Is your winter skin suffering the beauty blahs? East End beauty maven Rachel Thompson [below] introduces Hamptons Glow: A Collection of Anti-Aging Sunless Tanners, Skin & Body Care Products & Bronzers. “Winter is the perfect time for a beauty pop. A kiss of color on your face, neck & chest will perk your skin up creating the perfect canvas for your make up, ” shares Rachel. Hamptons girls are always on the hunt for a year-round, natural bronzed tone to maintain that beach beauty look. Hamptons Glow features nine face and body products that combine the finest quality ingredients in luxurious multi-benefit formulations to achieve a gorgeous, healthy “tan” without the long-term skin damaging effects of the sun.  Rachel shares the story behind her brand in this NEW KDHamptons Beauty Diary, below:

KDHamptons: What inspired you to launch Hamptons Glow? 

Rachel Thompson: I have been obsessed with beauty & skincare since my early teens. I began to read everything I could find on products, lifestyle choices & anti-aging. I became fascinated by the way some women simply aged better than others. I wanted to create a collection that offers more than just a sunless tan, or swipe of bronzer. My personal philosophy is that Beauty Is a Lifestyle™ requiring a strategic and consistent skin regimen along with a healthy diet of nourishing “beauty” foods and an active lifestyle to achieve incomparable healthy, glowing skin now, and for years to come.

Having worked as an account supervisor at Ogilvy in the past, I knew the damaging effects of sun exposure and started using self tanners very early on.  One sunny day I was in East Hampton by the pool with friends & thought it would be so great if someone could come to the house, give me a spray tan & I would look bronzed & feel confident for a party that night. I was a real estate broker at Douglas Elliman, and in 2009 when the market turned down, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to start my spray tanning business Hamptons Tanning ™. One of my clients who had a very successful skincare business encouraged me to put together a collection of products.

KDHamptons: Living in the Hamptons year round can be tough on maintaining great skin. Share a few winter tips? 

Rachel Thompson: The Hamptons are beautiful no matter what time of year, but the changing of the seasons presents its own challenges with our skin. I use a humidifier in my bedroom during the winter while sleeping to help keep skin hydrated. The winter is also a wonderful time to treat your skin & try to repair some of the damage done by exposure to summer sun. Exfoliating a few times per week & moisturizing everyday on both your body and face are so important to make sure the spring debut of skin isn’t so scary. I also use Amlactin lotion a couple of times per week on my body and feet (before bed). It contains lactic acid and will help exfoliate scaly, dry skin. It’s an excellent drugstore find!  Retinols on the face layered with peptide serum at night will help the tone & texture of your skin, and don’t forget to wear sunblock everyday. This is the rule, even through the winter months.

KDHamptons: Where are the products manufactured? Where sold on the east end?

Rachel Thompson: Hamptons Glow products are manufactured in the USA & Canada & are sold on www.hamptonsglow.com, Amazon, and hopefully local beauty stores on the East End this summer.

KDHamptons: How long have you lived in the Hamptons and why do you love it?  Which town are you in?

Rachel Thompson: There’s so much to love about the Hamptons. Starting with the gorgeous & diverse natural beauty. I have split time between the city and East Hampton since 2005. During 2009-2012 I lived full time in East Hampton. Since then, I have spent summers in East Hampton & come out for occasional weekends in the off season.  It’s incredible that you have the beautiful farms & landscapes of Sagaponack, the fabulous elm trees that line Lily Pond Lane, the dunes of Amagansett, horse farms in Bridgehampton & fabulous hedges in Southampton. I love all of the beautiful and charming old homes, world class beaches & access to fabulous shopping & dining. I could go on & on!

• For more information, please go to: HamptonsGlow.com, or follow Rachel @hamptonsglow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.