Style
These 9 Peppermint Beauty Products Smell Exactly Like Candy Canes
Peppermint is to winter as pumpkin spice is to fall — immediately recognizable, comforting, and oh-so-festive. And when its gingerbread and cranberry counterparts fade away with the holiday season, peppermint keeps its place until spring as the reigning winter scent.
After all, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy all things peppermint starting in late November. Scented cancels, striped nail designs, and elegant tins of Williams Sonoma's irresistible peppermint bark... the list goes on.
But the scent's best use just might be in beauty products. It's equal parts energizing and soothing, which makes it perfect for handling family gatherings, post-New Year's Eve blues, snow days spent inside, and more. Winter is practically the official season of self care for good reason, because it can be especially necessary. (You know the deal.)
If — er, when — you need a little calm this season, try one of these nine peppermint products for a gentle pick me up. Plus, since treating yourself is a year-long habit to keep up, you can keep them in your self-care rotation all year long without feeling (or smelling) like you're stuck in the wrong season. Peppermint might be the most versatile scent around, festive as it is.
Optional, but suggested: A Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate in your hand.
1. Mini & Merry Peppermint Sticks Hand Cream
Mini & Merry Peppermint Sticks Hand Cream, $12, Anthropologie
This luxe, refreshing hand cream is perfect for gifting. (One for them, one for you?)
2. Sweet & Shimmer Bubble Bath Wand
Sweet & Shimmer Bubble Bath Wand, $6, Ulta
Soak away your troubles with just a wave of this peppermint bubble bath wand. It's just as magical as it sounds.
3. Hempz Frosted Peppermint & Vanilla Sugar Hydrating Herbal Lip Balm
Hempz Frosted Peppermint & Vanilla Sugar Hydrating Herbal Lip Balm, $7, Ulta
If your bag is basically a black hole for Chapsticks, it can never hurt to throw another one in the rotation — especially when it makes your lips taste this good. (Plus, when you lose your favorite lip balm, finding it again is always a delight. It's the gift that keeps on giving, right?)
4. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Tingling Foot Cream
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Tingling Foot Cream, $14, Nordstrom
OK, so minty foot cream may not be the sexiest beauty product out there, but sometimes you need to treat your feet, too. It's cheaper than a pedicure, and you don't have to, y'know, put on real clothes or talk to anyone. (If you're not in the mood to, that is.)
5. Philosophy Candy Cane Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath
Philosophy Candy Cane Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath, $18, Nordstrom
In true Philosophy style, this super seasonal three-in-one beauty product smells good enough to eat. (But you're better off sticking with an actual candy cane.)
6. Malin + Goetz Peppermint Body Scrub
Malin + Goetz Peppermint Body Scrub, $32, Anthropologie
This luxe body scrub is the perfect addition to any grown-up bathroom. It looks minimalist and stylish sitting on a shower ledge, and the refreshing peppermint scent cleanses away all stress. (You know, from adulting and maintaining a grown-up bathroom.)
7. MasqueBAR iN.gredients Candy Cane Cream Mask
MasqueBAR iN.gredients Candy Cane Cream Mask, $5, ASOS
Nothing says self-care Sunday like slapping on a sheet mask and diving into your Netflix queue.
8. Jane Inc. Effervescent Cube Bath Bomb
Jane Inc. Effervescent Cube Bath Bomb, $10, Anthropologie
This medicinal-chic bath bomb promises to soothe that inevitable winter cold. (Not a bad thing to have in your medicine cabinet, next to the NyQuil.)
9. Bath & Body Works Coconut Mint Drop Ultra Shea Body Cream
Coconut Mint Drop Ultra Shea Body Cream, $14, Bath & Body Works
This thick body cream has a hint of tropically inspired coconut, if you're dreaming about being on a beach instead of in a snowstorm.