Every month, Vogue Scandinavia’s senior beauty editor, Josefin Forsberg, sifts through shelves of newness (and the occasional late-night add-to-basket) to find formulas that actually earn their keep. November’s edit leans fully into party season prep: glossed-up hair for Christmas dinners, makeup that stays under even the worst (read wet) conditions, and a red lip that refuses to budge no matter how many toasts you raise. These are the 10 November launches I’ve tested, loved, and will most definitely be reaching for all holiday season and for the end-of-year festivities
At a glance: The perfect party-red bullet with blurring pigments and unwavering longevity.
My experience: Velvet Ribbon finally landed in Sweden and I’m not exaggerating when I say it has elbowed every other red out of my makeup bag. The matte finish is plush rather than punishing, hugging the lips without a hint of cracking or creasing. The pigments punch far above their (somewhat pricey) price point too, staying vivid and comfortable from morning meetings straight through to late-late-night merrymaking. If there’s one lipstick I trust for a Christmas party sprint, it’s this.
Ideal for: Anyone hunting for a red lip that survives canapés, cocktails and questionable karaoke.
At a glance: A glow-enhancing serum-cream hybrid that gives makeup that coveted glazed finish.
My experience: The glaze craze is everywhere right now and this is Scandinavia’s strongest contender yet, competing with Hailey Bieber's Rhode but at a friendlier price point. Worn under foundation, it smooths, brightens and quietly improves overall blendability. Anything applied on top looks instantly fresher, more expensive, more alive. A proper winter skin cheat code, I’ve been reaching for it before dinners and events because my base simply behaves better with it.
Ideal for: Party makeup that needs to look seamless and well-rested despite, well, everything else.
At a glance: Compact singles with high-impact payoff for instant eye drama.
My experience: I tried every shade this month and honestly? These little pans prove to be the ideal “just in case” shadows to toss in my carry-on when heading home for the holidays. The array of neutral mattes deliver clean pigment with minimal effort, be it applied fingers, brushes, or whatever you’ve got on hand. It’s the sort of one-and-done oomph that makes you look like you put some effort in.
Ideal for: Anyone wanting quick eyelid elevation without lugging around a 12-pan palette.
At a glance: A curved boar-bristle brush built for sleek, sculpted, high-shine styles.
My experience: Consider this the holiday-updo whisperer. The curved shape hugs the scalp perfectly while the bristles smooth even my most rebellious winter flyaways into submission. The result is glass-like shine without gel overload. Every time I’ve stepped out after using this, I've looked more polished than I deserve for the amount of effort involved.
Ideal for: Party-season slick-backs with a mirror-like finish.
At a glance: A minty, cushiony lip butter delivering intense, overnight-level hydration.
My experience: This has quickly become my insurance policy, worn under every drying lipstick this winter. The hydration is no joke: plush, pillowy and long-lasting, even after a full night’s sleep. The mintiness adds a soft freshness without venturing into toothpaste territory and my lips stay smooth under matte reds, long-wear formulas, you name it. A small tube, a big seasonal saviour.
Ideal for: Keeping lips plush and party-ready beneath even the most stubborn colour.
At a glance: A glittering, scented body oil that leaves limbs radiant and delicately perfumed.
My experience: Nothing says party season quite like a shimmering oil that doubles as a perfume enhancer, and L’Huile Or Blanc wraps skin in a soft, sensual glow while wafting of the iconic N°5 fragrance. The effect is subtle but unmistakable. I’ve had people ask what scent I’m wearing long after midnight, and the truth is: mostly this. It’s festive, flattering and frankly irresistible.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants their collarbones to catch candlelight and their fragrance to linger.
At a glance: A gentle airflow straightener that smooths hair while reducing heat stress.
My experience: My fine hair is easily bullied by heat tools, so I approached this one cautiously. To my surprise, the airflow tech really does soften the blow. I got a sleek, party-ready finish without that frazzled post-straightener feeling. The shape is slim enough for detail work too, making it ideal for smoothing the front pieces that always misbehave before events.
Ideal for: Sleek, polished hair with far less heat damage guilt.
At a glance: A waterproof, weather-proof setting spray built to lock in makeup through anything.
My experience: This is the kind of insurance you buy when your calendar is stacked with dinners, parties and questionable weather forecasts. A mist or two and your makeup does not move. Snowstorm? No problem. Sweaty dance floor? Also fine. I’ve worn this on long nights out and have yet to see my base break apart and it mattifies without dulling, which is its own small Christmas miracle.
Ideal for: Nights when you refuse to do a bathroom touch-up.
At a glance: A calming, barrier-supportive serum that doubles as a flawless makeup base.
My experience: This is a multitasker I didn’t know I needed. It cushions redness, smooths texture and gives that soft-focus suppleness that makes makeup glide on like a dream. On days when my skin feels fragile from the cold, this is what resets it. A quiet achiever with impressive payoff.
Ideal for: Winter skin that needs both protection and polish.
At a glance: A rapid-gloss mask that restores shine in half a minute.
My experience: This delivered exactly the high shine I wanted before a holiday party and all in a suspiciously speedy 30 seconds. But the results? Undeniable. My hair looked glossier and smoother with almost no downtime. Ideal when running late, juggling outfits, or trying to pretend you have your life together during the busiest month of the year.
Ideal for: Emergency gloss before a party.