Winter does have some redeeming qualities. After all, who doesn't love wrapping their hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate? Or building then inhaling a gingerbread house?

We all know chocolate tastes delicious. But did you realize it also has some serious skin benefits when applied topically? Yep, it's true. Cocoa is full of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that shields skin against UV damage, as well as other compounds that help maintain overall skin health, soothe irritation and even heal acne.

Whether you've got subtle waves or tight ringlets, finding the right hair care products that bring your texture to life can be a real struggle. The key is to narrow your search to products specifically formulated for curly hair. It can make all the difference between shiny, glossy tendrils and a frizzy disaster.

You know Nikki Reed as the actress from The Twilight Saga and from the cult hit Thirteen. But she's just as much an environmentalist as she is a film star. In fact, she recently founded BaYou with Love, a lifestyle brand focused on sustainable, ethical jewelry, apparel, home and beauty.

Awesome new brand alert! From Wende Zomnir, the mastermind behind Urban Decay, comes Caliray, a California-cool line that celebrates the chic and effortless wellness lifestyle of the left coast. Our pick? Come Hell or High Water, $24, a clean, long-wearing and volumizing mascara that gives you dreamy, thick, smudge-proof lashes.