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With these skid-resistant, chic $30 winter boots? You: 1, Queen Elsa: 0.
Promising review: "I love this headband! I live in a place that has winter and I love that I can wear this for a headband that covers my ears to keep me warm! The volume control helps because there is a lot of traffic on my street and I have to turn them up frequently. When I turn them up, the noise cancellation is good. The sound quality could be a little better because the speakers move around and you have to position them. I also like the fact that it is washable when you take out the speakers and the little charging cord. I am sure I will wear this in the summer as well. Thanks for making such a great product!" —Kathy F
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
FWIW re: scars, though, this stuff really works. I had thyroid surgery a few years ago and Bio-Oil took me from looking like I'd stumbled out of the Red Wedding to virtually no detectable scar within a few months. All I did was apply it once in the morning and once at night.
Promising review: "This stuff is awesome. I get dry patches on my face in the winter and since using this, no more dry patches! I have pretty sensitive skin and I can't use most creamy moisturizers because I'll break out, Bio-Oil adds the moisture I need without breaking me out. It also helps to reduce old acne scars and evens out my skin tone. As an added benefit, the smell is light and clean!" —Lydia
Get it from Amazon for $8.89 (available in three sizes).
Promising review: "Super soft inside and out. When I saw The Comfy on Shark Tank I just knew I had to have one. I live near the beach and it is perfect for chilly mornings and cool evenings. I absolutely love mine. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fabric. It feels so luxurious that I want to wear it all the time. I bought myself a navy blue one but I am already thinking of getting a couple more ordered for both my kids. Great product." —Kat
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in 10 styles and two sizes).
Sweet Water Decor is a Pennsylvania-based Etsy shop established in 2014 that specializes in candles, coffee mugs, office decor, and gifts.
These candles have a burn time of 40+ hours, and have top notes of sea salt and citrus, middle notes of musk, and a base of amber.
Promising review: "Wow! Expedient shipping, and came carefully packaged. I am very pleased with this fragrance, so fresh, just what I wanted for my newly renovated spa bathroom. Definitely will purchase from this vendor again." —Jean Vasciek
Get it from Sweet Water Decor on Etsy for $20 (psst — this shop offers ✨free shipping✨!!).
You can sync this alarm clock with an app on your phone (or with an Alexa or Google Home), and it will gradually brighten the room with red-tinted light designed to fight grogginess in the minutes leading up to your wakeup. By the time your alarm goes off, your eyes will have already adjusted to the "daylight," so you won't be as tempted to hit snooze. It also has customizable sounds to wake you up, like "Hawaiian waves."
Promising review: "I've had this alarm clock for about a month or two now. I was having issues waking up and getting motivated to get out of bed when it was early in the morning and really cold. I had low expectations; I was hoping that it would at least keep the correct time and turn on every morning since it was so cheap, but I have been blown away by this little thing. It reliably connects to Wifi and can be controlled with your phone! It can get the time from the internet, so it never runs fast or slow. There are so many different settings to use, but I do 10 minutes of sunrise before the alarm (the shortest amount of time). By the time the alarm goes off, my room is bright enough to feel motivated to get up at 5:30 am. The alarms are kind of cheesy sounding, and you cant fully turn off the sound, but the piano one is my favorite and it is nice to listen to over and over. I don't use sleep settings so the light/alarm noise will run for 10 minutes and then turn off. I've never used the radio function but it seems pretty straightforward to use. The speaker is not great quality, but that's not what I bought it for. I gotta say, it's definitely been easier to wake up early with this alarm for sure." —emass24
Get it from Amazon for $45.99.
Hatch Restore lets you personalize a "bedtime routine" for each night to train your brain to recognize sleep cues and get a better night's rest. Options include changing the light settings to more amber tones to help produce melatonin for sleep, soothing noise options, and sleep meditations and sleep stories you can get in the Hatch app.
