Lusts of the Week

Happy hump day, fellow beauty chicks! I am totally not happy about the dropping temperatures ... I'm just in denial over the fact that winter is upon us. I know it's December, but come on -- I still want to wear my new Juicy Couture plaid wool peacoat! Ah well ... I guess I'll have time for it next year. In any case, my skin has become quite ravaged by the falling temps -- which means it's time to break out the big guns in terms of products that will soften it back up ASAP! Here are the ones that have been doing the job admirably.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser ($24.50 at birchbox.com): I admit, at first glance I wasn't really sure this would work. Come on -- a cream that's wiped off with a muslin cloth that's supposed to make your skin brighter, lighter and all around smoother? But I stand corrected. Each time I use it, my skin feels seriously clean and refreshed literally within seconds. It removes every bit of grime amassed throughout the day, and it even helps to reduce unsightly blemishes! I've definitely noticed an amazing difference just in the last couple of weeks -- I honestly can't imagine living without it now. And I love using the muslin cloths to wipe off the cream, which has a very light texture that doesn't feel at all irritating -- they somehow just make it feel like a chic spa experience.

QTICA Intense Hand Rejuvenating Peel ($25 at artofbeauty.com): My biggest complaint about winter? The horrible chapping I experience with my hands. Even as the temperatures drop from 60 to 50, my digits are already so dry and cracked that I'm forced to apply lotion multiple times a day. But I've discovered a true miracle worker that has become a mainstay in my daily routine. This peel feels like a thick lotion, but as you massage it into the skin it becomes almost like a thick paste that slightly resembles paraffin. And it works quickly -- within only about 30 seconds, it literally transforms the skin from parched and dry to soft, smooth and richly moisturized. I've been using it right before bed, and I have to say I'm completely and totally head over heels for it!

Aromatherapy Associates Enrich Body Scrub ($59 at beautyhabit.com): Yes, this is way more than I would normally spend on a scrub. But the fact that it's taken my ashy arms and legs from drab to fab in a matter of days is enough for me to say it's worth every penny. It's seriously invigorating, and the consistency is rich without being greasy. Ingredients like sweet almond oil and salt help to scrub and slough away each and every dead skin cell while keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. What's left after only a dime-sized amount is rubbed into the skin is a veritable puddle of supple goodness. I just can't say enough good things about it!