Beauty: Snow queen

Jo Malone Bath Oil. Photo / Babiche Martens

It goes without saying, you need a good strong SPF block on the slopes, but here's a few other face-savers to ensure you don't put your appearance on ice this winter.

Tinted lip balm and moisturiser, both with sunblocks, give you extra protection and a light slick of healthy colour without looking all made up, so they're ideal for the outdoors or casual weekends.

Handily, these products are also suited to summer - or a tropical getaway if you're lucky enough to have one to look forward to - so you'll get plenty of use out of them.

For apres ski, throw in a bath soak to relax your tired muscles, an all-purpose skin soother to rehydrate, and bronzer and cream blush to even-out the complexion so you'll look a picture of glowing good health come mulled wine time.

1. Chanel Hydramax Active Moisture Tinted Lotion SPF15 in 20 Bronze $96

Warm up your skin with a light moisturising tint. This creamy lotion absorbs well for a natural looking finish and is ideal for the slopes or the likes of tennis when you don't want to wear full slap, but going au naturel may be a little too revealing. Also available untinted. (Brand counters)

2. Dermalogica After Sun Repair $79.50

Use this balm to treat your skin if you've suffered too much sun. It contains soothing seaweed and botanical extracts to help mitigate damage. Works to restore moisture and combat irritation. Apply generously to sore bits and remember to reapply your sunblock next time. Dermalogica also makes Solar Defence Booster, an SPF 30 product that can be worn alone or mixed with your normal moisturiser. (From Dermalogica, Westfield Albany and selected salons. Ph 0800 433-762 or see dermalogica.co.nz).

3. Pure Fiji Coconut Creme Scrub in Passionflower $35

If you're looking to pep up your circulation, a brisk shower is a good place to start. This lighly scented scrub contains pineapple extracts to buff away at the skin surface and coconut cream to nourish, adding up to fresher looking, fragrant, skin. (For salon and spa stockists Ph 0800 78733454 or see purefiji.com)

4. Huni Intensive Hydrating Mask $45

A mask is a good quick way to pep up skin that's had a bit too much of the great outdoors. This one is full of New Zealand natural goodness, containing manuka honey, pohutukawa and olive leaf extracts, shea butter and avocado, macadamia and kiwifruit oils. Helps skin feel smoother and more elastic. (From selected pharmacies, department and health stores, Ph 0800-504959. comvitahuni.co.nz)

5. Smashbox Tinted Treatment Lipstick with SPF 15 $46

If you like to wear lipstick, then this firmer textured Smashbox product will appeal more than balms. It's antioxidant-rich, contains plant oils and honey, and comes in five definite shades to colour and condition. (Smashbox concept store, Ponsonby Rd or see smashboxcosmetics.co.nz).

* Clarins Sun Sheer and Clinique High Impact are two other good SPF 15 lipstick options in well pigmented yet not too intense shades.

6. Revlon Nail Enamel in 790 No Shrinking Violet $16.99

This is a greyish purple polish that looks metallically modern. I rather like how it's not as red or black as many purples, so it seems less scarily gothic, while still being distinctive. If darks aren't your thing, get in early on spring's trend for peachy nail tones, they're guaranteed to brighten your day. (Brand counters)

7. I Coloniali Relaxing Bath Cream $40

With bamboo extract to soothe skin, this mild smelling milk pours into a relaxing bath to ease aching muscles. The scent will have unisex appeal as will the handsome glass bottle with a wood and cork stopper. (From leading department stores, pharmacies and gift shops).

8. Bobbi Brown Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Pink $55

A creamy cheek tint is ideal to wear outdoors as it blends down for a natural look. It's also a good way to revive a frosty face with a little pop of colour after a chilling day. You can also use your fingertip to blend a little on to lips. (Brand counters).

* Becca's Lip and Cheek Creme does similar double duty and the fleshy natural Blossom shade is a winner. You can find it at Glamorpuss, Newmarket, which also stocks 100 per cent, an all natural ingredient tint.

9. Hissyfit Lip Service SPF 50+ in Berry $29.99

This anti-aging lip balm with shea butter, jojoba oil and Vitamin E is almost gel-like in consistency, gives good shine and is not at all gluggy. Already available in clear, it now comes in four tints (plum, berry, guava and toffee) applied straight from the flat-topped tube. Developed in Australia, it suits the strong southern sun and I'm already carting it round. (Stockists see hissyfit.com)

10. M.A.C Sun Tints SPF20 Liquid Lip Balm in Pink Tinge $40

These barely there tints are designed to complement differing skin tones and even include a pearly pastel yellow. They give less colour than the M.A.C lip conditioners of which I'm a big fan, but they are in a handy tube rather than a pottle you need to poke your finger in. On sale from Monday at M.A.C counters as part of the Baby Bloom collection which includes Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 in five shades for the face.

11. Jo Malone Dark Amber and Ginger Lily Bath Oil $185 in glass decanter, or $125

The intoxicating scent already available as a cologne is now available in a bath oil and gel wash. Love the dark square glass bottle and an aroma that is reminiscent of the nicest men's splashes. (From Jo Malone, Chancery, or Ph 0800 JOMSHOP).