15 Brooklyn Beauty Essentials to Get You Through the Long, Harsh Winter
Photo by Jane Bruce
We’re big fans of winter around here, but we’re not big fans of the way bone-dry winter air wreaks havoc on our skin and hair, leaving us with chapped cheeks and straw-like hair. That’s why we turn to these 15 skin- and hair-saving products. Many are made in Brooklyn, all can be bought here, and each will go a long way toward helping you survive these frigid months.
TOP SHELF, LEFT TO RIGHT:
Egyptian Magic Skin Cream: We didn’t believe in magic either, but then we tried this cream. Made of just six ingredients, it manages to soothe and moisturize even the driest of skin.
$38 at Catbird, 219 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
Soapwalla Activated Charcoal Glycerin Soap Bar: Good for even the most sensitive skin, this soap purifies and detoxifies and does all sorts of things to make your skin soft and beautiful, even when it’s harsh and dry outside.
$10 at soapwallakitchen.com
Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre: Simply put, this French moisturizer is the only thing that keeps our hands soft all winter. Nothing’s better.
$28 at rickysnyc.com
S.W. Basics Hibiscus Mask: Treat your face to this mask made of French green clay, organic lavender and hibiscus. Your complexion will be smoother and more supple within minutes.
$22 at swbasicsofbk.com
MIDDLE SHELF, LEFT TO RIGHT:
Butter Face Elixir: A few drops of this oil blend (argan, rosehip, and apricot kernel) massaged into your skin will make all the difference this winter. Trust us, you’ll be glowing.
$48 at Catbird, 219 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
Black Walnut Sage Bar Soap from Meow Meow Tweet: This soap exfoliates away all the dead skin that accumulates in the winter, leaving you soft and smooth and smelling good.
$10 at Brooklyn Groove, 102B Nassau Avenue, Greenpoint
Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturizing Masque: Your hair needs protection too, and this moisturizing masque gets the job done. Well, “done” is an understatement—our hair felt incredibly soft for days; we couldn’t stop touching it. Plus it leaves your hair smelling lightly floral and completely irresistible.
$35 at Aesop, 51 Bergen Street, Cobble Hill
Magic Powder: Who doesn’t need a magic bullet for their skin? Well, this powder doesn’t just make our skin smooth and clear—it also works as toothpaste and even a cure for itchy bug bites. It really might be magic.
$45, part of Jessa’s Healthy Skin Essentials at bladesnaturalbeauty.com
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil and Rapid Radiance Mask: Perfect for sensitive skin, this oil and the accompanying mask leaves skin glowing and firm and—as promised—absolutely radiant.
$52 as part of a set, Shen Beauty, 315 Court Street, Carroll Gardens
BOTTOM SHELF, LEFT TO RIGHT:
Glossier Soothing Face Mist: Being instantly refreshed is just a spritz away. This brand new beauty line is already one of our favorites, and this face mist is a big part of the reason why. We’re slightly addicted to both the way it makes our face look (dewy! glowy!) and smell. So, so good.
$18 at glossier.com
Soapwalla Indulgent Bath Soaking Salts in Citrus and Mint: Turn your bathtub into an at-home spa with these invigorating, detoxifying bath salts. It’s the simplest way we know to achieve instant relaxation.
$12 at soapwallakitchen.com
Mullein and Sparrow Facial Steam: This delicate blend of lavender, chamomile, calendula and more is meant to steeped in boiling water, and is an old-fashioned but highly effective remedy for opening up and detoxifying your pores, which is just what you need in the coldest of months.
$14 at Catbird, 219 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
Una Biologicals Lavender Mint Organic Body Butter: No other body lotion that we’ve tried sinks into our skin as easily and fully as this one, leaving even the driest parts soft and smooth.
$28 at Shen Beauty, 315 Court Street, Carroll Gardens
Camelia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream: Does it sound like hyperbole to say that this moisturizer changed our life? Maybe! But it’s true. Never before has our skin responded so fully to a moisturizer. This cream leaves us hydrated and smooth and can be used day and night. It also has an intoxicating sandalwood scent, which acts almost as aromatherapy for us all day long. Simply put, we’re addicted to this stuff.
$49 at Aesop, 51 Bergen Street, Cobble Hill
Follow Kristin Iversen on twitter @kmiversen
