Isn’t January as a month, so honest? Sometimes brutally so.
After the indulgence of December, the long evenings, the heating turned up, and the return of routine, your skin often feels… different. Drier, duller, less cooperative. With that, the make-up you rely on starts misbehaving.
Why January feels so unforgiving
January skin is dealing with a perfect storm - let’s unpack this a bit more:
There’s cold air outside. Very!
Then dry, heated air inside.
Less daylight to work with.
Disrupted sleep - possibly not new… but still.
Hormonal fluctuations (fatigue and night sweats combo, anyone?)
And often, a little less hydration on the inside, than usual.
All of this affects how your skin holds moisture, reflects light, and how products sit on its surface. Make-up that looked smooth and effortless a few weeks ago can suddenly cling, crease, or disappear altogether. That’s environmental. And yes, also just plain annoying.
When make-up starts showing what skin is going through
Skin under stress behaves differently. It absorbs product unevenly, losing bounce and showing texture more quickly. Many make-up formulas - especially those designed for performance rather than comfort - simply aren’t built for these conditions.
So many of us have likely experienced it when heavy foundations emphasise dryness. Long-wear formulas and powders make skin feel stiff, dull and unforgiving. This hardly gives us that get-up-and-go feeling to take on the day in confidence, does it?
The makeup routine itself may not be wrong, it’s just that January demands a different approach altogether.
Adjusting, not overhauling
One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the urge to “fix” January skin by doing more. More coverage. More products. More steps. When in reality, this is the moment to do less…but better.
Think:
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Creamier textures that move with the skin
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Thoughtfully curated makeup products that act more as skincare with coverage
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Hydrating formulas that support rather than mask
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Strategic application instead of full coverage everywhere
Make-up should adapt to skin’s needs, not fight it.
Studio10: designed for real skin, in real conditions
When I created Studio10, I wanted products that could handle moments like this - when skin is changing, unpredictable, and a little more demanding.
The formulas are designed to work with mature skin, taking into account reduced moisture levels, changes in texture and elasticity as well as seasonal and hormonal fluctuations.
To me, it's never been about chasing perfection (because it doesn’t exist!), but rather creating make-up which remains comfortable, flattering, and reliable, especially when your skin needs a little extra understanding.
A kinder way to approach January
This is your reminder to choose patience instead of punishment or striving for skin perfection (spoiler alert: there’s no such thing). If your make-up feels different right now, it’s simply your skin responding to its environment.
Together, let’s adjust our expectations, and give our skin the support it’s asking for with products which are specifically designed to be adaptable when skin conditions change. That’s the smartest thing you can do - change with them.
Have a great week ahead.
Love, Gx
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