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Finally! We have “sprung forward,” and the sun isn’t setting at 4 PM. (I realize this is all a human-made construct, but that fact doesn’t negate the effect the “short days” have on my mood and productivity.) The temperatures in NYC are still riding a roller-coaster of highs and lows, giving wardrobe instructions that veer between “put on a little denim jacket and take a long walk in the park!” and “zip up that puffer coat and stand shivering at the bus stop!” — but I can cope with that situation for a little longer.

The past winter was a strange one for me, and I’m going to be sorting through its lessons for a while. One thing I’ve learned, however (and you can stop reading here if you’re expecting anything philosophical): even when my thoughts were completely frazzled, consistent use of certain products kept my skin and hair feeling healthy, moisturized, and “unbothered.” That’s important, too. And some of those products also smelled really good.

RŌZ Milk Serum

What it does: Despite, or because of, the incessant Instagram ads for RŌZ, I kept finding reasons to ignore this line, from its high prices to the historical fact that the more multi-tasking a hair product claims to be, the more likely it is to disappoint me. Milk Serum, for example, reportedly “combats frizz, detangles, adds beautiful definition, smooths and deeply moisturizes.” But I finally tried it at Sephora, and then I bought a travel size, and now I’m on my second full-sized bottle. Guess what? It does all these things well, even simultaneously defining waves and adding volume to my ornery, split-personality hair.

How it smells: I realize this is a first-world problem, but I don’t like hair products with strong scents that leave me wondering all day why I’m smelling cucumber or jasmine or oatmeal cookies and realizing, oh, it’s my own head. The RŌZ “signature scent” has notes of bergamot, vetiver, neroli, and fig and is “[i]nspired by the misty mountains of Big Sur…the spirit of an untamed California garden.” That sounds horrible to me (I dislike fig notes and California aesthetics) and is probably another reason I avoided this product. Again, the joke’s on me: in the Milk Serum, in any case, the scent is a very light fig complemented by a citrusy rose. It’s noticeable when I applying the product but it fades away by the time I’ve dried my hair. Again, perfect.

F. Miller x Régime des Fleurs Crushed Fruits Lip Balm Trio (pictured with an RdF fragrance)

What it does: I feel bad recommending something I received as a limited edition gift-with-purchase, but I’m still using these and enjoying them so much that I want to sing their praises. This light- to medium-weight formula works well under lipstick (one swipe) or on its own (several swipes). Overnight, I tend to wear a denser, gel-based balm like C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm or Jordan Samuel The Lip Balm, but this is an effective and enjoyable treat for daytime use.

How it smells: All three scents—Crushed Pineapple, Crushed Raspberries, and Crushed Plum—refer to notes in Régime des Fleurs Crushed Fruits Eau de Parfum (which I also like). The pineapple smells weirdly realistic, more tart than sweet. The two others are more jammy-sweet but still subtle and refined, nothing like B&BW lip balms or random flavored drugstore brands.

Sephora Nourishing & Smoothing Hand Balm with Shea Butter

What it does: This travel-sized tube fits easily into any bag, and the cream itself absorbs almost instantly after application and counteracts the skin-parching effects of washing my hands over and over (ew, transit germs). This also happens to be one of the cheapest items you’ll find at Sephora ($6).

How it smells: A very sheer aloe vera scent and maybe a touch of something rose-y. Unlike some other hand creams I’ve used lately, this one doesn’t have a smell that distracts or bothers anyone in the office, subway car, or waiting room where I happen to be applying it. And, like the RŌZ Milk Serum, this fragrance doesn’t linger and clash with whatever perfume I happen to be testing on my wrists that day.

Jones Road Miracle Balm in Au Naturel

What it does: Zillions of words have already been written online about the “hero product” of Bobbi Brown’s new brand. I browsed Miracle Balm for a solid two years online before a) my friends Josie and Victoria recommended it, and b) I got a free sample at Jones Road when I purchased a different item. I like some of the colored Miracle Balms as sheer blushes, etc. but this un-tinted version is the one I’ve actually used up. For the final step in my nighttime skincare routine, I scoop a very small amount out of this clear, waxy-gooey stuff out of the tub, warm it between my fingertips, and pat it all over my face. It works as a final occlusive layer to seal in the benefits of the (non-Jones Road) serum and cream I’ve just applied.

How it smells: Some users (including me) love Miracle Balm’s natural citrus-herbal scent. Other users (ironically, many of the same customers who also claim to love “clean” cosmetics) hate it. All I can conclude, once again, is that many people don’t understand what they actually want in a beauty product. In any case, Miracle Balm’s scent is a blend of essential oils: grapefruit, orange peel, ginger, sea buckthorn, rosemary. To me, it feels calming yet mood-boosting. I’ll cry if Jones Road ever gives in to the complainers and changes it.

LUSH Sleepy Body Lotion

What it does: LUSH offers a few body lotions and this is a thick (but not greasy or heavy) formula designed for all-over use. Since it’s on the pricey end, I use it just as a bedtime hand cream and, spread sparingly onto my lower arms, as a lights-off aromatherapy treatment.

How it smells: Sleepy’s blend of essential oils of lavender, benzoin (a kind of tree resin used in incense, rich and a little bit vanilla-like), tonka (a nutty-sweet bean), and ylang ylang flower feels like a velvet pillow on a cloud. I actually do think it helps me drift off to sleep, shhhh, which I particularly appreciated after a recent period of nighttime restlessness.

Are you also creeping into the sunlight after a long winter? Have you been clinging to any products that helped you fight off dry skin (or S.A.D.) over the past months? Let us know! Here’s to healthy skin and positive outcomes for this spring.

Top image: detail of a 1962 magazine advertisement for Revlon Aquamarine lotion