Over Winter yet? Us too! Thankfully we've teamed up with the Sephora Beauty Insider Community to change your entire beauty outlook and give your routine an early Spring revival.
As a beauty editor, I like to think I know all the tips and tricks when it comes to hair care, skin care, and makeup. But one visit to the Sephora Beauty Insider Community and I was totally schooled on all things beauty this Winter. The community is filled with real women, when combined, have more knowledge and insight than any "expert" I've ever interviewed. What started out as a simple search for a new moisturizer to help with the dry patches that always pop up this time of year, turned into a full-blown black hole of useful information, helpful ideas, and following along with fun and engaging threads. Read on to see how I rehauled my Winter beauty routine thanks to the help of some pretty savvy reviewers.
Bright Lipstick
Let's start with an idea that's less obvious, shall we? Sure, any beauty guru worth her Rouge card knows that she needs a heavier moisturizer in the Winter. But a bright lipstick? I know I speak for a few of you out there when I say that I have my lipstick drawer (yes, I said drawer) organized by season. Bold reds and deep aubergine tones in the Winter, while Summer is saved for all the hot pinks and tangerine shades of my dreams. But inspired by all the lips lovers in the Sephora Beauty Insider Community, I had to up my Winter lip game with a bold and bright Bite Beauty lipstick Kimchi ($26) from the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick collection. This "shocking pink" shade is just what I needed to pick up my spirits this chilly season. Wearing it to work or out on the weekend always guarantees a few compliments — plus it makes me happy.
Hydrating Cream
Tatcha's The Water Cream ($68) was the original reason I went hunting for reviews to begin with. I had heard rumblings of this moisturizer throughout the office, and I wanted to know if it was actually worth the hype. The answer is YES! Everyone on the community was raving about the texture, but I love that it delivers intense moisture without making my skin feel sticky or goopy. It's honestly such a luxurious experience each morning, I know why everyone's obsessed with it now.
Daily Peel
A face peel may seem super intimidating, but you should see all the community members who swear by this daily pad. Apparently it's all about the glycolic acid. These Alpha Beta Universal Peel pads ($88) are a fan favorite, and for obvious reasons. When used daily, this two-step treatment can help stop some of the main signs of aging: uneven skin tone, fine lines, and big pores. Plus, the gentle exfoliation will help your skin glow, even when it's 10 below.
Cleansing Oil
I'm a big fan of cleansing oils — BIG, BIG fan. In fact, I think they are my secret skincare weapon. I was looking for a new one when I saw some buzz on the community around this gem from Shiseido ($33). I like my cleansing oils lightweight and easy to lather and according to reviews, this one fit the bill. Once I got for myself I can confidently say it might be my new favorite. I massage it into slightly damp skin until all my makeup melts away, then I use a washcloth to rinse. My skin feels smooth and soft without any residue.
Unicorn Serum
Total disclosure: I saw this amazing serum on Instagram first. Then, went hunting for reviews. The beauty gurus on the community were applying this pink-tinted serum to their cheeks and calling it unicorn tears, and while it makes great content for the 'gram . . . did it actually work? The fact is, yes. Not only does this Unicorn Essence ($54) work like a traditional serum, protecting your skin from radical damage, but it also works as a makeup primer. Everyone seems to love it for it's many uses. Besides, it's just so fun to apply.
Hair Mask
Ouai has been one of my go-to hair lines for a few years now, and I was excited to try the treatment mask after reading a few stellar community reviews. I love testing new products when I'm on vacation, so I brought a few of these travel-friendly Treatment Masque packets ($32) along on a ski weekend. After a day spent outside in harsh winds and snow, my hair was living for this luxe treatment mask. Best part? It rinsed out easily and left no residue behind.
Antifrizz Spray
Whenever I have a beauty problem, I love to see what other people suggest as a solution. Frizz and static in the Winter are big ones for me and I was so glad the community introduced me to my new hair best friend. This defrizz and antistatic spray from IGK ($29) is a dream. It comes out as a fine mist, so no weird greasy patches on your head, and it actually works. Face-framing frizz is kept to a minimum, and taking off your hats and scarfs won't create a static halo.
