We all know that winter temperatures can really take a toll on our skin, health, and even our mood -- but what about our hair? It’s easy to forget that every time we go outside, the dry, cold air is basically sucking the moisture out of our hair, causing a ton of split ends and frizziness. I’ve personally always had a tough time in the winter keeping my hair from looking like that of Marge Simpson, and I admit I even resort to stuffing it under a hat sometimes. Luckily, this year I stumbled upon some awesome hair care products that successfully tamed my wild mane. All together they may be a steep investment—and I’m not usually one to indulge in expensive hair care purchases -- but trust that these products will definitely be worth your while.

1. BioSilk Silk Therapy

I like to refer to this as my bottle of magic. After just a couple of uses, I already noticed a difference in the texture and health of my hair. It not only prevents split ends from forming but also repairs any existing ones you may already have. It also acts as a shine serum to give you the glossy shimmer of healthy, hydrated hair.

BioSilk Silk Therapy (7 oz), soap.com, $26.19

2. Paul Mitchel Super Strong Liquid Treatment

Say goodbye to damaged hair! Spritzing this stuff on your hair after you get out of the shower will help seal split ends and strengthen strands up to 60% with everyday use.

Paul Mitchel Super Strong Liquid Treatment (8.5 oz), salonsavings.com, $17.99

3. Pantene Thick Hair Silkening Detangler

Not to exaggerate or anything, but using this detangling spray has been absolutely life changing. I always had such trouble combing my thick, knotty hair after I got out of the shower, which led to a ton of breakage. After I ignored the invention of “detangling spray” for about 18 years, my hairdresser finally recommended this product to me, and now I don't understand how I ever survived without it. It not only saves me the 15 minutes I would have spent ripping out knots, but also conditions my hair and makes it more manageable.

*Pantene also manufactures detanglers designed for fine hair and other hair types.

Pantene Thick Hair Silkening Detangler (8.5 oz), soap.com, $4.19

4. 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse

With cold weather comes flat, lifeless hair, and what better product to give your hair that added lift than a volumizing mousse? This one in particular is great because it is makes your hair feel very lightweight rather than sticky and stiff.

24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse, drugstore.com, $5.99

5. Instant Keratin Repair Pack

So I actually haven’t tried a keratin treatment myself yet, but I’ve heard rave reviews -- especially about this one. This is the type of stuff that can revamp your hair from completely dead and straw-like to hydrated and gorgeous. You can also expect a major shine boost (and a ton of jealous glares).

Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin Replenisher (1.7 oz.), amazon.com, $25

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting kind of sick of all my winter clothes. Can you blame me? This cold Connecticut weather has been gradually forcing me into a fashion rut of cable-knit sweaters, wool socks, and winter boots for about four months now. Now it seems like every time I open my closet the only things I want to put on are spring and summer clothes. But sadly, it’s still the middle of winter, and I have to face the fact that cropped pants, tank tops, and sandals just aren’t going to cut it in terms of warmth and sensibility. Luckily, I found a few ways I can incorporate spring into my wardrobe without freezing to death.

1. Colored skinnies: Yes, they’re back! These little numbers were probably my favorite trend of 2008, and I could hardly contain my excitement when I started seeing them in stores again. After all, nothing says spring better than bright colors, so why should we limit these hues to our tops and accessories? There’s no rule that says legs can only be covered in neutrals. And who says this is strictly a spring and summertime trend? The right pair of full-length colored skinnies can be just as warm as a pair of denim jeans, so they’re totally weather-appropriate if you have to endure arctic winter temperatures like me.

Low-Rise Colored Skinny Jeans, forever21.com, $29.90

2. Sunglasses: Suffering from a severe case of the winter blues? The quickest fix is to just throw on your shades! Wearing sunglasses always makes me feel like I’m about to hit the beach—even if it’s mid-January. Plus, don't forget that UV rays are just as damaging to your eyes in the winter as they are in the summer. So you'll not only be looking effortlessly cool and ready for spring, but you'll also be protecting your eyes. It's a win-win situation.

