FALL/WINTER 2017 TRANSITIONING TIPS ~ YOUR BEST BET

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As I write this, the weather is finally getting cooler with lower levels of humidity; both are a welcome relief, although last week brought temps typical to July, which was definitely unseasonable.  I’m sure there will be a few more last gasps of summer over the next few weeks, but for now, I’ll revel in this slight seasonal break from the warmer temps and focus on what’s to come.  

My previous editions of "Seasonal Transitioning Tips"have always been based on my my expertise as an industry insider.  These expert tips have also taken the reader from winter to spring/summer, or from summer to fall/winter.  

Whenever a season transitioned into the next, such as summer to fall/winter, I've always emphasized the need to be mindful of the importance of adapting and changing to virtually every aspect of our daily lives that correlates to the new season.  What worked during one season, like summer, generally doesn’t necessarily work in the next one, like fall/winter.  Routines and regimens generally need to be altered and changed, including the types of products utilized in those routines and regimens.  The following transitional tips will hopefully guide you to changing some of the aspects of your day-to-day regimens and routines that might require some seasonal tweaking.

~ TIPS FOR SKIN, HAIR, AND MAKEUP ~

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#1 Climatological changes, including cooler and drier temps both indoor and outdoor, consider changing your skincare regimen to ramp up product efficacy.  What worked well in the warmer and more humid months will probably be inappropriate in the cooler and drier months.  

#2 Lighter weight lotions should give way to creams and butters. 

#3 Colder, drier air will dehydrate the skin.  Skin still requires periodic exfoliation with some type of moisturizing soaps or cleansers.  Skin needs to be moisturized and rehydrated to replenish depleted moisture levels and also to maintain a healthy mantel of skin.  Using serums is a great way to treat and hydrate the skin, and oils provide extraordinary hydration.

#4 Don’t over-exfoliate the skin; when skin is dry and aggressive exfoliation is done, it can harm the delicate tissue and irritate it.  Make sure to use serums and don’t discount the wonders of face oils (e.g. olive, almond, coconut, palm, jojoba, Argan, Marula, shea, cocoa, etc.). 

#5 Continue using an SPF product to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.

#6 Adjust your hair care regimen and the products used.  Since the air is dryer and less humid, it’s important to nurture your hair with the proper shampoos, conditioners and restorative masks to avoid damaging and drying out the scalp, hair follicle and hair shaft.  Consider giving yourself a regular hot oil treatment to bathe hair with restorative hydration.

#7 Change your color palette, whether that’s in your makeup colors, or the colors of your wardrobe pieces.  Think warmer, deeper, richer colors and hues.  Speaking of wardrobing changes, lighter weight cotton, linen or gauzy material should be replaced with warmer wool, silk blends and heavier cotton and linen fabrics to keep the body heat in as an insulator from the cold.  Vibrant colors for fabrics to suit the season are always a fashion-must.  

#8 Pale and lighter may have been great for the summer months to deflect the harsh rays of summer sun, however, an earthy color palette of burnished and vibrantly intense colors of fall, are more suitable for this time of year.  Remember that warmer equals lighter, and colder equals darker.

#9 A perennial fashion trend is red lipstick, which adds a vibrant pop of color to the face.  Every skin tone looks good wearing red lipstick, but make sure it’s in the correct family of red to complement your skin tone ~ blue-red or orange-red, with varying hues in each family.

#10 For fragrance, use a more intense scent that isn't cloying, but is warming.  Remember that lighter, greener, crisper, or floral scents work best in spring or summer.  Fall and winter calls for bolder, statement scents.

~ TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING AND LIFESTYLE ~

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#1 Summer dining generally equates to lighter food fare, like salads, seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbal iced teas, iced fruit infused waters, etc.  These were ideal for summer, because they were less taxing on the digestive system, and also kept a person cool. 

#2 The colder months of fall and winter call for heartier foods like hot cereals, stews, soups, casseroles and the like; all are ideal for those colder months.  These foods are nutritious, but also warming.  Consider adding more dried fruits and nuts to your diet and try making your own granola. 

#3 Consider frozen fruits and vegetables, which are quick frozen right after harvesting, preserving more of the nutrient value; they’re a nice reminder of the fresher seasonal produce during the warmer summer months.

#4 Seasonal constants are also synonymous with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  This includes sufficient amounts of water for hydration, sufficient sleep for rest and recuperation, physical exercise for strength and agility, and proper nutrition to stave off illness. 

~ TIPS FOR WELL BEING ~

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#1 Consider gathering up dried twigs, branches, leaves, etc. and try your hand at creating an arrangement for a seasonal tablescape, or place your gatherings in a large basket and display by your entryway.

#2 If the colder weather and shorter days are giving you cabin fever, be sure to keep the spring and summer indoor with live plants and flowers. 

#3 Take outdoor walks to shake the “blues” away and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you; there is beauty in the changing of all-things nature.  Communing with nature (aka forest bathing) is good for the psyche and soul.

#4 Don’t forget to open your windows every so often just to let some fresh air inside.

~ LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST ~

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Consider making lists of warm weather tasks and cold weather tasks.  These can include goals in skincare and body care regimens, meal planning, wardrobe, fitness routines, etc.; review each list and streamline, or adjust accordingly for your next seasonal transitioning.

Every season brings a fresh start and new beginning.  It’s up to each individual to seek what works best for them and what will enhance and enrich their daily lives.  The circle of life is also the circle of seasons.  Embrace the changes and challenges with optimism and joy. 

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Recipient of the 2017 Feedspot’s “Top 40 Spa Blogs and Websites By Spa Professionals”

TERRY HERMAN is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In the 1990s, she authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two copyright registrations on her authored work.  Consumer and trade publications have also interviewed her as an expert.  She also conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of creating an at-home spa, interior design, music, stress and time management.  Her work has been published extensively in print and digital in both consumer and trade publications.  In addition to writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also served on the International Advisory Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the Advisory Board was comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also served each of the Five Pillars Task Force groups for the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council (APSWC).  She has been a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz, and is currently an Administrator for three Facebook Groups, Wild Food Society, Spa College, and North Shore Opera Hour.  Awards have included Feedspot’s 2017 "Top 40 Spa Blogs and Websites By Spa Professionals", and first prize for Rockford CVB Travel Media Showcase article, “Sensory Connect”.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

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