Health & Beauty

With the approach of winter it’s important to take stock of your beauty routine, as you will need to change or enhance it for the colder, harsher months, as the elements will take their toll not only on your skin, but on your hair too. But there are steps you can take to ensure that you continue to have glossy, healthy hair even as the thermostat drops.

SALON SERVICES

Nothing keeps hair in good condition like a regular trim. Daily styling with hairdryers, curling tongs and straightening irons can damage hair, as can hair colouring products. To keep your hair in good shape, it is recommended to have it trimmed every six weeks, or every nine weeks for longer hair. For an affordable hair cut look out for model nights in local salons or head into budget chains such as Regis and Supercuts where a basic cut starts at £14.95 and a cut and blow dry will set you back £22.45. Also look out for promotions on conditioning treatments; it’s amazing what a little bit of salon TLC can offer.

HOME SALON HEROES

You can’t leave all your haircare to the professionals; you need to take control at home too. Proper maintenance continues with your at home beauty regime, from using the right products, to how regularly you wash and style your hair. Look out for brilliant beauty buys in department stores, drugstores and budget stores, get hold of 3 for 2 offers and claim a ton of beauty gifts with purchase.

A good conditioner is essential to restore and maintain your hair’s natural moisture, glossiness and texture. If you’re unsure what products to use, speak to your stylist. But one of the popular ingredients that great for healthy hair is Argan oil. With shampoos, conditioners, hair oils and treatments containing this moisture rich ingredient, every step of your haircare regime can help boost your hair’s health.

Herbal Essences Bio: Renew Conditioner 400ml Argan Oil £6, Lee Stafford ARGANOIL from Morocco Nourishing Conditioner 250ml £10.99 at Boots, OGX Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner 385ml £6.99 and OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Conditioner 385ml £7.99, Garnier Ultimate Blends Argan Oil Shine Conditioner 400ml £2.50 and Hask Argan Oil Repairing Conditioner 355ml £6.99 from Superdrug, Boots and Savers

If a good shampoo and conditioner doesn’t seem to be meeting your winter hair needs, a good treatment or deep nourishing conditioner may be required.

John Frieda Full Repair Deep Conditioner Mask 150ml £6.99, Shea Moisture Shea Masque 326ml £10.99, TRESemmé Oleo Radiance Creamy Moisturiser Mask 300ml £6.99 and Vatika Naturals Egg Protein Conditioning Hair Mask 500g £5.99 at Superdrug, Boots and Savers

On top of deep conditioning, there are plenty of options of oils and serums you can apply and leave on wet or dry hair that will help add and lock in moisture.

TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Colour Serum 125ml £6.05, Argan Oil Hair Treatment 100ml £12.99, Grow Gorgeous Shine Serum 60ml £22.00, Hask Argan Oil from Morocco Repairing Hair Shine Oil 18ml £2.49 and OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Dry Oil 118m £6.99 at Superdrug, Boots and Savers

PROTECT & PERFECT

When it comes to styling your hair in winter, it is important to thoroughly dry your hair before going outside to protect your hair from becoming brittle. If you are using heated styling tools like hairdryers, straightening irons or curling tongs, invest in a good heat protection spray to help minimise any damage to your hair and make sure that you use a wide tooth comb and not a brush if your hair is wet to avoid stretching and damaging your hair.

Boots Style Works Heat Protect Spray 185ml £2.59, TRESemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protect Spray £6.05 Mark Hill Styling Heat Protection 200ml and Style Expertise Straight Spray 100ml £2.99 at Superdrug & Boots

COVER UP

Aside from using the right products to wash, dry and style your hair, it is still important to take steps to protect it from the elements. Hats are super fashion forward, look fabulous, will protect your hair from the wind, rain and snow, and will also help cut down on how often you need to wash your hair as it won’t get dirty from the elements.

Grey Brushed Knit Beanie Hat £4.99, Burgundy Double Faux Fur Pom Pom Beanie £9.99, Black Baker Boy Hat £9.99 and Mink Cable Knit Faux Fur Bobble Beani £7.99 all at New Look

Firetrap Army Hat £8 at Sports Direct, Penguin Beanie £7 and Grey Baker Boy Hat £10 both at Peacocks

Celebrate summer by going back to nature and embracing plant power. Whilst products using the purest plant extracts were once exclusive and expensive, priced at between £70 and £200, you’ll now find a number of naturally derived and sustainably sourced facial serums and moisturisers at more affordable prices. From £5 to £40, we bring you the best tried and tested available in-stores now.

