In the winter, with harsh winds and heating on full-blast, most skin types will dry out quickly. Drink plenty of water and apply oil-free, easily absorbed light lotions to all parts of your body. Use lip balm to keep from suffering from chapped lips. Though showering daily is considered good hygiene, many have found that they should wash their hair using products every other day, or even less! The reasoning behind this is simple: washing your hair strips it of it's natural oils, causing it to dry out and split ends to form - a problem amplified by the winter. Leave in a moisturizing conditioner or hair mask on the last 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm) of your hair for about 15 minutes, once a week in order to keep it soft. Also, brush hair from the scalp to the tips, to spread the natural oils. This does nothing but strengthen your hair and give it a silky feel. For the face, lighten or forgo foundation completely, and use a rosy, warm pink on your cheeks. Mixing a tiny dusting of bronzer with your blush can be a good maneuver, but either look lovely. Consider "going bare" at the eyes; a quick layer of charcoal mascara on your upper lashes, and no eyeliner. This serves to brighten and enlarge your eyes. Cream eye-shadows are also good winter choices: unlike during the summer, they will not "melt off". Colors in the pale blues, whites, and gray-blues are lovely ways to adjust your makeup to the cooler months - daub a bit of white toward the inner corner of your eye, and blend outward with a light blue. Alternatively, jumbo eye-pencils in metallics are another option. Use whites, golds or silvers to achieve a frosty beauty with a tapering line barely above the top lashes. Lightly apply to the bottom of the eyes, then, using the sides of your index fingers, push up until it is a thin line. Use chapstick religiously. Apply every ten to twenty minutes, or as needed. Cracked lips are unattractive. Any kind will suffice, in a pinch, even Vaseline. It is light and leaves your lips feeling much softer. Natural beauty is never beaten. Very rarely does anything top a quick daub of lip-gloss and a freshly washed face.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Care for your skin. Maintain your hair. Use a different makeup palette. Contrast warm cheeks by using a cooler lip and eye scheme. Use chapstick.


You will need several types of supplies to make your own mask, but you can always use these supplies to make additional masks. These are available online or at large crafting stores.  You will need an oil based clay to sculpt the mask.  You will also need a form to sculpt your mask on top of such as a Styrofoam mannequin head.  You will need a material called industrial gypsum in order to make a mold of the sculpture.  You will need some burlap to make your mold 3-D. Select a good quality brand of liquid latex for your mask. You will need a casting latex specifically formulated for mask making, called RD-407.  You can also purchase paints or decorations such as fake fur, sequins, or feathers to put on the mask. This will depend on what final look you are hoping to achieve. Your clay will become more pliable for sculpting if you warm it a bit first. Place a few blocks of plasticine clay in the oven at a low temperature (150°-200° F) for 15 to 20 minutes.  The clay should be very pliable and warm, but not hot to the touch. Do not allow the clay to liquify. To sculpt the mask, you will need the form to stay immobile. You can secure the styrofoam mannequin head to a solid wooden base such as a 12' x 12' piece of plywood. Attach the head with duct tape until it is secure. You should use a thick enough layer of clay that you don't have to worry about it thinning as you sculpt.  You can use your hands, sculpting tools, or tools from around the house (like a butter knife or putty knife) to sculpt details including skin textures and exaggerated features. Smooth the surface of the clay with lighter fluid and a small flat paint brush. When you are satisfied with your creation, move on to the next step. It may take you several hours or even days to create the look you are going for.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Gather your materials. Warm the clay. Set up the mannequin or other form. Cover the head with clay and start sculpting.


Ask your hotel concierge, hostel manager, or host in or around Paris how far the nearest RER line-connecting train station is. The RER line is part of the rapid-transit system that connects suburbs of Paris and the city center. If you have access to the internet, you can also search for the closest connection point to your location. The train stations that connect with the RER C train lines are Musee d'Orsay, Les Invalides, Gare d'Austerlitz, St. Michel-Notre Dame, Pont de l'Alma, and Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. Before getting onto the platform to take the train, purchase your return ticket from the ticket office or from a green automatic ticket machine. Payment should be made by cash or credit card. You will receive 2 tickets - 1 for the trip to versailles and 1 for the trip home.  The return trip currently costs about 7 euros per person. The C5 line is the fastest, cheapest, and most efficient way to get to Versailles. You can also take the C7 line to the Gare de Versailles-Chantiers station and take a longer walk to Versailles. After depositing your ticket into the front of the turnstile, retrieve it on the other side. As soon as the turnstile unlocks, pass through it. Follow the directions ahead to find the C5 platform where you will get on the train. After exiting the station, cross the street. Take a left between the green kiosk and cafe onto the Rue de Paris. Follow this road until you reach the Versailles gates.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Find a train station nearest to you that connects to the RER line. Buy a return ticket for the RER line C5 to the Versailles-Rive Gauche station. Insert your ticket into the turnstile to access the RER platform. Exit the RER station and walk down rue de Paris to get to Versailles.


Place a martini glass in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours. You’ll know that it’s cold enough when the glass develops some frost. To mix the martini, you’ll a cocktail shaker. Add enough ice to fill it almost completely. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a mason jar is a good substitute. When the  shaker is filled with ice, pour 1 ounce (30 ml) of whipped cream flavored vodka, ½ ounce (15 ml) of creme de cocoa, ½ ounce (15 ml) of creme de menthe, and 2 ounces (60 ml) of half and half. Cover the shaker, and shake the mixture for about 15 seconds or until all of the ingredients are combined. You can substitute your favorite type of milk for the half and half if you prefer. Take the lid off the shaker, and place a cocktail strainer over the chilled glass. Pour the martini through to strain the ice out of it. Place a dollop of whipped cream on top of the martini. Sprinkle some chocolate shavings over the cream, and stick a mint leave in to garnish. Serve the cocktail while it’s still cold. The garnish is optional; you can omit if you prefer.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Chill a martini glass. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, creme de cocoa, creme de menthe, and half and half and shake well. Strain and pour the mixture into the glass. Garnish the martini with the whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a mint leaf.