February Coping Mechanisms (including my first bathhouse experience + what I got at the gift shop)

beauty and wellness favorites bringing me winter comfort

Feb 17, 2026

I’ve been realllly leaning into the hibernation of January and February. I think this is what we were meant to do as humans when it gets this level of cold (it was in the negatives and teens for weeks on end). I missed being able to walk my dog (more than a block) and now that we are seeing high 30’s and 40’s on the horizon, I am excited for all the walks I plan to take. Everything feels better after a walk.

hibernation mode- magnesium, Summer Friday’s eye patches and ginger carrot soup. Not shown- special shoutout to my heat pack and Sleep Crown pillow that follow me around the house.

I had my first bathhouse experience at Watershed in Minneapolis and it was HEAVENLY. My body had forgotten what it felt like to be truly warm. It’s around $60 and a 2.5 hour experience where you can go from a hot soaking pool to a cedar sauna and a steam room to aid in detoxification. There is also a cold plunge that I stuck my foot into and recoiled. I did dabble in a cold shower between sauna/steam/bath to cool down. The whole room is kept warm so you are never cold. There is also a meditation type room with heated lounge chairs where you can read, nap or drink tea with blankets.

“Sauna culture” has been the talk of the town for quite a while now, from New York to Minneapolis and Denver, Los Angeles and everywhere in between- the US is seeing an influx of bath houses being built. After my Watershed experience, I get it. My mood was amazing afterwards, my skin was glowing and I have been craving to go back every day since.

I also loooove a good gift shop and Watershed did not disappoint. I smelt and tried everything and left with quite a few goods. I also took a look at their massage menu and it looked insane!! What I would do for a weekly massage (scalp specifically).

This has inspired me to share some of my favorite “wellness-y” type products that help me feel somewhat sane this Winter.

Korean Sheet Mask, Japanese Paper Incense, Terrain lotion bar, Hinoki Massage bar soap, Noyz perfume balm

Anyone else’s skin get on fire itchy in the Winter? And the sensations of all the layers?? And the static hair?? Dry hands and eyes? It’s a lot happening. This lotion bar by the Brazilian brand, Terrain, is soooo incredibly hydrating and lovely. Their ingredients are sourced directly from the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. It’s also so quick and easy to use.

My favorite purchase are these Japanese washi paper incense strips. They smell INCREDIBLE. I got no. 3 which is a blend of bergamot, vanilla, tea tree, musk amber and clove.

I like to use the Hinoki massage bar soap in the shower after I use my dry brush. I have very tight muscles so this feels like a nice lathered massage that gets the blood flowing.

I had smelt this Noyz perfume balm in store and mentally added it to my wishlist, so I was thrilled when they sent it to me, this is the scent Only Human. The scent notes are pink pepper /Italian bergamot/waterlily /bamboo/vanilla bean /ambroxan /cedarwood. It smells delicious and I love that it’s a balm.

I’ve been loving my full body red light mat by Higher Dose. It helps with mood/energy, recovery and pain relief, glowing skin and circadian rhythm balance. I have a lot of neck and back issues after a car accident so I love red light therapy for recovery and stretching. It also feels warm and calming during the cold months and helps me slow down and get off my phone.

Szia Skin vanilla body oil, Kerastase 8 hour magic night serum, Kiehls musk, DAMDAM Tokyo Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Serum, iVizia eyedrops, Lazy Skincscience double duty moisturizer

I’ve been slathering myself in a mix of organic Jojoba oil and this vanilla body oil by Szia Skin. The scent is very minimal and nice if you are a vanilla fan.

I rarely rave about hair products but this Kerastase 8 hour magic night serum may actually be magic??? I definitely feel like it has helped my hair to grow or at least be free of breakage overnight. It looks and feels so nice when I wake up. I go between this and the Crown Affair one.

This Kiehl’s musk smells delicious (bergamot nectar, orange blossom and musk). It’s soft and clean and known as their “love oil” since the 1960’s.

I love the Japanese brand DAMDAM and this vitamin C + hyaluronic serum has been giving my skin LIFE this winter. It’s plumping and makes my skin glow.

Dry eye people unite!! I don’t like to use eye drops a lot but I used this once 2 weeks ago and my dry eyes have no shown up since. Magic!!

Another product that has been giving my skin life again is this Lazy Skinscience doubly duty moisturizer- it includes a serum and a moisturizer that contains red camellia and I just love it. It is so cooling and plumping.

Tresemme Hairspray, Cool Girl by Sam McKnight, Bedroom Hair by Kevin Murphy, Oribe Texture Spray, Chris McMillan Glassy Blowdry

Back to hair, I also have been using a scalp massager that I use with different oils, as of recent Jojoba. Sometimes rosemary. And my two favorite brushes- Sheila Stotts and Yves Durif. Yves Durif is a bit more gentle but you can’t go wrong with either.