Trying to decide which pair to buy? Well, as you probably already know, choosing sunglasses really depends on face shape and personal style. The same pair could look awesome on one person but terrible on the next. Personally, I always prefer plastic frames—especially for the winter. I’m not really sure why, but they just seem more appropriate for this season. If you agree, and you’re looking for a trendy new style of sunglasses, I highly suggest trying the cat eye look. I’ve seen these shades on a ton of celebs lately, and I’m pretty sure Kourtney Kardashian never takes hers off. So give them a try! (They look particularly stunning if you have a heart-shaped face.)

Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses, urbanoutfitters.com, $16

3. Crop tops and high waists: If there’s one thing I like to show off, it’s a bare midriff. You can only imagine how crazy I went when crop tops started trending last year. Fun, light, carefree—they’re pretty much the epitome of summer-chic. Hence, they also aren’t the most practical things to wear in thirty-degree weather. So how do I incorporate these tops into my winter wardrobe? It's pretty simple: I started pairing my favorite crop tops with high-waisted bottoms (perhaps jeans or a skirt with tights). This has actually become a huge vintage-inspired trend lately and can look really fashion-forward. Plus, you get the spring style of a crop top without exposing too much skin for winter!

Courtesy: Blooming Leopold

Living on the east coast, I never really have to search too far to find someone sporting a pair of Sperry Top-Siders. But if you’re not familiar with these shoes, don’t worry—this post can help you out.

Let’s start off with a little bit of history. In the 1930s, avid boater Paul Sperry became really frustrated with how difficult it was to walk on the slippery deck of his boat. After watching his cocker spaniel, Prince, run across ice with ease and stability, he studied the dog’s feet and realized that grooves were the key to traction. He started cutting a similar pattern of grooves into the soles of shoes, essentially constructing the “non-slip soles” we’re so familiar with today. He then designed a white leather upper-shoe, which wouldn’t discolor the boat’s deck. This design attracted the attention of boaters across the country, and the U.S. Navy even started manufacturing it for its sailors. And that's how Sperry Top-Siders were born!

Today, boat shoes aren’t too popular among the west coast crowd. I’ve met some people in college who don’t even recognize the name Sperry, so I guess it’s mainly a “preppy” east coast thing. And maybe I’m biased as a native New Englander, but in my opinion these shoes are the perfect spring accessory no matter where you live, or whether you actually intend on wearing them on a boat or not. (To be honest, I’ve never actually worn my boat shoes on a boat. Ironic, I know.) For one, they’re like the perfect transition stage between clunky winter boots and summery sandals. You know that weather where it’s starting to warm up but still way too cold to expose your entire foot? That’s Sperry weather. Another advantage is that most of their styles go with just about everything, especially if you get a neutral color. So you’ll definitely be wearing them very frequently, and on top of that, they will last you. I’ve had a pair for about 3 years now and they are still in pretty good condition. Needless to say, Paul Sperry really knew what he was doing when it came to shoemaking.

Okay, so you’ve decided to jump on the east coast bandwagon and you want to buy a pair? Awesome! But picking out Sperry’s might be a little more overwhelming than you expect. The brand has really expanded over the past few decades, and there are tons of styles, colors, patterns, and materials to choose from. Trust me, I’ve spent hours on their website deciding which pair to buy. So, I’d suggest first taking a look at some of my favorite women’s Sperry Top-Siders this season!

Women's Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Ice, sperrytopsider.com, $80

Women's Angelfish Slip-On Boat Shoe in Gold, sperrytopsider.com, $85

Women's Angelfish Slip-On Boat Shoe in Black/Boucle Nubuck, sperrytopsider.com, $80

Women's Bluefish 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Tan, sperrytopsider.com, $85

Women's Bluefish 2-Eye Boat Shoe in Linen / Red Plaid Shearling, sperrytopsider.com, $98

Women's Tasslefish Slip-On Boat Shoe in Navy Leather, sperrytopsider.com, $85

Completed first semester of college? Check.
Passed final exams? Check.
Prepared for brutal winter weather? Well...almost.

