Winter has officially hit NYC. The wind is hitting our faces with gusto, and most of us are questioning living in the city. Naturally, I've already caved and am booking it for warmer weather. I've purchased a flight to Miami for the New Year, and honestly, it's the best decision I've made in months. The second that confirmation email hit my inbox, my whole mood shifted, and I was onto the next step—the vacation mood board.
IMO, one of the best parts about planning a trip is figuring out what I'm going to wear on my face and body. I've spent the last week mentally swapping my heavy coats for open-back dresses, cute bikinis, and anything that moves when the breeze hits it. There's nothing like the promise of warm weather to snap you out of winter autopilot.
My beauty routine is getting its own little reboot too. Miami means sun, humidity, late dinners, and that soft glow that just doesn't hit the same in freezing weather. I've been pulling products like I'm prepping for a personal skincare and makeup edit—tints that won't melt, bronzers that allow me to pretend I've already been on the beach for a week, and hair products that can handle the South Florida air. If New York insists on being an icebox, I'll happily start 2026 poolside instead. Here are the beauty products and outfit staples I plan on taking with me.
For the Airport
I need a warm jacket to get me through the subway ride to JFK, security, a glass of wine in the Centurion Lounge, and a chilly flight. I've been hunting for a funnel-neck style, and Atorie makes the perfect one—chic, cozy, and way more affordable than similar options.
Now that I'm in my 30s, I'm attempting to not look totally frumpy while in travel mode, and although I'm not fully committed to dressing up in a fancy outfit to sit for three hours, a nice piece of jewelry makes anything elevated. This pair of huggies from At Present is the perfect investment to wear on and off the plane.
Plane time equals prep time. As soon as we're in the air, I'm applying these eye patches from Beauty of Joseon to give me an energized look. Made with ginseng, they help revive tired under-eyes and boost circulation, and they leave my skin looking refreshed by the time we land.
I'm not the best flyer. In all honesty, it gives me a teeny bit of anxiety. I like to take magnesium to fully calm my body down and settle my nerves before we take off. This Magnesi-Om pack from Moon Juice is perfect for travel and comes with individual sachets I can toss into my bag, making it super easy to stay relaxed from boarding to landing.
For a Fancy Dinner
I've had Fancì Club on my mind for quite some time, so finally picking up this black ruffle dress felt inevitable. I've scrolled past it a dozen times, paused every single time, and knew that eventually I'd cave. I've got a dinner planned at Mother Wolf in the Design District, and this is ideal for the upscale space.
I'm pairing this gorgeous dress with simple heels. The Fiesta Heels from Tony Bianco are the perfect balance of minimalist and sleek, letting the outfit do all the talking while still pulling the whole look together.
Carnal Flower is perfect for a warm winter night in a tropical destination. It melts into the skin in the most beautiful way, and its soft notes of white musk and amber feel both sensual and sun-warmed.
If you're eating hearty Italian food, you need makeup that'll stay on through it all. I've been testing Mary Phillips's brand, M.Ph, and let me tell you—there's a reason Hailey Bieber's pout is always pristine. This liner is perfect for an evening out and holds up through pasta, wine, and whatever else the night throws at you.
For a Day at the Pool
I'm obsessed with pierced accessories, and these slides from Tory Burch would look perfect poolside. I love going to The Standard Hotel for a day in the water and trust me. You've got to dress to impress. This is my ideal way to elevate simple flip-flops.
I love an animal-print moment, and I refuse to show up at the pool without a good bathing suit. This zebra-print bikini is exactly that: fun, flattering, and made for warm weather.
Soleil Toujours' sunscreen with vitamin C has been a staple in my warm-weather routine for ages. It's lightweight, blends in seamlessly, and gives you that brightening boost thanks to the vitamin C. It's perfect for daytime exploring when you want protection and glow.
A day under the sun's rays always calls for aloe vera, whether you feel a burn coming on or not. Dune is my go-to for this. The brand's formula is soothing and lightweight and instantly takes the heat out of your skin.
For a Quick Workout
Whenever I'm in Miami, I head to my favorite exercise class at Fuze House, a heart-pumping, super-fun (and hard) heated Pilates class. Lately, I've been loving the athleisure from Port de Bras, which has turned workoutwear on its head. This ruffle top is on my wish list, plus almost everything else the brand makes.
I'm either weight lifting, which requires flat shoes, or in Pilates, which is always shoes off, so these Samba sneakers from Adidas are always the pair I reach for on my way to the gym or class.
After any form of exercise, I usually skip applying foundation and put on a little mascara, lip balm, and, of course, blush. Rhode's Pocket Blush has been in my kit for some time now. I just dab on a few dots and use my fingers to gently blend a soft flush onto my skin.
The A.M.S. Manuka Honey Lip Balm has become my little miracle worker after exercise. It's packed with healing honey from New Zealand, ceramides, and nourishing oils that instantly soothe even the driest lips.
For a Night at the Club
For a night out (or early morning) at Club Space, it's absolutely necessary to have a small bag that keeps you comfortable and hands-free. This little number from Andersson Bell is perfect—lightweight, compact, and just big enough for the essentials.
The rave environment is less about what you wear and more about feeling free, and besides a small bag, a good pair of sunglasses helps you do exactly that. Chimi is my go-to for sunnies, offering styles that are lightweight and reasonably priced and still look very chic at 6 a.m.
Dancing and sweating equal makeup that easily comes off. If I'm outside, I'm wearing waterline eyeliner, and after testing dozens of them, I can officially say that this one from Chanel is my winner. It stays on through it all, including a humid night out in Florida.
If there's humidity in the air, I'm not taking my chances with styling my hair. My texture is naturally wavy, so I tend to go the natural route and just do a curly girl routine. Usually, I air-dry, scrunch up strands with a microfiber towel, and gently work this lightweight mousse from Crown Affair in. For my fine hair, this helps define my wave pattern without making it oily.