Five Easy Solutions to Those Frustrating Winter Beauty WoesCredit : Photo by Tengyart on Unsplash

With fall officially upon us and the cooler months now just right around the corner, it's safe to say that it's going to be the wintertime before you know it. While most of us can readily admit that we secretly love the changing seasons (building a snowman, sipping on some hot cocoa, and celebrating the holidays with friends and family, anyone?), that doesn't mean that this time of the year doesn't come with its own vexing issues. Even though those hot, sweaty days of summer are now far behind us, we now have a new crop of beauty hiccups to tackle. Yep, winter now means we've got dry skin, a ruddy complexion, and messy, tangled hair to contend with -- among other unpleasant things, too, of course.

Sure, it can sometimes feel like you're the only one dealing with these problems, especially if everyone else seemingly looks fresh-faced, dewy, and completely happy in their cute scarves and knee-boots and naturally rosy cheeks. What's an aspiring beauty maven to do? Fortunately, enjoying the winter months doesn't have to mean that you're stuck looking like a hibernating bear that just stumbled out of its cave. If you're tired of struggling with skin and hair that just won't obey you, don't worry. You're not alone, and we've totally been there, too. And even better, we've got five handy tips for helping you tackle these five common beauty woes head-on, as well!

Dry, Chapped Skin

 

Because the colder air holds less moisture, it can tend to zap the remaining amount left in your skin. This can be absolutely brutal on your skin, leading to itchy patches and unsightly flakes. Because of this, you want to avoid moisturizers that have humectants (like glycerin and hyaluronic acid), as they depend on the air's moisture to be effective and can actually make your dry skin worse. Instead, now's the time to reach for the heavy creams and slather them on. Look for non-comedogenic ingredients like jojoba oil or squalene, and ceramides are going to be your new BFF. Once you rub it in, seal in the moisture with an occlusive (like petroleum jelly or lanolin) to help ensure soft, supple skin.

Less Fragrant Perfumes

 

If you've started to notice that your favorite fragrances are starting to seem a little subdued now that the weather's getting colder, well, you're actually right. This problem is also tied into that pesky dry skin issue, but fortunately, there's a fairly easy fix for it. First, focus on keeping your skin nice and moisturized. Next, consider switching to a more concentrated perfume, as it'll last a bit longer on your skin, and feel free to spritz it on your clothes. Whether you're still on the hunt for the best Ariana Grande perfume that'll linger on the nose throughout the day, or you're more of a fan of the bold base notes of Tom Ford scents, you'll be sure to enjoy them all the more once you take our advice!

A Bright Red Nose

 

Ah yes, the classic bright red winter nose. Super cute on Rudolph, but not so much on ourselves. Unless you're planning on helping to guide a sleigh full of toys through a frosty December night, you'll understandably want to fix this embarrassing issue -- stat! There's a couple of reasons that this happens, though. For starters, your body is trying to keep the rest of you warm, which means there's less blood flow to your sniffer. Then there's the issue of the winter colds and sinus drainage, leading to chapped skin from rubbing it all day. First of all, don't scrub at your nose. You want to just gently dab at it with a soft tissue. And secondly, a little bit of green concealer or primer can go a long way in canceling out that red hue.

Unruly, Frizzy Locks

 

Plot twist: your hair problems are also likely due to the dry winter air. At this point, we're pretty sure it's the sheer lack of humidity during the winter that's the source of all of our beauty woes, and we just need to find creative ways to work around it. Between the parched air and the cute little beanies we wear on our heads to keep our noggins warm, it's a recipe for a total bad hair day. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that you might actually be dehydrated. We tend to be less thirsty in the winter, and that can lead to dry hair (and skin!). And deep conditioners are also a must. If you shy away from silicones, a rich hair mask (with honey, avocado, and argan oil) can make a huge difference.

Surprise (And Painful!) Sunburns

 

Many people tend to forget that the sun doesn't just suddenly go away once the days grow shorter and the first snow flurries start to fall. In other words, you're just as likely to get a nasty sunburn in the wintertime as you are in the summertime. Even worse, as any skier or snowboarder can likely attest, the bright, white snow on the ground can actually reflect even more dangerous UV radiation back onto your face and skin. In turn, this can lead to an increased chance of sun damage, a painful burn, and even the very real risk of eventually developing skin cancer. Even if you're bundled up and the skies outside look gray, you don't want to skimp on the sunblock. Reach for an SPF of 50 or greater for the most protection.

Looking (and feeling!) beautiful during the winter months doesn't have to be some huge, difficult feat reserved for those impossibly gorgeous supermodels who have a concierge team by their sides 24/7. The fact is, every single one of us deserves to feel amazing in our own bodies, no matter what time of the year it is. If you've been feeling kind of blah and not as good about yourself lately because of the season's impact on your hair and skin, then you have every right to want to fix these issues right away so you can start feeling your best once more. And by following these five tips, you can help ensure you're as glowing and radiant on the outside as you are on the inside -- no matter how the weather outside might try to say otherwise!