Bandit Winter Tips For Her

Seal your windows and doors. Gaps around windows and doors can allow air to seep in so we recommend checking for gaps and sealing them up to keep your house warmer in the winter. Caulk around windows and install weather stripping around doors as needed. This minor and inexpensive task can help you save on heating costs.

Stock up on cold-weather essentials. When winter storms hit, they often come with power outages. To ensure you and your family are prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you this winter, you will want to have an emergency kit ready. Here are some of our top recommendations of cold-weather specific items to have on hand: a working, fully charged fire extinguisher, an alternative heat source, candles (we're obsessed with these), don't forget about the ice melt, and a shovel if your area is prone to ice and snow.

Clean and store your lawn equipment. After a summer of yard work, gas-powered equipment such as mowers, trimmers, tillers, and chippers can all benefit from service before being stored for the winter. This basic checklist will get you started on your equipment's maintenance, but be sure to check the owners manual for any specific requirements for your machines. Empty all of the fuel. Gas can degrade all the time, and the ethanol in E10 gas can damage fuel lines and other components while sitting unused. Try to use up most of the fuel during the last mowing of the season. You can remove what's left with a meat baser, then run the engine until it stops. Check with your local waste management or public works department for guidance on how to dispose of the fuel. Clean the machine of oil and yard debris, and sharpen the blades. Store your equipment for winter in a basement, garage, or covered storage shed where it is safe from the weather.

Put a "winter supply" box in your car! We believe that this is the single most important thing you can do for your car and for your personal safety. Here is Bandit's quick list of items that you should include in that box: a flashlight, blanket, road flares, first aid kit, extra change of warm clothes, gloves, a radio, a charged cell phone for 911 calls, a bag of sand for traction, an ice scraper, and some high energy snacks like jerky or nuts.

Use winter windshield wiper fluid. Not all windshield wiper fluid's are created equal. Ordinary fluid that you use in the spring, summer and fall often becomes essentially useless in the winter, as it freezes quickly upon contact with your windshield. Any automotive store will have a winter windshield fluid you can purchase!

Switch to a winter-grade oil at your next oil change (in general, the colder the weather, the thinner you want the oil to be). The viscosity of your oil in colder weather is indicated by the first number in the oil specification, with a lower number indicating better viscosity in cold weather. For example, a 5W-30 oil is better in the winter then a 10W-30 oil.

Lower the thermostat in your home to avoid dryness. When it's chilly outside, what's the first thing you want to do? Crank up the heat! But central heat can make the air in your house even drier (which leads to annoying dry hair and dry and itchy skin). Crazy how that works? Try setting the thermostat at a cool yet comfortable setting. We recommend between 68F to 72F. Bandit Pro Tip: invest in a quality humidifier or diffuser. We love these and these. This will help keep your home feeling like a 5-star spa!

Modify your facial skin-care regimen for the season. During the winter months, choose cream-based cleansers, and apply toners and astringents sparingly, if at all. Many astringents contain alcohol, which can further dry your skin. When your skin is dry and itchy, the AAD recommends you stop using products that contain alcohol and fragrances in order to help skin retain its natural oils. At night, use a richer moisturizer on your face. Wait! Don't forget your lips! Applying a moisturizer balm such as petroleum jelly or another ointment that can help heal dry, cracked lips and keep them from getting chapped, according to the AAD. If, however, your lip product causes a stinging or tingling sensation, try switching to a different product.  We are obsessed with this line for its anti-aging properties, vegan and botanically based and one of the best lines on the market. 

Apply sunscreen- even on those gray winter days. On bright winter days, snow reflects the sun's rays up to 80%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation- increasing your risk of exposure. That means whether you're out on the slopes, playing in the snow, or just walking through a parking lot on an errand run, it's just as important to be applying sunscreen in the harsh winter weather as it is in the summer. We recommend finding a daily moisturizer that has spf in it.