The mositure-zapping effects of central heating, skin-flaying bitter winter winds and Vitamin D starved pelts can mean by mid-winter, our skin is in serious need of some SOS.  City-bound dwellers especially can take a serious hit from pollution damaging their skin, and I find whenever I am in the big smoke, the accumulation of dirt and pollution really makes me break out and dulls my skin. Not rad.  Check out my run down of my all-time favourite products that I go to for a serious pre-date/meeting/pep-up SOS.

The advent of December brings with it the sounding of the claxon of party season.  Sequins at the ready lovers. Many women, whether desk-bound, without the time to, or less inclined to spend hours beautifying like myself, look for fast-acting, long-lasting products,  reading them from the office to the dance floor in one easy swoop.

Oh winter you are a cruel edged sword.  On one hand you are imparting your cinnamon-scented gifts a la hot toddys, snuggley evenings in front of Attenborough with a roast dinner, cracklng fire places and warm toes in socks.  And on the other slightly cracked paw is the baffling dehydration, hair frizz, chapped lips and parched cheeks that comes with the advent of the most wonderful time of the year.  Just When we think we have evaded the skin-scorching summer months, winter rears its cosy, central-heating blasting head.  Many of us find our skin and hair even dyer than during summer.

Welcome back to feel-good beauty on the Mad To Live Blog.  Next-up, we have a segment on multi-purpose products that are awesome for busy women on the move.  I spend most of my time living out of suitcases and backpacks now, on the move travelling with my retreats, Mad To Live Retreats, and as a travel writer. and freelancer.  I pack light, always - hand luggage nearly 100% of the time so in terms of beauty products, the few products that I do like to use and pack need to have multi-purpose attributes. 

Now in the full-heat of the summer, it's never a better time to embrace a fresher face and make the most of glowing skin, and strip back on products if you are prone to using a lot. These are some of my current favourite products that work to enhance natural beauty that shines during the summer months.

I am so excited to introduce a new segment to the Mad To Live Mix.  In feel-good beauty I will be talking about some of my favourite products which help me feel my best and maintain a happy inner and outer glow.

As you can probably tell from my perpetual beach/jungle Mowgli looking condition (even in London, ha!) I don't like to use too much makeup.  I more love products that help me feel my best and that help my skin against damage including pollution in the city, or the sun and saltwater whilst I am away running my retreats.