SUPER SERUMS

Botanics Radiant Youth Serum £4.00

At a purse friendly £4 for 30ml, Boots Botanics Radiant Youth Serum contains natural plant extract Gingko which is packed with anti-oxidants to help counteract free radicals and helps keep skin looking younger, protecting it from environmental stresses such as pollution, temperature and sun.

Sukin Super Greens Facial Recovery Serum £13.95

A refreshing daily facial serum with detoxifying green actives of kale, spirulina, chlorella and parsley providing antioxidants and vitamins to help encourage a healthy glow. At £13.95 for 30ml this super serum also contains grape seed oil, avocado and vitamin E, which lock in moisture for a dewy complexion, and added acai berry for youthful looking skin.

Superfacialist Neroli Intense Facial Serum £16.99

At £16.99 for 30ml maintain youthful and radiant skin with this silky textured wrinkle smoothing Intense Facial Serum. It contains a breakthrough apple derived stem cell ingredients proven to actively protect longevity of skin stem cells with a collagen stimulating peptide to help to firm the skin. Plus it has moisture boosting Hyaluronic Acid combined with Hibiscus extract to help restore your complexion’s natural radiance and healthiness.

The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth Concentrate £26.00

This certified organic miracle serum has a price tag of £26 but it is worth every penny. Just a couple of drops added to your daily moisturiser to combat the first signs of ageing and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus Daily Moisture Balancing Serum £40.00

This antioxidant-rich, replenishing serum is instantly absorbed by skin to give an instantly brighter, smoother complexion. It protects the skin’s barrier with nutrient rich botanicals, addresses the signs of dehydration and at the pricier end of £40 it smells gorgeous too.

CREAMS TO COVET

Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Day Cream £5.25

Green tea’s antioxidant rich nutrients makes it a valuable asset in the fight against ageing and Simple has harnessed this skin-saving goodness for its Age Resisting Day Cream, plus has added SPF 15, to fight wrinkles and lines. At only £5.25 it’s a brilliant budget buy.

Botanics Hydration Burst Day Lotion SPF15 £8.99

The new Hydration Burst range from Boots Botanics is a nourishing formula, rich in Clary Sage extract, that comforts and soothes dehydrated and sensitive skin. At a purse friendly £8.99 for 50ml, the lightweight texture absorbs quickly, calming skin and leaving it feeling supple and smooth, and hydrated for up to 8 hours.

REN Daily Supplement Moisturising Cream £20.00

At £20 for 60ml this award winning moisturiser is an absolute necessity. Not only will it fit into your hand luggage it contains vitamins P and F to decongest skin and reduce sensitivity. Ideal if you’re going to be exposed to the sun.

Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream £23.00

Each 30ml tube of this rich day cream contains over 1075 organic rose petals, Beautifully scented and especially rejuvenating and regenerating for mature skin, it also has a calming effect on skin that has been over exposed to the sun. Snap it for £23.

Origins New Smarty Plants CC SPF20 Skin Complexion Corrector £29.00

This super-smart plant formula CC cream from Origins helps perfect the appearance of pores, minimises excess oiliness, and lightly hydrates to smooth away fine, dry lines. Priced at £29 for 40ml it also has SPF 20 to help you keep your youthful good looks longer.

The same rule applies to tanning as it does to ageing. Do it gracefully. Thankfully there is a new wave of everyday gradual tanning moisturisers and instant tanners available in smooth lotions, fluffy mousses and handy spray oils and gels, that promise a subtle, warming sheen leaving skin with a gorgeous, natural glow. These cult beauty buys will become as part of your everyday routine as brushing your teeth.

The good news is that there’s one to suit every skin type. Take a good look around your local supermarket, chemist and department store at the huge variety of tanning moisturisers and instant tans at prices from under £10 to over £30. There are many great multi-buy deals and promotions in stores at the moment, so take advantage and make sure your cash stretches further.

BUDGET BUYS UNDER £10

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan & Gradual Glow £6.99

For an instant, natural-looking tan that can be used on the face and body this Rimmell must-have gives a gradual glow that will keep you looking healthy without being too overpowering. It comes in two matte shades, and is an instant tan that is easily washed off.

Palmer’s Natural Bronze Gradual Tan £7.49

Thanks to its signature combination of pure Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E, this is the perfect product to keep your skin beautiful and healthy with a natural-looking glow. With just a touch of self-tanner, it will create a delicate, sun-kissed, summer glow, gradually building a subtle tan within a few days, while deeply moisturising your skin.

