Skin Deep

Local beauty experts share their secrets to perfect winter skin

"The key to beautiful makeup starts with healthy skin," says makeup artist Andrea Holton.

Image credit: Tate Carlson

Recommended by the Editor

Shop News: January 2012

To the Nines

By: Mary O'Regan |   January 2012   |  From the print edition

Just because it’s -10 degrees outside and the sun seems to have officially retired doesn’t mean your skin needs to be dull, pale and dry. Local hair and makeup artist Andrea Holton tells us how to revive winter-weary skin by using luminous, hydrating beauty products.

Prime time

“The key to beautiful makeup starts with healthy skin,” Holton says. In creating the look above, she begins by washing model Molly’s face with Lancôme Mousse Confort, a cream-based cleanser. She follows it up with Evian Mineral Water Spray to prime Molly’s skin for hydration, then applies La Mer Moisturizing Lotion.

Kiss and makeup

To create this icy, peachy look, Holton evens out Molly’s skin tone with Chanel’s Vitalumiére Aqua, a lightweight, sheer foundation. “It has light-reflecting properties, so it leaves the skin glowing while hiding imperfections at the same time,” she says. Next Holton uses MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (in Lightscapade) to add subtle highlights to Molly’s cheekbones and the bridge of her nose. For a fresh finishing touch, Holton sprays on a final coat of Evian Mineral Water Spray.

Other tips from the pros

Terri Bly, owner of The Nature of Beauty in Mendota Heights

“Cold weather will dry out skin, but so will alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, vitamin deficiencies and lack of proper hydration. Most of us don’t drink nearly enough water, yet it’s far and away the easiest—and cheapest—way to achieve a glowing, healthy complexion.”

Favorite Products:

+ Naturopathica Sweet Lupine Cleansing Cream, $38 “Foaming cleansers can over-strip and irritate the face, whereas this cream cleanser removes dirt, oil and makeup without stripping the skin of valuable oils.”

+ Clarisonic Mia, $149 “It’s the holy grail of…well, of everything, really. It will leave your skin looking and feeling cleaner, smoother and brighter, without any chemicals at all.”

+ Keys Eye Butter, $19.95 “You know those days when it’s so cold your eyes tear up, leaving raw, dry patches at the corners of your eyes? This cream will heal that right up, while preventing it from happening again.”

Barbara Jones, owner of Aurora Spa in Uptown

“Dry winter air pulls moisture from the skin. Hydrate the air by adding a humidifier to your home or office or by setting out bowls of water. Avoid overly long hot showers and baths, as they’ll dehydrate your skin even more. Taking hyaluronic acid supplements and essential fatty acids, especially Omega 7, will help hydrate the skin from the inside out.”

Favorite Products:

+ Pevonia Age-Defying Marine Collagen Serum, $66.50 and Cream, $73. “The collagen molecule in the serum is shrunken down for easy penetration, but left whole in the cream so it sits on top of the skin, forming a seal. Your skin ends up retaining 10 times more moisture.”

+ Cuccio Naturale Lyte Ultra Sheer Body Butter, $11. “It’s rich in oils, vitamins and antioxidants, so not only does it hydrate and protect, but it’s also anti-aging!”

Julie Boosalis, manager at Cosbar in Edina

“For wintertime, we need to protect and repair our skin. This means applying sunscreen; even in winter we need daily sun protection. Additionally, cleansing and exfoliating are great ways to allow moisturizers to penetrate your skin and keep it free of build-up. But avoid over-exfoliating during this time of year, and consider adding a serum underneath your moisturizer for extra hydration.”

Favorite Products:

+ La Mer Hydrating Infusion, $95 “This serum/gel-like formula saturates the skin with hydration. It works underneath any brand of moisturizer and is great for reducing signs of aging. It’s a great boost for all skin types during winter!”

+ Chanel UV Essentiel Daily UV Sunscreen SPF50, $52 “Great sun protection! This oil-free formula works wonderfully under makeup as a primer. It’s lightweight with no white streaks. Men love it, too!”

R&R for your skin

Still, there’s only so much you can do at home—oftentimes the best solution for dry, lifeless skin lies in the happiest place on Earth: the spa. Ivy Spa Club has just introduced a new body treatment called the Hanakasumi (try saying that five times fast), which was specially created to soothe parched skin. The 100-minute, $165 procedure begins with a relaxing massage using an exfoliating cherry blossom and rice powder cream. The esthetician then massages your body again wearing exfoliating gloves to slough off dead skin. Next, she makes a pit stop at your feet for some reflexology-based massage, followed by a 50-minute, body-melting shea butter massage. If you like your muscles rubbed into oblivion and your skin softened into pudding, this is the treatment for you. 201 11th St. S., 2nd floor, Mpls.; 612.343.3131; ivyspaclub.com