Okay, so choosing weather-appropriate outfits over the past few months has been a little difficult. As a college student, my schedule typically consists of attending class, reading books, and writing papers—not hitching a ride to the mall and shopping to my heart’s content. Sure, over break I managed to buy a few winter essentials and found time to rummage through my closet for some of last year’s sweaters. But as soon as I got back to school, the temperature plummeted, and I realized I had done a terrible job transitioning my wardrobe from a warm autumn to a bitter cold winter. I eventually resorted to online shopping (which I rarely do, since I’m the type of person that really needs to try things on), but storing the few things I bought proved difficult due to the fact that I share a dorm with two roommates. After all, how much can I really fit in half a closet and 3 drawers of a dresser? It soon became apparent that I needed to improvise...or else I would probably freeze to death.

Luckily, I discovered some really awesome tricks that helped me stay warm—and fashionable—throughout the cold winter months I’m spending at college.

1. Layering Tights/Leggings: So you really want to wear that cute tweed skirt, but you check the weather and it’s a frigid 15 degrees out. I’ve encountered this problem countless times. I’ll be heading out for that party across campus and remember that: A. I have to walk, and B. It’s freezing. I don’t have any thermal tights or fleece-lined leggings, but I’m definitely too stubborn to change my whole outfit. Solution? I throw on two layers of tights or leggings instead of just one. You’d be surprised at how much warmth the second layer provides. There’s only one problem: if you want to show off a pair of sheer or patterned tights, the second layer makes the tights pretty opaque and the pattern isn’t as visible—so plan accordingly!

Control-Top Tights, jcrew.com, $24.50

2. Tights & Shorts Combo: This is definitely one of my favorite looks, and it really made use of all those shorts I forgot to bring home over break! I love wearing twill, tweed, corduroy, or even vintage denim shorts with a pair of eye-catching patterned tights and cute short boots.

Pleated Shorts, H&M, $17.95

Retro Dot 1937 Tights, Madewell, $15 (sale)

3. Cardigans, Cardigans, and More Cardigans: Yes, these simple sweaters are probably the most important staple in my college wardrobe. I can’t even begin to describe all the times I layered a cardigan over a spring or summer top to make it more winter-appropriate. The key is to make sure the cardigan isn’t too lightweight; you should opt for a nice thick knit with long sleeves that will actually keep you warm! And don’t hesitate to explore different patterns or lengths. I love ones with sequins, ruffles, and unique embellishments to make my outfit a little dressier when I’m feeling lazy. Though a simple navy blue or black one is a great option too, since you can re-wear it a few times throughout the week without anyone noticing—perfect for a college student who hates doing laundry.

Lace Front Zip Cardigan, Banana Republic, $39.99 (sale)

Striped Knit Cardigan, Forever 21, $22.80

BDG Classic Solid Cardigan, Urban Outfitters, $39

4. Scarves: So, you’ve probably heard this one before. Whether it’s plain or patterned, thick or thin, simple or fancy, a scarf instantly makes any outfit more appropriate for cold-weather months. I luckily brought a few thick knit scarves with me to school, and I definitely made good use of them throughout November and December. Though, there were also days where I opted for a more lightweight floral scarf, which proved to be not only warm but also a nice feminine accent.

Snowshoeing Symposium Scarf, Modcloth, $32.99

Pieces Florissa Floral Scarf, ASOS, $21.82

5. Ditch the Up-Do: That’s right; unleash the ponytail and let those long tresses cover your ears. I didn’t have any earmuffs at school, but just leaving my hair down really helped keep me warm. Plus, it looks super feminine and effortless. Just take a look at Blake Lively; her hair down always looks polished yet totally natural.

Courtesy: PR Photos