Barry M In The Glow Body Oil Liquid Bronzer £7.99

With pure Coconut Oil and the tropical fragrance of Tahitian Gardenia, this gorgeous body oil will soothe, hydrate and add a subtle sun kissed glow to all skin tones. Simply apply over the body after showering and smooth into your skin for a richly moisturised, beautifully bronzed look. Allow a few minutes for the skin to absorb the product before dressing.

St. Moriz Fast Tan Response Tanning Mist £8.99

Ideal for those who like a quick fix tan, the St. Moriz Advanced Pro Fast Response Tanning Mist allows you to control your shade. Achieve a light glow in one hour, a medium tan in two hours and a dark tan in three hours. For those who like a deeper tan, leave on for longer.

PURSE FRIENDLY £10 to £20

Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Dry Body Mist £10.20

This is a no nonsense multi-angle spray tan that leaves a light tan, ideal for a subtle glow. It has apricot extracts to moisturise skin, is quick-dry, and there is no need to rub. A perfect product if you’re new to the world of self-tan sprays.

Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk £11.99

This innovative dual action gradual tanning milk formula is enriched with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E and will hydrate and nourish your skin while developing a stunning natural golden tan. With a subtle cocoa butter scent it’s great for everyday use.

St. Tropez Instant Tan Finishing Gloss £12.00

Providing an instant gorgeous bronze glow, with buildable coverage, if you have a tan commitment-phobia then this is the product for you. This superb instant tanner is washable so it is ideal for beginners and those just looking for a quick fix-up.

Modelco Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturiser £12.49

This is an everyday triple action self-tanning moisturiser. Suitable for all skin types, it acts as a self-tanner, tan extender and moisturiser all in one, allowing you to build or prolong your tan gradually and easily. Infused with nourishing and antioxidant properties of Green Tea Extract, it delivers a natural golden glow and helps to even out skin tone, hide cellulite, stretch marks and spider veins.

Fake Bake Faux Glo Long Lasting Wash-Off Tan £13.45

Inspired by make-up artists, this instant spray tan in a can boasts a 360˚ nozzle and gives a continuous spray that works at any angle, even upside-down. It’s the easiest way to create a temporary, instantly tanned look, is suitable for all complexions and exceptionally good for covering irregular skin tones. The super-fast drying aerosol is transfer resistant, pleasantly fragranced.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Tinted Everyday Body Lotion £14.19

This new Gradual Tan Tinted Body Lotion from St. Tropez gives an instant hint of bronze that illuminates the skin, whilst gradually building a healthy sun kissed glow. It’s a lightweight, ultra-hydrating body lotion that’s easy to apply, quick drying and suitable for all skin tones.

Skinny Tan Gradual Tanner £14.99

This deliciously scented moisturising cream builds a natural looking tan with daily applications. The application is really creamy and it will develop into a natural looking tan over a matter of hours and days.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Firming 4 in 1 Lotion £18.99

St. Tropez’s newest addition to its Gradual Tan range contains allo-melanin, which mimics the skin’s natural melanin to give you a healthy tan. Applied daily, its special formula combining a cell energizer, hyaluronic acid and anti-oxidant, is designed to tone, firm and moisturise tired skin during the bronzing process. Four benefits in one for under £20 is great value for money.

SPLURGE £20 AND OVER

Clinique Body Tinted Lotion £20.00

This luxurious tinted lotion will give you a deep tan with gorgeous golden undertones, the colour gets richer within the next day, and the finished look is tropical vacation worthy. The lotion formula means a super easy and smooth application, so there are no missed spots or streaks.

Bobbi Brown All Over Bronzing Gel £25.00

This deluxe gel will give you a golden tan with brown undertones. Perfect for the summer, the gel is fresh, dries fast, and has SPF 15. It is also travel-friendly, and the ideal go-to for emergency retouches.

Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish £29.49

This sumptuous wash off skin finishing body makeup gives a natural looking tint for the body, and reflects light for a photo-ready finish. Whether you’re putting on a skirt for the first time this year, or you want photo-ready skin for a glamorous event, Body Blur is the perfect product. The subtle, natural-looking tint will suit all skin tones and the clean formula with organic and natural skin conditioning extracts will work for even sensitive skin types.

Fake Bake Airbrush Instant Self-Tan £27.95

This is a lush airbrush spray tan that will give you an instant glow. As it is quick drying and develops with speed it’s ideal if you have spare time on a night for precise application. The 360˚ nozzle gives you continuous spray and an even coverage.

Space NK Tan Luxe The Water £33.00

Don’t be fooled by the transparency, this gets results and gives a seamless natural tan as well as providing your skin with a hydration and vitamin boost. And just like water, there’s no smell.