love this Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia or Hibiscus or Pacifica’s Lip Tint in Guava Berry or Sugared Fig.
Sunless Tan: I often don’t think about sunless tanning in the winter but with a light application, sunless tan can enhance your skin tone without looking unseasonably tan. I recently found Coola’s Anti-Aging Face Serum Sunless Tanner and it is the first sunless tanner that does not dry out my skin and has subtle, buildable color, so one application gives a nice glow. Just make sure you exfoliate before applying any self tanning product so that the color is clean and even.

Good Skin from Inside Out

Healthy skin truly comes from the inside out. Proper hydration and a good diet full of fruits and vegetables will help your skin look it’s best. There are a few supplements that can help give your good habits a boost. Omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, vitamins C, D and E, selenium and zinc are all great for your skin. If you drink alcohol or caffeine, make sure you’re drinking at least two glasses of water for every 1 glass/cup of an alcoholic or caffeinated beverage. Also getting outside is great for your skin. There’s nothing like some exercise, sun and fresh air to give your skin a healthy glow.