Spring Beauty Tips

Happy first day of spring! Nothing is quite as elating as seeing the first blooms of spring pop up as the world thaws out from this crazy and snowy winter. Unfortunately snow is forecast in the NYC area all day today so winter is not going out without a fight.

Months of freezing temperatures and snow have dampened our moods and dried out our skin. Here here are a few ideas to transition to happier and hydrated times and get you moving forward to a brighter day.


Spring Cleaning
Now is a great opportunity to purge old cosmetics and skin care products. Old, outdated products can lose their effectiveness and harbor bacteria.
Check the dates on your products. You may want to throw out anything on this list:

• Products that appear dry or crusty
• Mascara older than 3 months
• Old dirty makeup brushes and sponges
• Anything past the expiration date
• Anything that has changed in color, consistency, or smell
• Anything with an SPF older than a year (SPF loses its effectiveness over time)

Exfoliate
Dry, flaky skin can remain after the cold, dry days of winter. Spring is a good time for deep exfoliation and cleansing. Being covered up and wearing long sleeves and pants may have prevented you from seeing any rough, dry skin that has developed over your feet, knees, and elbows. Exfoliate 1-2 times a week but don't use any scrubs with beads or harsh ingredients that can cause tearing to the skin.

Switch To A Lighter Moisturizer
Warmer temperatures cause oilier skin for everyone, not just those with oily skin. Swap out those heavier winter creams that might clog pores and reach for lighter (or gel) moisturizers and serums that will allow your skin to breathe.

Lighten Up
Just like your moisturizer, you'll want to swap out your foundation. BB creams, CC creams, and tinted moisturizers will provide a lighter coverage, more moisture, and SPF for a fresher, brighter look perfect for spring.

SPF
For those of you who don't wear sunscreen or products with SPF year round, now is the time to start introducing it back into your skin care routine. Personally I use it all year long and apply sunscreen every morning. It's even more crucial as we head into the warmer months when we're outside more often. And don't forget about SPF in your lip balm! It's recommended you wear an SPF of 15 or higher before you go outside and reapplying every 2 hours if you get wet.

I hope your first day of spring is a beautiful sunny day! For now, I'll have to enjoy staying indoors while watching the snow come down. 
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer