For many, dry skin and winter can be itchy, tight, flaky, and oh-so uncomfortable. 

If this sounds familiar, here’s an easy and affordable guide for how to care for super dry skin in winter…for skin care newbies!

Add humectant products 

Humectants are ingredients that draw moisture to the skin and lock it there. The most popular and gentlest humectants are glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Luckily, there are many affordable serums with these ingredients you can add to your regimen. 

I love the super thrifty The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum ($7.50). Pop this on after you cleanse and tone, and before you apply moisturizer. 

These are great for bolstering your regular daily SPF moisturizer so you don’t have to invest in a new one for winter. 

Use a hydrating night mask

Your daily moisturizer (which should have an SPF in it!) won’t cut it for night time. Take the opportunity to apply an ultra rich hydrating night mask to sink into your skin as you sleep. 

My holy grail is the Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Face Mask ($39.00). It’s SO good, but don’t go thinking it’s a mask, it’s really just an intense moisturizer. It’s not greasy or claggy, but perfectly rich and leaves my skin feeling divine in the morning. 

A more affordable but also fabulous option is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream ($20.99).

Use rich facial oil 

There’s something luxurious about applying a facial oil, especially after cleansing and moisturizing the skin at the end of the day. Facial oils not only hydrate but they can create a protective barrier as well as help to regulate sebum production (so you don’t have to deal with breakouts on top of dry skin). 

My all-time favorite facial oil is rosehip. I have sensitive skin and it’s so gentle yet effective. It has vitamins A and C, and plenty of fatty acids to nourish the skin. Rosehip oil can even brighten the skin and help to reduce lines and wrinkles! Magic. 

There are plenty of mixed facial oils on the market using multiple ingredients, and they’re great! However, I love the simplicity of a single, reliable oil. 

Press a few drops of facial oil onto the skin after your serums and creams at night, and before your SPF and makeup in the morning. 

Steer away from the hard core exfoliants…but still exfoliate

The last thing you want to do is scrub away at your dry face with a physical exfoliant as it will strip even more precious moisture. 

However, exfoliating once or twice a week is smart as it will remove any built-up dry skin that can clog the pores and create a barrier that stops moisture from sinking in. 

Opt for a gentle chemical exfoliant like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution ($10.00). It will break down and remove dry skin as well as brighten and even out the skin tone. 

Use at night only (it can make skin more sensitive to UV damage in the day) and follow up with your serum. 

Choose an oil-based cleanser 

If your Spring/Summer skin is oilier, your cleanser may be a little too harsh for winter. The key is to find a cleanser that gets rid of dirt and makeup residue but doesn’t strip the precious skin barrier. 

Tip: use a product-free tool such as the Face Halo ($11.97) to remove your makeup before cleansing. This means you can be gentler with your cleanser as the makeup will already be long gone. 

The Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser ($38.00) is divine as it contains hyaluronic acid and is specially designed to cleanse dry skin. A more affordable option is the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser ($15.99). 

Have a hydrating mist on hand 

And finally, a hydrating face mist is a secret weapon to keep the skin fresh and hydrated throughout the day. 

The LiveGlam Mist Independent face mist (from $14.99) is truly amazing. First off, the spray nozzle is on point, no big splotches to be seen. What’s more, it smells friggin divine, but most of all, it really hydrates and refreshes the skin. 

When a breakout is particularly nasty, applying makeup to it can be tricky and a little uncomfortable. Luckily, I am very experienced in the world of breakouts (hormonal acne in my 30s, woohoo!). Here are my tips for how to apply makeup to breakouts. 

Apply a calming treatment first 

If your breakouts are feeling red, angry, and sore, I suggest applying a topical treatment that calms and soothes. It helps if it contains some active ingredients that may help to dry the breakout and kill any bacteria. 

I love the Clinique anti-blemish solutions clearing gel ($19) as it provides a barrier between your skin and your makeup. It also helps to heal and reduce acne. 

Use an oil-controlling or acne-based primer 

For clear, “normal” skin, I usually say don’t bother with primer. However, both very dry and very oily/acne-prone skin can really benefit from a targeted product. This will add another barrier between your skin and your foundation, increasing the chance of a smooth, flawless-looking base. 

An oil-controlling primer will also help to absorb and reduce excess oil and keep things on the matte side. Look for ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, tea tree, and AHA’s. 

Use clean fingers to sparingly apply foundation

The last thing you want is to smear a dirty brush or sponge all over your breakout. This can add more bacteria and prolong the situation, eek. Of course, a squeaky-clean, just-washed tool is ideal. However, this isn’t always possible! I find that clean fingers are a great way to apply foundation without spreading bacteria. 

I like to use a tapping motion as opposed to a swiping motion, as this presses the product into the skin without transferring oils across the face. If you’re attached to your favorite brush or beauty blender, just be sure to wash and dry it after every use! 

A note on foundation: my tried-and-true approach is to use a sheer/natural foundation to even the skin tone, then let a full-coverage concealer do the heavy lifting. 

Use a tiny brush to pinpoint-conceal the breakouts

Instead of smearing a thick layer of concealer all over the blemished areas, take a more measured approach.  

Too much product can cause cakiness, oiliness, and a right pain in the ass to remove at the end of the day. Instead, take a full-coverage concealer on a tiny brush and press it onto your breakouts, focusing on the most red parts. 

Use your ring finger to tap the concealer until it is seamlessly blended. The result is a flawless finish you can barely detect. 

Use a teeny bit of translucent powder 

I find that when my breakouts are really raging, they feel itchy and sore, especially when caked in powder. However, a tiny dusting of translucent powder goes a long way to insure your hard concealing work and reduce shine. 

Take a clean, small brush or sponge loaded with a little powder and press onto the areas where you concealed. Take a fluffy, clean brush with no product on it and dust any excess powder away. 

Here’s how to apply makeup to dry skin. 

Take time to prep properly

How you prepare your skin before applying makeup is absolutely crucial and will make or break the end result. Applying a hydrating foundation to dehydrated skin won’t work, in other words. 

Here are some simple steps: 

• Use a hydrating cream or oil cleanser that will cleanse your pores without stripping moisture. Something like the Neutrogena Ultra Light Face Cleansing Oil ($8.13) is a great (and affordable) place to start. 
• Gently exfoliate any dry patches by using your face cloth and gentle pressure. This will remove any flaky skin without irritation. 
• Apply a hyaluronic acid serum to freshly-cleansed skin
• Apply your rich and hydrating moisturizer (with SPF for daytime)
• Press facial oil into your face
• Wait a few moments to allow the products to sink into the skin

Double-up the moisture with a hydrating primer 

I’m not always a believer in primer, to be honest, as I don’t think it’s always necessary. However, a moisture-locking primer can be a game-changing step for those with dry skin. 

The layer of hydration can work as a barrier between your complexion products and any dry texture. This helps to reduce the risk of foundation and powder clinging to dry patches. 

Apply your primer after your skincare, as the first step in your makeup routine. 

Tips for newbies: look for primers with hydrating, glow-giving, and “youth-focused” rhetoric and keep away from anything with “mattifying” or “oil absorbing” written on the packaging. I love the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Hydrating Primer ($39).

Choose foundation wisely

There are plenty of ultra high-end foundations out there that promise to smooth and plump dry skin. However, you don’t need to shell out wads of cash for a good base. 

My favorite is still Mac Face and Body ($35). It’s still reasonably pricey, but worth it for the hydration, skin-like finish, and buildable coverage. And hey, you can always go for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream with a bit of oomph, especially if you’ve got reasonably clear and even skin. 

A gel-based foundation or tint similar to this will glide over your dry skin as opposed to clinging to it like fuller coverage, more mattifying products will. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are great to look out for as they draw moisture to the skin. 

Tip: you don’t have to forgo full coverage with a light foundation! Use a lighter-coverage-yet-super-hydrating foundation over the whole face. Then, use a moisturizing, full-coverage concealer where you need it to get that flawless look. 

Opt for cream products

When it comes to blush, bronzer, and highlight, cream products can revive dry skin. While many powders are so high-tech these days they don’t necessarily exacerbate dry skin, creams are still the smartest pick. The emolient ingredients and soft, skin-like finish of creams glide over dry patches and can even offer some light skincare benefits. 

Press cream blush onto the cheeks with your fingers, then follow with a rich and luscious highlight to pack a glow. Avoid glitter and large shimmer chunks like the plague as they can shine a light on dryness and texture. My top recommendation for blush is the Nudestix Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color ($38). These are insanely dewy and come in the prettiest shades. I use mine daily (the shade Cherry Blossom Babe). For highlight, I adore MAC Cream Color Base in Hush ($25), or RMS Living Luminizer ($38). 

Spritz 

To keep your makeup fresh and your skin hydrated all day, keep a facial spray on hand. This will relieve that tight feeling that can occur during ultra dry phases, and give your makeup a new life. I like LiveGlam’s very own Mist Independent for a lightweight and soothing skin pick-me-up. 

Just starting out with makeup? Whether you’re a complete beginner or the ultimate beauty enthusiast, there are a couple of questions that we’ve all asked ourselves at some point. To make things easier for you, here’s a list of the most frequently asked questions about beauty and skincare!

Do you need to use toner?

This has crossed all our minds at one point or another: Do we really need to use toner? Or is it just an extra step that we can skip?

The short answer – yes, you should use toner.

Regardless of skin type, toner is definitely an essential step when it comes to achieving healthy glowing skin. After cleansing, toner helps remove stubborn dirt and grime, and any traces of makeup you may have missed.

A good toner can provide the skin with a much-needed boost of hydration along with other skin-supporting ingredients. Adding this step into your skincare regimen sets the perfect foundation for your other skincare products to perform better.

How often should you wash your makeup brushes?

We know, washing your brushes can feel like a total chore – but it’s soo worth it. You should aim to wash your brushes at least every 7 days or so to get rid of any germs or bacteria that will build up over time.

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Cozy up to only the classics. These essentials have everything you need to get a full face without the fuss. #realtechniques

A post shared by Real Techniques (@realtechniques) on Apr 5, 2020 at 4:00am PDT

Not cleaning your brushes often enough could contribute to breakouts or other common skin problems. And honestly, your makeup looks so much better when you’re working with clean brushes!

Is “baking” just a trend?

“Baking” has been trending for quite some time now. The real question is, is it completely necessary or just another fleeting beauty trend? Well, let’s just say… if you want your makeup to last longer, then you definitely need to add “baking” onto your to-do list.

“Baking” is essentially setting your face makeup with a loose setting powder to mattify your complexion. Adding this additional step into your makeup routine extends the staying power of your face makeup by soaking up excess oil during the day.

All you need to do is apply a generous amount of loose setting powder over your face makeup with a damp beauty sponge. Let it sit on your face for a couple of minutes (5 or so) and then buff it out with a fluffy powder brush. Pro tip: For the ultimate staying power, spray your beauty sponge with some setting spray before you pick up the powder.

Do you have to use moisturizer if you have oily skin?

When you’re dealing with oily skin, adding more moisture into the equation is probably the last thing on your mind. But moisturizing your skin properly will make a huge difference when it comes to controlling oil production.