Promising review: "This was the best thing I have ever found to help with my insomnia. I used to take hours to fall asleep and wake up multiple times a night. Now I rarely wake up in the night and fall asleep either during the guided meditation or just as the white noise begins. I love waking up gently and not to a blaring phone alarm, and I’ve been able to stop doomscrolling at night since I can keep my phone out of reach. Highly recommend!" —darcybear
Get it from Amazon for $129.95.
In the absence of anything concrete to look forward to this winter, my new quarantine amusement has been ordering myself a new pack of mug cakes either from the grocery store or Amazon every few weeks. Among the faves are this Duncan Hines Caramel Brownie (above) and the Betty Crocker Chocolate Caramel Cake (available at Target for $2.99), but trust me when I say I have tried every single Betty Crocker mug cake Target offers this winter and have yet to find one I don't love.
Promising review: "I bought this because sometimes I just want a chocolate pick-me-up without spending a lot of time making a whole batch. A little water, mix until smooth, and 55 seconds later I am drooling as my house smells like homemade brownies! Having caramel and small chocolate chips is an added bonus. Popping a spoonful of rich-tasting warm goodness is heaven. I dare you to take just one bite!" —Stephanie
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $2.23.
I only got these because it was a Black Friday sale because for some reason I am very resentful about purchasing boots (I love sneakers too much to function), but now that I've worn them I would have paid full price and then some. They're ridiculously comfortable, keep my feet warm and dry, and I felt very secure walking in them on a day with fresh snow and the day after, when the sidewalks were icy. There was no break-in period, either, which I appreciate because I tend to go on long walks. There are no half sizes and some reviewers suggested leaning toward your lower size if you're usually a half — this was true for me! They run a smidge large.
Promising review: "I purchased these to wear while walking my dog 1+ miles daily, and wanted to feel safe walking in the snow and ice. The anti slip tread on these boots did not disappoint. They are sturdy and allow me to walk without any slipping. My feet stay warm while walking through snow and ice sludge in the street." —lovetoshop
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in women's sizes 5-11 and six colors).
Promising review: "Nice on the hands. I have very dry skin on my hands especially in the winter months. I purchased this product because I was out of liquid soap I usually use. This was a pleasant surprise as it was not drying. The scent was mild and the sudsing as expected. Pleased with the purchase." —Dippy Diner
Get a three-count pack from Amazon for $11.97.
Promising review: "These are the most awesome and warm sweats ever. Love the fit, fabric, and style with zippered pockets. So nice to have a zippered pocket as I actually wear these to work on cold days. I work outside and love the comfort of this pant. Not to mention the great feel on the inside. I have washed them several times and they come out perfect and do not shrink either. I loved them so much I bought two other pairs in different colors. Only thing is I wish they would do them in Blue. These also don't overheat you like you would think...I just maintain a nice warm temperature . They are really a nice quality too. They arrived totally flattened and I thought what the heck but it is just the vacuum packing and they bounce right out and feel GREAT! Think the sizing was correct too. So nice to have it be right from the get go. Would be great after a day of skiing or outdoor winter activity to take off the chill and relax in. Bring on the cold!!" —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $36.99+ (available in women's sizes XS-XL and eight colors).
Promising review: "I had brought my plants inside for the winter and my large leafed house plant immediately started dropping its leaves. My smaller plants just sort of stagnated. I used this fertilizer — very easy to use — just punch a hole with the plastic dowel included and insert the fertilizer stick. Along with this I used a plant light but my large plant has not dropped another leaf and my smaller plants have new shoots popping up. This fertilizer is so inexpensive and easy to use." —ladyt
Get a set of 24 from Amazon for $2.98.
TBH, it is the warmest, most functional coat I've ever owned. It's like being snuggled everywhere you go?? A gift that will just keep on giving and giving. Also the POCKETS ON THIS THING. I genuinely feel like a one-woman clown car pulling out all the things I've snuck in there. I don't use a purse in the winter, everything just very snugly and securely fits in one of the zippered pockets (and the side pockets are SO warm for your hands).
