Lipstick is a lot of work. If you're going to a party, you can't be more than one room away from your lipstick at all times -- and you'd better have a mirror, too. That's why I prefer a formula that's somewhere between a lipstick, a balm and a stain. The color lasts but it's also moisturizing, and it doesn't need to be as obsessively monitored as a traditional lipstick. Almay Smart Shade Butter Kiss Lipstick, $6.99, fits the bill perfectly. Plus, it comes in 12 shades in three categories for different skin tones. (My personal favorite is Berry Light, a poppy plum that makes my pale skin look brighter.) This simple system also takes the guesswork out of buying lipstick as a gift -- these would make the perfect party favors.

The same company that owns H&M just brought the slightly cooler, slightly more sophisticated sister brand -- called & Other Stories -- to the United States from Sweden. And let me tell you: It's good. The best thing about the store in NYC is the bright, white beauty section, which feels like a giant bathroom at a chic, modern hotel. And the products are just as fantastic as the design. This month, I'm stocking up on & Other Stories Cotton Care Zephyr Mini Hand Cream, $11, which comes in a glamorous white tube, smells soft and clean and moisturizes without even the slightest bit of greasy residue. I'm giving them to all of my hard-to-buy-for friends, and I'm bringing them to holiday parties as hostess gifts. And don't worry: You don't have to make a pilgrimage to New York or Sweden -- you can order online.

The days are so short I barely see the sun, and while that might sound depressing, there is an upside: It's the perfect time to erase sun damage. I'm booking laser appointments and stockpiling brightening serums. Elemis Advanced Brightening Even Tone Serum, $90, is my current serum of choice. It contains vitamin C plus daisy and pea extracts, which work together to lighten existing spots and keep new ones from forming. Elemis tested the serum after 28 days and found a significant change (most serums take 12 weeks before you notice a difference). Not only is that impressive, it also means you'll have brighter skin by New Year's Eve -- and just in time for the days to get longer again.

There are a handful of superstar florists in New York City, and Ovando is one of the best. (Aside: If Bravo did "The Real Florists of NYC," I'd watch.) Their arrangements are sleek and modern, and they last longer than flowers from anywhere else. Still, they're pricey for something so temporary, and the smell of fresh flowers -- while always lovely -- doesn't exactly scream "holiday cheer." This time of year, the Ovando L'Hiver Candle, $60, seems more appropriate. It was inspired by the smells of Paris in wintertime, and it's as cozy and warm as a fireplace with notes of anise, cinnamon, vanilla and leather. It's just as beautiful as an Ovando arrangement, and it will last even longer.

If you've yet to get onboard with the coconut oil trend, I recommend starting with Alba Botanica Very Emollient Coconut Rescue Body Lotion, $14.99. In addition to unrefined coconut oil, it also contains coconut milk and shea butter, making it unbelievably moisturizing. And because the coconut oil is cold-pressed, it maintains a higher level of vitamins and antioxidants. Oh, and it smells like a vacation -- something we could all use in the middle of winter.