When it comes to my winter beauty routine, my main priority is to keep my skin hydrated against the harsh Kingston winter. For the wintertime, I look for products that will moisturize my face and last the entire school day.

Many of these products can be found at the nearby Shoppers Drug Mart and at Sephora, either at the Cataraqui Town Centre location or online (www.sephora.com). These products are gentle enough to use daily and are essential to keep in your everyday makeup bag this snowy season.

1. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, $56 — Sephora:
Foundation or tinted moisturizer is a great investment item for any makeup bag. I like to splurge a little more because the higher-end brands tend to match my skin tone better and are also gentler. Tinted moisturizer goes all over your face, so it’s best to find a higher-quality product that you know won’t cause a break-out. I recently visited the Sephora in Kingston and had a wonderful shopping experience, thanks to the friendly and informative staff.

2. Nars The Multiple, $46 — Sephora:
For those who suffer from dry skin, a cream blush is a great way to add colour to your cheeks without drying them out. This product lasts a long time, making it well worth the price. The colour is very pigmented, but easy to blend. It’s also multi-purpose and can even be used on your lips for some extra colour. For a shimmery pink, try their infamous shade, “Orgasm”.

3. Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, $3.99 — Shoppers Drug Mart:
This is a staple in my makeup bag all year round, but comes in extra handy during the winter. Keeping your lips moisturized is even more important during the cold season, and I love Burt’s Bees’ natural and non-greasy formula. Best of all, they’re cheap enough to stock up on so you can stash them in your purse, backpack or coat pocket.

4. The Body Shop Body Butter, $20 — The Body Shop:
Body butters feel so luxurious on your skin and The Body Shop’s products come in a variety of delicious scents. The formula is natural and non-greasy, and is one of the only scented products I’m able to use without getting irritated. Since I have sensitive skin, most perfumed creams cause me to break out. The scent will linger on your body so you can skip the perfume, yet it’s subtle enough to not feel overpowering. I love to put this on before I go to bed to keep me moisturized for the next day.

5. Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Dry Styling Oil, $10 — Shoppers Drug Mart:
Winter conditions can have a huge effect on hair, especially those with dyed or processed locks. I tend to find more dryness and split ends in mine during the colder months, but using a hair oil keeps it much more hydrated and silky. This is a newfound favourite that I just discovered at the drugstore and leaves hair shiny and soft. Best of all, it doesn’t leave a trace of residue and can be used on damp or dry hair.

All of these products are extremely accessible and can be found in Kingston locations. Another perk is that most of these products last a really long time, so you don’t have to worry about trudging through the snow to re-stock.