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Need a holy grail moisturizer that’ll do its job all year round? Water Drench® Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer is your best bet! Suitable for all seasons and skin types, this fluffy light cream drenches skin in moisture and helps leave it silky, hydrated and more youthful-looking. Available on PeterThomasRoth.com and @Sephora – link in bio! #CloudCreamCrew #WaterDrench #PeterThomasRoth #PTRCult

A post shared by Peter Thomas Roth (@peterthomasrothofficial) on Apr 23, 2020 at 10:00am PDT

When our skin is dehydrated, it actually overcompensates by producing even more oil to make up for the moisture it desperately needs. To minimize shine, oily skin types can benefit from staying hydrated by drinking more water throughout the day and moisturizing regularly in the morning and at night.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments down below if you have any other questions for us!

Life gets busy – but you have to stop and smell the roses every now and then. If you really think about it, even our phones need to be charged on the daily – the same concept applies here. Take a break from the daily hustle and grind at least once a week to recharge yourself. Instead of dreaming about your next vacation, give yourself a mini getaway each week with a peaceful self-care session.

Not sure what the best self-care session entails? Here’s what you need to add onto your checklist!   

Add it into your calendar

Don’t wait until you have free time… because, well, we know that’s never happening.

Self-care should be a huge priority since nothing is more important than your physical and emotional health. Pencil it into your calendar to make it a regular thing (whether it be weekly or bi-weekly). The best part is that it gives you something small but rewarding to look forward to!

Turn off all notifications

The first step in getting the most out of your self-care session? Cutting out the noise by getting rid of all the distractions – yes, that means turning off all your notifications. Think of it as a spiritual “Do Not Disturb” sign.

But of course, not checking your phone is easier said than done. If you don’t have much faith in your willpower, just leave your phone in another room. The idea here is to use this time to focus on yourself and to bask in a state of pure bliss.

Hydrate

Grab yourself a glass of water before you begin your self-care sesh! Drinking more water on a regular basis is definitely one of the easiest ways to improve your overall sense of well-being. Dehydration can be the secret culprit behind many common problems. This might seem simple enough but adequate hydration can work wonders for improving your mood, increasing energy levels, and giving your skin a natural glow from within. 

Facial massage

A jade roller or a facial gua sha is a complete non-negotiable when it comes to having the best self-care session. Honestly, we can’t stop raving about them. Either skincare tool works wonders for giving your face a more effective form of facial massage that can help reduce puffiness, stimulate the drainage of toxins, and promote circulation – simply put, it’s a simple way to achieve glowing skin. As an added bonus, it just feels sooo relaxing. 

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N E W today: Rose Quartz Gua Sha Tools. Using a facial Gua Sha tool can help to move qi (energy in the meridians), increase blood circulation, and move lymphatic fluid so the skin can begin to heal and regenerate itself with ease. With use over time, the increase of blood circulation can help to stimulate skin cell regeneration for a youthful, radiant glow. #guasha

A post shared by Herbivore Botanicals (@herbivorebotanicals) on May 1, 2018 at 8:38pm PDT

Listen to a podcast

Since the purpose of a self-care session is to unwind and de-stress, this is also a great time to listen to a podcast – one that either focuses on personal development or just for pure entertainment to get some laughs in!

What’s your favorite thing to do during a peaceful self-care sesh? Let us know in the comments down below if there’s anything else that we should add onto our list! 

The beauty industry is constantly evolving and there always seems to be some new makeup trend popping up out of nowhere. Now, beauty trends come and go… but a couple of these terms have stuck around and they’ve even made their way into our own routines as a complete non-negotiable. Here’s a list of common beauty terms and techniques that you should get familiar with!

Baking

If you’re all about the glam, then you’re definitely no stranger to “baking.” This popular makeup technique has withstood the test of time in the beauty community – quite literally – since it helps extend the staying power of our face makeup. There’s a reason why most celebrity MUAs are using this technique to set their gorgeous red carpet looks.

