I Hate the Cold, But I Beat It With Shopping + Strategy
Kerry > The Cold, why not?
I have a new life mantra and it’s wildly simple—just pay for it. If throwing money at the problem will fix it, I’m in. I think this will go far for my 2026 abundance mindset. Something not going your way? Pay someone else to do it! Winter got you down? Buy some stuff! I’m only partly joking, because I think sometimes we get ourselves all in a tizzy over the things that money can fix when there are SO many things it cannot.
Outside of being a newly big spender (lol), something you should know about me is that I disdain the cold. It’s kind of my thing, right up there with being a Virgo, I’m sort of known for it amongst people who know me. I like skiing—so everything has light and dark—but even when I was very small, I would lie on the radiators throughout our pretty yet drafty 100-year old house like a cat and lament how chilly it was. Yes, I could move somewhere warm, and that is always an impending possibility, but for now, here’s where I’m throwing my cash money to circumvent this issue! My approach is down right Nordic, honed from years of being cold, starting with my beauty regimen and ending with wool layers. And it’s all chic, obviously.
Clothing + Accessories:
Good gloves are a must! My go-to ski glove brand that I tell everyone to buy, Hestra, recently released leather gloves and they’re gorgeous and SO warm. The Megan style in black is perfect for everyday. I love the Elizabeth dark red burgundy shade to be a little more dressed up (but still so cozy and lined). And the Tiril mit is a more casual mitten that I love with a fair isle knit. These have been in heavy rotation. *
For headgear, I live for a balaclava (it’s a scarf and a hat in one and you will never lose your hat, since it’s technically around your neck). Mine is White + Warren sold out, this one from Cos is also great, as is this Soft Goat version. My faux fur hat is Mango and sold out—I can’t find a good alternate version in faux but this Nour Hammour shearling hat looks chic. I love a triangle scarf to wear at the neck, shoulders or waist, like this from Almina Concept. I’m also planning on purchasing either this Nour Hammour coat or this to rotate with my vintage fur. My black jacket is a great wool piece from De Rococo, that you can wear like a coat or cardi.
For clothing, it’s all about the art of the layer. It’s a fun time because leggings as pants are so back—merci The Row! Basically, you need wool tights (Wolford excels here), with a good legging layered over—I love these from The Park. I’ve been living in this DeRococo wool long sleeve top, which I have in black and white, and I put under truly everything. I’m wearing my Studio Amelia pumps here for effect, but for running around I like either my Sezane boots with wool socks from Bombas (these are substantial) or Bearpaw boots (they’re sturdier than UGGs and cost less).
Beauty:
My overall methodology here can be summed up in two words: deeply hydrating. When I get facials I’m always told my skin is dry which is not ideal, so I’ve been going hard on heavy duty moisturizers that don’t clog my pores. I also take an infrared sauna and warm baths a few times per week but don’t bathe too much in the winter y’all (I have a Relax pop up tent infrared sauna and a PEMF mat from Higher Dose). I go light Chinese-medicine on food and try to gear towards eating things that are warming, so no smoothies or cold salads when it’s this cold out.
Hands:
The true doorway to the soul and prover of years on earth, so I’ve been trying to be better about taking care of these babies by being diligent about (very good) hand creams.
Soft Services Theraplush overnight repair treatment for evening and Aesop Eleos hand balm for day.
Body:
Don’t neglect your body care. It also gets itchy out there if you do!
Le Prunier Plumbody body lotion or Mutha bodybutter melt
Necessaire body wash olibanum with essential oils smells delish and feels nourishing
Face:
Daytime/Pre Makeup Routine:
Prequel Face Spray A humectant-rich polyglutamic acid mist—I just started using this as a first step and it sets my skin up perfectly.
Innbeauty moisturizer (my beauty editor friends say this is as the best and I agree and the price is better than most, it’s great under makeup)
Agent Nateur holi(sun) spf tinted drops (these are so lovely going on and great for everyday, I just ran out)
Saie Lightweight Illuminator (the glowiest thing ever)
Westman Atelier Bronzing drops (fake it til you make it)
Rare Beauty liquid blush (so light and pretty, like you just went down the ski run)
Maybelline Fluff eyebrow gel (I love this stuff)
Evening:
The heavy hitters, these mean business and have me waking up looking straight up fresh
Remedy Rich Cream for cleansing
Goop beauty exosome hydration serum
U beauty super hydrate says it actively hydrates for up to 48 hours and I believe it: It transports five unique sizes of Hyaluronic Acid molecules deeply to the skin
Lesse Awakening eye cream Hydrates and strengthens fragile periorbital skin and feels so nice going on
Oak essentials moisture rich balm this is super thick and I feel like it seals everything in
Kate McLeod everywhere stick for lips and just where I feel like I need it
2-3x per week:
Blue Lagoon Mineral Mask A hydrating face mask infused with the geothermal bioactive Blue Lagoon Seawater, with over 20 electrolytes. This feels SO nice.
Hair:
The idea here is not to have to wash it too often, so I use hydrating products and also products that extend time between washes. I feel like I’ve mastered this! I wash and condition with Roz, when it’s wet I add the Crown Affair leave in conditioner, I dry it with a round brush and then add Roz milk hair serum to the ends and the next day add both the Crown Affair dry shampoo to the root and the Chris McMillan for a little lift.
Burr Burr boar bristle brush
Roz Shampoo and Conditioner
Crown Affair dry shampoo and leave in conditioner
Chris McMillan the dry texture and volume spray
Roz milk hair serum
That’s it, stay warm out there kids! Or book that flight to St Barth’s. Why not?! xx KP
*Part of a partnership with Hestra