MONTHLY MUSINGS (JULY)
This month’s musings are all about my favourite winter go-tos—keeping my skin happily hydrated and my body and soul toasty from the inside out. Sure, I live in Brisbane, QLD, where “winter” is more of a vibe than a season… but when you’re used to sweaty summers and nonstop humidity, even the slightest chill feels like Arctic weather!
IMBIBE MAGNESIUM HOT CHOCOLATE
Lately, my favourite night-time ritual after a long day is curling up on the couch with my dog, all rugged up, and sipping on an IMBIBE Recover and Rest Magnesium hot chocolate. If I’ve got a batch of my homemade collagen marshmallows on hand, you bet I’m tossing a few in! Not only does it taste like a dreamy, creamy cup of chocolatey goodness (with or without your milk of choice), but it’s also packed with benefits: calming the nervous system, balancing blood sugar, easing inflammation, supporting restful sleep, in-turn improving skin health. It’s a 5-in-1 blend with no nasties—just pure, nourishing comfort in a cup.
IMBIBE Recover and Rest Magnesium hot chocolate
My Collagen marshmallow recipe
O COSMEDICS YOUTH BALM + COMFORT CREAM
If your skin turns into the Sahara desert in winter, you're not alone—and these two gems from O Cosmedics have been absolute skin saviours for me: the Youth Activating Balm and the Comfort Cream. They’re hydration heroes, perfect for restoring that glow and keeping dryness at bay.
I always recommend checking in with your skincare (and haircare) lineup each season. Your body’s needs shift with the weather, and for me, winter is all about upping the hydration game and reinforcing the skin barrier.
These two are a power duo if you're looking to bring your skin back to life this season.
Comfort Cream – Think of this as a dry skin’s anti-aging dream. Packed with V8 Peptide Complex®, essential fatty acids (hello, Omegas 3, 6, and 9!), and intense 360° hydration, it helps lock in moisture, support the skin barrier, and smooth out fine lines. It's rich, nourishing, and just what your skin craves when temps drop.
Youth Activating Balm – This luxurious balm-to-oil formula is designed to strengthen your skin barrier and deeply nourish dehydrated skin. It leaves me with the most beautiful, dewy glow and acts like a protective cocoon against the winter elements.
“APRÉS SKI BLUSH”
I’m calling it “Aprés Ski Blush”, you know when you are so cold your cheeks and nose naturally get a little flush? re-create with a baby pink blush, applying it high on the cheeks and on the nose to look like you’ve been skiing on the slopes (but still maintaining your chic-ness at all costs)
re-create “Aprés-Ski Blush” with current favourite baby pink blush with no nasty ingredients
DRY LIPS ARE NOT IT FOR WINTER
As a makeup artist—and someone who’s had her fair share of lip struggles over the years—I’ve seen a lot of cracked, dehydrated pouts. One thing I’ve learned? Not all lip balms are created equal. So many products out there act more like barrier creams than actual treatments. If you find yourself constantly reapplying, it might be time to rethink your go-to balm—it’s probably not doing what you think it is.
Dry, chapped lips aren’t always just about cold weather or dry air either. High stress and elevated cortisol levels can also play a big role, depleting your body’s mineral reserves faster than usual. When your minerals are out of balance, hydration alone isn’t enough—your skin (and lips!) need those electrolytes to actually retain moisture. I love adding a pinch of high-quality salt to my filtered water or sipping coconut water—especially if I’ve been sweating or feeling stressed.
One product I genuinely love is the IMBIBE Collagen Lip Balm. It keeps my lips soft, smooth, and hydrated all day and night. It has a luxuriously thick texture, and it’s infused with peptides to help heal, repair, and deeply nourish the delicate lip surface. It’s one of those rare balms that actually works—and feels like heaven while doing it.
Imbibe Collagen Lips -bare silk
INFRARED SAUNA
Winter makes it so much harder to naturally detox—less sweating means fewer opportunities for your body to release toxins. That’s why I’m absolutely obsessed with infrared saunas during the colder months. Not only do they warm me up from the inside out, but they also support detoxification, lymphatic flow, and liver function.
I love to habit-stack my sauna sessions with some extra beauty rituals—think a nourishing hair mask and castor oil slathered all over the body (which is activated by heat). It’s the ultimate self-care multitask moment. I usually stay in for 20–30 minutes, depending on how I’m feeling, and I always towel off as I sweat to help remove toxins sitting on the skin’s surface.
Hot tip: While some sauna spots suggest not showering straight after, if you’re dealing with a sluggish detox system, eczema, or any skin sensitivities, I’ve always been told it’s best to rinse off with warm water right away to wash away toxins and bacteria—and avoid reabsorption.
DRY BODY BRUSHING
I recently purchased the Tronque Ionic body brush, and I am obsessed. The bristles are infused with extra fine ion-charged copper, naturally forming negative ions from the friction whilst you are using it. I have never owned a dry body brush as efficient as this one at removing dead skin cells (prepare for the snow storm).
My go-to time for dry brushing is right before my morning shower. It’s the perfect way to jumpstart circulation, sweep away dead skin, and give your skin a gentle massage that helps even out tone. Pro tip: always start at your feet and brush upwards toward your heart using soft, circular motions for the best results.
HEAD WARMERS (but make it chíc)
Keeping your head warm in winter plays a vital roll in your overall body heat retention. Due to high blood flow and minimal fat insolation on your head, if you feel the cold like me adding a beanie or fluffy hat to your winter wardrobe is a must for overall body temperature regulation. Im obsessed with the Lack of Color’s ‘snuggle bucket hat’ as it elevates any winter outfit, whilst keeping my head warm.
LOVE G xxx