We’re smack at the middle of February now–the month that, to me, doesn’t really fall under a specific season. We’ve gone past the Holidays, but still experience the coldest mornings of the year. At the same time, we’re approaching summer and if you notice, the afternoons are starting to get scorching hot.
I like my cool, nippy mornings but being the true, blue (or brown?) sun worshipper that I am, I always find myself struggling to adapt to the cold weather most especially when the temperature behaves like a girl on PMS. So how does a tropical island girl make it through this transition month? Below are the tools I am currently vouching for:
Lip Balm
I think this one is obvious. Cold weather often causes chapped lips and the heat, sunburn. Yes, your lips get burnt too. Pretty sure every girl has a preferred brand but I personally like ones that are all-natural, non-toxic, and yummy. In my purse right now is J.R. Watkins Apothecary Peppermint Lip Balm.
Choose balms that are made from natural oils and plant-derived ingredients as much as possible. This one still has beeswax so if you’re vegan, check out Hurraw lip balms. The more you recognize the ingredient, the better and this goes for anything you use or consume.
Hack: Lip balms are often inexpensive. Get several of them and place one in each of the places you frequent at home and always have one in handy. Pucker up and glide that stick more often.
Lotion/Moisturizer
The thing with our climate is that the cold doesn’t stay for long. Manila is often hot and humid even in the cold season, and this is something I always consider when applying any form of moisturizer. So even though mornings are extremely cold, February afternoons tend to become SO HOT. And I can’t put on something that would melt right off my skin even before I start sweating. What I am in love with right now are moisturizers from Marilou Bio. They’re certified organic and water based so they’re light and not at all greasy. I also love that they’re lightly scented so I don’t have to worry about strong scents especially when teaching my yoga classes. I use the Day Cream at the beginning of the day after shower and the Body Milk before bed. The latter contains Shea Butter and Argan Oil, which feels so luxurious upon application and feels even more amazing in the morning. Get them and a lot more amazing products from Cutieverse.
Hack: Moisturize lightly during the day. Rinse off quickly right before you go out to sweat and just re-apply after your post-workout shower. Use a healing variant or a deep moisturizing lotion before bed.
Hair Mask
I got the Pureology Hair Mask from a friend last Christmas and didn’t use it until recently when my hair started to feel frizzy and stiff because of the cold and the constant need to wash it with shampoo. My hair and scalp tend to lean towards the dry side, which is why I condition more often or just wash with water. The fact that I dye my hair doesn’t help either. While I like to make my own hair mask at home with ingredients I can actually eat, I must say that this concoction is a lifesaver for days when making a crazy mess in my mother’s kitchen is far from happening. Pureology gets triple plus points too for being 100% VEGAN and cruelty-free (thank you, Bianca).
Hack: Wrap hair with a hot, damp towel while you have your hair mask on and leave for around 30 mins. Do this once each week. The same trick applies when hair feels dry and prone to breakage because of the heat.
There are literally thousands and thousands of hair and skin products out there for you to choose from and they may all promise the same thing. If you find yourself drowning in a sea of these products, resort to the simplest ones that cause no harm to its users, the planet and all that lives in it. You don’t need a whole bunch of them as long as you find one that truly works for you. These products only complement what you put in your body—the stuff you ingest. The next three things are the simplest ones I like to nourish myself with during the confusing weather months:
Virgin Coconut Oil
Abundant, inexpensive and readily available, pure virgin coconut oil is my favorite tool to get through the cruel transition months—okay scratch that, it’s my ALL-TIME favorite. I include it in my diet as an ingredient in making bullet-proof coffee or green smoothies, as a base for my salad dressings when I have time to make my own and even swallow a few spoonfuls in the morning and at night (I know, eew.) But that’s all worth it because coconut oil is a great source of fuel for cold days. If you’re in tune with your body you’ll notice that you’re more naturally inclined to eat food that help keep the body warm during the cold season and food that hydrate the body during the hot season because then it needs more fluid. Plus, if you take up to 4 spoonfuls of Pure Virgin Coconut Oil a day, you never have to worry about dry skin or getting that natural glow. Trust me.
Hack: Go for 2-4 Tablespoons of Pure Virgin Coconut Oil a day. Add to your food, beverages or take as is. Coconut oil is great for baking but not for frying–maybe skip the fried food, then? 😉
Water
I don’t think we need a long paragraph for this. All I have to say is take a water bottle with you EVERYWHERE you go. I mean it. Not easy, I know, but you can read more about why drinking water is a chore and how you can help yourself drink anyway. You’ll find a few hacks in that article too. 😉
Moringa
With the drastic changes in weather come the spreading of viruses that lead to colds, cough, fever and flu. Although that cannot be prevented, there is something we can all do to keep ourselves from catching these diseases. Moringa is my favorite immunity booster as it works better than oranges and other citrus fruits in upping your dosage of Vitamin C. Grow the tree in your backyard, get them in capsule forms or order a bag from The Superfood Grocer and sprinkle them wherever. There are many recipes on the internet that make use of this vegetable but if you don’t cook often, you can do away with adding Moringa to practically anything you eat (don’t worry, it barely affects the taste). A teaspoon of this goes a long way in keeping your body guarded and your skin glowing too.
Hack: Sprinkle Moringa/Malunggay on rice, add to pasta or to any other dinner dish. It supercharges your food and makes them look yummier.
