The Monthly Edit: December 2023
A roundup of the products I loved this month and why.
Welcome to the first installment of The Monthly Edit, a gluttonous feast of my favorite things each month. From the tried and trusted skincare products that never let me down to the recent purchase that exceeded all expectations, the hidden gems I finally rediscovered (often rolling around in one of my drawers), the sweaters I wore more than I care to admit, the makeup product that was apparently really big on TikTok nine months ago and much more. My favorites aren’t always what I used most but rather what I cherished most. Every month is different: there’s the newcomers and the holdovers, the unexpected and the obvious, the crowd-pleasers and the brow raisers. You can find every installment of The Monthly Edit here. Let’s dive in.
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The December Edit
What do our favorite things say about us during that period? What were we going through, thinking about, craving and seeking to make them rise to the top above all others?
After sharing The Monthly Edit on Instagram for the better part of the last year, I realized that my favorite things were almost always a glaring reflection of the personal tragedies and triumphs I endured each month. Sure, not every month was all that dramatic — I’d hardly call showering regularly a triumph in the grand scheme of things (though, then again, sometimes I would). Still, examining my monthly favorites with the highs and lows in mind has become a somewhat introspective exercise for me. And while I’m not big on introspection, sometimes it can help us chart a more intentional path forward.
Whether you meticulously track the things you loved most throughout the month, keep a somewhat coherent mental list of what brought you joy or simply like seeing what others found most useful at the end of each month, I challenge you to consider the why. What else was going on in your life that may have contributed to those items becoming so loved? Maybe you reached for your favorite eye shadow stick because you have it in the perfect shade, one that seems to be part of the signature look you’ve been searching for. Or perhaps it’s because an eye shadow stick can be quick and easy and in a month when you were being pulled in fifty-seven directions all at once, it was all you had time for.
Sure, maybe that body lotion was a favorite simply because it helped soothe the all too common eczema flares. I’m not saying that everything has to have some profound meaning but I think it’s worth thinking about now and again: Why did we love something — practical or otherwise — and what were we going through when we loved it?
Now, Let's Get to the Feast…
December Highlights
While I can’t possibly speak to or feature each product or item included each month in a graphic or post, I always link the full list of the scrumptious treats I’ve cherished most that month for you to nibble on. If you have questions about the other products featured in this month’s edit below or in the full list, please leave me a comment! I’d love to hear from you.
U BEAUTY | The Return Eye Concentrate (save w/ myskinterest): Look, I understand that no one wants to hear about another expensive eye cream but as someone who has tried more than my fair share of eye products, this is my favorite. I use The Return as my evening eye cream all year but I’m particularly grateful for it during the winter months. As you may know, my skin is akin to an arid climate during a drought and it’s safe to say that my eye area is always looking for some reprieve. The Return delivers on providing instant and lasting hydration, helps to depuff and always makes me look like I’ve had a full nights sleep (even when I didn’t sleep at all). In December, a turbulent combination of travel, dry eyes, stress, lack of sleep, mountains of work and all the rest that comes with the sprint at the end of the year made me rely on The Return more than ever before. Despite all odds, I credit The Return with playing a considerable role in saving my eyes (and my eye makeup) throughout even the most dry, cold and awful days. If you can’t stomach the price with my discount, try this one (save w/ myskinterest) or any of my other favorites listed here.
SURRATT | Dew Drop Concealer (save w/ myskinterest15): I could write a love letter to this concealer. Despite nearly every brand releasing a new concealer within a few weeks of each other, Surratt’s is easily my favorite of the bunch and my favorite I own (that’s saying something). But like all Surratt products, this recommendation comes with a few caveats. While shade 2 is the perfect match for me, it’s nearly impossible to figure out your shade based on the swatches online — not to mention that the shade range is abysmal. Also, the sponge applicator is obviously awful so I pulled mine off and I’m so happy I did — highly recommend. Caveats aside, the Dew Drop Concealer is SO kind to my eyes and pairs seamlessly with my favorite foundation. It has more coverage than most of my other favorite concealers but it still allows your skin to look like skin — meaning it never looks like too much. Out of all of Surratt’s coverage products, the Dew Drop Concealer is my favorite and the one I most recommend. As I mentioned, I didn’t sleep a lot in December (which could be an entirely separate post) but I never looked like I was sleep deprived — partly because I was almost always wearing this concealer. I can wear shade 2 or shade 3, but shade 2 is best.
