Beauty Pick-me-Ups

As I'm writing this article, there's about five inches of snow surrounding my Long Island home and the temperature is hovering around the birth weight of my infant son, Jordan (seven pounds to be exact). I'm trying really hard not to think of my identical twin sister, Laura, who lives in sunny South Florida and is no doubt lounging by the pool with her perfect pedicure, golden skin and bright blonde highlights all glimmering from behind the pages of her latest chick-lit novel. One glimpse at myself in the mirror on this frigid February morning, on the other hand, is all too reminiscent of the stuffed zebra in my two-year-old daughter Chloe's toy basket (the black stripes represent my roots, the white is my pale, transparent skin).

Laura and I grew up in Boca Raton, and she moved home after college to raise her son Evan and soon-to-arrive daughter. Me? Well, I guess my excitement for all things winter-baby-soft cashmere, steaming hot chocolate and fluffy snowmen, made me somehow forget the brutal Northeast winters. Here are a few beauty and fashion finds that help, too.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray $20
Sexy, windblown waves (as in hair, not the ocean) previously made possible only after a day at the beach are now just a spray or two away with this seaweed extract formula that adds texture, style and shine. bumbleandbumble.com

Tory Burch Printed Reine Top $295
This island-print silk tunic in swimming pool blue and sunny yellow brightens your mood and your wardrobe year-round. neimanmarcus.com

Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel $52
This one-of-a-kind tinted moisturizer leaves even fair skin looking naturally sun-kissed. Of all the products I've tried over my decade-long career as a beauty editor, this glow-getter has garnered me the most compliments, hands down. clarins.com

Bobbi Brown Beach Fragrance $55
No need for a passport and a pricey ticket to St. Bart's. Just take a whiff of this sand jasmine and mandarin-infused scent and you're all but there. bobbibrown.com

Clairol Nice 'n Easy Root Touch-Up 9 Light Blonde $7.50
In less time (10 minutes) than it takes Chloe to build a snowman, I can transform my sun-deprived dark roots into strands Goldilocks would envy. cvs.com

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