“I don’t remember the last time I felt cozy” - JP Brammer from his last, beautiful Substack post of his awareness in a New York City diner.
Last week, after I taught a class, I got coffee with a friend I met about a year ago up here. She’s incredibly in tune with nature and the world, and I quite enjoy picking her brain about things. We were chatting about the oncoming winter and our new fireplace, and I made a comment about how I have worked so hard on making our home cozy so that no matter where in the house we go we feel comfortable. She then said something to the effect of “well yes, it’s so important to be warm, especially for women at our age”…before I could stop myself the words “I knew it” slipped out of my mouth in a whisper. I felt validated, secure in my Philosophy of Coziness, my soapbox rantings preaching the word of Warmth I gab on about to anyone who will listen.
I know what you’re thinking— the Scandies have already coined this, Hygge! And yes, but you can get Hygge even if you’re just with friends and the vibes are right. I genuinely mean coziness as warmth, a physical warmth within you and in your surroundings. Baths, hot tea’s, fire’s in your fireplace (or on your TV), body oils, slippers, comforters, rugs. Anyway, I feel like my home and body are finally cozy after a year and a half of moving around and having our things all over the place. And now that I have developed a solid routine I thought I could share, just in case someone here is having trouble finding theirs.
Let me start by saying I know Neutrogena is the worst and you really shouldn’t use it HOWEVER, in the winter my back and butt break out so badly and this is the only thing that helps me.
I love an Ordinary product (may he rest in peace), and this Squalane cleanser is gentle, creamy, and cheap. I’ve just started using makeup remover wipes (I’ve been a non-believer for years) but then my mom gave me some and let me tell you it’s been a game changer. After my face is washed I spray this Briotech skin spray my friend swore by, and once it’s all dry I switch between this Dr. Dennis Gross Renewal Serum which is my absolute favorite. The first time I used it my sister asked me if I had a facial when we were on FaceTime. Then about once a week I will use this heavy duty Karuna Lights Out cream from Whole Foods which is like the most cloud-like, thickest cream for when you’re feeling dehydrated and needing MOISTURE. Then once or twice a week I will do The Ordinary Peeling Solution which I like to call my Blood Mask because it looks like blood. But it’s great- just keep it on for 10-15 mins and then softly wash it off using lukewarm water. Some nights I let my skin just sit in itself and some I put on a moisturizer like one of the above on afterwards. And then you guys know I love a tan. I can’t help it! I will not accept looking in the mirror at a pale and tragic face. I have found that this Goop favorite Salty Face tanning spray is phenomenal and there is no streaking.
For my body, I have realized that I need two entirely different routines in the summer and in the winter. In the summer, I only use Dr. Bronners peppermint body wash and this really crunchy peppermint deodorant. For lotion I spritz Mario Badescu’s Rose Water spray and call it a day. I like to feel fresh, cool, clean. The opposite of this is true for winter months (aside from the clean part). I want to smell luxurious. I want to feel coated. I like to look oily. I love this Salt & Stone brand even though all their TikTok marketing is making me crazy! This Bergamot & Hinoki (essence of an orange tree and Japanese pine) is my go-to. I am, and have always been a bergamot gal. I put some into my bath for cozy bubbles, and douse myself head to toe. I bought the Santal & Vetiver deodorant for Matteo but he is the most scentless man so I have found myself using it instead. Then for my post-shower/bath I LOVE an oil that just sinks into your skin. I have gone through about two or three bottles of Everyday Oil and she is my ride or die (also I just went to their website and they have a new sent called Warm Feelings which I will be trying out immediately), but I have found that this Bakuchiol spray body oil from Whole Foods is just lovely. The smell is clean and fragrant without being too much, and the spray bottle really is a game changer. Both oils leave you feeling warm and glistening, and like your skin is protected from the harshness of the winter.
Now for hair. As everyone who knows me has known for a while, I take hair VERY SERIOUSLY. After I had my brush with death situation post-Romeo’s birth, I did everything I can to grow her back. First, this Bare Hair Care oil from my friend Jordan Pomeroy’s collection is phenomenal. A bit in your roots, a tad at the end, comb through and twist into a bun and let it sit. Wash it out, and then I love this Davine’s Heart of Glass glaze I picked up in Florence. Great for blondes and just needing a little something for when your hair becomes dull. I also try to wash only two days a week and to keep it looking fresh and clean I swear by this Bumble & Bumble powder. Not pictured: my 18 bottles of Biotin I rip through as soon as the weather drops below 60 degrees.
I hope you can develop a warm routine soon, we all deserve to be cozy in this weather. By the way, it is not lost on me that I just wrote this whole post when there are children and families without homes, being bombed into submission, or in other absolutely horrible situations. I am so grateful for this life, this home, and the fact that I can light a cancel and put a blanket over my legs and write a substack post.
Stay cozy.