Big City Beauty’s Thanksgiving Giveaway Winners

Hi my loves!!!  So the time has finally come to announce the winners of Big City Beauty’s FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!  I am so happy to say that this contest went so much better than I had first anticipated and really showed me what wonderful readers I truly have.  You are all so knowledgeable and skin savvy that it made it really difficult for me to pick out only 3 winners.

With way more entries than I had anticipated, I enlisted the help of my mom who is visiting me for the holidays.  She too had a difficult time picking the best answers but we have finally narrowed it down to our TOP 3 WINNERS!  And just because there were so many wonderful answers, I wanted to list a few runners up so that you can benefit from their wonderful tips as well.

We had so many entries on the following topics that I wanted to share them with you too as they seemed to be a trend among a lot of readers:

• Keeping lips hydrated and exfoliated
• Applying moisturizer right out of the shower while skin is still damp
• Using a tinted moisturizer when skin is less sun-kissed
• Changing your makeup look from fall to winter colors

I really wish I could post all of the answers on here for you guys because they were all so good.  But a contest is a contest and there can only be three!  So without further ado, here are Big City Beauty’s Thanksgiving Giveaway winners:

FIRST PLACE

Meg F.

Fan on Facebook

Hello radiant glow! Goodbye flakey, dry skin!  My skincare tip for the winter is that less is more with moisturizer! Let me explain; often people think they need to load up on their moisturizer when their skin is drier, however, this usually just leaves skin with too much residue. Halfway through the day, you touch your face and off comes your moisturizer and makeup. Instead, start using a serum. Buy a hydrating serum and apply it first so it penetrates deep into your skin. Then apply your regular amt of moisturizer. Your skin will reap the benefits of the extra moisture without your face feeling too heavy, or worse, wasting product!

Why BCB chose this answer:  Applying a treatment serum is probably the most important skin care step in your regimen.  Because serums are highly concentrated and targeted to fight specific needs and concerns, they are easily absorbed by the skin and are amazingly more effective.  Try adding on a hydrating serum (preferably one with hyaluronic acid) to your daily routine during the winter and your skin will never feel better!

SECOND PLACE

Chantal C.

Fan on Facebook and Follower on Twitter

My favorite skincare tip for the winter is to make sure that you are exfoliating your face and body.  With winter weather comes dry skin.  Any products that you apply over dead skin cells will just sit on top of them.  By sloughing off any dead skin cells that have built up on the skin’s surface, you allow your products and moisturizers to become more effective, as they are more readily absorbed into the skin.  For your face, make sure you use an exfoliant that is more gentle than for your body, as the skin is thinner and more delicate.

Why BCB chose this answer:  Exfoliating during the winter months is definitely a must!  And there is no sense is buying the best, most effective products if it is just going to sit on top of your skin and not penetrate.  Taking away the top, dead layer of skin will not only make your skin more radiant, but it will also increase the effectiveness of your products as well.  And as mentioned in this answer, never use something that is too abrasive for the skin on your face.  Sometimes less is more!

THIRD PLACE

Ingrid V.

Fan on Facebook and Follower on Twitter

My best tip for winter beauty is giving your feet some love.  Whether it’s a pedicure, or just a lotion/sock combo, I like to treat my feet in the winter.  Of course, I live in California, so I can still wear my flip flops for most of the year!

Why BCB chose this answer:  Often at times during the winter we tend to forget about our tootsies.  And although this might not happen as much in places like California, it certainly happens in the much colder climates like New York.  Just because your feet aren’t looking cute in sandals during the winter doesn’t mean they don’t need some TLC.  Definitely keep up with your pedis (whether you go to a salon or DIY) and certainly keep those heels moisturized as walking around in socks and boots all day can definitely dry them out.

RUNNERS UP (no prize this time but definitely worthy of some recognition)

Jeanette H.

Fan on Facebook and Follower on Twitter

I use plain yogurt as a mask. It makes my skin look younger. It replinishes it. It also feels so wonderful and soft. Also leaving conditioner in you hair for 20 minutes once a month will help dry hair look healthier, It can be any conditioner.

Why BCB chose this answer:  Yogurt masks are one of my favorite home remedies.  It is rich in vitamins, high in Zinc (for fighting blemishes) and high in lactic acid (a natural exfoliating peel).  Some great yogurt secrets that I have tried can be found in one of my favorite skin care books Passport To Beauty.  And of course keeping your hair conditioned during cold and windy weather is another great tip.  I like to use a hydrating mask every other week on my hair by my favorite hair care company (and from reading many of your entries, your favorite too) MoroccanOil.

Katie B.

Fan on Facebook

My all time favorite and best skin care product for winter is Bag Balm. It has saved my lips and sensitive skin from becoming dry and cracked in the winter months. Bag Balm is an all-purpose beauty product for me. I use it on my lips, on my hands, and on my face when no amount of moisturizer seems to help. I even use it on my eyebrows to tame any stray hairs and it’s the perfect glossy finish over any lip color. Best of all, Bag Balm is so inexpensive and lasts for years. I recommend it to all of my friends and it’s the perfect beauty staple for any Big City Beauty fan!

Why BCB chose this answer:  As someone who has gone skiing many a times since I was younger, Bag Balm has been a staple at ski resorts for as long as I can remember.  Originally intended for use on animals, Bag Balm has actually become a preferred treatment for chapped and irritated skin on humans.  And with an antiseptic as an active ingredient, it is sure to effectively heal chapped skin.  I just love the different uses Katie has found in this one product as well.  It is always helpful knowing ways to get more for your money.

Shiela B.

Fan on Facebook and Follower on Twitter

My best beauty tip was handed down to me by my beloved grandmother who had the softest skin when she passed away at 86. Every night before going to bed she cleaned her face with Ponds Cold Cream. Then after patting it dry she would apply just a teeny, tiny bit and leave it on til morning. Most newborns don’t even have skin as soft as her was.

Why BCB chose this answer:  I just has to post this answer as it really hit home because my grandmother uses Ponds Cold Cream as well.  And her skin is softer than a baby’s too!  I personally have never used this product but it looks like there may be something to it.  I might just have to pick some up on my next visit to the drug store.

Thank you again to all of you who entered and stay tuned in the next few weeks as BCB will be having another giveaway to start off the new year!  You never know…  You might just be a Big City Beauty winner next time! 

Xoxo for all your support and Happy 4 month Anniversary to BCB!

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