Well, we're in the thick of it now, aren't we friends? It's the shortest day of the year this weekend, which means winter has moved in, and is set to stay for a while longer yet.
Unless you're spending your days frolicking in fresh snow and sipping a hearty shiraz at après-ski drinks (who are you??) it can be a challenging time of year. Luckily, there are some little luxuries that can help get us through when we need to treat ourselves.
Whether you need a self-care moment, are looking to zhuzh things up around the house or are just wanting to stay dry and free from the flu - here are our top picks for winter goodies.
11 winter must-haves for 2025:
kit: Good Night Balm ($55) from Mecca
Winter weather strips our skin of moisture, but it also offers more opportunity for early nights and pamper sessions, and this product is where those two things collide.
I can personally vouch for this thick, creamy overnight balm, which doesn't feel greasy but does lock in the hydration. It's also a super reasonable price for how long it'll last ya.
Honuka Liposomal 1000 Vitamin C + D3 with Mānuka Honey ($69.99)
The ills and chills are on a rampage right now, and one way to support your immune system is to load up with Vitamin C and D.
Taking these in powder or tablet form is ok, but harder to absorb - whereas these little sachets infuse liposomal formulations into Mānuka honey to deliver them to your body more efficiently and they're genuinely YUMMY. You just snap and squeeze right into your mouth, so they're great for travel or taking to your germ-infested office.
The Warehouse Living & Co Faux Fur Bubble Blanket ($99)
A fluffy blanket is a no-brainer for chilly nights, and this one is already a fave amongst Kiwi shoppers.
It's got a bunch of five-star reviews filled with words like "snuggly", "soft", "warm", and "thick", and it's big enough to fit a queen bed - or cocoon yourself in several times over.
Lush Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser ($24)
A Lush best-seller, this gentle cleanser uses ground almonds and kaolin clay to buff away dirt and dryness, combined with lavender, rose and chamomile blue oils which reduce redness and are calming for even the most sensitive skin.
Because it's a 'soapless' formula, it's not gonna strip your skin barrier, which takes an extra beating in winter.
Kmart Cast Iron Casserole ($42)
This time of year calls for hearty stews, warming soups and of course, bread - and a cast iron casserole pot is perfect for making all of those.
These things can be super expensive, but Kmart has a range of affordable beauties in four adorable colours. They may not last quite as long as the fancy ones, but they're getting great reviews and are sure to inspire a bit of winter magic in the kitchen.
Bondi Sands Ultra Express Self-Tanning Foam ($32.99)
I'll admit, I'm a self-tanner gal all year around - but it's way more unpleasant to waddle around like a naked starfish person waiting for it to dry when it's freezing.
Enter the latest in express home tanning from Bondi Sands, which dries super fast and offers a rich, warm tan within an hour. This does mean you have to move quickly to avoid streaks, and you might need to experiment a bit. I did two coats and waited more like two hours to get my ideal tan, but the glow is worth it.
Blunt Clubhouse Red Metro Umbrella ($139)
One thing you can say about Blunt is that it's one of those brands that has truly earned its hype. They're not cheap, but they're built to last, which is better for the planet and mainly, for you, when you can avoid the inexplicable embarrassment of your brolly turning inside out while crossing the road.
Their metro size is perfect to take pretty much everywhere, and their new Clubhouse Red just so happens to be one of the colours of the season.
BYOMA Liptide Lip Oil ($23) from Sephora
Chapped, dry lips are the absolute worst, and there are a million different products on the market to combat them - but this lightweight lip oil stands out.
During the day, it gives you that dewy look without the stickiness of a gloss, but I've been lathering it on overnight to let the moisture-giving peptides, ceramides and lipids get to work while I sleep.
Le Creuset Food Flask ($70)
Taking hot food to work can be a pain - waiting for the microwave to be free, dealing with messy tupperware, being judged on your meal planning (or lack thereof) - but a decent food flask can change all that.
This baby is ideal for soup, pasta and rice, allowing you to chow down straight from the jar without all the hassle. And before you say 'phwoar, expensive' - did we mention it has a lifetime guarantee? Not to mention, Le Creuset is opening its first-ever outlet store at Auckland's Mānawa Bay this July.
Glasshouse Sugar Coated Candle ($64.95)
Scented candles really come into their own this time of year, and so do sweet treats - so why not have both? Glasshouse's new Sugar Coated range includes scents like Sweetie Pie (Banana-Caramel and Cream) and Peanut Butter Cups to bring candy shop, dessert parlour energy to your place even when you can't be bothered baking.
Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum ($89)
Protecting your skin from the sun is not only vital to your health, but it's one of the most effective ways to keep your skin looking amazing as you age.
And yes, that means even on cloudy, rainy, yuck days - those UV rays are always present! Emma Lewisham's latest offering not only packs an SPF 50 punch, it's a bronze-tinted serum that gives you a holiday glow even during the gloomiest time of year.
As we speak, I'm wearing it at work, without any foundation (almost unheard of) which is testament to how illuminating and hydrating it is for everyday wear.
Monika was provided with some of these products for the purposes of these reviews.
