5 Things to Buy This Month
Photo: Tom Ford
This past month my desk was buried almost daily by a mountain of glitzy holiday makeup. But as someone who’s seen it all, I’m not someone who’s easily distracted—even by eye-catching, shiny packaging. For my December editor’s picks I sought to narrow down just a handful of new items that truly stood out as innovative, unique, and downright necessary as I gear up for winter and party season. There were some dudes—OK, more than a few—but these are the ones I look forward to using for years to come, and just had to share with everyone.
Related: 4 Products to Try in November
Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge ($215)
I so rarely find a perfume that doesn’t give me a headache or make me feel ill immediately, with most scents being far too powdery or sweet for my sensitive nose. This sophisticated fragrance won me over at first sniff. It’s floral but musky and deep, not girly. It smells like nothing I’ve smelled before, perhaps due to the sambac jasmine sepals absolute, an ingredient that had never been used before in perfumery. Sure, this may cost double what many other fragrances cost, but to me, it’s worth feeling glamorous, sexy, and unique. I even find myself dressing up more when I put it on.
Photo: Essie
Essie Second Shine Around ($9)
Whether you hit the salon or DIY, why is it that the gorgeous shine always loses its luster after a day or two? While you can apply any old topcoat to try to preserve your lacquer from chipping, this polish refresher was designed to revive your color and extend its sheen in minutes and it works better than anything I’ve tried. Try it as your regular topcoat and apply it every other day for a look so glossy you can see your own reflection. Don’t forget to seal the tips of your nails with a horizontal swipe at the ends to seal the color. For someone like me who’d rather go polish-free than have chips, this is a must-buy for party season.
Photo: Drugstore.com
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara ($7)
Usually I want my lashes to look like a longer, fuller version of my own, while still looking natural. I often even opt for brown mascara. But then a peculiar looking wand came across my desk and I couldn’t resist trying it. The Blackest Black formula looked inky but didn’t apply too wet, and added at least a quarter-inch to my lashes, which seemed to multiply before my eyes. The full, fanned-out effect made such a difference from my typical look that coworkers immediately noticed. For days (or nights) when I want va-va-voom lashes, this is my new go-to.
Related: Our Editors’ Favorite Mascara Wands
Photo: Drugstore.com
Nivea Extended Moisture Body Lotion ($6)
As soon as temperatures go below 50 my skin gets dry and itchy and remains that way until spring. No matter how hard I try to moisturize at every turn, that tight, cracked feeling is inevitable. But so far so good, thanks to this awesome new formula from one of my favorite classic skin care brands. At first I was surprised by the texture—it feels like a milky serum—but it rubbed in immediately so my skin felt silky and protected for hours. The 16.9 oz pump is so convenient for post-shower hydration, but I love it for hands, too, so now I have a mini version in my desk drawer.
Photo: Oribe
Oribe Split End Seal ($46)
While Oribe’s Gold Lust has earned a special place in my heart, the iconic haircare brand has outdone themselves with their latest concoction. Everyone knows you can’t really fix split ends without getting a haircut, but you certainly can disguise them. I spritz this serum around the bottom half of my long, layered hair, and like a magic wand, it makes even the most cranky, dry strands get its act together. It’s designed for color-treated hair since it won’t fade any shade, but as someone who hasn’t dyed her hair in over a decade I still appreciate it’s ability to make my hair look glossy and healthy even when I’m months overdue for a trim.
