Everyone will be warmer

With the arrival of cold weather, we begin to prepare for winter. We change the tires on the car, send summer clothes with shoes into exile, and get warm clothes. And in cosmetic stores, we sometimes unconsciously choose products for a comfortable “wintering”.

The key word is “saturated”. This is exactly what the texture of the cream, the composition of the fragrance, the shade of lipstick should be. Unlike summer, when the epithet “light” guides us in everything, in cold weather we want to exaggerate.

go for the smell

Winter differs from summer in everything: temperature, humidity, day length. It is not surprising that the sense of smell at this time of the year is dramatically rebuilt. On the one hand, the sensitivity of the olfactory cells is dulled. On the other hand, our brain urgently requires the body to find a place warmer.

That’s why we instinctively drive to delicious-smelling bakeries, confectioneries and oriental restaurants. And if the walls of these establishments are finished with wood and a fireplace is lit in the evenings, then their revenue in winter increases significantly.

Whole head

Why do the aromas of sweets, wood and spices seem to warm us? It’s all about the neocortex. More precisely, in the absence of control of this part of the brain over the sense of smell. The neocortex is responsible for speech, intelligence and higher mental reactions. These moments we can keep under control if we want. But the sense of smell, the only one of the five senses, depends on the limbic system of the brain, where emotions originate.

“By giving preference to this or that aroma, we communicate to others something that cannot be expressed in words – our energy mood,” explains psychotherapist Gonzag Masquelier. “There are no perfumes that are pleasant or unpleasant on their own. For it is not the smells themselves that are important, but the sensations behind them.

East market

Spices raise body temperature by 0,5-1 degrees – this is a physiological fact. Who hasn’t been thrown into a sweat by a spicy tom yum soup or an honest Indian curry? Hence the reflex: the very smell of spices has a warming effect. Even if it is skillfully recreated in perfume laboratories. In addition, notes of pepper, cinnamon and cloves are associated with mulled wine – the most warming and carefree drink of winter.

Recognizing its notes in favorite perfumes is a pleasure for both sexes. In addition, fresh sports fragrances are distorted in the cold, acquiring a metallic sound that can cause bewilderment even among fans of such compositions.

Homeland smoke

Other warming notes are woody. Especially if they are smoky, reminiscent of a fireplace or a bath. The brain again gives a signal of heat. It is not for nothing that for many centuries the most homely smell for people was the smoke of the hearth, trust in which remained at the genetic level.

What can I say, perfumery itself began with smoke. For in Latin per fumum means “through the smoke.” Conclusions suggest themselves. Moreover, fumigation of dwellings and clothes is the oldest method of aromatization, which is still relevant today. And although in the XNUMXst century aroma is no longer so attached to smoke, the latter is still a friend of our olfactory cells. Especially in winter.

For dessert

Gourmet smells – honey, chocolate, caramel, cocoa – evoke associations with childhood and pastries. Which again warms, you see.

“A delicious smell evokes dreams of desserts that parents allowed little sweet teeth in doses,” says psychologist Steven Snyder. – Therefore, on the one hand, confectionery compositions are familiar and understandable. And on the other hand, in our minds they carry the shade of something forbidden and, therefore, desirable.

Everything is fine, but why are we drawn to such perfumes in cold weather? It turns out that with a decrease in air temperature, olfactory cells perceive some types of odors worse. In particular, floral, fruity and marine.

It is understandable: at this time of the year, their primary sources are not relevant. But we perceive dessert and honey with special zeal. The body seeks to absorb as many calories as possible to keep warm. At least mentally.

candle factory

The custom of gathering at the hearth on winter evenings has sunk into oblivion. However, its sacred meaning and the unifying energy of a living flame have been preserved by candles. They create a feeling of comfort and tranquility. The soft reflections of the lights make the interior more refined, and the faces younger, conducive to trust, intimacy, and temptation.

When choosing a candle, pay attention to its surface. It should be smooth. This is a sign that it contains mineral wax, which can convey all shades of aroma, even light citrus. Colored candles smell weaker: the pigments help thicken the wax. The wick must be cotton. Trim it, but only when the candle has cooled, keeping the length about 5 mm.

In a cozy cocoon

Creams for the face and body with a rich texture are an immutable rule of winter skin care. The exception is perhaps its bold type, and even then not always. Today, oils and rich products for problem skin have appeared.

The nutritional consistency of the product is again associated with the high-calorie nutrition that the body requires. Have you noticed how in the cold you want borscht or roast! But if, from the point of view of nutrition, such cravings should be kept under control, then cosmetologists will applaud the desire to buy a thick cream.

After all, cold air violates the lipid mantle of the skin, as well as microcirculation in it. Because of this, it loses moisture, turns red, cracks and peels off. A dense layer of cream becomes a kind of down jacket for the face. It envelops the skin, preventing hypothermia and dryness.

warm look

The same story with make-up: sky blue, turquoise and pink fog, which served as a “breath of freshness” in the summer heat, remain out of work in winter. They are replaced by everything that can warm: mulled wine, cognac, fire, coal and … a Christmas tree. In other words, shades of burgundy, scarlet, orange, gold, black and green. It is this palette that brands have been turning to for many years, creating winter makeup collections.

Makeup artists strongly recommend wearing red lipstick in winter or making an expressive emphasis on the eyes. And in a festive way, do not skimp on sequins and sparkles. In contrast to the surrounding winter dullness, such a bright make-up uplifts the mood and, again, warms.