I am a warm weather lover are you? The sun is stronger, the warmth is inviting us to get outside and emerge from under layers of winter clothing. Unfortunately your skin might still be feeling the effects of the cold harsh air. Here are a few beauty fixes (some you can even make at home) to get your skin glowing and ready to be seen:

1. Exfoliate

If you slacked on exfoliation during the winter, now is the time to start again. Twice a week add a gentle scrub to your facial routine to brighten and exfoliate your skin. For bodies, you can get a scrub, body polish or make your own at home. Pay attention to elbows, knees and ankles scrubbing in gentle circles. Lightly removing the dry surface layer makes our skin glow.

Homemade Sugar Scrub: Combine 1 teaspoon raw sugar with 1/2 teaspoon honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Mix ingredients well, adding more sugar for a thicker consistency. 

Here’s 2 I really like for face that are very gentle:

NYR Organic : Rehydrating Rose Facial Polish

Chagrin Valley- Coconut and honey facial sugar scrub

Best used twice a week. Smooth skin is YOURS when you use these.  I am just a wee bit addicted to that coconut and honey one. You have to smell it to see! 

2. Drench With Oils and Masks

Pamper your face and give it a beautiful glow with a facial mask, followed with a facial oil. If you don’t normally use oils, fear not. Most skin can handle oils and they provide excellent anti-oxidants for brightening as well as moisturizing. They also are great under your regular moisturizer to make it a power-hydrating duo! Try Chagrin Valley or Earthley for some great masks at affordable prices with great results!

Homemade : Banana Moisture Mask: Mash a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste. Mix with 1/4 cup plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons honey. Gently apply it to your face and neck. Let it set for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water

Read more about Neal’s Yard Remedies oils and serums here ( these are some of my favorites!)

3. Prime Time

If your face is looking pale, blotchy and not as smooth as you’d like, spring for a new primer for under your foundation. Primers offer an airbrushed appearance to skin, softening lines, adding a definite smoother, flattering look. They’re like the under garments with foundation being the clothes. Primers can help mattify oily skin, moisturize drier skin, even out skin tone and add a velvet-like base to your skin for applying foundation. Primers minimize pores and really give skin a wonderful silky appearance. Some are even tinted to add a slight rosy glow or conceal dark circles. I have even used  this Oil Free Hydrating Serum as a primer and it’s excellent! Find a good primer from Naked Poppy here

4. Foundation

On top of that primer, now is the time to adjust foundation to your current skin tone (the palest time of year for many women). Having two or three shades on hand will allow you to mix if and when your skin starts getting some color from the sun. Make sure you layer sunscreen under foundation, even if foundation has a built-in SPF, for added protection.

HYNT beauty is great for natural foundation and powder. or take the fantastic free beauty assessment at Naked Poppy here and get products that will match YOUR skin perfectly!

Spring is the perfect time to switch up your beauty routine and make sure you are glowing head to toe as we start showing more skin. Beautiful ,smooth, glowing skin is always the best thing you can wear, don’t ya think?