Leave nails naked: A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that brittle nails were three times more common in women who used nail polish remover at least twice a month. Dry, cold weather can wreak havoc on your digits. So skip the polish in the winter, and moisturize your hands and nails.
Skip Shampoo: Minerals in tap water and detergents in shampoo can cause your winter-stressed scalp to itch and flake. Before bed, rub a dry shampoo (see Blab Savorites) into your roots to absorb the excess oil, then comb it out in the morning.
Skip Shampoo: Minerals in tap water and detergents in shampoo can cause your winter-stressed scalp to itch and flake. Before bed, rub a dry shampoo (see Blab Savorites) into your roots to absorb the excess oil, then comb it out in the morning.
Experiment with fragrance: Cosmetics counters are crammed full of gift sets for the holidays, and the leftovers go on sale after the fat guy sings. Grab a marked-down fragrance and get a whiff of something you've been meaning to try.
Stop flaking: Your skin needs extra moisture during the cold, dry months. But the hydrators in lotions and creams can't do their job if there's a coat of dead, rough skin blocking your pores. Send your flaky winter layers down the drain with a gentle body wash containing exfoliants like alpha hydroxy or urea.
Drown your skin's sorrows: Once you've exfoliated, follow these steps to keep your skin happy: Layer on a moisturizer with sunscreen int he morning, apply a thick night cream before hitting the sheets, and make a humidifier part of your bedroom decor.
Fight fuzz: Now that our summer flow has disappeared, it's time for laser hair removal. The devices are designed to target the darker pigments in your hair, so the more contrast between your hair and skin, the better it works.
Forget foundation: The heavier pigments and thick consistency of foundation tend to make it settle into dry areas on your skin and give your complexion a patchy look. Save time, and your skin, by using a tinted moisturizer instead.
Check your conditioner: If your hair is dry and static-y, protein could be the culprit. Switch to a conditioner that contains lubricants such as panthenol, glycerine or shea butter to keep your strands smooth.
Summer
Layoff the bottle: When the weather warms up, cut back on cosmetics. A study in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology found that reports of sensitive skin rise during the summer months. Simplify your regimen and seek out products with a short ingredient list. The fewer ingredients a product has, the less likely it is to irritate the skin.
Wear it short: Hair grows faster when the weather is warm, so if you have been wanting a shorter 'do, now is the time to try it. If you don't like it, you'll have to live with it for a shorter period of time.
Let the waxing wane: Yes, it gets rid of that annoying fuzz, but waxing also removes a thin layer of skin - enough to make you a lot more vulnerable to the sun. Opt for shaving, depilatories or bleaching instead.
Switch to the dark side: The more intense your nail polish color, the better your pedicure will look. That's because brighter shades hide the yellowing effect the sun has on pigments.
Go faux: The rate of skin cancer is rising. Satisfy your baking needs by hitting the bottle. Apply self tanner about two hours before bed and fix any streaks that may have developed in the morning.
Try acid: Salicylic acid, that is. Sweat trapped against your skin can clog pores. Prevent acne with a quick mist of a salicylic acid spray to keep pores clear and kill bacteria.
Easy on the nails: People are drawn to water when the weather turns hot, and that's where bacteria and yeast can breed. Your cuticles act as a natural barrier, preventing the bad stuff from entering the nail bed, so make sure you are not cutting your cuticles and aren't overly aggressive when working on your hands.
Spring
Worry about wrinkles: Retinoids are the gold standard of anti-aging ingredients, but dry air or lots of sun can make it difficult for your skin to tolerate these creams. This is the perfect season to introduce them into your skin-care arsenal, so the skin can get used to them in the perfect weather.
Get rubbed the right way: After winter hibernation, your muscles are likely to be a bit creaky. A sports massage will help work out the kinks that come from taking your body out of cold storage.
Play with new products: Milder temps mean your skin is less likely to be sensitive, and it's not hot enough yet to sweat off anything new you try. So go ahead, this is the safest time to experiment with new moisturizers and foundations to see which is best for your skin.
Ditch your hair dryer: Don't wait for tropical heat to hit to unplug your dryer or flat iron. Give your hair as much R&R as possible by letting it air-dry before the serious humidity settles in.
Up the ante: Nicer weather and more daylight mean more sun exposure. Increase your daily dose of SPF.
Shed some skin: The increased humidity makes spring the ideal season for sloughing off dead layers of dry winter skin. Since you're less likely to be irritated, try a mild AHA peel to reveal skin that's softer and dewyer.
Fall
Scan your skin: Now's the time to go in for your yearly checkup with your dermatologist. Have your doctor do a skin scan so she can catch any sun damage that may have occurred during the summer.
Plan for the holidays: Book all your winter beauty appointments now. The holidays are a hectic time for salons, so call in September to schedule your hair maintenance and you'll have your pick of the best days.
Turn down the lights: Take sun-bleached strands a shade or two darker and they'll look healthier and more natural. The richer hue will make your skin look warmer and better, too.
Mask skin flaws: Prep your complexion for harsh winter weather by applying a mask, hydrating for dry skin, purifying for acne-prone, and calming for sensitive.
Treat your feet: People think that just because summer's over you don't need a pedicure. But it's actually important now to take care of the calluses and ingrown nails that come from wearing shoes and boots.
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