Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
Holiday shopping is stressful for a few reasons, one of them being that I end up shopping for myself instead of everyone on my list. Oops. Luckily, though, that means I can add items to my own wish list—which is getting longer by the day—to give anyone buying me a gift some options. At least I can say I’m easy to shop for, right? I’m also someone who likes variety. I keep my wish list stocked with a nice mix of skincare, haircare, makeup, and fashion items.
I’m sure you understand. After all, I’m basically shopping online all day for my job, so it would come as a shock if I didn’t have at least 30 products on this list. For anyone who’s curious about what I’m scouting for the holidays, take a peek below. I’m breaking down every item on my holiday wish list and calling out a few winter favorites that I’ll be using on repeat this season.
This is the type of fragrance that checks every single box. It’s infused with juicy rose and vanilla and finishes with notes of black cherry liquor and jasmine. It’s strong but not overpowering, floral but not too sweet. It makes a statement, which is always what I’m after during the holiday season and beyond.
I can’t even tell you how many good things I’ve heard about this dual-phase setting and refreshing spray. Ingredients like blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and moringa-seed oil add so much hydration to the skin and even provide antioxidant protection.
This beauty oil from legendary brand Danessa Myricks was made to be worn under makeup—literally. It’s a concentrated blend of jojoba, squalane, sunflower, and sweet almond oils to provide hydration, but it’s the gold leaf in the formula that really gives you a radiant glow. I recently tried this along with the Danessa Myricks Vision Cream Cover ($22), and it did not disappoint.
I live for a good blazer-style trench coat, and this Alo offering is at the top of my wish list this year. It’s the perfect creamy beige that will go with literally everything in my closet.
Has anyone else been seeing these “rubber” face masks all over their Instagram feed? If you have, you’ll definitely understand why I want to give one of these a try. This collagen-boosting one from Dr. Jart+ is at the top of my “must-try” list. Reviewers are raving about the hydration boost it offers.
I recently started using Le Mieux’s Vita-C Serum and am obsessed with the formula. I’m picky about my serums, but it made the cut, and this Growth Factor Serum is next on my list to add to my routine. It’s a revolutionary repair serum that targets damaged, inflamed, and aging skin with epidermal growth factors and self-activating, energizing youth molecules.
Everything about this coat is perfect—the length, color, shoulder pads, and double-breasted button closure. I’ve been looking for a solid coat to have in the winter (even though L.A. hardly gets real winter weather), and this just might be it.
This travel-sized set is perfect for anyone who styles their curls on the go. It includes Pattern’s leave-in conditioner, styling cream, and curl gel, which add extra hold and hydration.
I have incredibly dry hair thanks to years of heat-styling, but it’s on the mend thanks to this amla oil from Rthvi. I use a dropperful after a shower, and it adds so much softness and hydration to my hair.
Merit always delivers when it comes to makeup, but I seriously cannot wait to try the brand’s latest offering—skincare! This Instant Glow Serum plumps and hydrates the skin with four types of hyaluronic acid and imparts an instant glow with cacao seed, niacinamide, and Japanese goldthread root.
Buying cargo jeans just feels right in my heart and soul right now. This pair from Zara is so chic and would go so nicely with a pair of black boots.
I’m pretty much obsessed with luxury French brand Biologique Recherche. Its formulas are potent and effective. Yes, they’re pricey, but they’re 100% worth it. I back the brand because I use it religiously, and the latest product I’ve added to my routine is the brand’s oxygenating serum. It’s so great for anyone who lives in a big, polluted city like L.A. or NYC. It traps oxygen at the surface of the skin, creating a protective film against environmental aggressors. It really gives you a healthy glow, and I can’t recommend it enough.
I’ve had an ongoing love affair with Lawless lip glosses for a while, but I just might have a new beau—the brand’s Shape Up Soft Fill Eyebrow Pencil. It isn’t easy to pry myself away from my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Pencil, but this one has managed to steal my attention in a big way. It provides such a gorgeous, natural look to your brows, and the pencil is just so easy to work with.
