IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Get into the swing of the holiday mood with this selection of skincare musthaves and grooming innovations to help you survive the long haul of the season

1 SHISEIDO

If there is anyone to trust when it comes to skincare, it definitely has to be the Japanese. With over 100 years of expertise in creating skin solutions, fusing the great Eastern traditions with innovative Western science, Shiseido doesn’t stop with just enough. Instead, it continues to harness upgrades and updates even for its already best-selling standouts. True to this dedication, the Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate gets stronger with ImuGeneration Technology, which is powered by anti-oxidant rich reishi mushroom and iris root extract to strengthen, restore, and defend the skin’s barriers. The formula firms and hydrates, leaving skin smooth, firm, and sustainably resilient.

2 NARS

Here’s something we cannot stress enough in skincare: Never skip the attention, especially when it comes to the lips. Sure, you’ve gone through the rest of the face and it shows, but nothing turns the whole thing around that crusty and cracked lips. To combat this, make sure to indulge your lips in a generous glide of Afterglow Lip Balm by Nars. With just a hint of shine and an overall smoothing sensation, the hydrating formulation provides supple comfort and is blended with anti-oxidants that help protect the lips from further damage. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take your pick from its Studio 54 holiday collection in Orgasm or for a straightforward, but highly effective route, the universally flattering Clean Cut is your best bet for pucker-ready lips.

3 JIMMY CHOO

Managing to exact a firm grip on the pulse of the contemporary man in fragrance, Jimmy Choo once again dissects the sensibilities of the male archetype, this time in the throbbing, thriving urban circumstance. It once again bottles the brimming energy of the times with Urban Hero, a vibrant undertaking that features a fresh and finessed swirl of lemon caviar, which is warmed up by a dash of black pepper. At its heart, it opens up to a necessary sensuality with rosewood and vetiver, before finally settling to a contrast of charged gray amber, as well as a lashing of rebellious leather.

4 MURAD

Backed by science to optimize skin wellness, Murad develops a creamy foaming cleanser that sloughs away surface impurities without drying the face. With its rich and indulgent swirl of soothing, softening extracts of cucumber, Hawaiian white ginger, and algae, the Murad Refreshing Cleanser is even more necessary to jump-start your standard skincare routine. Intended to be part of the hydration system of the brand, this product unites the best in skin rehydration technology that enhances, smoothens and recharges your skin to its best feeling yet.

5 AVEDA

Contrary to popular belief, shampooing doesn’t quite it do it for the scalp. Yes, it does the job of surface-level cleaning, but it isn’t that exact targeted solution that this focused area of the skin needs. Deeply and gently cleansing, purifying, and balancing, Aveda creates a clean scalp foundation for hair where it is left invigorated and refreshed. With plant-derived cleansing agents such as babassu, wintergreen, seaweed extract, and tamanu oil, this exclusive blend protects and preserves the scalp from aggressor and free radicals. Getting to the root of all things, it enacts a long-term solution that prevents the onset of problems and fall-outs, all while giving your scalp all the attention it needs.

6 HERBAL ESSENCES

Living in a state of perpetual summer has it perks, one of which is being able to escape to the tropical side of things, especially when the city becomes a little bit too much. However, while that slice of the sun-baked and sea-splashed is far from reach, you can evoke the calming wonders and spiritually rejuvenating nature of the island life with the innovative realization of the introduction of Herbal Essences bio:renew. A collection of variants that is 90% naturally derived, this shampoo and conditioner combination is proven safe and effective, helping revive dull, lifeless hair with every wash. With continued and diligent use, hair is completely transformed, picking up wind (and staying protected) the moment you finally set out to that island getaway of your daydreams.