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Makeup Monday is here and it’s a highly requested look from you guys! Here’s the jist: thick winged liner, brown lids, bold lower lash, lots of blush, and faux freckles! Products used @fitglowbeauty under eye concealer @lauramercier primer @diormakeup backstage foundation in 2n and 3.5n @colourpopcosmetics concealer @maybelline instant age rewind in neutralizer @benefitcosmetics ka brow in 4 @anastasiabeverlyhills brow gel in chocolate @airspunofficial powder @anastasiabeverlyhills contour palette in medium @maccosmetics give me sun bronzer @tartecosmetics blush in paaarty @freck freckles @diormakeup glow palette @nyxcosmetics in natural @revlon ultra matte hd lipstick in devotion @maccosmetics lipstick in creme d nude @lauramercier mascara @beachglamlashes lashes always #DolledUpWithD

A post shared by Delaney (@delaneychilds) on Jan 20, 2020 at 12:30pm PST

“Baking” involves applying a layer of translucent powder over your foundation and concealer. After letting it sit on your face for a couple minutes (5 to 10), use a fluffy powder brush to dust it off and blend it out.

The best approach? Use a damp makeup sponge and pack in a generous amount of powder. Here’s a trick to give your face makeup the ultimate staying power: Use setting spray to wet your makeup sponge.

Double cleanse

The first step in achieving better skin is making sure your face is actually clean after you wash it. On a regular basis, our skin in exposed to a ton of toxins and pollution through various environmental factors. Regardless of how much makeup you wear, washing your face just once – after a long day – really isn’t enough to remove all the gunk that can linger in our pores.

A “double cleanse” is when you clean your face twice – first, with a product like micellar water or cleansing oil, then with a water-based cleanse the second time around.

Cupids bow

Big lips have been “in” and it’s looking like they won’t go out of style anytime soon! Want to accentuate your pout for a faux-full lip look? The first place that you should start is your cupid’s bow. Using your favorite liner (preferably a shade that’s slightly darker than your lippie), create a shadow slightly above your cupid’s bow for fuller,  plumper lips. Here are some #LiveGlamFam Lip Liner faves you could try out: Pink Lemonade, Muffin, Caramel and Cherry Pie.

Cut crease

Been scrolling through Instagram lately? Then you must have come across this makeup look at some point or another. A “cut crease” is when you pair contrasting eyeshadow colors together to “cut” across the lid. This sharp contrast creates the illusion of a very prominent crease and it works wonders for lifting the eyes. Our LiveGlam Taco Tuesday Palette  has incredible matte and shimmer shades that can be used to create a fabulous cut crease.

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Throwback to this soft look FACE: @yslbeauty all hours foundation “b20” @yslbeauty touche eclat concealer 1.5 @yslbeauty touché eclat bluring primer @kkwbeauty highlighter palette #1 @kevynaucoin the neo blush rose cliff @givenchybeauty prisme libre powder BROWS: @anastasiabeverlyhills brow wiz ebony @anastasiabeverlyhills clear brow gel EYES: @beautybakerymakeup eyeliner @anastasiabeverlyhills soft glam eyeshadow palette LIPS: @diormakeup addict ultra gloss 169 #wantedforglow #yslbeauty #OctolyFamily #norvina #wearebrows #abhsoftglam #abhbrows #yslbeauty #makeuptutorial #makeup #wakeupandmakeup #hudabeauty #kkwbody #kkwbeauty

A post shared by @ inngenue on Oct 31, 2019 at 6:42pm PDT

Tightlining

“Tightlining” is when you apply eyeliner right into the lash line or as close as possible to the root of your lashes. The idea here is to use short strokes to fill in the gaps in between the lashes. This makeup technique works wonders for creating the illusion of denser lashes and giving your eyes some subtle definition.

This eyeliner technique is one of those small but life-changing things that every beauty enthusiast should know about. In general, you should keep this technique in mind whenever you’re lining your eyes. “Tightlining” can help get rid of that pesky space that occurs in between your lash line and the eyeliner.

We hope you found our beauty glossary useful – let us know in the comments down below if there are any other words that you think we should add onto our list!