About Gabrielle Johnson
When shopping finally becomes an Olympic event, editor Gabrielle Johnson is pretty sure she’ll take home the gold medal for Canada – after inquiring about the availability of other colours (lilac? chartreuse?) and politely requesting a discount. Every week, she shares a glimpse into what’s on her style radar.
Winning the Fight Against Dry Winter Skin
life/style t.o.: 5 moisturizing beauty products canada, Toronto
(Jan.11.12)
It happens like clockwork every winter. The moment the temperatures start to drop, my skin goes crazy and starts to rebel against me. Any kind of peace treaty we enjoy throughout the spring, summer and autumn months goes right out the window come December and January. Every day turns into a massive fight: Gabrielle vs. Dry Skin. And because moving to a warmer climate or spending the next few months locked inside a sauna aren't realistic options, all I can do is break out the heavy artillery. Here are five of my winter-skin beauty weapons:
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Any beauty editor — scratch that, any woman at all — can tell you that the hands reveal the first signs of aging.Well, my hands must be aging much faster than the rest of me is, because every winter they get dry, cracked and shrivelled. They look old. The only solution is to moisturize constantly, which is why I keep a tub of this amazing-smelling Body Shop hand butter at my desk. According to the label, it's meant for mature skin. I guess my hands are just precocious that way.
Wild Rose Nourishing Hand Butter, $18. Available at www.thebodyshop.ca
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In addition to avoiding super-hot showers in the winter (which is next to impossible, I know, because the water feels so good!), it's vitally important to use a great moisturizing shower gel. I love the entire Korres bath and body line, and I'm especially partial to the Japanese Rose Shower Gel (can you tell I have a thing for rose-based scents?).
Korres Japanese Rose Shower Gel, $22. Available at www.sephora.com
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I'm constantly on the hunt for the perfect body lotion, and this Boots No.7 body serum comes pretty close. It absorbs instantly and really does lend my skin a lovely glow, even throughout winter's darkest days. And the bonus? Its sweet scent is very faint, so I can layer it with the Korres shower gel and the Body Shop hand butter without creating a medley of clashing fragrances.
No.7 Protect & Perfect Intensively Moisturizing Body Serum, $29. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart
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This baby landed on my desk about a month ago and I've been using it faithfully ever since. It contains eight per cent shea butter, so it's incredibly moisturizing but actually feels light as air. I shy away from rich creams because I'm prone to breakouts, but those looking for something seriously heavy-duty should try the Ultra Rich Face Cream with 25 per cent shea butter.
L'Occitane en Provence Shea Ultra Gentle Moisturizer, $42. Available at www.ca.loccitane.com
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One of the yuckiest side effects of Canadian winters is suffering from dry, chapped lips, and I do everything I can to avoid that fate. My latest discovery is Rodial's Glam Balm Lip, a thick, pleasantly goopy gloss that keeps my lips hydrated for hours.
Rodial Glam Balm Lip, $30. Available at Murale and The Bay
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