Brrr, it's cold out there! We're spending more time indoors this time of year snuggled up in warm blankets, sipping on hot cocoa and more. And during the winter months, we also might be making some changes to our beauty routines by using thicker creams, to taking longer warm showers and fully drying our strands. Well, adding warm beauty treatments to your routine can also help warm your bones and boost your looks. Here, the best winter beauty treatments that are heated and will leave you feeling pampered and looking pretty all in the comfort of your own home.
Why you should try warm beauty treatments
As mentioned above, warm beauty treatments will have you feeling cozy but there are beauty benefits to using heated or warmed treatments from masks to soaks and more. That's because a heating element opens pores when used on skin and softens hair's cuticle when used on hair. This allows the nourishing and reparative ingredients in these warm beauty treatments to sink into the skin and hair more deeply for the best results.
Want to get the benefits of warm, winter beauty treatments? Keep scrolling to see the ones that are heated and worth trying.
Warm beauty treatments: A hot oil treatment repairs brittle hair
To treat hair that looks and feels dry and perhaps even straw-like, look to argan oil. The warmed oil helps open the hair's cuticle, which allows the oil's fatty acids to sink into strands. This mends damage and restores moisture quickly.
Try it! Add 1 ½ Tbs. of argan oil, such as Hask Argan Oil Repairing Hair Oil (Target.com), to a heat-safe bowl and warm in the microwave for 15 seconds. Apply all over dry hair and cover with a shower cap. Let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.
Warm beauty treatments: A hot compress diminishes puffy eyes
Give tired eyes some much-needed TLC with a warm black tea compress. The warmth is relaxing, and the diuretic tannins in the tea help eliminate the excess fluids that accumulate under the eyes. Plus, the tea's caffeine constricts swollen blood vessels to further alleviate swelling and help diminish dark circles.
Try it! In a bowl, steep 2 black tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 minutes. Next, saturate a washcloth with the warm liquid, wring out the excess, and place over the eyes for 5 minutes; remove and rinse skin.
Warm beauty treatments: A facial steam brightens dull skin
Steaming the face improves circulation and blood flow to give skin a youthful glow. It also softens the outer layer of the skin to boost the effects and absorption of skin care applied post-steam.
Try it! In a large bowl, add 3 cups of boiling water and 3 drops of lavender essential oil to create a calming spa-like feeling. Hold your face 6" above the bowl, drape a towel over your head, and relax for 10 minutes.
Warm beauty treatments: A warm foot soak softens rough heels
Our feet can look worse for the wear after being cooped up in heavy boots and socks this time of year. But a hydrating foot soak infused with Epsom salts and coconut oil can help. Epsom salt has magnesium, a humectant that helps restore moisture to parched skin, while coconut's antioxidants repair cracked skin. The result? Feet are left baby-soft in no time.
Try it! Fill a basin with warm water, then add ¼ cup of Epsom salts and 2 Tbs. of liquid coconut oil. Soak feet for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
Bonus: Brighten skin with warm-toned makeup
Add even more warmth to your beauty routine by applying makeup in warm tones. Here, three shades that work on all skin tones to enhance, eyes, cheeks and lips. Tip: Since these colors are bolder hues, it's best to wear them on their own instead of together so pick the feature you'd like to stand out.
On the eyes: Metallic gold
Adding a touch of shimmer with gold eyeshadow, such as NYX Ultimate Glow Shots Eyeshadow in Glitzy Guava, makes the whites of eyes pop and gives skin a warm, gilded glow.
On the cheeks: Terracotta
Using an orange-bronze blush hue, such as Milani Baked Blush in Bellissimo Bronze, counteracts any sallowness, so skin looks brighter and warmer.
On the lips: Brick red
A red gloss, such as CoverGirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss Plumper in S-mitten With You, creates the illusion of a fuller pout and the rich hue adds warmth to the complexion.