CROWN AFFAIR | The Leave-In Conditioner: I’m working on a separate post about my hair care journey, which began a little over a year ago now when I decided to start taking care of my hair for the first time in my life. Since then, I’ve been in what I like to call my Hair Care Era, and while I’ve tried nearly every popular brand out there — Crown Affair has always been at the top. Even when I cycled through different shampoos, conditioners, treatments and the like, The Leave-In Conditioner became an immediate staple in my routine and is often featured in my monthly and weekly favorites. In recent months, I’ve lost a lot of hair due to stress — like a lot. So while I figure out the path forward to regrow my hair, I’m even more determined to take care of the hair I still have. I’ve gone through countless bottles of The Leave-In Conditioner and I always bring a mini with me when I travel (and it’s glass so it’s easy to refill). Over the last year, I’ve realized the importance of a leave-in conditioning product and I’ve also realized that most of them suck. As someone with fine hair, most leave-in conditioners weigh my hair down or make it look greasy no matter what. Crown Affair’s is different. I could go on and on and on about this and all of Crown Affair’s products (Dianna Cohen is a genius) but if you only get one thing from their line — grab The Leave-In Conditioner.
SUPEREGG | Kind Atmosphere Biome Mist (save w/ myskinterest): It’s that time of year when as soon as I step out of the shower, finish washing my face or even think about washing my face — my skin immediately needs some form of moisture. And while I have a seemingly endless collection of hydrating mists to choose from, I always reach for Kind Atmosphere from Superegg. In my mind, Kind Atmosphere is about as perfect as a hydrating mist can be. The spray is incredibly fine and consistent, the packaging is lightweight, minimal and perfect for travel, it’s immediately hydrating and soothing and it’s from a brand I really trust and admire. I use Kind Atmosphere to rehydrate my skin before starting my skincare routine every day, as well as in-between steps in my routine and as needed throughout the day when my skin is feeling parched. It never disrupts my makeup either, and that’s certainly a win.
NAADAM | The Original Cashmere Sweater: In addition to my obsession with all things beauty, I am obsessed with cashmere. And while I love so many different cashmere sweaters from countless brands, Naadam makes one of my favorite classic, fitted cashmere crewnecks — and they’re much more affordable than most others on the market. I have The Original in several colors (they have so many) and wear them constantly all year — it’s kind of my uniform. The Original isn’t thin but it’s lightweight enough so that it’s perfect for layering. It’s made to be fitted (unless you choose to size up, of course) so they are perfect to throw over a white t-shirt and wear to work, out to dinner or wherever you go. I gave The Original to a few loved ones over the holidays and they were the perfect gift. Whenever I share any cashmere sweaters on my Instagram, I always get asked about pilling and here’s the thing: cashmere will always pill — it’s the nature of the fabric and many others. Some brands sell different variations of a fabric comb, though I think fabric shavers are far more effective and easy to use. You can buy the fabric shaver I have or search on Amazon for a million different (and probably cheaper options). I take a size small.
While I’d love share more of the items I loved most throughout December, I don’t want to bore you too much too soon. But let’s go back to the question posed at the top of this edition of The Monthly Edit: What do our favorite things say about us during the period we loved them most?
When I look at my list for December, it doesn’t immediately reveal the somewhat tumultuous month I had. But on second glance, some truths begin to unravel. Despite spending the majority of the month in warm weather, I clung to the softness of an oversized cashmere wrap scarf to serve as a personal barrier from the world around me. I prioritized hydrating layers over my usual cocktail of actives, maybe in an attempt to find a moment of calm. I reached for an old favorite of mine because it’s a perfume I remember wearing to my grandfather’s birthday a few years ago. All together, my favorite things in December were mostly a collection of tried and trusted favorites, comforting classics and hero products I could rely on without any fuss.
Right, now tell me all about your favorite things! What were the products you loved most in the last month of 2023? Ask me all the questions about what’s on my list!
Until next time, follow along on Instagram and browse all of my favorite things. Don’t forget to click the 🤍 before you go! Thank you for being here. Talk soon.
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Loving your blog! I’m currently waiting for my Surrat dew drop concealer to arrive and reading how much you love it got me so excited! A product I absolutely fell in love with this last year was the Givenchy prisme libre powder in Voila Rose. As someone with very dry skin, powder scares me but I was mind blown after first use with this powder, I think it’s worth the price. It blurs my under eyes without drying them out or taking away the glow.