The winter has definitely arrived in Sweden. It has snowed several times and sub-zeros temperatures.
Now it's more important than ever to look after your hair and skin. The cold makes the skin dry out and I often find especially my hands so dry that I get cracks and sometimes often lead to my hands start bleeding.  Here are some of my favourite products in the winter to protect myself from the cold.

Vintern har definitivt anlänt till Sverige. det har snöat och det har varit minusgrader. Nu mer än någonsin är det viktigt att ta hand om ditt hår och din hud. Kylan gör att huden torkar ut och jag märker särskilt att mina händer är så torra att de ibland spricker. vilket kan leda till att de börjar blöda. Här är några av mina favorit produkter på vintern för att rädda mig från kylan. 

Lyonsleaf - body butter
It's important to use a rich body butter that moisturises the skin. What better than Lyonsleaf body butter. The best organic alternative of Palmers cocoa butter. It smells delicious and it melts on your body and absorbs into your skin. It contains shea butter, coconut and avocado. I fell in love with this body butter last winter and I just had to order myself another one as soon as winter was approaching.

Det är viktigt att använda en rik body butter som återfuktar huden. Vad kan vara bättre än Lyonsleaf body butter. Det bästa ekologiska alternativet till Palmers cocoa butter. Det luktar utsökt och det smälter på kroppen och absorberas in i huden. Det innehåller sheasmör, kokos och avokado. Jag upptäckte detta body butter förra vintern och jag var tvungen att beställa hem en ny så snart vintern började närma sig.

Herbfarmacy - Replenishing face cream
I knew right away from the first time I tried this face cream that this would be an essential part of my winter beauty routine. It's a moisturising and rich face cream with ingredients like marshmallow and damask rose. It's perfect for dry and ageing skin. The skin in my face always drying out in the winter so it's important to protect it.

Jag visste på en gång första gången jag provade denna ansiktskräm att den skulle bli en viktig del av min vinter skönhetsrutin. det är en återfuktande och rik ansiktskräm med ingredienser som marshmallow och damask ros. Det är pefekt för torr och åldrande hud. Huden i mitt ansikte torkar alltid ut på vintern så det är viktigt att skydda den. 

Hurraw - lip balm
It's also important to protect your lips from the cold and for that, I use Hurraw lip balms. I love that they have so many different flavours, so there's a balm for everyone.

Det är även viktigt att skydda läpparna från kylan och till det, använder jag Hurraw lip balm. Jag gillar att de har så många olika smaker, så det finns ett läppbalsam till alla.

Weleda - skin food
My hands definitely take the biggest beating from the cold. It makes it worse that I have my hands in water a lot because of my job. I need to make sure to protect them. For that, I use skin food. It's a cream for extra dry skin. It's rich and extremely moisturising and works miracles. It's great for any other areas that can get dry too.

Mina händer tar definitivt den största smällen från kylan. Det gör det värre av att jag har mina händer i vatten mycket med mitt jobb. Jag måste se till att jag skyddar dem. Till det, använder jag skinfood. det är en kräm för extra torr hud. den är rik och extremt återfuktande och gör mirakel. Den är bra för andra områden som också blir torra. 

John Masters - Lavender & Avocado intensive conditioner
Our hair doesn't like the cold either. It gets dry and static. It's important to switch to a more moisturising shampoo and conditioner. John Masters lavender and avocado is perfect for that extra hydration. You can leave it on for longer and it becomes a treatment.

Våra hår gillar inte kylan heller. Det blir torrt och statiskt. Det är viktigt att byta till ett mer återfuktande schampoo och balsam. John Masters lavendel och avokado är perfekt för den där extra fukten. Du kan låta den sitta längre så blir det en behandling. 

I hope this has helped you to prepare for this winter. 
what products do you use when it gets colder?

Jag hoppas att detta har hjälpt dig att förbereda inför vintern.
Vilka produkter använder du när det blir kallt?

REVIEW | BOTANICALS NOURISHING FACE BALM - rose and camellia

A perfect balm for the cold winter months when your skin needs a little extra TLC and hydration. 

My love affair with botanicals continues. A while back I reviewed Botanicals revitalising mask. Since then I've tried their face balm. Such a gorgeous, perfect and they work perfectly together. 

On the label:

"A deeply conditioning, natural balm to help soften and enhance the texture of your skin. Infused with Wild rose and rose geranium, renowned for their nourishing and revitalising properties."

When applying the balm feels similar like a oil. It easily melts into your skin and makes it easy to apply. Therefore you only need a very small amount and will last you a long time. It makes my skin feel hydrated and silky smooth. 

It has a gorgeous smell from rose and lavender. The other key ingredients are Shea butter, grape seed oil and jojoba. 

I have found since using botanicals my skin has improved. I normally have dry patches on my cheeks and recently I haven't been as dry. Especially in the winter I need a more moisturising face cream. The cold weather mixed with central heating can be devastating for my skin. I find that Botanicals nourishing face balm is exactly what my skin needs. It's perfect for night time and I wake up with perfectly hydrated skin. 

Botanicals are approved by the soil association, the face balm has 

• 89% organic ingredients

• 100% natural active ingredients

•vegan  

It's £27.95 for a 50g glass jar. Botanicals also do some gorgeous gift sets for Christmas. To find out more, visit their website www.botanicals.co.uk

Have you tried any products from Botanicals? Which product is your favourite? Or which would you like to try? 

*disclaimer: I received the Botanicals face balm for free to review. All views are my own. 

5 tips on how to look after your hair in colder weather

We are moving to colder weather and it effects our hair more than you might think. The cold air outside and the central heating indoors can cause havoc on our hair. I often get clients coming in to the salon complaining about their hair being dry. So here's a few tips on how you can prevent dry hair and how to look after your hair in the winter. 

1) Use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner 

When the weather turns cold the hair needs more moisture and using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner is key. Also a deeper conditioner treatment once in a while would do wonders. 

One of my favourite products in the winter is John Masters organic intensive conditioner. 

2) Wear a hat

Too much exposure to cold harsh weather can leave your hair brittle and dry. Wearing a hat will not only prevent you from getting cold but also your hair from getting dry. Make sure you wrap up. 

3) Plait your hair 

Having your hair flying around with the cold wind, rain or snow will damage your hair. To prevent this just make a plait and your hair will stay in place and be protected. 

I have several tutorials on how to do a plait on my YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/c/sarasteelehair

4) Avoid long hot showers 

When it's cold it's tempting to have long hot showers. But it will only dry out your hair and skin. 

The hot water can strip the natural moisture from your hair and dry it out.  Instead try and use lukewarm water.

5) Prevent static hair 

Dried out scalp produces fewer oils which makes the hair static and fly away. To avoid apply extra moisturising  shampoo and conditioner or add hair oil. 

I hope this was helpful. What are some of the things you do to look after your hair in the winter?