Scents of the Season

Cranberry dressing is a holiday table staple, but it's so divine that you shouldn't have to limit yourself to just a little bit of berry bliss. If you can't get enough of cranberry flavor, lip glosses like The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Lip Balm ($8) and Maybelline Shine Sensational Lip Gloss in Cranberry ($6) give you a hint of color and a splash of tart berry flavor. If, on the other hand, you're more a fan of the invigorating tartness of cranberry-scented goodies, bath products like Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub ($13) and Greenland Shower Gel ($11) will get you clean and leave you softly scented all day.

Nothing recalls wintry woods drifted high with snow like the astringent, green scent of balsam. Of the "wood" scents popular in colder months, it's one of the brightest, and it's never fusty or heavy smelling. There's plenty of fresh balsam goodness for your bathroom, too. If you want to smell like a forest while you moisturize, there's Allgauer Foot Balsam ($10), Nivea SOS Hand Balsam ($13), and Dr. Eckstein Krauter Balsam Facial Balm ($23). If you'd rather fill your shower with the smell of the outdoors, Balsamo Soap by Valobra ($15) and Philip B. Nordic Wood One Step Hair & Body Shampoo ($8) will both do the job. And if you'd like a beautifully blended holiday scent that's pretty but not girly, there's Agraria Balsam Cologne Spray ($40).

The zippy, sweet smell of nutmeg helps make mulled wine, spiced cider, and pumpkin pie delicious. Coincidentally, it smells pretty great on people, too. If you'd like a soft, creamy skin scent that lingers all day, products like Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Body Crème ($75) and Crabtree & Evelyn Naturals Botanical Body Butter in Nutmeg & Cardamom ($26) will leave you hydrated and nicely spiced. If you prefer smoky, leathery scents with nutmeg blended in, Serge Lutens Cuir Mauresque Eau de Parfum ($140) is extremely sexy and sophisticated. If you'd like to clean your way to frothy, chai-scented bliss, there's always fancy Byredo Chembur Soap ($45). And if you just want a little something festive from the drugstore, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in Nutmeg ($4) is a bargain.

The sweet, bracing scent of pine resin is one of the most iconically seasonal fragrances, and this year, there are tons of ways to enjoy your favorite evergreen. If you want a home that's redolent of conifer, this lovely Diptyque Limited Edition Pine Candle ($68) is just the scent for you. If you're more inclined toward a subtle hint of pine, you can get your fix with Jo Malone Limited-Edition Pine & Eucalyptus Living Cologne ($95) or Juniper Ridge Cascade Glacier Essential Oil Blend ($18). And if you like scrubbing with the cleansing power of pine, soapy treats like Lightfoot's Pure Pine Soap Gift Box ($20) and Pangea Organics Canadian Pine with White Sage Shower Gel ($16) are an inexpensive way to smell like pine all day.

Peppermint's cool, wintry tingle and sweet freshness make it a great ingredient for gum, but it also feels heavenly on dry skin and lips. For manicure and pedicure fans, there are toe and finger refreshers likeChina Glaze Peppermint Cuticle Oil ($4) and Saipua Peppermint Pumice Foot Scrub ($8). If you love scrub-a-dubbing with mint in the tub, there's Philosophy Peppermint Bark Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath ($16) and good old-fashion Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Bar Soap ($4). And if you like softly scented lips and a minty, oil-free
T-zone, Boscia Peppermint Blotting Linens ($10) and Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain in Fiery ($24) both offer sweet shivers.

Cinnamon is one of those scents I never tire of. It's so warm and uplifting that almost everything is better with a dash of the stuff. If you love filling your room with spiced goodness, there's this pretty Aromatique Cinnamon Cider Fragrance Jar ($32). If, like me, you're more inclined to slather yourself in the scent, there's Kings And Queens Queen Isabella Cinnamon Orange Body Milk ($11) or L'Occitane Cinnamon Orange Shea Butter Soap ($7), both of which have such nice packaging that they'd make great stocking stuffers, too. And if you're the kind who likes to give sweet cinnamon sugar kisses, you've got plenty of options, from Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Flavored Lip Shine ($10) to CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain in Cinnamon Smile ($7) and Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick in Rocket Pop ($18).

Hot cocoa with marshmallows is one of those things that can sound appealing even on a hot August night, but it's downright irresistible once the first flurries start falling. If you can't get enough of cocoa flavor, try Kiehl's Lip Gloss in Warm Milk Chocolate ($25) or Yes To Carrots Lip Gloss in Cocoa Loco ($6). If you'd rather smell like pure deliciousness, there's also Urban Decay Sparkling Edible Body Powder in Marshmallow ($29) and Victoria's Secret Cocoa Butter Sensuous Escape Body Lotion ($30), both guaranteed to make you good enough to eat. And if you love cocoa's great moisturizing and cleansing properties, this Cococare Cocoa Butter Complexion Bar ($2) is a sweet bargain.

Cloves are one of those distinctly holiday aromas; spicy and a little sweet with a hint of nose-numbing chill. And since scent is one of the easiest ways to relax and brighten your mood, it follows that making the most out of wintry smells is a good way to avoid the cold weather doldrums. If you love the taste of cloves, try Burt's Bees Medicated Lip Balm With Clove Oil ($4) or Tom's of Maine Cinnamon Clove Toothpaste ($7). If you're a fan of warm home scents instead, this Diptyque Orange Spice Candle ($68) is a gorgeous, though pricey, option. And if you'd just like to smell like mulling spices all day, try Lush's Hot Toddy Bath Bomb ($7) or the warm, smoky scent of Puro Puro ($95).

Source: Flickr User Elenadan