Beauty Feature: Winterlicious Skin Products Put To the Test

The last week before Christmas I had come down with strep - pain killers and cold medicine were my best friend. Silly me forgot that cold medicine contains ibuprofen already but the pain was so excruciating I ended up taking Motrin - religiously every 4 hours.

Within 2 days, my face had swelled to a balloon and my skin had broken out into an itchy red rash! I had a severe reaction to the overdose of ibuprofen. I was beyond horrified and all this just before Christmas. I got on antibiotics and ditched the pain killers.

You can imagine my dilemma. Severely dehydrated, flaky and itchy skin. Thankfully I had a few moisturizers to choose from! Which one ended up on top? Read on!

1. Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 Hr Miracle Cream: This is a makeup artist staple so obviously this was the first moisturizer I turned to. The formula is rich and creamy but for really dehydrated irritated skin it just didn't cut it. My skin still felt extremely tight and I was reapplying every half hour. The upside is that it did not irritate my skin further. If your skin is normally dry, it works just fine but not when your skin is in a crisis!

2. La Mer Creme de la Mer: I was ecstatic when I had found a travel size of this "miracle" cream in one of my bins. If you don't know the history, La Mer was created by aerospace physicist, Dr. Max Hubert, to help heal his chemical burns. The result was dramatically improved and smoothed skin.

If it could work on chemical burns, it had to work on my scarred flaky skin. Well, it was definitely more moisturizing than Embryolisse. It help rid of the flaky skin and improved the texture - even the scarring was starting to disappear. Yet, it did not completely get rid of the flakiness or tightness. I had to reapply every 2 hours.

3. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream: This multi-purpose balm is a cult classic for a reason - it just works! This is the only cream that relieved my skin in all areas. I rarely ever use this because of the rich heavy texture, but my skin just drank it up. It feels a little heavy but once it sinks into the skin you don't even feel it.

Once I started applying day and night my skin quickly improved. After applying in the morning I didn't have to reapply until I washed my face at night. I didn't have to worry about embarrassing flaking skin when I was out - bonus! I also use this on my dry cracked hands and lips. I got over the flowery-medicinal smell - it's just worth it. A definite winter essential!

Have you tried these creams? What is your go-to winter essentials for chapped skin? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Beauty Feature: Winter Skin Savers - Lip Balms

A gal can never have enough lip balm. I usually have a few hanging around - two in my main purse, one on my night table, one on my work desk and a couple just for my kit. The winter season is especially harsh on my lips when the dry air zaps all the moisture, leaving my kisser cracked and chapped. Thanks to a few lip savers this winter, my lips are feeling smooth and smelling yummy!

1. LUSH Honey Trap Lip Balm ($8.95 CDN): I'm really glad I got to try this balm out because now I'm forever a fan! Honey Trap is the line's best seller for good reason. Beeswax and shea butter lock in moisture while oatmeal infusion keeps your lips soft. I personally like the scent but my husband is not really a fan of anything honey. The sweet mixture of white chocolate, honey, wild orange and vanilla sound delicious, no? The balm is ultra rich and feels super duper fantastic on the lips! Be warned: may melt in hot climates or in your pocket!

2. Green by Nature Lip Butter ($2.99 US): Absolutely one of the best lip balms that have ever touched these lips! If you're not a fan of potted lip balms then this lip butter in a stick form will have you swooning. I tried Banana Shea which is absolutely addictive! The ultra rich formula leaves your lips moisturized for hours so you won't have to reapply as much, but you'll find it hard not to! It got two thumbs up from both the hubby and boy. My lil' one loved it so much he used to steal it and hide under his blanket slathering tons on and eating it (thank goodness it's all natural)! The only downside - it's so good you'll run out really fast and be needing a new one before you know it. Thank goodness this balm won't break the bank! Available in other yummy flavours. Buy online or at a Target store near you.

3. Kiehl's Scented Lip Balm #1 ($8.50 US): Kiehl's popular line of lip balms are perfect for those days when you want your lips to be moisturized with a glossy finish and sun protection. The fruity scent of Pear is just wonderful and lingers nicely in the air minutes after application. I thought the glossy finish would slick off quickly but my lips stayed moisturized for hours. Even with the squeeze-tube applicator, you still need to blend with your fingers. The shine formula can be slicked over your favourite lip colour for a more glossy finish. For those no-fuss days, swipe this on for some shine and you're out the door!

Beauty Feature: Winter Skin Savers - Hands & Feet

The other day I was waiting in line at the grocery store and was horribly embarrassed at how dry, and scaly my hands looked. I quickly paid and shoved my hands back into my coat pockets. Lesson learned: never leave home without your hand cream! For soft, youthful looking hands try out some of these hand and feet skin savers!

1. Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve ($12.50 US): Heavy duty creams usually mean greasy and sticky. Kiehl's version is anything but! You can expect all day care and protection with this hand cream. It absorbs quickly into the skin so you won't have to wipe the excess off onto your pants (yes, I've done that before!). It creates a "glove-like" protective barrier against moisture loss and can stand up to even the harshest conditions.

2. Green by Nature Hand Cream ($8.99 US): It just makes sense to go all natural. Green by Nature is an all natural bath and body care line, created with you and the environment in mind. All their products are over 95% natural, and free of parabens, sulfates, DEA, petroleum, propylene glycol, sacchrine, dioxin, and phthalate. I've fallen in love with this line and the price point! The hand cream in Almond Cocoa is just delicious and quickly soothes and moisturizes your skin. Enriched with vitamin e and and aloe with a luxurious blend of jojoba, almond and avocado oils your hands will be looking beautiful in no time!

3. Kiehl's Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer For Dry Or Callused Areas ($22.50 US): On the most driest and coldest days your hands and feet will need a little more TLC. During the holidays, I did a lot of dishwashing (darn large pots that don't fit into the dishwasher!) which as a result cracked and dried my hands to the core. As someone that doesn't frequent the spas for pedicures, you don't even want to know what state my feet were in! Kiehl's Intensive Treatment and Moisturizer is exactly the product you need for areas that require special attention, a.k.a crusty elbows or callused feet! On some nights I've slathered the cream on my hands and feet followed by gloves and some warm socks. My skin just soaked it up. The next morning I awoke to super soft skin! Do this for a few nights and you'll for sure see a difference. Works great as a cuticle cream too!

Beauty Feature: Winter Skin Savers - Facial Treatments

The other day while braving the cold waiting for the bus, I could feel the harsh wind giving my skin a few slaps. My cheeks were rouge and not in a good way. Here are some new facial treatments I cannot live without this winter!

1. Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask ($52 USD): If there is one skin care product I've fallen in love with this winter season it's this product! This frothy mask releases oxygen into your skin, leaving you instantly brighter, fresher and more youthful looking. You don't even have to wait 20 minutes or more before washing it off - all you need is 5 minutes! I love using this when my skin is looking its worse especially when I'm in a hurry. Seriously, my skin looks amazing and feels dewy soft. Flaky, sensitive skin? Then this is exactly the quick moisture fix your skin needs. Take home a little of the Bliss Spa experience with you everytime and anytime!

2. Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion ($30 USD): Just like a foundation performs better with a primer, your skin care regime should begin with a product to help optimize its performance. This extremely light, hydrating lotion with Hypsizygus ulmarius, Cordyceps and Reishi mushrooms along with Ginger, Holy Basil and Turmeric quickly yet gently soothes and penetrates skin for hydration and a calmer complexion. Ever since I've started using this, I rarely have a flaky moment or sensitive flare ups. It's one skin saver your skin will happily soak up this winter season!

3. Origins Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst ($37 USD): This may have a fancy name but it really does transform the skin! A weightless serum containing a Rice Refinishing complex fused with radiance-restoring Rice Optics, dull, sallow skin will eventually disappear as will roughness, brown spots and signs of sun damage. It promises with regular use the glow, luminosity, clarity, vibrancy, and a more youthful experience will return! I've been using it for over 4 weeks now and my skin definitely looks brighter and more luminous. Even my dark spots and blemishes have lightened! It may be one too many steps in your skin care regime but after seeing the results it's worth it!

Beauty Feature: Winter Skin Savers - Moisturizers

There are many beauty products I can't live without and my face moisturizer is definitely at the top of the list. When your skin is dry and patchy, your makeup just won't look right no matter how much concealer you pile on. The key to less makeup on your skin is cleansing and moisturizing your face on a daily basis. Get healthy, radiant skin this winter with these skin-saving moisturizers!

Whether you're hitting the slopes or making snow angels this winter, protect your skin with Kiehl's super-hydrating Ultra Facial Cream ($31 CAD). This light-weight moisturizer gives your skin continous water replenishment all day long. With ingredients like Anarcticine, a Glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms sourced from sea glaciers, and Imperata Cylindrica, a plant found in the Australian desert that retains water in dry conditions, this skin saver is meant to protect your skin and keep you looking soft and supple in cold temperatures. With the light texture your skin will feel comfortable, never heavy or greasy. I expected the cream to go on thick, but even without the richness like other creams I've tried, my skin stayed beautifully moisturized and flake-free all day long! Ultra Facial Cream is a definite must-have this winter, perfect for both day and night!

