Cold Snap Essentials

Isn't it about time that Spring was making an appearance? I almost felt like it was for a couple of days a week or so ago... but no, back to freezing hibernation-worthy conditions for us in the UK. Boo.

Thanks to the sudden return of the cold snap it has sent my skin into meltdown (possible slight exaggeration) and I have a few little products that have become firm favourites for digging out in times of need.




Lets start with the REN Moisture Mist - this is something I love but I do wish would come in a plastic bottle as I like to carry it with me in my handbag to spritz over my face in the day to freshen up my skin and foundation which can become drier and drier by the day thanks to hours in front of a PC screen and with air conditioning/heating sucking all moisture from my skin. This is also a go-to for Summer holidays for me - any time that skin feels dehydrated basically.

On the richer end of the scale I have my Philosophy Hands of Hope hand cream*. I need hand cream in my life at all times or else they whither and look like I'm about 80. I have hand cream stashed all around my flat, along with at my desk at work and in my bag...so I never have an excuse not to apply regularly. In cold snap times I tend to apply before putting gloves on for a little extra boost.

Face wise I have two tricks, one - dialling up my moisuriser with some oil and two -using a richer texture moisturiser. Normally I go for gel textures, but when my skin isn't feeling as looked after as it needs to be I switch to something creamier. This time I've been using Origins Starting Over Age Erasing Moisturiser*. Then at night I've been using Radiance Radiance Face Oil - applied with a little roller ball, it doubles up as a facial massage with the added bonus of the oil for a hydration boost.

Then the latest two additions are from Bobbi Brown - the Extra Soothing Balm* (pink) and Eye Balm* (green - now discontinued, but could still be available at some counters). The Pink is quite a firm balm, that takes some work/heating to pick up a significant amount, but only a tiny drop is needed as it's so hydrating. Just a small amount really does the job. The Eye Balm is also really amazing for the eye area that for me is always feeling dehydrated, but I'll keep it brief as not readily available anymore - slightly lighter and easier to work with than the Extra Balm. It's a shame this isn't available any more but I'm sure there are lots of other similar types of multi-function product out there.

So that's a little run down of my must-haves to deal with a cold snap...which is great, but I'm now so ready for it to start getting warmer!

*PR sample