Promising review: "Let me start by saying, my husband says that I am obsessed with coats!! I saw this on a lightning deal during the holiday season and thought it was so unique I had to have it!! Out of probably 20 winter coats, this is now my absolute favorite!! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this coat, love everything about it! The quality is outstanding! I have had every expensive brand name winter coat, but have never ever had one that has kept me this warm! I I'm not even looking forward to the warmer months because I don't want to put this coat away!! Waiting for another deal, so that I can order it in a couple more colors!! Every time I wear it, I get at least one, 'I love your coat!!' Oh and I should mention, the customer service department was outstanding. I had a question in December, during the holiday season, and they responded within 15 minutes of my email and had everything resolved!! How does that happen during the busiest season of the year?" —Suzi Linthorst
Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (get this price by clipping the "$10 off" coupon on the product page; available in sizes XXS-5X and 13 colors).
LuvScrub is a Black-owned beauty brand that specializes in mesh exfoliators influenced by creator Ghanaian-American Caroline Owusu-Ansah's childhood using this type of mesh like many West Africans. Her version is meant to replace loofahs and washcloths as a more full-body effective, long-lasting, and bacteria-avoidant option.
Get it from LuvScrub for $18.
Psst — this is USB rechargeable, and you can even use a power bank or your phone to charge it!
Promising review: "This hand warmer is amazing! My hands are constantly cold and I've tried all sorts of products to help keep them warm but nothing has worked until now. I charge the hand warmer every night with a standard USB charger and the next day, I have hours of warmth. The three temperature settings are very helpful — I use the highest setting when I'm outdoors for long periods of time and the lower settings when I'm indoors (e.g. sitting at my desk or in a cold movie theater). I've already given hand warmers as gifts to several cold-handed friends and family members and they're loving it as well. I hope Ocoopa comes out with a foot warmer next!" —Riva Kupritz
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in six colors).
It also comes with a timer, so they can set it to stay on anywhere between 10 and 60 minutes before it shuts off automatically. They recommend users start with ten minutes (and avoid staring directly at it) to see how it impacts mood and energy before trying it for longer periods of time. Many reviewers swear by this for helping improve their mood, energy levels, and sleep by getting more "sunlight" in darker months when they might not actively be getting as much.
Promising review: "THE best therapy light I had every tried!!!! I was told to buy one months ago to help with my seasonal depression and at first I thought it was ridiculous. I definitely am eating my words because it has worked wonders and I absolutely love it!" —Amy
Get it from Amazon for $37.99.
Promising review: "It's getting colder and when I went to grab my gloves, they weren't there. Not sure where they went, but no big deal...I'll get on Amazon. I like the knit-type stretchy gloves for light duty, all purpose, daily use in nonarctic temps. These are the perfect gloves for that. The little rubber pattern that helps with grip is a great feature that I've not had on previous gloves like this. The one feature I saw that these gloves were advertised as having was the ability to use them with touchscreens. This was low on my list of needs and if it didn't work, it wouldn't be a deal-breaker for me. When I first put them on, I looked at them and immediately thought there was no way they would be effective at this. I picked up my iPhone and they worked flawlessly. I've since tried them on my iPad and touch screen in my truck and they work just like my bare fingers. If you look at the tips of all the fingers, there's a very slight shade of color difference. Not sure how it works...but it works! I'm going to buy a few more pair so that next year, I'll have backups and even another pair for good measure. I'm also going to buy a few as gifts for Christmas. These are great gloves at a GREAT price!" —Rob Davis
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in sizes M-XL and five colors).
Comma Home is an eco-friendly home goods company that works with small organizations in all 50 states to donate 10% of sales to help the homeless.
Promising review: "I'm about to order my third one for a loved one. These blankets are the real deal, my son and I both suffer from anxiety and coming home to this bad boy after work and relaxing has never been easier or more restful. I cannot recommend enough worth every penny and the faux fur is glorious!" —Meagan B.
Get it from Comma Home for $169 (available in two weights and two colors).
A heads up that this works *super* well for some reviewers, but not all — note that this is meant for non antireflective-coated lenses, and the instructions for use are very specific. To apply, spray a small amount on both sides of your lenses, and use your fingers to rub it across the whole area. Let it sit for a full minute, then wipe with a dry soft cloth. Once they're fully dry, you should be raring to go!
