 As
what's left of summer fades away
it's a good time of year to checkout
your skins condition before you
hide it away under woolly jumpers
and socks.
Although we didn't exactly get the
summer we were promised (again!)
the warmer dryer weather really
can dehydrate the skin, along with
too much exposure to the sun, air
conditioning etc.
So early autumn is a great time
to give the skin an extra boost
to see it through the long winter
months ahead.
Exfoliation is key to achieving
smooth skin, getting rid of those
dry, flaky patches and possible
build up of fan tan. Little and
often is the key and most products
can just be incorporated into your
usual bathing routine and needn't
be a hassle. Although skin sheds
naturally when we are young, the
cells become much more stubborn
over the age of 30 and need a little
help to slough off revealing fresh,
new cells underneath. 
At
this time of year feet have usually
taken a pounding from wearing
sandals and exposure to elements,
so it's particularly important
to treat any rough, dry or cracked
skin, especially around the heels
before we get back into our boots.
Elbows and knees are usually particularly
dry just now so treat them to
a little extra pampering just
now.
On a very dry skin like mine, although
I use a good quality body lotion
every day, I find its not enough
on its own so I like to mix a couple
of drops of oil with each palmful
of body lotion. I usually use Decleors
aromessence as I find it exceptionally
moisturizing without leaving any
greasy residue, but a few drops
of olive oil or almond oil will
work just as well. I use this mixture
at night before bed and find that
my skin is wonderfully hydrated
by morning and feels beautifully
soft all day.
 Backs
of hands too can be really dry due
to constant sun exposure in summer,
and dry, crepe hands are really
ageing so a good quality hand cream
is essential.
Actually although I don't like anti-ageing
products on my face, I do use an
anti-ageing cream on my hands instead
of hand cream several nights a week
before bed. If you are a 'fake tanner'
then its extra important to keep
the skin looking its best with plenty
of moisturisation - it will help
to accentuate your tan too. |
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I
do enjoy summer, but I
must admit I'm always far more
excited to see the new fashion
ranges appear in autumn to any
other time of year.
I really love textiles and just
find there is more scope with
winter clothing - all the wooly
jumpers, scarves, boots, hats
etc there just so much more to
choose from.
Let's face it, in summer we're
trying to keep cool by wearing
as little as possible, but in
winter you can just pile it all
on! I love the feel of soft fleeces,
angora and baby soft yarn next
to my skin - crisp cotton just
doesn't do it for me. And there's
something really satisfying in
slipping your feet into sheepskin
lined boots or cuddling up in
the evening in a gorgeous soft,
fleecy dressing gown.
Coming home from the office and
changing into a velour lounge
suit or walking the dog in soft
needle cord jeans and a chunky
roll neck - all of this is bliss
to me. And socks! I'm an absolute
sock-nutter and can't wait for
the weather to turn to put them
on, somehow sandals and bare feet
are just not the same.
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I
have to confess to already
buying some in the heat
of summer, gorgeous pink
fluffy ones, to put away
for the chilly weather and
I'm sadly quite excited
at the though of wearing
them. And during the one
really hot week that we
had last month, I did actually
buy some fabulous wool to
knit a chunky scarf, although
it'll probably taken me
three years to make it!
I've got my eye on a terrifically
'arty' cardigan though that
some other clever person
has made, with fringes and
tassels and pom-poms, all
soft cuddly and Bohemian.
I've saved up my pennies
for a new pair of Emu boots
- the old ones were complaining
of overwork - and at the
first hint of chilly toes
I'll be wearing them.
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And I'm definitely having a poncho
this year! I couldn't find just
the right one last year and felt
very left out but I'm re-doubling
my efforts this year.
I also want one of those Russian
fur hats (fake, of course) and
a leopard print scarf and I'm
definitely getting the velvet
jack with ribbons on and the knitted
Bo-ho shopping bag!
See what I mean! Winter is not
all doom and gloom! Think of all
those lovely things to wear and
a nip in the air doesn't seem
too bad. Winter? Bring it on!
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