Our favourite winter balms, masks and make-up - in pictures

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  Courtesy Obagi

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  Courtesy Sephora

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  Courtesy Sephora

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  Courtesy Net-a-porter

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  Courtesy Shiffa

Our favourite balms, masks and make-up for beauty that’s winter-proof, plus tips on keeping your skin soft and supple during the cooler weather.

Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense

I’m a big fan of the beach. However, I’ve made two major mistakes in the past when it comes to protecting my skin while I am there: I would refrain from putting sunscreen on my face, fearing it would hinder my attempts at tanning and I started using the same over-the-counter sunscreens used on my body on my face, too, only to break out from their oily compositions. For facial sun protection with a light, non-greasy formula, an application of Kiehl’s sunscreen does just the trick – no burns or breakouts.

• Dh145, Kiehl’s

* Hafsa Lodi

Obagi Hydrafactor Moisturising Cream with Sunscreen

Throughout my teenage years and early 20s, I suffered from acne-prone skin. When I finally went for a consultation with a dermatologist, she recommended that I start using a facial moisturiser by Obagi. Since then, my acne has cleared and I’ve drifted between various face creams – though always sticking within the Obagi line. My latest experience has been with the brand’s Hydrafactor cream, which also includes sunscreen. Light and soothing without being too greasy, it is a good base for applying make-up, which is hard to achieve with many ­sunscreen-moisturiser duos on the market.

• Dh230, Obagi MediSpa

* Hafsa Lodi

Re(Marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate

While there are several kinds of liquid foundation on offer from a variety of cosmetics brands, it’s rare to find one that is both oil- and water-free. Moreover, it’s often difficult to find one with a pleasant scent, since many have a rather pungent, chemical smell. Containing mimosa extracts, jojoba, sunflower and acacia, upon application this Marc Jacobs formula is light. Don’t load it on, though, as it can quickly get hard and cakey. The key is to use just a few drops for a natural look, while still getting lots of coverage.

• Dh220, Sephora

* Hafsa Lodi

Sephora Ginseng Sleeping Mask

Having used daytime face masks by Sephora, I was a bit hesitant about wearing one overnight, fearing it would be just like the wet tissue-like day mask, and would come off or, worse, leave my pillowcase soaked. I was pleasantly surprised with the night mask, which is a moist jelly substance packaged in a small plastic cup. After washing and drying my face, I rubbed it on and got into bed. After a few moments, I forgot that I had anything on my face – there was no tightening or discomfort and it didn’t transfer onto my pillow or sheets. I woke up with my skin feeling soft and rejuvenated.

•Dh20, Sephora

* Hafsa Lodi

Glossier Balm Dotcom

When it was announced Glossier would be available worldwide, I was ecstatic. The brand – the brainchild of Emily Weiss, founder of beauty website Into The Gloss – has a reputation of being both practical and impressively appropriate for a wide range of skin colours. Balm Dotcom, the brand’s skin salve, works its ­magic on dry, cracked lips, hands and even elbows. Available on ­net-a-porter, the colourless balm goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave that uncomfortable sticky residue that many balms do. It’s also fragrance-free and long-­lasting. The packaging is equally exciting and features a pale ­pink-and-white box. To add to the allure, the balm comes with a set of endearing stickers, including a pair of googly eyes and a moustache.

•Dh99 for a set of three, www.netaporter.com

* Ashley Lane

Shiffa Healing Balm

I love the way this smells, I love the way it feels and, although it is very expensive, every little dollop I allow myself each day during the winter is entirely worth it. Shiffa Healing Balm is the most beautiful product I’ve ever owned and, boy, did it come in handy this month when I returned from Egypt after several days in dry, chilly Cairo with a serious case of dry face. Within days, my flaky skin returned to normal. There is so much good stuff in this product – shea butter extract, avocado oil and calendula flower extract, to name but a few – and no nasty chemicals. The scent, from the lavender and camomile flower oil, has an instant calming effect, too.

•Dh390 per pot, Sephora stores and Shiffa.com

* Ann Marie McQueen