Promising review: "This stuff works great! I live in Nebraska, and winters can suck with glasses fogging over. I actually saw this on a list of 25 things you should own, so I thought why not? It’s also super awesome to use with having to wear masks all the time...if you have glasses and are wearing a mask frequently you know what I’m talking about with the fog! It’s really easy to use, and works. I mean what else can you ask for in a product? I recommend this product. I will say that if you are looking into this product there are different kinds depending on if you have anti-reflective coated lenses, so just be familiar with which one you need." —sara
Get it from Amazon for $10.55.
Promising review: "It's a miracle! I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything. "I've had hard, long nails since the age of 14. But when I moved to the upper midwest 10 years ago with brutal winters, they all broke off by December. The dry cold and sticking my hands in a fireplace (even with gloves) took its toll on my nails. I thought cuticle oils only affected the skin BUT I was wrong. I applied this product not only around the cuticle area but UNDER the nail, SEVERAL TIMES A DAY — believe this made the biggest difference. They are no longer dried out from cold and heat. Also, when I removed nail polish, I immediately polish with this oil and rub in. I then put on thin gloves (the disposable type) and put my finger tips in hot water for a 'deep conditioning treatment.'" —Dan Harri
Get it from Amazon for $8.50.
Promising review: "This might be the best thing I’ve ever purchased. My room looks magical on sunny afternoons. If you love yourself buy these crystals. Not only are the rainbows pretty but the crystals are too." —Tiffany Tyree
Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.88.
A lot of reviewers also mentioned this was great for taking pressure of their nose, preventing glasses from fogging up, and saving their lipstick from getting smudged.
Promising review: "The plastic does make it easier to breath in my fabric masks, which have a double lining. It's been a big help this winter in the cold weather." —bookish
Get a set of five from Amazon for $9.99.
Promising review: "I have sensitive skin, and we're in the depth of winter here in NYC — I'm surprised by how much I love this. I've tried Paula's Choice Perfecting Liquid, Biologique Recherche P50 and even Pixi's Glow Tonic (all similar in concept) and this one is by far the gentlest, least drying on my skin. Very impressed. I'm 10 days in and starting to get complements on how glowy my skin is." — Kklaff
Get it from Glossier for $24.
Psst — read more about why BuzzFeeders think Solution is totally worth your money for more deets!
Lilly's Kloset is a Black- and woman-owned online boutique established in 2012 that specializes in clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Get it from Lilly's Kloset for $60 (available in women's sizes S-L).
Twine and Love is a California-based Etsy shop established in 2020 that specializes in handmade scrub caps, face masks, headbands, and more.
Promising review: "Awesome quality! Reordered because they’re so soft. Super comfortable and great material!" —Sarah Jackson
Get it from Twine and Love on Etsy for $12.99 (available in six colors).
These "Warmies" are each filled with all-natural grain and dried lavender, so you can microwave them to use them as heating pads or pop in a sealed bag in the freezer for two to three hours to use them as a cold pack.
Promising review: "When I get my monthly, I use a heating pad to bring down my cramps and mine recently broke. I heard about this through social media and thought why not give it a try. I used it and it was amazing. I have trouble sleeping and the lavender scent really helped me go to sleep and it heats up and it stays warm for quite a while. This is definitely worth buying and worth putting money toward. it looks very cute and is very soft so if you get your monthly and you have a hard time sleeping I would definitely use this. it is not a waste of money or time at all." —Ash Wang
Get it from Amazon for $18.75+ (available in 13 animals).
Promising review: "I really love this jacket. It is so soft and warm. This one does not have a lining which is good. I purchased a similar one that had a cheap lining. It wasn't as plush and soft as this coat, so it was returned. I wanted an oversized look, so I sized up. I am usually a M, but ordered the XL. I also purchased this in another color and got a L. Both sizes work for me. There isn't much difference in the L and XL, but the XL is a little roomier. I have worn this in 20 degree weather, and it still keeps me warm. Great jacket!!" —Karen
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in sizes S-3XL and 16 styles).
