It’s the coziest, most magical time of the year - and the perfect season to embrace rich colors, luxe fabrics, and all things that sparkle! Now's the time to mix both comfort and drama - and to embrace both the simple things and total luxuries. The colder weather also calls for extra care to be taken when it comes to both skin and hair care, and the longer nights can mean we need a bit of an emotional boost as well. Nourishing lotions, gentle styling options, and rejuvenating lip balms can help you thaw out (and avoid wanting to simply hibernate). Our team of experts have curated the perfect guide to help you find exactly what you need to make the most of the season! With the right beauty products in hand, this can be the most beautiful winter ever.
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Winter Skincare Picks
Best for Flawless, Moisturized Skin:Simplified Skin Retinol Cream
Why we like it: Simplified Skin’s Retinol Cream includes 2.5% active Retinol - which makes it the strongest non-prescription Retinol cream available. This rich, lightweight formula also includes vitamins E and B5, as well as hyaluronic acid, shea butter, green tea, and jojoba oil. It not only deeply moisturizes, but it can improve skin tone and texture by tackling fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, acne spots, and sun damage. As powerful as it is, it’s also incredibly gentle and is safe for all skin types; it’s free of fragrances, parabens, sulphates, and gluten, and is even cruelty-free!
Best for an At-Home Spa Experience:HALOFUN Facial Steamer
Why we like it: The HALOFUN Facial Steamer is the perfect way to turn your home into a complete spa sanctuary (and to actually feel warm). This fact-acting steamer features an easy, one-button operation, and it offers a host of benefits - including cleansing your face, hydrating your skin, and even treating sinus congestion! It’s also so simple to use that it’s nearly error-proof - because nothing kills the relaxing spa vibe more than having to struggle with your beauty supplies.
Best for Bright Skin:Health Priority Natural Vitamin E Oil
Why we like it: The winter weather can definitely leave your skin feeling rougher and looking duller, and Health Priority Natural Vitamin E Oil is one of the best ways to combat that. It’s all natural, hand-blended in California, and made with only high-quality ingredients, like jojoba and avocado oils, that enhance vitamin E’s skin-brightening effects. And while it’s a bit expensive, sometimes in the dark of winter, you need to indulge in a bit of luxury.
Winter Lip Care Picks
Best for Dry Lips:Zatural Full Spectrum CBD Peppermint Lip Balm
Why we like it: Nothing says “winter” like the fresh, invigorating taste of peppermint - and Zatural’s Full Spectrum CBD Peppermint Lip Balm is addictively delicious. Plus, it features 100mg of pure Full Spectrum CBD, which works alongside other organic, protective ingredients (like Caster, Mongongo, Lanolin, and Mongongo Oil) to radically moisturize even the driest winter lips.
Best for Exfoliating Lips:Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub
Why we like it: Hanalei’s Sugar Lip Scrub features ultra fine turbinado sugar crystals that gently exfoliate your lips, leaving them soft, healthy, and smooth. The kukui nuts naturally moisturize and revitalize your lips, and the taste and scent are mouthwateringly tropical - so you can feel like you’ve escaped to the Hawaiian islands even when you’re digging your car out of the snow.
Winter Makeup Picks
Best for a Natural Flush: HAN Skincare All-Natural Cheek and Lip Stain
Why we like it: When winter dry skin hits, the last thing you want is to pile potentially-drying powders on your face. HAN Skincare’s All Natural Cheek and Lip Tint offers natural-looking, dewy pigmentation that starts off as sheer and can be built up to a medium-coverage. Because it includes nourishing ingredients like acai oil, berry extracts, and shea butter, it can even heal your dry skin. This also serves as a lip stain, so it’s the perfect option for busy winter mornings!
Best for Long-Lasting Lip Color:Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color
Why we like it: Winter calls for all-day peppermint mochas and chai teas - and a lip stain that lasts through them all. Enter Covergirl Outlast All-Day Lip Color, a luscious lip stain that offers intense pigmentation. It also comes with a cream-gloss top coat, so you can opt for either a matte or glossy look, depending on your vibe. Even better, this lip stain is cruelty-free!
Winter Bodycare Picks
Best for a Whiter Smile:Hello Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Why we like it: If the snow outside has you realizing your teeth are not as glistening white as you want, you may want to give Hello Activated Charcoal Toothpaste a try. This toothpaste uses carefully-selected ingredients to safely whiten your teeth, and its sweet mint taste is refreshing and delicious. It’s even cruelty-free, so you can feel good about supporting the brand and making your smile as white as the winter wonderland outside.
Best for Soft Skin:EvridWear Exfoliating Gloves
Why we like it: Nothing feels better in the winter than a hot shower or bath, and these exfoliating gloves from EvridWear can make it even better by turning it into a true spa experience. These gloves are coarse enough to remove the roughest dead winter skin cells, but soft enough to feel like a joy to use.
Winter Hair Picks
Best for Dry Hair:L’ANZA Keratin Healing Hair Oil
Why we like it: When your hair is excessively dry in the winter, you need to call in expert reinforcements - and L’ANZA Keratin Healing Hair Oil is one you can count on. This keratin treatment oil adds shine and volume to even the driest hair, helping it look healthier after just one use.
Best for a Bright New Look:Manic Panic Flash Lightning Hair Bleach Kit
Why we like it: If the dark skies of winter have you craving bright sunshiney vibes, then bleaching your hair can scratch that itch and help lighten up your days. This classic, beloved bleach kit from Manic Panic has everything you need to lighten your hair, and the vegan formula is also PPD, ammonia, and paraben free, so your hair can turn out looking healthier after bleaching (a true miracle). It’s also easy enough for even first-time bleachers to use!
Winter Nail Picks
Best for Strong Nails:Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream
Why we like it: Winter weather can be as hard on our nails as it is our skin and hair - but Hard As Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream can work wonders and heal even the most brittle, flaky nails. This cruelty-free formula is packed with vitamins, beeswax, and minerals that help repair damage and make your nails, cuticles, and hands healthy, smooth, and strong.
Best for Colorful Nails:mwellewm Glitter Gradient Color Shine Nail Polish Strips
Why we like it: When it’s too cold to want to run out to the nail salon, but you still want colorful and glittery nails, these polish strips are a fast, easy way to get the impressive looks you’re craving! This set offers 14 different colors in glittery gradients, so you can try out multiple looks. And they’re easy enough to apply that even a nail novice can have a new style in no time!
Winter Fashion and Accessory Picks
Best for Keep Cozy:Baleaf Fleece-Lined Leggings
Why we like it: When the temperature drops, Baleaf’s Fleece Lined Leggings are the perfect way to stay both comfy and stylish. Their moisture-wicking fabric means you can wear them while working out (or shoveling snow), but they’re cute enough to pair with oversized sweaters - and then enough to slip under your jeans! Since they’re offered in 14 different colors, there’s an option for every style or mood!
Best for Winter Getaways:BAOSHA Weekender Bag
Why we like it: Let’s be real - sometimes, in the dead of winter, you just need to get away. This stylish canvas and faux-leather bag is both big enough to fit everything you need for a quick escape, yet small enough to serve as your carry-on on most flights. The internal zippered pocket and separate space to store your shoes add to its practicality - and its classic, striped design makes it as gorgeous as it is useful.