I love this soft white top for the winter season. It would pair so well with jeans, trousers, or even a maxi skirt.
I won’t pretend that I’m a master at contouring, but I love that this sculpting duo from Patrick Ta makes it so easy. It’s equipped with a cream contour and powder bronzer that give your skin such an airbrushed look.
I’ve loved every single product I’ve tried from Tatcha, and this lush cleansing oil is next on my list. I see so many makeup artists on Instagram sing its praises for its ability to gently (yet effectively) remove even the most stubborn makeup. It also leaves your skin silky smooth and extra hydrated.
I recently met with the wonderful Brian O’Connor, Hayley Williams’s longtime friend, makeup artist, and hairstylist and Good Dye Young’s co-founder. He told me how much he and Williams adore this foundation because it feels more like skincare than an actual foundation but still leaves a gorgeous finish. I’ll be adding it to my cart ASAP.
I’ve been on the hunt for a solid pair of ankle-length cowboy boots forever. This pair from Free People ticks all the boxes.
My eye shadow obsession has gotten a little out of control, but could I really call myself a beauty editor if it wasn’t? Charlotte Tilbury’s formulas are next-level. I can’t wait to test-drive this beautiful rose gold shade for the holiday season.
I’ve been struggling with dry skin ever since I stopped using prescription-strength tretinoin. It’s been a journey (and a struggle) to find products that hydrate my skin without feeling too heavy. This serum from Biologique has been a lifesaver. It helps prevent transepidermal water loss in the skin, so it remains hydrated, plump, and youthful without feeling sticky or oily.
I’ve been hearing great things about Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo and this overnight formula. It contains traditional Korean herbs to supply moisture and nourishment to the skin, boosting its natural radiance and barrier. I’ll definitely be giving it a go to combat dull winter skin.
As I mentioned earlier, my curls tend to get extra dry during the winter. This curl cream from Ouidad helps completely eliminate dryness and adds definition and body to every type of curl pattern.
If you’ve read any of my other stories, you’ll know how much I love Eminence products. Usually, I tend to go for the brand’s amazing face masks, but this soothing body oil is next to buy on my list to keep my skin extra hydrated all season.
I know so many makeup artists who love applying Embryolisse cream as a base, but I always thought I should avoid the OG formula due to the fact that it contains mineral oil, which is not the best ingredient for acne-prone skin. But this formula for those with sensitive skin is just up my alley. It provides deep hydration to the skin and creates a beautiful base, but it is totally free of mineral oil and other potentially pore-clogging ingredients.
I am a face-mask devotee, but I can’t believe I haven’t tried this fan-favorite from Ole Henrikson. It’s a cooling and detoxifying mask that instantly reduces the look of pores, smooths skin texture, and absorbs excess oil in the skin. I’ll snag it for those days my skin could use a deeper clean.
Blazers are the one type of item in my closet I need more of. I’ve looked far and wide for a “granddad-type” blazer but could never find one I absolutely loved until I came across this one. It’s such a gorgeous shade of brown, and I’ll wear it with literally every piece in my fall wardrobe.
Skims bodysuits are a must during any season, but I love the long-sleeved options for winter. This scoop-neck one is on my wish list to wear with high-waisted and wide-leg jeans.
I’ve been on a retinol break for a while now, but I’m looking to ease back in and start incorporating it into my routine again. Obagi’s retinol has an overwhelming number of positive reviews. It really helps speed up cell turnover and reduce fine lines without causing dryness or irritation.
I love all of Nécessaire’s products, but the brand’s neck serum has to be my favorite. I’m not always the best at neck skincare, but this serum is so good that I’ve definitely gotten better about it. It really tightens up the skin in the area and leaves it feeling so soft and smooth.
I always thought the day would come when I’d finally decide that I have enough nude eye shadow palettes, but it definitely hasn’t (and probably never will). Huda Beauty palettes are stunning, and I’m positively foaming at the mouth for these beautiful rich-coffee, magenta, and gold shades.
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