After an especially bitter winter, I’ve started refreshing my routines in preparation for sunnier days. Here are seven nail, hair, and skin products that will have you ready for patio season in no time.
The Dry Gloss Manicure from Bare Hands ($42)
I’ve always had brittle nails that tend to split and crack. Instead of covering them up with polish that will only damage them more, I’ve loved using the glass nail file from Bare Hands. I’ve never seen my natural nails this glossy, and the shine can last weeks. The kit also comes with a cuticle oil in a handy brush applicator that nourishes and conditions the skin. Everything comes packed in a compact vegan leather case—I brought it on my most recent trip to Japan, and it kept my nails looking perfect the whole time.
Curly Hair Combing Cream from Oway ($78)
Oway is well known for crafting high-quality beauty products from botanicals they grow on their biodynamic farm. This hair cream includes fennel for softening, St. John’s wort for repairing strands, rice extract for elasticity, and rapeseed for moisture. It can be used either as a rinse-out or leave-in treatment, ensuring curls are defined, hydrated, and frizz-free. Using it feels luxurious, and the earthy, peppery scent is a welcome departure from artificial fragrance.
Light Hold Creme Gel from Bounce Curl ($20)
This is my ideal texture for a hair gel. It’s almost watery, but it provides just enough hold to gently define waves and curls. Key ingredients like jojoba esters, oat protein, and aloe keep your hair’s natural shape intact while reducing frizz, adding hydration, and smoothing strands. My 2A/2B wavy hair gets weighed down easily by other products, but I’ve used this gel for my past few wash days, and my hair has never looked better.
Reversible Sleep Bonnet from Mulberry Park Silks ($58)
If you’ve ever gone to sleep worried about how your hair will look in the morning, this is for you. This bonnet is made from pure Grade 6A Mulberry silk, protecting your hair from dryness, breakage, and tangles. I’ve tried other bonnets before, but they feel too tight on my head, so I love that you can adjust the fit on this one with the long ties. It’s also fully reversible, making it easy to switch between the silk and matte sides depending on what your hair needs that night.
Scalp Explorer from Lushair ($129)
This is the hair health tool you didn’t know you needed. The device takes photos of your scalp and measures 16 different metrics, including hair density, oiliness, keratin, and thickness. You’re encouraged to do one scan a week to track health over time. The app is a bit confusing to navigate, but my friends have been obsessed with the high-res, close-up images. I never thought I’d get to see single hair follicles coming out of my head.
Brazilian Body Wash from Nutrius ($20)
Smooth skin starts in the shower. This one from Nutrius is gentle and doesn’t dry out my skin, with soothing ingredients like cupuacu butter and coconut oil to add hydration and moisture. Guarana extract also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Coco Bliss is a warm tropical scent, perfect for transporting you to summer days.
Body Lotion from Santu Beauty ($42)
My skin is extra dry after this freezing winter, and my regular lotions weren’t cutting it. This lotion from Santu has cocoa butter, shea butter, and copal oil, a sacred resin that calms irritation and reduces inflammation. It adds much-needed moisture and leaves my skin with a beautiful glow. The Lima Mexicana scent has notes of Mexican lime, eucalyptus, and rosemary—to me, the smell leans tropical, which I’m not mad about.
