I've Perfected My Winter Routine—Here are 9 Beauty Products I Want You to Discover

      Unless you’re a newcomer here, you probably know that my strengths as a beauty director revolve around three main areas: fragrance, self-care, and low-effort products. It’s almost unnecessary to mention that winter is when I truly flourish. Spending my days indoors pampering myself with a luxurious skincare routine, enveloping myself in soothing scents—from body creams to perfumes—and delighting in the fact that it’s too chilly to venture outside? Count me in.

      Although winter hasn’t officially commenced, the less-than-pleasant temperatures have made it feel like winter for quite a while now. Consequently, I’ve already embarked on my personal winter journey. With party season approaching, I've been focusing on some me-time before my social energy starts to dwindle—and I highly suggest you do the same. I’ve been visiting saunas to both enhance my glow and calm my mind, treating myself to facials to ensure my skin is in top shape for the festive season, and indulging in elaborate bodycare routines as if they're a form of meditation. Most surprisingly to those who know me well, I’ve been keeping up with my manicures.

      All the beauty work I’ve been doing behind the scenes has allowed me to test numerous new products, some of which have truly impressed me. In fact, I believe everyone deserves to experience at least one of them over the coming months. So, here is my selection of the best winter beauty products currently available.

      1. **Merit The Winter Set**

      I’m not shy about my admiration for Merit; in fact, I might be their biggest fan. This brand excels at lazy-girl makeup like no other, and it has a chic aesthetic, to boot. When I first received this winter set, I thought about passing it on to a friend since I believed I already owned all the products within it. But upon closer examination, I discovered there was a mini Flush Balm, Signature Lip Liner, and a limited-edition Shade Slick Sheen in Courmayeur. I immediately opened the box and tried them on. This brick-toned brown/red is the ideal winter makeup shade; the flush balm has brightened my face every day this December, resulting in compliments about how vibrant and glowing my skin looks. If you’ve been considering trying something from Merit, this is your cue.

      2. **Saltair Golden Hour Body Butter**

      There’s nothing more winter-appropriate than enveloping yourself in a luxurious body cream, and let me tell you, Saltair body butters are perfect for that. The formula is rich and hydrating without being overly thick or greasy. My favorite scent from the collection is Santal Bloom (currently sold out), but this one is a close second, with notes of coconut, exotic flowers, and tropical beaches, making it the ultimate product for escaping a cold winter day.

      3. **Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer**

      Creating a healthy skin appearance during winter has always been a challenge for me. My skin oscillates between being dry and flaky or oily and uneven; it’s a tough battle for my skin to cooperate. This glow-enhancing bronzer from Hourglass is, without a doubt, the hardest-working item in my makeup kit right now. It provides a natural bronzy glow so convincing that a coworker recently asked if I had taken a holiday.

      4. **Rhode Peptide Lip Tint**

      Winter 2025 will be remembered as the season I finally succumbed to getting a Rhode phone case. Although I've always loved the Rhode Peptide Lip Tints and Treatments, having this case and always having a lip balm on hand has made me absolutely fall in love with them—especially this one. The "Toast" shade smells delightful (like torched crème brûlée) and the sheer rosy-brown hue is perfect for everyday wear. I apply it numerous times a day, and it brings me great joy.

      5. **Acqua di Parma Panettone Candle**

      Nothing fills me with happiness quite like a wonderful winter candle, and Acqua di Parma’s Panettone is the best of the best. As I write this, its wick has just extinguished, and I feel a deep sense of loss knowing that no other candle on my shelf can replace the void it has left. Panettone has the aroma of creamy, honeyed festive treats piled high on a warm kitchen counter, while remaining light, delicate, and surprisingly fresh. It’s truly a special purchase.

      6. **Manucurist Hollyhock**

      I have little to say about this aside from the fact that Manucurist's Hollyhock isn’t just my go-to winter nail color; it's also, in my opinion, the best winter nail shade ever. This deep red is nearly black, and regardless of how many times I sit in a salon and ask if the manicurist can recreate the same finish with another brand's gel blend, I am always disappointed—nothing