Promising review: "I am not really big on wearing scarves but thought this was cute and I’d try it out. It’s awesome!! It’s so soft easy to wear and you could even use it around your shoulders like a shawl. I got compliments all day when I wore it, i’m going to see if there different colors and buy a fee more!" —KmR
Get it from Amazon for $11.99.
Marshmallow of the Month is a Black-owned subscription box that includes six marshmallows, along with homemade graham crackers and curated teas, coffee, or cocoa based on that month’s marshmallow flavor. Each box also comes with a chocolate ~surprise~.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this box. Everything is perfect and the attention to detail is wonderful. Every box is personalized and packed with extra care. The product is so yummy and interesting. I just renewed for 3 more months and I can't wait to see what else they send. It truly feels like a good friend is sending a care package. Give this box a try, you will be so glad that you did. It would also make an excellent gift." —Dana W.
Get it from Cratejoy for $20+ (available in Tea, Coffee, or Hot Chocolate preferences).
Promising review: "I have no idea how to quantify how well this works, but I haven't needed my inhaler since we got it. Our neighbors (older apartment building) are heavy smokers and my wife and I were both bothered by it. It feels better now. We've been leaving this running whenever we're home. The touch sensor works well to turn it on and off. It does make some noise, but it's just kind of a low ambient fan sound that's easy to ignore. As an unexpected bonus it's really really good at filtering pet smells. I have two stinky male rats in the middle of rat puberty, their bedding gets changed every other day, and when they were due for a cleaning you used to be able to smell it across the room. You can't anymore unless you're right next to the cage. I honestly didn't have high hopes for this but it's worth it for that alone." —Chris
Get it from Amazon for $40.99 (clip the $7 off coupon on the product page for this price).
Promising review: "JUST WHAT I NEEDED! This weatherstrip worked great for me. It came in two attached strips with an adhesive backing. The strips can be separated as needed. It was easy to peel the backing and install the strips. I installed both strips on the door casing where the door meets it when closed. It immediately stopped the draft that was coming in around the door." —RH in TN
Get it from Amazon for $8.97 (available in two colors).
Promising review: "I cannot say enough positive things about the Java Sok. As a regular iced coffee drinker (Starbucks on the daily), this thing is truly awesome! I use it in the car, office, home...everywhere! I will be purchasing the other sizes and will get a few as gifts for my office peeps. Added bonus...seems to keep my drink colder longer. Buy the Java Sok...you will not be disappointed!" —Lyndsey L
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in dozens of prints and three sizes).
Promising review: "Great little outdoor heater! With weather cooling and the pandemic continuing, we wanted to continue our distanced outdoor visits with friends and family. These heaters made those visits possible on our covered porch. We bought two! I think they’ve saved our social life for quite a while! longer." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $37.99+ (available in two colors).
Promising review: "It grew! And I didn't kill it! I suck at keeping plants alive, or even getting them to grow in the first place, but this cat grass grew fast and adds a nice pop of green to my lanai. My cats and dogs love it. The seeds started sprouting within a day of planting and I had 4-inch tall grass within three days of planting. The description did describe it as 'just add water' but the instructions are actually slightly more complicated than that, but still simple enough for even a kiddo to be able to figure it out. I would definitely buy it again." —sillylilly
Get it from Amazon: the cat grass for $11.99 and the microgreens for $11.99 (available in four varieties).
Promising reviews: "After a month of ice, lots of snow, and below zero temperatures, I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! The amazing thing to me is its ability to withstand -20 degree temperatures with snow and ice. No cracking, tearing, or any problems with this windshield cover." —SunnyFunny
Get it on Amazon for $29.95.
Promising review: "It took me less then five minutes to get it unpacked and set up and running. I owned a similar unit before. It did not take long for the smell of essential oils to fill the air. So wonderful! It is a bonus that this one has a remote to turn it off and on, change output levels, turn the light on or off, and to set a time of when to turn the machine off. Fantastic! If I get three years out of this machine I will be thrilled. I am very satisfied with my purchase." —Lorraine J.
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.