It’s cold outside. I feel it in my toes. I feel it stroking my bare (now dry) legs. I feel it in the wheezy complaint of a taxi’s engine on starting the ignition. I’m in the foothills of the outer Himalayas, at roughly an elevation of 2,000 meters, and winter is here. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m decidedly NOT a winter person. Having spent my entire almost 24 years in Chennai; I have battled, and loved — the sun, sweat and grizzly heat that comes with being in the tropics. Sure, sunshine sparkling on mountaintops is a pretty sight too. But walking around when a wind chill freezes your nostrils and brain shut isn’t. How do movies make winters and being cold seem so appealing?
Watching women in tiny shorts and dresses in this weather has been confusing me these past few days. I mean, look lady, I get that maybe you think your legs are too hot to cover up when it’s wintery and cold out — but do you not understand weather? Is there any product (besides wishful thinking) that lets you bare your legs in brutal temperatures that I do not know of???
Anyway, while there are a few things dreadfully wrong about this season, I love how soft and rosy my cheeks are. It’s weird that my body’s biological version of blush is a traffic jam of blood in my face — like a natural ruddiness that is much higher on my cheeks (and nose) than where I’d normally apply blush.
I stamped on some cream blush at the exact placement the next day, on my nose and above where I’d normally apply blush, dangerously close to highlighter territory. I even got a few compliments! By few I mean more than three and less than five (including one from my mum which is A BIG DEAL)… not that I’m keeping count. An extra layer of tinted balms on your face does wonders to your skin for hydration when it’s cold and dry outside.
Seasonal weather patterns have definitely done a number on my face. This is a lot like the opposite of contouring, and lends a few brain pains to defy all my contour logic; by applying blush on top of my cheeks and not under. Also, since everyone’s face flushes and gets chilly in different spots, I guess you can play with the blush placement for the desired effect.Sigh, I’m so over this winter. I can’t wait to be in tropical temperatures again where it’s hot and I can wear just enough clothes to keep me from being a public nuisance. Happy holidays, guys!