If you are like me, the drier and colder weather is already starting to take a toll on your skin in the form of dryness. If left unchecked, dry skin can become flaky, itchy and irritated with tiny cracks that allow even further drying of skin or irritation by everyday chemicals. It’s time to do something naturally good for your extra dry skin before the damage occurs.

The healing power of oatmeal soaks for dry skin has been known for over 400 years. AVEENO takes natural colloidal oatmeal and combines it with rich emollients to cleanse, soothe and moisturize. The oatmeal relieves the itch of dry skin and leaves behind a protective barrier to keep moisture in.

I recommend AVEEN0 Soothing Relief Bath Treatment or Skin Relief Body Wash to relieve dry skin and keep it healthy and moisturized all winter along.

Buy AVEENO Soothing Relief Bath Treatment at your Beauty Store.

I wrote a while back about my experiece with a trial sample of Olay Definity. At that time I wasn’t very complimentary, I had not seen results and that was what I was basing my review on.

Well, it’s a pretty good-sized sample and even after I used it for about a week and saw no results, I kept applying it here and there when my face felt dry or if I thought of it. Olay Definity does have a very nice scent and leaves your skin with an especially silky feel. I figured, at least its a good moisturizer.

It was about two days ago I noticed something subtle. My face did seem brighter. I might not go so far as to say “luminous” but then I am not given to exaggeration. So, let’s say I noticed a brightening and maybe a clarity I hadn’t seen before. That spurred me to do a few more ample applications from the last of the sample.

So, I returned to my co-worker Shawn and asked if she noticed anything and this time she agreed there was a change. She still doesn’t want her Olay Definity Mousse and this time I took her up on her offer to give it to me (my sample now being spent).

So, when I am wrong, I admit it. I still think it took far too long for me to notice results. It may be that others see results more quickly or that I am just impatient. In any case, I think if you have the patience to wait for it, you will see some changes in overall skin brightness and clarity as well as more even skin tone.

For most of us, the total of our hand care is some hand lotion rubbed in once or twice a day when we think of it, or worse, when our hands start to feel dry and itchy. If you wait too long, the skin will crack or be easily broken. The loveliest manicure won’t be enough to draw attention away from flaky dry knuckles and red, angry-looking skin.

The solution? Treat your hands once or twice a week to a total skin treatment. First wet your hands and use your favorite body scrub to exfoliate. Rinse and wash hands with a mild lotion cleanser - borrow your facial cleanser for this purpose; facial cleansers are gentle and moisturizing. Then follow with a protective hand lotion, one that forms a moisture barrier. Your hands will be soft, smooth and silky.

You will love the feeling so much, you will adopt this “facial” for your hands as part of your weekly routine skin care.

It’s time to light up the night with shimmer! Shimmer shadows, glosses and highlighting powders are “in” and a wonderful way to warm up cool days and sparkle all night long.

The best places to wear shimmer are eyelids, under the brow bone, ridge of the cheekbone and lips.

For eyes, Paula Dorf Eye Color Glimmer is translucent, sheer shimmer in colors and neutrals to wear as eyeshadow or as a highlight.

For lips there are dozens of great shimmer glosses. Revlon’s Skinlights Glosslights capture light with micro-crystals for a glimmery shine on your lips.

Light and neutral shades are perfect for daytime but don’t be afraid to be daring in the evening. Why not try Nivea’s Silky Shimmer Lotion? It moisturizes for silky, touchable skin and gives you an all-over radiant glow.