Winter Wrap Up

My beauty essentials (and a dash of fashion)

Spring is literally around the corner… less than a week to go! I could not be happier about the shift in seasons.

So long winter!

Before I get carried away with excitement, I won’t pack up my woolly jumpers just yet. Here in NYC, we probably have at least another month of cold and drizzle before the glory days of sunshine arrive and the layers can be shed.

I don’t actually wear woolly jumpers. They’re great (and oh so British) but I am partial to cashmere sweaters—preferably one of my husband’s—not just because they’re soft, but that they’re his.

Here are a few other things I’ve been wearing, using and loving…

Fashion

I’m a big fan of the womenswear label Minnie Rose and although I haven’t skied down any slopes this season, I’ve been getting plenty of wear out of this ski-themed sweater.

Where to go next year?

If you haven’t heard of them already, xyz online is an uber cool new brand founded by talented fashion student Heathcliff Rellie, son of legendary fashionista and New York ‘It’ Girl Lucy Sykes. I’ve been practically living in this tracksuit. It’s unisex, comes in multiple colors and the quality is superb.

Urban Barbie

Face

I love a face mist and this one I use year round. Avène’s Thermal Spring Water quenches in the winter and refreshes in the summer. It also preps the skin before serum or moisturizer, calms redness and irritation, and is a great final step to makeup application.

After a spritz of that, I layer on a spritz of this: UV AOX Mist by EltaMD. Now that I’m in my 40s, I’m supposed to wear sunscreen every day, all year long. I do love a mist, so this makes it easy.

Note: it’s meant to absorb within seconds, but I hurry things along with my fingertips so that I don’t go outside looking like I have white paint spattered on my face.

I am obsessed with this Botanical Facial Oil by Naela Botanicals, a UK-based small business that just won a 2024 Beauty Shortlist Award. I add a couple of drops to my every day moisturizer in the morning, and at night I apply it on its own. A little goes a long way, as they say, so worth every penny.

A US-based clean beauty brand I love is Oak Essentials. During these cold winter months, I’ve been slathering on their best-selling Moisture Rich Balm, which melts into my skin like butter. I also use their Hydra Eye Balm.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been using Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream. I’ve yet to find a better lip balm that soothes dry, chapped lips and doesn’t require multiple applications. It’s also good for cuticles, and above all, it works.

Body (and mind)

Finally, this cure-all Herbal Comfort Soak for the bath by C.O. Bigelow is divine. Nuff said.

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And that’s a wrap! Enjoy these last few days of winter and early days of spring.