After days and days of over indulgence, my skin tells the whole sorted story of too many Christmas cookies and that one last piece of pie. My complexion is greasy, dull and as lifeless as I feel after a season of marathon eating. The solution? An exfoliating mask that also hydrates! I get the benefits of scrubbing away impurities and being able to fill out any wrinkles. And for me, that's the best Christmas present. The Laura Mercier Deep Cleansing Clay Mask is made with clay and absorbs oils, deep cleans with the help of some arnica and olive extracts, and gently exfoliates. Fa la la la la la la la la!

So you want to get rid of the dry, flaky top layer of your winter time skin. But what you don’t want is the irritation that many body scrubs cause after use.

What product delivers that?

Yves Rocher’s Apricot Botanical scrub, made with naturally exfoliating kernel powder, is a gentle scrub that comes in a gel like consistency. Work it over your body using circular motions and all the dead skin will gently clear away without making your skin itchy or sensitive. The saro essential oil purifies and the Mexican agave sap from organically grown ingredients moisturizes leaving your entire body feeling smooth and silky. Plus the invigorating scent will help you jump start your morning.

Ahhh…

There's something about this time of year that makes beauty involved women live perilously close to the edge of "too much". Glitter, sparkles, red and gold all signal celebration and so why not embrace them all. Except for the fact that together they signal "I've lost my mind down the rabbit hole that is Christmas excess". To dial it back in style, I rely on a navy mascara, rather than the drama of a "very, very black". Subtle, sultry, seasonal! My fave? Yves Rocher Couleurs Nature Extra-Volume Mascara in Blue. Not 1980s blue, but 2010 sophisticated, feet firmly planted, navy. Happy Holidays!

In the industry, it's understood that beauty editors don't wear makeup — or at least not alot of it. A lipstick/gloss, concealer and maybe mascara, but the idea that we spend hours getting ready in the morning applying everything from primer to powder, is ridiculous. We simply don't have time... and we know you don't either. But what we never skip is taking care of our skin. My favourite product? SKII Facial Treatment Masks. Cheap? Not a chance! Worth it? Every penny! Ten treatments come in a box and if you average out the cost over the 10 treatments,  it's far less than a facial. The treatments are essentially paper masks soaked in the magic that is SKII. Do like the pros and start with a perfect palette!

Canadian winters have no mercy on my complexion. Every December, my skin transforms from  dewy, and sun-kissed, to dry and pale, with unfortunate grey undertones. In this state, illuminators become an absolute necessity.

Unlike blushes, most illuminators will have a soft, pink colour, with a hint of shimmer – the perfect antidote to grey undertones in a winter season complexion. This year, my illuminator of choice is Dior’s Shimmer Star in Rose Diamond. I love that the palette comes with three shades in one. The darkest shade should be applied just underneath the apple of your cheeks, the middle shade on the fullest part of the cheek, followed by the highlighter to accentuate the top of the cheekbone. The Jewelled Microdust in the powder brings the perfect amount of shimmer to the product, without creating an obnoxious sparkle effect. The product applies seamlessly for a perfect, luminous glow.

I, like every other woman I know, dread the requisite hair removal. Either it's a hassle, time consuming, or a downright pain, literally. And, I like almost every other woman I know, tend to let things slide a little in the winter months. But even though it's one of my least favourite grooming activities, nothing makes me feel more put together than the feeling of stockings pulled on over freshly shaved legs. Which is why the Venus Spa Breeze is my tool of choice. It's a two-in-one razor and shaving gel bar which shaves time off my... shave, and leaves my legs ready for any weather.

If you’re looking for a rich, moisturizing cream that doesn’t feel greasy on your skin, look no further.

The Body Shop’s Carrot Moisture Cream is the perfect rescue for your skin during the cold, dry Canadian winters. Made with Community Trade beeswax, carrot oil and sweet almond oil, this softly scented cream goes on thick, but absorbs quickly leaving your skin feeling soft and supple. It works for all skin types (really!) and is available at a modest price of only $6.

The best part…it doesn’t actually smell like carrots!

Beauté Weightless Lip Crème in Masochist

Early last year, I developed a little obsession with the thought of fiery-red lips. Nothing says romance and sophistication like an unexpected flash of this sensuous colour.  I was on the hunt for a lipstick for months before discovering my perfect hue came in lip-gloss form: Beauté Cosmetics' Masochist. 

Actually, calling this product a lip gloss is a bit of a misnomer. The crème applies like a gloss but provides a matte finish that is never thick or sticky. If you usually shy away from lipstick as I do, this weightless crème is the perfect compromise.  The product is very hydrating, a breeze to apply, and the Helmut Newton red shade is guranteed to turn heads in any soirée. The best part? Beauté Weightless Lip Crème is Canadian and 100% paraben free. 

Beauté is a celebrity best-kept secret so retail availability is a bit scarce. If you order in December, however, you can get 20% off from their website through the Facebook page.

If you’re looking for a facial soap that will thoroughly clean your skin without stripping it of its protective lipids, this is what you need to get.

Clinique’s famous dermatologist-developed Liquid Facial Soap is a fragrance free product that gently cleans, removing impurities but leaving behind all the necessary moisture your skin needs to face the harsh weather. Just one little pump worked together with a little water creates enough foam to wash the entire face and neck. After rinsing, the skin feels pure, soft and ready for step 2 in your skin care regimen. Custom-fit to skin type in Very Dry to Dry, Dry Combination and Combination Oily/Oily skin formulas, the product is perfect for every girl.

It's easy to forget when it's minus a million outside and mittens are a must, but it's likely that this holiday party season will see your toes exposed. Strappy heels and open toed wedges flood the dance floors and cocktail lounges, and despite what you wish for, no single pedicure will restore your feet to their summer glory. Help your feet put their best face forward no matter the season with some at home TLC. Kiss my Face Peppermint Foot Scrub has everything you need to show your tootsies you care with natural pumice, walnut shells and peppermint essential oil. And when you finally make it for some professional help, you're feet will be ahead of the game!