Cold weather can be detrimental to your skin and hair. The dry, wet and bitter weather we experience here in Cincinnati can easily replace that beautiful summer glow you once had with not-so-desirable dry, itchy and chapped skin accompanied by dry static-filled hair.

With that said, here are a few tips to keep your skin and hair both in tip-top shape during these cold winter months:

Don’t forget the sunscreen.

Even on the coldest and cloudiest days, the sun can still be damaging to your skin because the UVA rays can actually radiate through those thick ominous clouds. And, UVA rays are known to be one of the most damaging things in the environment for your skin. However, applying a little sunscreen can aid in protecting that beautiful face of yours!So despite the cold weather, continue to use a light moisturizer that contains an SPF.

Wash your face!

We have all had those days where you don’t wear any makeup, thinking you probably can skip washing your face that day. But oil and dirt will still be there, which can cause you to break out. Just make sure after you wash you face, you again, use a moisturizer than contains some sort of SPF.

Use Skin Care Products.

They don’t have to be expensive, because after all, you’ve probably spent your limit on holiday gifts and everything else that goes along with the season. Look for active ingredients such as collagen to firm and oil and Vitamin C to refresh.

Avoid Tanning Beds.

If you are looking to add a little color to your skin, consider using a spray tan or a bronzing lotion. They have really advanced over the years, allowing you to get more of a sun kissed look instead of an orange glow. While tanning beds will definitely do the trick, they are not the best option for skin that is already dry.

Change up your Moisturizer.

I know, I keep mentioning moisturizers! But while a certain moisturizer may work perfectly for you in the spring and summer months, it may not be as effective in the winter. As weather conditions change, so should your moisturizer. Using an oil based moisturizer over a water based one works better in winter because the oil creates a protective layer on the skin that retains more moisture than a cream or lotion. Many lotions labeled as “night creams” are often oil based.

As for your hair, well I don’t know about you, but mine seems to be a lot dryer in the winter, which can be expected. But going to the salon every week to get deep conditioning treatments can become both time consuming and costly.

Here are three recipes for creating your own hair treatments at home with very minimal ingredients that can help add moisture and shine to even the most static and distressed locks:

Mayonnaise Wrap Hair Mask Recipe

Apply 1/2 cup of mayo to your dry hair. Work into your hair really well either massaging it in with your fingers or using a large-tooth comb. Cover your head with a plastic grocery bag and let it set for about 15 minutes. Shampoo afterwards.

Avocado Mix Hair Mask Recipe

Mix together one small jar of mayonnaise and a half of an avocado. Smooth onto hair making sure to pay special attention to the ends. Again use a plastic grocery bag or shower cap and allow the mix to set for about 15 minutes. Shampoo afterwards.

Olive Oil Hair Treatment

Now this one I’ve tried and have used it more than once. There were multiple recipes I’ve found but I opted to go with the easiest. I warmed 1/2 cup of olive oil in the microwave for 20 seconds. After running warm water through my hair, I then applied the olive oil, then a plastic grocery bag and let it set for about 15 minutes before shampooing. My hair felt awesome after this treatment and still did a week later.

These are just a few things you can do to help take care of your skin and hair during the winter months. Also doing things such as wearing gloves and avoiding wet skin in the cold can really make a huge difference and keep you looking beautiful despite the not so beautiful weather.

Also, if you tuned into “One Chic Mother to Another”, here are the websites Holly and I discussed where you can sign up to receive boxes of skin care samples and beauty products. Subscriptions run from $10 to $21.

Birchbox.com
Glossybox.com

Looking for some tasty chic cocktails to share this holiday season? Here are five drinks that you can indulge in with style — plus the recipes to mix your own!

These drinks not only look fabulous, but I’m sure they taste just as good. All credit goes to the website www.singlemindedwoman.com.

