Best of the Beauty Closet: 21 Products We Tried (and Loved) in December 2025

"This has been my go-to eyeshadow palette for the last month. I’m especially obsessed with the center shade. The sparkly pink is perfect for an all-over eye look—I’ve been wearing it solo as my everyday shadow and then blending it with the other shade when I’m going for something a little more intense at night. Plus, the packaging is so chic and feels like a luxe accessory in itself." —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

"I swear, every time I rub this rich and dewy cream onto my legs, I feel like I’m giving my skin a tall glass of water. It melts in quickly, leaving the skin supple, glowing, and somehow lit from within. It smells lightly floral and slightly sweet, which pairs well with many of my perfumes for layering. If you’re a fan of Sol de Janerio’s Delicia Drench, then you’ll love this one too." —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE

"An aesthetician recently asked me where I just got back from, assuming I'd gone on vacation because I have a tan rn (in the middle of December). But nope, it's just this self-tanner, I told her. It gives me a natural-looking, subtle tan after one application. I just spritz it on as the last step of my skincare routine once or twice a week, and it keeps my glow alive. Plus, Saltyface is acne-friendly; it's the only self-tanning formula I've found that doesn't have pore-clogging ingredients." —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

"First off, the packaging is perfect. The snap top means zero leakage in your bag, and the squeeze applicator dispenses the ideal amount of product. As for the ceramide and shea butter formula? It's been a godsend for my chronically dry, chapped hands. It feels thick and buttery yet soaks in fast, and it's even got a little retinol in it to help firm and brighten skin too." —LB

"Y’all, this lavender hair mist is such a vibe. I’m so excited that Herbal Essences finally decided to enter the hair fragrance chat! I spritz it through my hair after styling, and it gives this soft lavender-vanilla floral aura that lasts all day long. My hair smells clean and dreamy, and way lighter than when I use one of my perfumes. It’s perfect for those days when I want my hair to feel like it’s floating around me. I genuinely get compliments on the scent, and I catch myself sniffing my hair midday." —JW

"Candles as a holiday hostess gift are nice but expected. Fancy bar soaps, on the other hand, are incredibly chic...and something different!. I'm obsessed with these scented ones from The Maker—especially Lover. It smells warm, welcoming, and cozy, plus the paper packaging is so pretty so it requires no additional wrapping." —LB

"This is the cutest little hand cream. I have one sitting in my work bag for all my winter dryness and chapped fingers and hands. The orange blossom neroli is such a nice finishing touch to my scent routine, and the formula leaves my hands nice and soft, and never greasy." —JH

"As a beauty editor, I'm constantly talking about how my menstrual cycle affects my skin. But the impacts on my body are equally annoying! This past month, I put these heating patches to the test on the first two days of my period when my cramps are the absolute worst. And I won't lie and say it got rid of them or anything, but it certainly made me feel so much better and will be a must in the next few cold months." —BG

"Okay, I have mostly been over powder highlighters this year. In fact, I'm all about matte skin. But something about the holidays and the end of the year has me craving frosted skin (a winter makeup trend; makes sense) and also feeling a bit nostalgic. Enter: This highlighter, which brings me right back to 2014. This was actually the first-ever highlighter I bought more than a decade ago, and it's finally back. It gives my cheekbones a subtle glow. It's nothing metallic, nor is it glittery. Instead, it provides a soft sheen that blends with my creams and powders beautifully. Also, don't be alarmed if it looks hyper-gold in pictures or even in the pan IRL. On skin, it's so sheer that it comes off more like champagne." —BG

"Oh my gosh! This hair claw clip feels like an actual little fashion moment in my hair. Knowing it’s a collab between LUAR (the same brand behind that super coveted Ana Bag) and TRESemmé makes me feel like I’m giving off high fashion energy, but in clip form. If you can’t snag the real Ana Bag, this clip is basically the next best thing. Same sculptural vibe, the signature circular handle re-imagined as hair hardware, glossy black with gold detailing. Spritz your hair with a little shine or texture spray, clip, and go. It dresses up a simple bun or half-up so fast, and somehow makes a bummy day feel intentional." —JW

"Growth factors are easily my favorite ingredient to help smooth, firm, and calm down inflamed skin. And they just happen to be the hero of this formula. I love how lightweight it is, but it packs in a lot of hydration at the same time. And over the last few months of testing, I've really noticed that my skin is more plump." —BG

"If you ever wanted to smell like that post-beach shower on vacation while wrapped in a plush robe with a fruity drink in your hand (we all know the feeling), Ouai has managed to embody that comfort in this Santorini mist. It smells fresh and fruity, like a Greek getaway in a luxe beachside hotel. I love Ouai’s OG body mists, and this might just be my new favorite scent of theirs." —JH

"I keep a bottle of this mist by my desk and spritz it whenever my skin feels tired or dry from the office air. It’s so lightweight and doesn’t have a sticky feel on my face. It gives this soft “just-woke-up-hydrated” glow. Instantly, my skin feels calmer and smoother—and later on, it still feels supple. It’s become one of those little self-care moments in my day…a quick mist, a deep breath, and a reminder to treat myself kindly. Woosa!" —BG

"I got serious about my at-home laser hair removal journey again, which has meant I've been shaving more consistently and putting myself at risk for ingrown hairs. This single-handedly has been saving me. It soothes, gently exfoliates, and hydrates with a combo of colloidal oatmeal, AHAs, and ceramides." —BG

"I love this mask from OMAD when my skin is feeling extra dry and dull. The formula is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, and is a blessing for my winter skin. When I’m feeling extra dry and flaky, I throw this on at night after my skincare routine and let the hydrators work their magic to leave my skin looking plump and dewy." —JH

"'Tis the season to replace your lightweight body lotion with a thick, buttery cream like this one from Danucera. A slather it on slightly damp skin just out of the shower, and my normally dry and flaky limbs stay smooth and soft all day long." —LB

"I love a red manicure during the holidays, but instead of classic cherry, I'm all in on this burgundy shade from Townhouse. It's festive without feeling cheesy thanks to the vampy edge. Two coats provide glossy opaque color on my nails, and when paired with a good top coat, you'll easily get five full days of wear." —LB

"Okay, real talk: This scalp reset kit is my new favorite wash day hero. I’ve been dealing with a pretty dry scalp lately, and after using this, my head feels calm, balanced, and actually…happy. The heatable cap and mask make steaming my hair so easy, and the serum sinks in without heaviness. It’s comforting to know that I’m supporting my scalp’s health instead of just coating it. Afterwards, my hair feels refreshed at the roots and more alive overall. It’s become my go-to when I’m resetting after a busy week or a lot of styling." —JW