winter beauty

Deep conditioner is a must have to combat dried-out hair in Winter, and getting silky-smooth strands can be as easy as taking a trip to the kitchen. Mask mixologist Samira Asemanfar of The Broot (an all-natural hair mask bar in Santa Monica, CA) breaks down the essential ingredients for every hair type. Once you stir these hair concoctions, you'll truly believe in the term: hair food. However, if you don't have the time to whip something up, you can always add a drop of coconut oil to the conditioner you already have. Get Asemanfar's favorite recipes to remedy cold-weather hair woes when you read more.

It's OK to admit you've been slacking on your sunscreen routine this season. Whip yourself back in shape with Allure's sun-safe tips.

Just because you retire your Havaianas and bikini when the temperature drops doesn't mean you should shelve the sunscreen too. The sun emits harmful UV rays all year, whether it's 90 degrees outside or 19. Now I'm going to step down from my soapbox and make a confession: Even though I'm neurotic about sun protection in the summer, I do to get a bit lax (OK, completely negligent) in winter. So I spoke with Debra Jaliman, a New York City dermatologist and author of Skin Rules, about why SPF is still important during colder months.

Whipping Winter winds easily dry out your skin, but they can also cause your cheeks to glow red (in an unflattering way). In response to the chilly temperatures, blood rushes to your face to help regulate your temperature. But who cares about the science when you're trying to prevent looking like a strawberry sherbet?

Before you go out: Counteract flushed cheeks with a redness-reducing primer or concealer. Prepare the skin with a green-tinged product, like Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer ($38), before foundation to quell splotchiness. The second step to preventing too-rosy skin is to apply sunscreen. Even in Winter the sun's powerful rays can affect skin.

After you go out: Soothe riled up skin with moisture. Try Eucerin Redness Relief Night Cream ($15) or a lotion with licorice root to calm inflammation. Also, switch your exfoliating cleanser for a creamier version to avoid too much scrubbing. And if the problem doesn't go away after you've warmed up, you may be dealing with rosacea. Seek a dermatologist's advice for treatment options.

Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you can put away your sunscreen. Even though there are plenty of Winter layers to keep you warm (and covered), don't forget to keep your face, neck, and hands protected from the sun's harmful rays.

Snow and ice reflect UV rays. Sure, it might seem gray outside, but snow and ice reflect the sun's rays. This means you should keep your SPF routine up on a daily basis. Heading to the slopes? You'll definitely want a stronger sunscreen formula made for Winter sports — because windburn is most uncomfortable.

There's a thinner ozone layer. The colder seasons mean the ozone layer is thinning out. So, there is less ozone in our atmosphere to absorb the sun's UV radiation. Even though it feels colder outside, there's actually more of the sun's harmful rays hitting the earth's surface and, yes, your skin. Prevent getting a cold-weather burn by using a product with SPF 30 or more.

Having a better head of hair in the New Year is a lot easier to achieve than you think. Make a promise to yourself (and your hair) to follow these three easy steps to healthier strands. So put down those hotter-than-hot heating tools and resolve to have the hair of your dreams with these three simple tips.

Dry skin anywhere is one of the top woes of Winter, but scaly, cracked hands seem to be the worst. Frigid temps make your paws more susceptible to drying and cracking, but all is not lost. Three simple steps separate you and smooth fingers:

1. Exfoliate: Sounds counterintuitive, right? But exfoliating actually helps your skin absorb more moisture. A quick scrub down in the shower will suffice, but only do this to prevent your fingers from cracking. If they're already rough, this will only irritate them further.
2. Put on your gloves: An at-home spa experience can save your hardened hands. Pick up a pair of spa gloves, like Bliss Glamour Gloves ($48). Each pair is gel lined with grape seed and ceramide to sooth dehydrated hands, and they're good for 50 treatments.
3. Turn down the heat: Washing your hands is a must-do in the Winter to keep yourself healthy, but hot water can dry out your skin. Keep your sudsing lukewarm, and always slather on a moisturizer, like Malin + Goetz Neroli Hand and Body Lotion ($34) postwashing to keep things smooth.