Labor Day Weekend has come and gone and boy was it a blast! Time to start thinking about a winter hydrating skin routine!
I spent the weekend in the Hamptons soaking up every ounce of sun there possibly was and sipping on some wine at a Long Island Winery. While the weekend felt like a whirlwind, on Long Island we got to experience a day in the 60s and a day in the 80s – so it felt like Mother Nature was trying to give us two seasons in the span of two days!
I don’t know about you, but after spending so much time outside, my skin definitely shows some wear and tear in the coming days. No, I’m not just talking about the occasional sunburn that I get on my face and shoulders (hello, sun freckles) but I’m talking about that dry skin you feel after sitting outside on the beach or on a lawn blanket, that we all know too well.
My skin is insanely sensitive and can get irritated from products that even claim to be hypoallergenic. On top of my sensitivities, I’m also severely allergic to tree nuts and have to avoid all products which include anything from almond oil to crushed walnut shells to macadamia oil. aka everything in the beauty aisle. I can’t begin to tell you how many times, I’ve tried out a product that a friend told me would change my life, and instead it simply changed my complexion for the rest of the week.
Insert Nivea to the picture (dun dun dun dahhhhhh) for your knight in shining armor!
This German-based company specializes in products that create smooth and hydrated skin; not to mention they have plenty of options for people with allergies.
Whenever I go to the beach, I immediately notice the next day my skin feels dry and my lips get chapped from the wind. Before I go to bed and when I wake up after a day in the sun, I make sure I take extra steps to keep my skin and lips feeling smooth and prevent any irritation.
For my skin, I love Nivea’s Skin Firming Hydration Lotion to keep my arms and legs feeling their best.
The lotion has a very neutral scent and won’t give you a headache like some products with floral or tropical undertones. Like any lotion, a little goes a long way and this recipe goes on easily whether you just jumped out of the shower or you just rolled out of bed.
This product is unique in the sense it serves dual purposes. On one hand, it tightens and tones skin to prevent aging and keeps your skin feeling firmer with two weeks of regular use. Regardless of your age, women’s skin begins to naturally soften after age 20, so using a firming lotion on a regular basis is not a bad habit to get yourself into. Ever seen an older woman with smooth skin on her face and a wrinkled neck or arms? She probably didn’t think the moisturize those areas when she was younger and would advise anyone to start now.
However, this product is also a lifesaver for windburn skin. It has a deep moisture quality to it and doesn’t immediately wash off with water (always a good sign when taking a lotion into account) which means it’s working itself deep into your skin. Regardless of if toning is a goal of yours, this product will have your tan staying intact for a few extra days and you’ll be feeling amazing!
I have struggled with chapped lips for years – actually though.
As a kid, I would wear flavored lip balms and like the way they taste. Which would prompt me to make them more chapped because I liked the flavor. In college, I started using a really trendy lip product (mostly because I liked the packaging) and ended up having a terrible allergic reaction that ultimately took me two years to correct. Needless to say, I’m hypersensitive to putting any new products on my lips after that experience.
I almost feel like Nivea’s line of lip care was created for me and my bad experiences. Okay, maybe that’s not the case, but I love them just the same…
The first product you see me holding is in the blue packaging and is the classic Moisture Lip Balm.
This product is a classic for a reason because it goes on smooth, doesn’t create an annoying residue, and stays put (even after drinking a cup of coffee). It again has no flavor to scent, so if you’re looking for a go-to neutral or base, this is the lip balm for you!
The second product you see me holding comes in pretty pink packaging and is the Shimmer Radiant Lip Care balm.
I always get nervous with tinted lip balms because they take me right back to my days on the playground using LipSmackers. Totally no knocking them because TBH they were my childhood. I remember having a purple tube of lip balm and it actually turned my lips a metallic purple. So chic, so ’90s… What I love about this product is the way it keeps your lips looking feminine, but in a natural way. Think “the sun is hitting my lips at the right angle” versus metallic purple. Catch my drift? So if you’re looking for that perfect product to throw in your bag if you’re going to meet up for pre-dinner drinks, this should be a solid contender.
All three of these products are the perfect size to throw in your cosmetic bag or purse to go with you wherever you’re headed. Keep your holiday skin looking and feeling healthy!