The Spicy Gingerman Cocktail

Every woman needs a spicy man to heat up her holiday season. Try this one:

Ingredients:

1 oz Vodka (preferably vanilla flavored but you can always add vanilla flavoring to regular vodka)
1 oz Hazelnut liqueur
1/2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps
2 oz Ginger Beer

Cinnamon stick

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake over ice. Pour over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with Cinnamon stick.

[Recipe & Image Source is from here]

The Reindeer Tracks Cocktail

Rudolph’s nose won’t the only one shining bright after one of these frosty martinis. Ha!

Ingredients:

2 oz Chocolate Vodka or Plain Vodka with Chocolate Flavoring
1 oz Hazelnut Liqueur
1/2 oz Crème de Cacao
Splash of Cream

2 Chocolate cookie wafers

Directions:

Rim a martini glass with crushed up chocolate cookie crumbs and set aside. Shake Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, hazelnut liqueur, Crème de Cacao and cream over ice and pour into the martini glass. Dust top with more chocolate cookie crumbs.

[Recipe & Image Source is from here]

The Spiced Caramel Apple Martini

The Appletini created quite a stir when it was first introduced, but Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice, put her twist on the apple martini with a little holiday cheer:

Ingredients:

2 oz Ginger liqueur

1 oz Caramel Vodka or regular Vodka with Caramel flavoring

2-1/2 oz Apple Cider

1 dash Lemon Juice

Directions:

Rim martini glass with agave syrup and crumbled gingersnap cookies at set aside. Add liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into martini glass.

[Recipe & Image Source is from here]

The Candy Cane Lane Cocktail

Take a stroll candy cane lane with this minty cocktail:

Ingredients:

2 1-2 oz Vodka

1 oz White crème de menthe

1/2 oz Peppermint schnapps

Cream

Splash of Grenadine

Peppermint candy for garnish

Directions:

Add a dash of grenadine into the bottom of a chilled martini glass and set aside. Pour the rest of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into the glass with grenadine to create a “swirl” effect. Garnish with peppermint candy.

[Recipe & Image Source is from here]

The Berry Merry Xmas Cocktail

Embrace your guilty pleasures with this berry-infused cocktail. My favorite kind.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 oz Pomegranate Flavored Vodka
1/2 oz Triple Sec
1/2 oz Peach Schnapps
1 oz Cranberry Juice
1 oz Club Soda

Directions:

Add all ingredients into a shaker and shake over ice. Pour into a martini glass or on the rocks.

[Recipe & Image Source is from here]

Just remember to enjoy these beverages responsibly!

What do you do when you are desperately wanting a pair of glittery heels for the holidays and then come across a pair of heels in your closet that have seen better days? Just add glitter!

This DIY project was just too much fun and really simple with great results.

Here is what you’ll need:

An old pair of heels or shoes you want to turn sparkly. I had these BCBG shoes that I adored but overtime became all scuffed. I was to the point where I was either going to donate them or experiment and of course, chose the second option.

Fine Glitter ( I purchased 3 colors at Michael’s for $1.29 each)

Mod Podge ( I used the matte)

Paint Brush

Directions:

1. Mix your glitter into a bowl with the Mod Podge, adding more glitter than Mod Podge to the mix. You want to create a paste.

2. Using a flat paintbrush, start applying the mixture to the shoes. For the front part of the shoes, I used brown and gold glitter mixed together. For the back, I used black.

3. Allow the first coat to dry and then apply a second coat if needed. The true color of the glitter won’t really show until the shoes are completely dry as the Mod Podge is white and will dry clear, similar to Elmer’s School Glue. (See the bottom left picture above compared to the bottom right). Also see picture below:

I tried this project out several ways and I found the best way to apply the glitter to the shoes is to first mix the glitter with the Mod Podge. It seals in the glitter on so you don’t leave a sparkling trail behind everywhere you go.

And here are my “new” holiday shoes:

I’m super excited to wear these to some of the Christmas parties I have coming up!