Whenever someone finds out I’m from Miami around this time of year, they always ask: “How do you deal with the cold?” Well, my first winter was definitely a shock, but after seven and a half years I can handle it just as well as any New Yorker.

Now, the one thing I can’t get used to is the extreme winter dryness. Between the lack of humidity outside and the parching effects of indoor heat, it’s an endless battle keeping my hair and skin properly moisturized. And this crazy polar vortex sure isn’t helping things!

But fortunately, I’ve just been armed with some moisture essentials to help get me through the long harsh winter:

nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub

This body scrub is a unique fusion of Kenyan coffee beans, sugar, mongongo nut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil and avocado oil, that removes dull skin while smoothing, moisturizing and revealing more youthful-looking skin.

It has a non-oily, thick, jelly-like texture — which means your shower won’t turn into a slip & slide as you rinse off. The unisex scent is light and earthy with just a hint of energizing coffee. The exfoliating scrubbers did their job without being too rough and left my skin feeling very soft and moisturized.
($55)

St. Ives Naturally Energizing Citrus & Vitamin C Fresh Hydration Lotion

Moisturizing, convenient and smells like juicy grapefruit? Sign me up! Made with grapefruit extract, vitamin C and 100% natural moisturizers, this easy-to-apply lotion sprays on lightly and is quickly absorbed, leaving your skin energized and refreshed. This is perfect for mornings when I need a blast of moisture and quick!
($5.99 – $7.99)

Essence of Beauty Wind Kissed Body & Hand Cream

The scent is described as “a vision of spring flowers dancing in the breeze” with a “delicate harmony of cotton flower, mimosa, white amber and a whisper of soft musk” — and seriously, that’s exactly what the lotion smells like. This soft scented, quick absorbing lotion is definitely a treat! And a plus… it’s artificial dye & paraben free.
($6.99)

Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Leave-in Conditioning Foam

Low humidity in the winter means an abundance of good hair days, but it’s a double-edged sword because your hair starts feeling like hay if you don’t keep it moisturized. This leave-in, made with glycerin, deeply hydrates hair and helps make it more manageable and flexible for styling.

The foam can be used in either wet or dry hair. I’m currently wearing my natural hair blown out and I just pumped some product in my hands, rubbed them together and smoothed on. It smells great and tamed my flyaways.
($14.99)