Baby, it’s cold outside.

Well, at least right now it is.

Tomorrow it’ll probably be 70 degrees.  And rainy.

Welcome to a North Carolina winter, folks.

However, if the rest of the months fly by like this one did then I think we will all be okay.  One thing that’s not okay, though?  My skin.  Not only is the weather drying it out, but I’m also on my second round of Isotretinoin, which is wreaking havoc on my skin.  So, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite beauty products that I’m l.o.v.i.n.g. this winter and are totally saving my life.  It’s a short list, but totally worth knowing.

At least in my opinion.

My favorite thing this winter, BY FAR, is La’Bang Body’s Nourish Me Hydrating Body Oil in coconut.  I discovered this brand when an Australian fitness guru, Ashy Bines, talked about it years ago as a product she used during her pregnancy to avoid stretch marks.  I searched everywhere for this product, and at the time they weren’t very internationally shipping friendly.  Now?  You can find this on Amazon and even in your neighborhood Walmart.  I purchased this a couple weeks ago when I started to notice eczema patches all over my hands and on my shoulders.  After applying it every day after my shower, those dry skin patches are completely gone.  I’m telling you, this stuff is chock full of coconut, almond, grapeseed, and avocado oils making it incredibly moisturizing.  And the subtle coconut scent makes me long for warm weather and exotic beaches.

Miracle Foot Repair Cream.  THIS. This is my all-time favorite foot cream.  When I was deployed to Afghanistan, my mom sent me a care package that contained this foot cream and a Ped-egg. I didn’t have a single foot issue the entire time.  Now, ten years later, I’m still purchasing and using this foot cream because it works.

Jersey Shore Cosmestics All Natural Anti-Aging Lip and Hand Polish in Vanilla Bean.  This one is a little on the pricier side, but completely worth it.  Ever since starting my second round of Isotretinoin, my lips have been peeling in the most unattractive way imaginable. But this little tube contains brown sugar, nourishing butters, and moisturizing oils that leave my lips feeling silky soft an smooth.  And the smell.  Ugh.  You might just want to eat the entire tube.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser.  Call me lazy, but I have a nasty habit of not wanting to remove my make-up before going to bed.  Just the thought of having to remove my make-up before washing seems so tedious, that I’d rather not wash at all.  Until I found this.  This cleanser is an absolute god send.  It takes my makeup off better than any other cleanser I have used previously, and it does it all without irritating of overly drying out my skin.

Elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil.  My brows became an important part of my make-up routine years ago when I began watching YouTube’s beauty “gurus”.  Since then, I’ve switched to threading my brows – even teaching myself how to thread my own – and filling in sparse areas with product.  My go-to was always the Anastasia’s brow powder duo applied with the dual-ended angled brush.  Until my sister introduced me to the Elf pencil.  FOR $2! And no one can even tell that I switched.  Absolutely perfect.  This is more like a every season must-have and not just winter.

Essie Treat Love & Color in Minimally Modest.  Right before the holidays, I took Audrey to go get a Christmas-themed manicure.  However, every time I put gel polish on my already-weak finger nails, they become even more brittle.  This Essie line of Treat Love & Color is perfect to strengthen my nails during the cold months.  And because it’s infused with collagen and camellia extract, it helps to limit breakage and peeling. Plus, the sheer pink color minimizes the visibility of chips caused by my daily computer use.

What’s on your list for the winter?  I really want to try this SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serum to help bright my winter dull complexion, but the price tag has me cringing.  And this Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk has the most beautiful golden pink shades, but do I really need another eyeshadow palette?  Probably.