Beauty Tips Tuesday: Caring for Your Skin During Cold and Flu Season.

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This years cold and flu season is here; it is a bad one. At first I thought it was a "media story", but as I had a visit to my Doctor and my childrens Pediatrician this past week, theyare both very worried about how bad this flu season is already. I know two people (one is 21, one is 52) in the hsopital with the flu right now. And they are normally healthy people. It is scary. The pediatrician told me "not to be surprised" if our school system is closed soon. It is that bad here in Massachusetts.

I know at some point this winter, we are all going to be sick with a cold, if not the flu. Did you know that cold medications, constant nose blowing, sore throats and fevers can all negatively affect skin condition? Seriously! All that can leave it spotty, flushed, dry and dehydrated. Of course I have the beauty tips you need to combat these things.

Winter Skin Tips

Renowned celebrity esthetician and skin expert, Renée Rouleau, offers her expert skin tips to care for skin during cold and flu season, ensuring that once that cold has been kicked, glowing skin will be just what the doctor ordered.

Use a humidifier at night.
Whenever the air is dry it looks for moisture wherever it can get it – and that means robbing it from skin. Common decongestants also dehydrate the skin, leaving it parched and dry. Using a humidifier at night keeps moisture in the bedroom air, which maintains hydration levels in the skin, and keeps it feeling comfortable.

Apply a cold gel mask to the skin.
Since decongestants can dehydrate the skin, a gel mask is a good way to replace the skin’s moisture while also alleviating a pounding head and achy face from congestion. Renée’s Recommendation: Keep a mask like Bio Calm Repair Masque ($49.50) in the fridge for cooling relief when you need it.

Keep moisturizer on the nose at all times.
Repeated nose blowing causes friction of the tissue (even tissues with added moisturizer) and nose area resulting in red, dry, irritated skin. After every blow, apply a small amount of cream to the nose area for comfort and repair. Look for creams that contain ceramides and lipid-rich oils for ultimate soothing moisturization. Renée suggests her Glow Enhancing Cream ($69.50).

Use skin care products with mint.
Fighting an infection can leave skin looking gaunt and sallow and congestion makes is hard to breathe. So think mint! Renée’s Recommendation: Her favorite cleanser to use when she has a cold is Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel ($35.50), because it really clears a stuffy head, opens up the nasal passages and stimulates blood flow to give skin a much needed glow. Sip on mint tea, too – medical experts recommend it to sooth a sore throat, help drain sinuses and ease congestion.

 

Drink a lot of water.
Despite common perception, this isn’t very beneficial for the skin, since water is the least efficient way to hydrate it, but more so for the body. Keeping fluids running through your system can flush away toxins and keep your internal temperature down. Renée’s Recommendation: Try making refreshing water recipes to help flush out those germs. She love strawberry + mint + lemon. Adding fresh ginger + honey is great for combating colds with a refreshing spicy twist.

Follow Renée and access all of her tips at Reneerouleau.com, on Twitter and on Facebook.

NARSskin Travel Sets.

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I am the carry-on queen. I cannot remember the last time that I checked a bag at the airport. I have learned how to pack my beauty items, that is for sure. I do struggle when it comes to skin care and having to use smaller jars. Even though I may have one ounce creams, the jars are just too large to pack and take up unnecessary space. I am thrilled that NARS has just launched two travel sets that will certainly be making my travel and skin care packing struggles much easier.

There are two sleek travel sets from NARS to choose from. Each travel bag contains conveniently sized products from the brand’s new skincare line, developed by Founder & Creative Director François Nars.

LUMINOUS MOISTURE SET


  • Optimal Brightening Concentrate (Full Size)
  • Total Replenishing Eye Cream (Full Size)
  • Multi-Action Hydrating Toner (Travel Size)
  • Gentle Cream Cleanser (Travel Size)
  • Luminous Moisture Cream (Travel Size)
  • Travel Cosmetics Bag

 

LUMINOUS AQUA SET

  • Optimal Brightening Concentrate (Full Size)
  • Total Replenishing Eye Cream (Full Size)
  • Multi-Action Hydrating Toner (Travel Size)
  • Purifying Foam Cleanser (Travel Size)
  • Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-Free Moisturizer (Travel Size)
  • Travel Cosmetics bag

All you have to do is select which bag is perfect for you. I would actually use both. The Luminous Moisture Set for when traveling in the winter; The Luminous Aqua Set for when traveling in the summer.

Each NARSskin Travel Sets retail for $140.00 and are available at narscosmetics.com.

Detox Your Skin with a Bioré® Giveaway.

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I keep hearing about cleanses and detox food plans. But what about your skin? The new year is the perfect time to get on your way to more clean, more clear, healthier skin by getting on a detoxifying routine.  Bioré® Skincare has the perfect product to do just that. Meet Bioré® 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser. This cleanser not only streamlines your skincare routine, but also eliminates impurities to give skin a fresh start for the new year ahead.


Bioré® 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser effectively cuts your routine down to one step. Simple, right? This cleanser removes all traces of dirt, oil and makeup from your skin without ever over-drying or stripping it of its natural oils, which are so vital in balanced skin care. The formula cleanses, tones, stimulates and detoxifies to help restore a healthy glow. I love the self-foaming cleanser as my skin looks healthier and refreshed the more I use it.

Bioré® wants you to experience this 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser too. They have offered me ten full size cleansers to give away. That's right, ten of you can win a cleanser to get your skin detoxed and ready to take on the rest of the year.

To enter this sweepstakes, leave me a comment (on this post) telling me why you want to detox your skin. Sweepstakes ends on January 20, 2013 at 11:59. Be sure to leave an email that you check often so that I can contact you if you won. Winners only have 48 hours to respond or the prize will be forfeited. The official rules are listed here. By entering this sweepstakes, you agree to all of the official rules.