As anyone who heard a Christmas carol pre-Halloween knows, our culture gears up for the holidays very prematurely. Holiday party invites are sent out in October (true story), and November is studded with just as many festive save-the-dates as December and January, which results in a major conundrum in terms of beauty shopping. Since we know there will be major deals and steals on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and whatever other weekday shopping extravaganza is invented this year, part of us feels the need to resist all beauty buying urges until we have a million discount codes saved and ready to go to battle.
On the other hand, we want to feel and look our best for every event, party, and photo op occupying our calendars before said sales. Despite the fact that I'm an editor who lives and breathes everything beauty for a living, there are still products I buy with my own money or have tacked to my beauty product wish list, and just ahead, I'm revealing what they are. From the glow-inducing self-tanner I've been restocking since college to the mists and moisturizers my favorite celebrity makeup artists use on their A-list clients, I'm sharing the 21 beauty products I absolutely can't wait to purchase (and which I'll be securing into my product arsenal before the holiday shopping frenzy ignites). Keep scrolling!
Hair
As a rule, I try to be as minimal as possible when it comes to the products I use in my hair (bleached strands and all), but come November and December—the season of holiday parties and work events—I'm doing the most damage to my poor head. This ingenious filter-like spray goes on before you shampoo and literally lifts and carries away residue, minerals, and other annoying debris getting in the way of your best hair day.
To elaborate on my point above, winter is when I'm hardest on my hair, and my thirsty strands crave a weekly masking ritual more than I crave a hefty pour of wine at Thanksgiving. This epic formula is a best seller, smells heavenly, and practically transforms decrepit strands after just one go. Magic.
This pre-shampoo oil from French brand Leonor Greyl is an icon. Slather it over parched, damaged strands before you shampoo, and straw-like texture magically morphs into liquid gold. Seriously, the Brothers Grimm should have written it into Rumpelstiltskin—no spinning wheels necessary.
If you have limited space alotted for haircare on your vanity or in your suitcase, I suggest this all-in-one saving grace from R+Co. It works its superpowers on all hair types and just has to be sprayed on clean, damp hair before being combed through. Hair is left moisturized, detangled, and fortified with an extra kick of strength and resilience that will definitely come in handy all season long.
I'm always dreaming of denser, fuller hair. After discovering my favorite hair gummies had too much biotin (and was causing me to break out), I'm on the lookout for something topical instead. Viviscal always receives rave reviews, and it's one of the few methods celeb hairstylists also seem to back in terms of healthier, expedited hair growth.
This hairstylist staple has been on my holiday wish list for years—way before I was a beauty editor. It's truly the Rolls-Royce of hairbrushes, and with all of the parties and events I have on the calendar through the end of the year, I think I finally need to splurge. It's expensive, but I'll do almost anything in the name of perennially pretty hair.
It's official. According to every celebrity hairstylist I've talked to in the past year, hot rollers are the coolest new way to gift hair with lots of volume and the perfect ratio of bend and wave. T3 makes some of the best hot tools money can buy, so I'm throwing my money at this eight-count set at rapid speed.
Makeup
If I could only use one powder highlighter for the rest of my life, it would be Becca's cult-favorite in Champagne Pop. Obviously, I need this collector's edition ASAP and in time for all of the inevitable holiday photo ops.
This French complexion-brightening CC-serum hybrid is how I plan on convincing people I'm actually getting an adequate amount of beauty sleep this season. The results are so pretty it's beyond. Plus, it can be applied on its own or mixed with your other favorite liquid formulas like foundation. A little will go a long way, so trust me when I say it's worth the investment.
A makeup artist used this multitasking product from Kevyn Aucoin on me ages ago, and I've been pining for it ever since. Plus, it's tiny in size and perfect for packing and throwing in your bag wherever adventures take you this winter. Use it as a spot foundation, concealer, allover foundation, highlighter (if you choose a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone), or mixed with your fave face cream to do double duty as tinted moisturizer alternative. Brilliant. Thanks to jojoba and honey, it's also super hydrating and acts like a healing salve for dry, chapped skin.
I'm already obsessed with Tarte's bronzers and blushes, so this set of three blush, bronzer, and highlighter shades all stacked together is practically a dream come true.
Some people dream of pumpkin pie and spiked eggnog this time of year, but I dream of sparkling eye looks, and these tubes that are the prettiest thing to adorn your eyes with for a subtle hint of shimmer. Diamond Dust and Kitten Karma are in my cart.
My favorite SPF-spiked moisturizer has officially bottomed out, and I'm in need of a no-funny-business replacement. This formula from Supergoop! is touted as one of the best among beauty-industry insiders and works triple duty as a moisturizer, primer, and, of course, sunscreen (which you should still be wearing, folks!).
I'm more of a powder-bronzer kind of gal, but I'll make an exception for this fan favorite from RMS Beauty, which has all kinds of amazing winter-skin perks like buriti oil to add even more street cred to its sun-kissed and prismatic finish. Use it as a bronzer, a highlighter, an eye shadow—the options are endless.
Skin
Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff uses this amazing sheet mask to prep her clients (um, Margot Robbie, for one) pre-makeup. Do I need to explain why I want this so badly?
With these prettily packaged eye masks from Wander Beauty in hand (or suitcase), not getting enough sleep officially becomes no problem.
'Tis the season for the best Swiss-made body butter for parched, winter-dry skin. This luxurious formula will be my nightly ritual all season long.
Susanne Kaufmann's luscious skin and bath essentials gift you with the easiest, self-care-centric way to moisturize and soften your skin. I'm dreaming of dipping into this Mallow Blossom Bubble Bath for a major de-stress moment.
I don't have any actual sun-soaked vacation plans, but this game-changing and customizable express formula from St. Tropez helps lessen the blow while boosting overall skin glow. It's my absolute favorite, and I'm forever restocking it.
Literally every skincare product Darphin makes is on my want list, but after seeing Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson gush about this soothing toner (heaven-sent for my sensitive winter skin), this formula is taking top priority within my lineup. (FYI: It has a perfect five-star rating.)
I've heard multiple makeup artists sing this cream's praises. Described by the brand as "a gentle protective moisturizing day cream for sensitive, dry or weather-damaged skin," this is the perfect wintertime-skin antidote.
Up next: 24 French Beauty Buys With Seriously Amazing Ratings
