You know I really don’t mind cold weather that much. I whine a little when I’m cold but let’s get real, your makeup stays on better and your hair doesn’t lose it shape the second you walk out the door . . .things could be worse! I have two major complaints though.

A: I have to wear socks. I hate socks. Life has been a battle of me against that stupid little seam near your toes for the last 25 years.

B: You COULD start looking a little dull and lifeless if you aren’t careful.

Winter generally means that you wont be out in the sun much, you might be getting a little dry etc. etc. The easy answer to this is put on a butt load of makeup and call it a day. But what about when you’re just having an easy day, running errands and stuff, but you still want to ward off that dull winter skin? Most people don’t want to put on a full face for that, so here are a few little things you can do to look a little more vibrant in the dreary winter months, even on a lazy day.

Let’s start from the inside out.

1. Stay hydrated: I don’t know about you but when it’s chilly the last thing I want to do is suck down a bottle of water. But when it’s cold and dry that’s extra important for your skin, so what to do? Well as long as your drink is not caffeinated it will help keep you hydrated, so try taking a travel mug of warm herbal tea! It works, trust. The special bonus is if you choose a tasty tea it helps curb sugar cravings. The downside is a few extra trips to the potty.

2. Eat Healthy & Work Out: This is what you should do all the time, duh. But what people don’t realize is how it helps you look healthy and vibrant! Beauty should be a reflection of health and happiness, really . . .so it makes sense! Plus you will feel more confident and confidence is never dull.

Now let’s talk outside.

3. Don’t stop Exfoliating: Ever. Kidding . . .sorta. But definitely exfoliate in the winter. The wind and cold can leave you with a layer of dead skin cells, which are like the ROOT of all dullness. Seriously, buff those suckers off, now. Aside from using my Clarisonic daily, I also like to add a scrub. Right now I’m in love with Kate Somerville: ExfoliKate. It’s a little pricey, but a little goes a long way. I only had a deluxe sample and I got five or six uses out of it.

4. Slather on the Moisturizer: This is a no brainer, but now isn’t the time to forget about it. I have been all about the Michael Todd Citrus Cream Moisturizer for a while now. Keeps me nice a plump.

5. Consider Your Hair Color: This may not apply to very light blondes (at least in my mind) but generally speaking it’s a good idea to go a shade or two darker in the winter months. The light color that looks like sexual magic in the summer when you are tan can be responsible for washing you out when you aren’t. You don’t have to do anything extreme, just a a little darker. For example:

I don’t look like a different person or anything. It’s just a little darker and richer to compensate for my pasty face.

6. Don’t Ditch the Bronzer: Just take it down a notch. Choose a shade just a tiny bit darker than your skin tone, and dust it on with a very light hand. This will get rid of that “haven’t seen the sun in a decade” look and give the impression that maybe you did see the sun, but it was just like last week, and only for a few minutes. I’ve been using the Hourglass Ambient lighting powder in “Radiant Light” which would work well if you’re like me and have very pale skin. But use your judgement and go just a shade or so darker than you are.

7. Cream Blush: It just has a way of giving a “lit from within” look. My all time favorite is Tarte Cheek Stain. It lasts all day and it gives a beautiful, healthy, plump look to the cheeks. My favorite shade is “Loving” but they’re all really nice, it just depends on your skin tone.

8. Tinted Lip Balm: So the idea here is not to solve the problem by putting on a ton of makeup, right? So lipstick is out, because that just looks all sorts of gussied up. Try reaching for a tinted lip balm, in a nice pink or berry shade. It will add a touch of color without looking over done, and it will also keep your lips moist and protected from the elements. My fave is the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose, but if you’re on a budget, or just a sane person who won’t spend 20 bucks on a lip balm you can grab a Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in any one of the various pink-ish shades, or a Maybelline Color Whisper in “Rose of Attraction” for much less and it will have a similar effect.

Here I am in the Target Parking lot today, employing all of the tips I just gave you. Does anyone else find that the car has the best lighting, like of all time? What is that? Sorcery. Anyway, I did all the things I described above before I left, and I’m not ready to head to a night club but I do look like I’m alive and kicking! The chilly weather won’t get me down, nuh uh!