36 Holiday Fashion and Beauty Essentials

Now that I’m done buying gifts for other people, it’s time to get back to what I truly love: buying gifts for myself. I spent the last month exercising immense willpower, successfully avoiding every fashion and beauty arrival that crossed my desk in order to budget for holiday gifting. But those days are behind me, and what’s in front of me… well, that needs to be shared. My focus is on holiday dressing, planning outfits for NYE, and investing in a few new beauty products as we enter the thick of winter. In the fashion category, the contenders are sequin slip dresses, brushed cashmere, and faux-fur coats. For beauty, I’m looking to boost hydration and nourish my skin and hair to counteract the harsh cold weather. To shop my selects from the brands making this happen, keep reading.

Whenever I’m in the mood to treat myself, I head straight to J.Crew. This beloved brand has been on a roll this season, releasing gorgeous collections one right after the other. My current J.Crew wish list is stacked with comfortable clothes that can be styled in a chic way (satin pants with a brushed cashmere sweater) and fun party pieces to wear this New Year’s Eve (a sheer, sequin slip dress and a tuxedo-style blazer). Whether I’m staying home or heading out this winter, these are the pieces I want to be wearing.

Are you one of those people who leans into moody winter dressing? Do you prefer to wear shades of gray to match the gloomy weather? If so, this section from Express is curated just for you. Below you can shop coats, pants, sweaters, and dresses that perfectly encapsulate the vibe of the season once the holidays are over. Embrace the moodiness, lean into the neutral looks, and shop these new arrivals below.

After scrolling through Ssense, I feel the need to admit I am a glutton for pretty packaging. This winter, I’m leaning into the little luxuries that make each day feel special, and that starts with the following six items. Hydrate your skin and hair with luxe oils from Diptyque and Herbar. Throw the Byredo lip and Dries Van Noten compact mirror in your night-out purse. Wind down with a Maison Louis Marie candle that smells far more expensive than $40. Each of these items looks, feels, and smells so rich—which is the exact vibe I’m going for.

The counterpart to the dark and moody winter dresser is the fun and funky one who strictly shops at Charlotte Stone. This brand is known for its statement-making footwear that’s guaranteed to brighten up any look. The heels, flats, and boots shopped out below are the shoes to wear to any holiday party. I’d go for the Georgie in red if you’ve got an all-black ensemble. Or the Judd in gold for a pop of festive metallic. These footwear options are F-U-N and sure to be the perfect finishing touch for any party look this season.

Okay, back to the clothes because I can’t help myself (and Kenneth Cole delivered the goods). Mock-neck sweaters, faux-fur jackets, and the prettiest draped backless shift dress caught my eye while scrolling the site. These are all party pieces that can be styled in a variety of ways. Yes, you can wear the metallic pants this NYE, but you can also wear them with a sweater and black blazer to the office the next day. These are multi-use winter pieces you’ll have no regrets about investing in.

This last section from Verb is a reminder to myself to not neglect my haircare routine this season. Static from sweaters, chilly temperatures, and dry air all do a number on our hair, but we can get ahead of it with the following six products. Historically, I’ve been one to shy away from extra hair products (I have ultra-fine hair that gets greasy fast) but these products will make your hair feel weightless, no matter the type.