Do dry, sensitive skin have you singing the winter blues? Your skin will feel heavenly with LUSH Celestial Moisturizer ($21.95 CAD). This totally vegan, all natural moisturizer has a mixed blend of vanilla, almond milk and dove orchid to calm and hydrate irritated skin from city pollution or harsh weather conditions. A little goes a long way with this rich cream so use sparingly to avoid feeling greasy on the skin. This works wonders on those days when my face is sensitive, dehydrated and red. I love applying Celestial Moisturizer before I go to bed so my skin can soak in all the moisture and repair itself overnight. I wake up with a soft, smooth complexion every morning! You'll love the subtle vanilla-almond scent as well! Indeed a special treat for the skin this winter!

Bulky skin care products can make packing for those winter getaways a challenge. All you need for cleansing and moisturizing is Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè (24-Hour Miracle Cream, $25 USD). A cult classic among makeup artists everywhere, you will find this wonder cream in many makeup kits used backstage on models when washing and moisturizing the face isn't an option. I was excited to get my hands on this cream at the Canadian Makeup Show after having gone so many years without it! This rich moisturizer nourishes and repairs the skin without a heavy texture. It also leaves a soft, dewy finish and primes the skin perfectly for makeup application. You can even use it to calm irritated skin after shaving! Throw this cream in your travel bag and you're good-to-go!

The winter weather may be a special treat for oily skin types, but oily skin can get dry too. The Body Deli Flash Flood Light Facial Emulsion ($36 USD) is an oil-free light moisturizer excellent for acne/blemish treatment. It works double-time also hydrating parched skin. Salicylic acid and their proprietary blend of Silica, Sulphur, Maganezium and Copper act as a benzol peroxide alternative to help heal and clear up blemishes without drying out the skin. Your skin will be left feeling clean, fresh and blemish-free!

Have you tried these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

Beauty Feature: Winter Skin Savers - Cleansers

If your skin is like mine, then you've been battling flaky, sensitive, lack-luster skin. The cold winter months don't always bring out the best in me. Cursing the effects of the bitter cold wind on your skin won't do anything so why not invest in some great winter skin savers?

Makeup Junkie writer, Nicole, and I had the awesome pleasure of attending a one-on-one consultation at the Kiehl's store (North Yonge location) where Donna Paty, National Education Manager for Kiehl's, walked us through all the products appropriate for our skin. My skin has been super sensitive lately due to drier weather and harsh winds. I've started using the Ultra Facial Cleanser ($24.50 CAD) and my skin is loving it! I tend to get a bit sensitive around my nose and cheeks especially when I'm sick and blowing my nose all the time. The mild cleanser is specially formulated with a sugar-derived glycoside foaming agent that is so gentle on the skin yet thoroughly cleanses makeup and dirt without over-drying. Also contains effective emollients Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil. It's a definite must this season for all skin types especially those who have sensitive skin.

Nothing ruins your look more than dry, flaky patches on the skin. There were times when I would come home from an event and I'd look in the mirror embarrassed by my flaky nose and chin. Scrub those dry patches away with Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub ($36.50 CAD)! Made with real fruit enzymes that gently exfoliate, your skin will be left feeling refreshed, clean and soft. I love how my skin looks after using this scrub. It looks brighter, more radiant, and my blackheads are scrubbed squeaky clean! The scrub also has a subtle pineapple-papaya scent. Suits most skin tones with the exception of acne-prone or easily-irritated skin. If you have sensitive skin, exfoliate 2-3 times a week or scrub only where needed. (Stay tuned for more on our Kiehl's visit!)

Drier skin will appreciate a cleanser that is creamier like the organic Gentle Cleansing Milk from Care by Stella McCartney ($35 USD). This gentle Cleansing Milk removes makeup and impurities without using water. I prefer using water with my cleanser but when my skin is totally dehydrated and zapped of moisture, using the Cleansing Milk sans water makes my skin baby soft. It contains organic Lemon Balm and Apricot, rich in carbohydrates and vitamins E and A essential to protect and revitalize the skin.

Stay tuned for beauty feature Winter Skin Savers - Moisturizers!

Have you tried these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

Kiehl’s products are available in Canada at the Kiehl's store at 407 Queen Street West, 2518 Yonge Street and by mail order at 416.483.1335, in Vancouver at the Kiehl's store at 1025 Robson Street and by mail order at 604.408.4182, in Montreal at 760 Ste. Catherine West and by mail order 514.788.4226, and select Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.