If you were to scroll through my group chat with my NYC friends, you'd see us chatting away about our favorite workouts, new healthy restaurants, and our recent purchases—but nothing piques my interest quite like the latest beauty trends. There are a few, in particular, that we cannot seem to shut up about. We've seen them everywhere—not only on our social media feeds but also at boutique workout classes, in cafes, and on the streets of SoHo. The big takeaway? The quiet luxury aesthetic has expanded to the beauty routines of NYC It girls. Think glowing skin, slicked-back hair, no-makeup makeup, and fresh, minimalist nails. Here are seven clean, simple, and luxe beauty trends that my NYC friends and I love.
Simple Updos and Buns
Nothing says "understated luxury" like a designer hair clip.
I'm constantly running around the city, so I always keep a couple silk scrunchies handy in my bag.
Gel is an essential product for slicking back your hair into a sleek updo or ballerina bun. This formula was designed for the runway, so it will keep your hair in place through a night out, a tough workout class, or a busy day in the city. Bonus: It also contains nourishing ingredients such as silk proteins and argan oil.
You can never have too many claw clips. I love the modern rectangle shape and array of neutral colors in this set.
Fresh, Glowing, Natural Skin
Now this is a product that my friends, fellow editors, and I never stop talking about. It has powerful and effective antioxidants that brighten and plump the skin.
Skin tints are the key to glowing skin. This one has hyaluronic acid and squalane to deliver a fresh, my-skin-but-better glow.
Even in the winter, you need to apply sunscreen every day. I opt for SPF 50.
Get a dewy glow the easy way by mixing some illuminating drops into your moisturizer or sunscreen. Once you use them, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.
I've been using this glow-giving tinted moisturizer for years. The gel-cream formula is unlike any other I've tried.
Amber Perfumes
The classic, rich-smelling perfume that NYC It girls wear. It has a discreetly luxe blend of amber, jasmine, and cedarwood.
Dossier has created the perfume equivalent of an iced vanilla latte. This yummy blend has notes of pear, orange blossom, and jasmine flowers with a rich base of vanilla and coffee.
If you don't know Aerin Beauty, it's time you get acquainted. The amber accords in this perfume are perfectly complemented by plush florals, sweet coconut water, and praline.
Cloud is one of my all-time favorite perfumes. At first spritz, you get sweet praline and vanilla orchid, but when it settles on the skin, it reveals a more sophisticated wood-musk scent. It's a nearly identical dupe for Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540.
This rich, refined scent has a warm base of vanilla, amber, and musk with top notes of tangerine and cinnamon. If you want an exalted scent for the winter season, I recommend this one.
Nude Nails
"Cashmere nude" nails are having a moment.
If French tips are your thing, you need these.
Essie makes the best drugstore nail polish. The shade Bare With Me is the perfect nude pink.
A glossy light pink is a go-to shade of mine.
A high-shine top coat finishes off every nail look.
Gua Sha
An ultra-hydrating serum is an absolute must in every winter skincare routine. It's the perfect way to prep your skin for gua sha.
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese ritual that aids in lymphatic drainage, releases tension, and depuffs the skin. I recommend storing your gua sha in the fridge to amplify the soothing and cooling benefits.
Another gem from affordable skincare brand Bubble. This lightweight face oil drenches your skin in neem seed, prickly pear, and buriti oils. Use it while you gua sha so the tool glides effortlessly across your face.
Sculpt your face with this pink rose quartz. The stone is known to represent self-love.
Simple Balletcore Beauty
Glorify your pout with this creamy lip balm. It has shea butter and argan oil to deeply hydrate, and it also imparts a lustrous rosy tint.
I'm telling you this iridescent highlighter is the key to a natural, angelic radiance. It also has this gel-like formula that nourishes your skin.
Rhode's lip tints have the same hydrating benefits as the original Peptide Lip Treatment but with a touch of color. I love the shade Ribbon, a ballet pink. These lippies are some of my favorite small luxuries.
Pamper your pout with a lip cream. This one has a super-velvety texture and applies like a dream.
I adore this pretty, shimmery pink blush. The sleek white packaging is a welcome bonus.
Ribbons and Bows
This bow is discreet and understated but still luxe.
Silk and satin give this ivory bow its luster.
Secure your tresses with this adorable and chic bow barrette.
Pearl accents elevate a white bow. This one is so perfect for winter.
Crafted from silk charmeuse, this trendy chocolate-brown bow is the most fashion-forward way to get in on the trend.
Shop More Products NYC Girls Love
Add this mask to your winter pamper routine for an intense dose of hydration.
Spritz this on throughout the day to keep your skin glowy and dewy. The coconut scent is also to die for.
Meet the highlighter of my dreams. This has a shimmery, pearlescent pigment that gives a beautiful wintry glow.
This is the rich, indulgent moisturizer parched skin is begging for. It has a patented trio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to nourish your skin.
Chic NYC It girls keep this in their designer purses.
It's winter, but that doesn't mean you can't be bronzed.
If you have thick hair like I do, you know that normal hair ties just don't cut it. These hair ties are gold for thick hair and actually keep it in place.
This pretty pink blush is so balletcore. I'm currently loving the shade On Point, a vibrant, gold-flecked rose.
