Cold Weather Companions To Stave Away Seasonal Depression
BY SOPHIE CHUNG
Winter’s In — and So Are These.
22 JUN - 2025
Fair warning: you’ll be emotionally attached to these.
I know I'm making a very bold claim. To be honest, I really can't promise that these materialistic things will keep you from suffering seasonal depression. But what I do know is that the habit of anticipating and appreciating small moments make a huge part of keeping the spirits up. Here's my 14 favourite things that I'll have on repeat until the joyous season of hay-fever rears its sniffly head.
Aesop Aurner
In classic Aesop fashion, Aurner, the latest fragrance to grace its olfactory collection, offers an entirely new perspective on floral fragrances. Described as a “defiant bloom” by the perfumer, Celine Barel, Aurner is green and spicy with the magnolia leaf (as opposed to the flower) at its heart. Opening with luminous notes of pink pepper, cardamom and Roman chamomile, and grounded by sandalwood and cedar heart, Aurner brings forth the perfectly balanced dichotomy of freshness and warmth. This is no doubt, my favourite Aesop fragrance to date. When layered over Aesop’s geranium body balm, you can experience a whole new scent that is more calming and centering - perfect for lifting the spirits during the rainy season.
Besos Margarita Cafe
At the time I wrote this, I was teetering on the brink of insanity.
We’re on week ‘I don’t know what’ of our full home reno and I’m up to here *aggressively gesturing above my head* with it and absolutely over it. Not to mention, renos are obscenely expensive and it NEVER goes smoothly - not once. I asked for epoxy grout in the kitchen and what did I get? NOT EPOXY GROUT. Anyway, this new release from Besos Margarita has been really great for relieving stress and making me feel better at the end of the day. It’s an espresso margarita that’s unmatched compared to any other premixed espresso martinis on the market and is better than a lot of the $25 bar-made stuff out there. It melts away headaches and shakes away bad moods. I highly recommend this whether you’re celebrating a win or in need of a break and a Kit Kat won’t do.
Ninja CREAMi
I didn’t think I’d love an ice cream maker this much - but, I do. I’m not much of a cook and most definitely not a baker - but I love making ice cream and I love eating it even more. The CREAMi whips the icecream to a soft serve texture - it’s unreal. I’m always buying tubs of Duck Island or mint Magnums or affogato Kapiti so I guess it’s going to save me money in the long run? I dunno - cream and cream cheese is really expenny. Totally worth using girl math on this though.
Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier
The rainy season is well and truly upon us, which means candles in every room, mood lighting, excessive heating, cosy clothes, throws, blankets - and a LOT more dust. While feeling warm is something we all yearn for, I love breathing in crisp, fresh air while I’m paralysed under three layers of duvets. During the months that we don’t open the windows as much, the Shark NeverChange5 Air Purifier has been a great friend in keeping the air clean.
Plus, all the dust from the reno has been inescapable and the purifier tells me how bad the air quality is, which makes me vacuum more frequently. She’s also super compact compared to a lot of other air purifiers so it doesn’t take up a huge chunk of space if you have a small room. Plus, it’s aptly named - you don’t need to change the air filter for 5 years which is such a huge cost saver over time!
Paume Hand & Body Cleansing Wipes
Biodegradable, alcohol-free and noticeably gentle on the skin and nose, the Paume Cleansing Wipes are a new favourite of mine. It comes with a vegan leather case which really gives the humble cleansing wipe a luxurious twist that makes it equal parts covetable and convenient. If I were a mum, I would definitely be hanging this on a nappy bag. But I’m not, so it stays in my car and keeps my hands and steering wheel clean.
Jeuneora Beauty Sleep
I’ve recently decided not to pre-stress about things before they’ve happened. I guess that’s what you’d call anxiety - well, I’ve had enough! There’s never not going to be issues, and I’m trying my best to deal with them as they come. It feels like a pretty big stepping stone in terms of emotional regulation so I’m stoked about it. And the one thing that helps me keep from spiralling in the night is the Jeuneora Beauty Sleep - a healthy hot chocolate that relaxes my mind and body deeply - I often wonder how it’s even legal. Beauty Sleep and a book is like natural lorazepam!
Dermaviduals DMS High Base Cream
This has got to be the most rich and luxurious face cream known to mankind. I usually use Plutioderm Plus to keep my skin void of breakouts but when it needs an extra dose of TLC, I layer on a pea sized amount of this all over the face and neck and my skin laps it up. I've been gatekeeping this one for years but it's too good not to share if you suffer from dry skin.
Tronque Body Milk
Consumers in the bodycare category are becoming really fussy these days! I didn’t think it could be done - but Tronque has done it. Tanné has created a super nourishing and moisturising body product that is featherlight, spreads evenly and absorbs quickly. I thought it would lean a little light for my dry skin but she’s an absolute dark horse. I used this solely on my skin for a few weeks and my skin has felt really comfortable and I don’t itch my eczema anymore! It’s my favourite Tronque product to date.
Haus Labs Foundation
UM?! Holy hell this is an amazing formula. When I asked our Beauty Editor, Jenny, “so, what do you think?” She said, “I knew it would be good. But I didn’t think it would be THIS good.” The formula is thin and lightweight but the coverage is incredible and the finish is like a true second skin. However, shade-matching online was really confusing. I ended up getting the shade 190 which is quite a yellow-toned shade for someone who is neutral. I’m a 2N in Dior, 2N1 for Estee Lauder, Deauville in NARS and NC15 in MAC. I was going to get 175 but thought it might be too light for me. Jenny got 145 which ended up being my shade - but it was leaning towards the brighter side.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Mist
I’ve been working alone in my home-office for 4.5 years now and sometimes, it feels like I’m in a solitary coop as I don’t have anyone to talk to. When I want to lift my mood a touch, spritzing the Skin Caviar Mist makes me feel divine. The fragrance is inexplicably luxurious and just for a moment, I feel as wealthy as a nepo baby.
Bobbi Brown Extra Color Shine
Buttery, juicy lip colour is the latest thing that all the makeup brands are pushing out these days. And the new Extra Color Shine by Bobbi Brown is a superb formula. The shade Nude Latte is the PERFECT nude shade that’s not too pink and not too warm - it’s a true neutral cinnamon shade.
Elie Saab Elixir Love
Without fail, I will get a compliment when I wear Elie Saab Girl of Now. This new scent, Elixir Love, is a sexy concoction of jasmine, neroli, rose and ambroxan that exudes mystery and femininity. I’m not one to love a sweet scent but this one is very well balanced and it makes me feel confident every time I wear it. I usually force my new favourite scents under my friends' noses when they come over and the Elixir Love was a unanimous eye-roller.
Aesop Fabulous Face Oil
I have tried hundreds of different face oils and this one is hands down, my absolute all time favourite. The fragrance is to die for - juniper berries, ylang ylang and jasmine - it’s a killer trifecta and is the best scent that Aesop has to offer. I love everything that Aesop creates but this - THIS is on another level. The final step in my night time skincare routine, the fabulous face oil makes me feel - unequivocally, fabulous.
Puma Speedcat in Yellow
Since thrashing my Adidas Sambas for two years straight, I was looking for my next pair of sneakers that I’ll wear day in, day out. Something fun with a pop of colour and sleek silhouette so I can dress it up and down. I seem to fall in love with certain colours before they absolutely pop off e.g. our Chatty red has been milked dry by countless brands - and I’m foreseeing yellow to be the next it-colour. #notahumblebrag
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