Favorite hairspray of all time happens to be this Tresemme extra hold- the smell is meh but it’s so light and doesn’t leave your hair feeling crispy at all. It really holds my hair in place.

Texture spray- my favorites are Cool Girl by Sam McKnight, Bedroom Hair by Kevin Murphy and the OG, Oribe. Really can’t go wrong with any of these.

I’m not good with hair styling but I’ve been working on my blowout and this Chris McMillan glassy blowout spray has been making my hair so shiny. I used to get nervous about this kind of spray but you can douse your hair in it and it doesn’t weigh it down or get greasy. I am a big fan.

Wooden Spoon Herbs Magic Magnesium, Wellbel hair + skin supplements, Pique Elderberry + Vitamin C, Flamingo Estate Manuka hand cream

I used to take a ton of supplements but now I only take the basics like magnesium, Vitamin C when I am starting to feel sick, Vitamin D and B12. I keep this magic magnesium by Wooden Spoon Herbs in my bag so I remember to take it. I also love my Moon Juice Magnesi-Om for night time (it puts me to sleep).

I’ve been starting to be more consistent with these Wellbel hair + skin supplements and I do think it helps. I’ve been told my hair is looking longer from friends and I also noticed my eyelashes seemed longer. Who knows but I like them!!

I’ve talked about these Pique elderberry + Vitamin C packs a lot on here but I SWEAR by them. I have them on subscription and I never get sick (knock on wood).

Par Olive Marine Collagen, Spiced Vanilla Sugar, Beekeepers Bee Pollen

Some favorite kitchen products I’ve been using daily are this Par Olive marine collagen. I LOVE this stuff. I have been making overnight oats for work for the week and add 2 teaspoons of this and it gives me a little added protein and thickness.

Spiced vanilla sugar!!! I have been adding a sprinkle of this into my matchas in the morning- it has vanilla bean, cardamon and cinnamon. It’s delicious- I used to use cardamon syrup in my matchas which is also delish.

Supposedly bee pollen makes your (.)(.) grow. So far, nothing. I will keep you all posted on my knockers. There are other benefits too, I am a huuuuge honey fan. I think it has endless benefits and it’s delicious on my overnight oats.

I have been having two kiwi a day because she told me to. They are delicious.

I’ve talked about Violette FR’s bisou balm on here countless times and they so kindly sent me some new colors to try and now I love them even more. This gives you such a full lip because it’s a smudge! This is coming from someone with smaller lips, and I’ve tried a ton of different products. This combination will never let you down.

My favorites are Betise (for more of a just kissed/bitten lip look) and Calisson for more of a nude. I use a mixture of these liners first- I just got the Summer Friday’s lip liner stain in almond and it really lasts all day. If you want even more of contour you can go in with Mac’s lip liner in stone and smudge it a bit.

And then my number one go to is the Fara Homidi lip liner in Faun. It has yet to be defeated and I have one in each purse. Also, I am so excited for her eyeshadow drop.

I’ve been trying to be better at doing my own nails since I only really get gels for special occasions, maybe once a year if that just because it damages my nails so much. I saw this nail polish color (Bubblegum by Celisse) on Alina Timo and was influenced. So I somehow ended up purchasing this entire little set and I’m so excited!

Maybe here you can see my hair growth?? It looks/feels fuller and longer to me. I took a trip to the museum with my Mom and it was lovely. Book stores, libraries and museums are my happy places.

I wore my Mom’s old Banana Republic jacket, my favorite Uniqlo blouse, a new Furla bag from TRR and my Margaux Mira Jane pumps.

I’ve been doing lots of reading, I’ve finished 4 books so far this year.

I really enjoyed all of them. The Correspondent was beautiful. On the right you’ll see my little book haul from a local book store. I am currently reading James and listening/reading Girl on Girl. My Mom already stole Strangers from me and read it in two nights. She said it was excellent so that one is next for me.

Are we all watching the finale of Tell Me Lies tonight???? I’m stressed. So many questions to answer!!!! I also finished the first three episodes of Love Story, based on Carolyn Bessette and JFK Jr.’s romance. It’s actually surprised me, it’s much better than I thought it would be. I really like how the wardrobe turned out after seeing the initial images of the show. And did she really have a hand in discovering Kate Moss?? The whole story makes me sad, so much devastating loss the Kennedy family has endured.

As always, I continue to search the internet for you and add items to my Winter Finds (aka my personal wishlist and/or things I have and love). You can find it here.