Greetings from the deep freeze. For anyone new here, this is The Skinny, where we serve up curated, need-to-know lifestyle news designed to entertain and save you time (everyone’s most valuable resource). Enjoy your Sunday evening, and we hope you are comfortably under a blanket on the couch watching football.

What we’re covering: 

• Quitting or cutting back on booze used to have the added benefit of saving money, right? With mocktails often costing more than alcoholic bevvies, you might have to swap artisanal AF spirits for a water, tea or ‘fridge cig’ 

• Postcard from the South Seas: with snow, sleet and freezing temps blasting most of the U.S., today is perfect timing for a virtual escape to Fiji. Grab your flowers, flip flops, rum drink and bikini—we’re stepping out of the cold and into the tropics

• Winter hair can be healthy hair, and here are a stylist’s hacks to emerge from winter with gorgeous locks

• Plus: gym-goers say no to AI, Costco vs. Walmart marinara standoff, winter hot dips, earmuff history (and some new pairs to pick up), more brooches & the scientific case for treating a cold with a hot toddy

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The Skinny scoop

Is the cost of mock drinking during ‘Dry January’ worth it? 

The Skinny:  We called this several years ago in one of our earlier editions, but the mainstream media is now reporting on the high cost of “dry January” for those choosing to go teetotal. As we had pointed out, the reasons for not drinking are typically threefold (one, or all of these reasons): for health, mental state or budget. So if you take cost savings out as a motivator, that’s one less reason to stick to your dry or damp goals. And while we love NA spirits—for their ability to help you pretend you’re having an actual cocktail, deliver a clear mind in the morning and for their design/aesthetic appeal—they are certainly not cheap. In fact, they’re often more than actual booze, but here is an explainer about Why Non-Alcoholic Spirits Are So Expensive. 

In addition, this story in TODAY notes that while some bars/bartenders are “phoning it in” when it comes to how “artisan” their mocktails are, others are using handmade syrups, mixologists and specialty NA spirits. We are going to agree with “Anthony,” who was quoted in the story as saying: “Don’t put 2 fruit juices in a glass with a splash of seltzer and a sprig of mint and charge me more than $8.” Please, don’t. 

According to a pitch from Tito’s, who has a Damp January “Day Pass” available for purchase for the cost of $10(!), the sober reality for Dry Jan is that it might be losing steam in part because Gen Z favors “moderation over restriction” (not to mention likely not being able to afford a $20 mocktail). As Tito’s says: Yes. We. Jan…uary.  

Final sip: if you’re looking for dry or damp choices for the remainder of January or of course anytime, we invite you to consult our Skinny AF Taste Test, in which we tested NA drinks in a variety of categories. Cheers!

Postcard from the South Seas

Fiji’s simple pleasures (and a Vanuatu throwback)

The Skinny: Per Jill, one of the best things about living in a ski town (Telluride) is the off-season. The arrival of mud and gray skies is basically your guilt-free ticket to travel—and this recent season, Jill finally checked off a lifetime bucket-list trip and booked Fiji. 

First realization: Fiji is far. Really far. It sits way out in the South Pacific, northeast of New Zealand and a five+ hour flight from Australia. Finally making it there felt surreal in the best way. Far is kind of the magic, but while these islands are so pretty and extra alive that they almost look fake, don’t worry: we’re not going tull “Some Enchanted Evening” on you but when the colors, vegetation and flower saturation are turned up to 11 at all times, it’s impossible not to fall into some version of a romantic cliche. Especially because flowers are thriving everywhere: in your room, on your bed, woven into garlands, scattered about.

Getting there: We flew into Nadi, then jumped on a boat to Taveuni Island, which is known as Fiji’s “Garden Island.” Arriving at Paradise Taveuni, we were welcomed with (naturally) an immediate floral footbath: Fiji’s gentle way to say “you’ve arrived, now relax.”

(And yes — people really do wear flowers there. Whether tucked behind the ear, usually hibiscus or frangipani, it’s traditionally a sign of welcome, celebration, or connection to nature.)

Where to stay: When you think of Fiji, it’s probably the luxury overwater villas that come to mind but in reality, Fiji has range. Yes, once-in-a-lifetime resorts are abundant, but so are simple, eco-minded places with nature as the main event. We were there to dive, so we chose our resorts for one thing above all else: easy, direct water access.

Paradise Taveuni is remote, nature-forward, and quietly exceptional—especially for divers. The owner, originally from Australia, moved to Fiji years ago and built what’s now considered one of the most formidable dive resorts in the region, with the dive shop and boat right on site. No schlepping, just straight into the water. If this sounds a little too hard to believe IT ABSOLUTELY WAS, and then we dove the Great White Wall. I honestly can’t describe this to give it the proper homage it deserves, but in short, you only live once and to temporarily be a part of that living underwater ecosystem is nothing short of life-changing (and to realize your place in the universe). Taveuni is also included in this list of the Best of the Old South Seas in Fiji.

From there, we hopped over to Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second-largest island, staying at Koro Sun Resort. This area is a bit more developed than Taveuni, but still deeply relaxed and grounded— a great fit for travelers who want adventure and comfort. Oh, and we dove with hammerheads (!!!), which still doesn’t seem like it actually happened.

And because, why not, somewhere between the diving and the romance novel sunsets, I accidentally earned a signature cocktail at Koro Sun: The Jill-B.

Days fell into an easy pattern: swim, dry off in the sun, contemplate a basket weaving class (yes, that’s a thing) eat something fresh, repeat. I wore one pair of flip-flops the entire trip, which were these Archies (highly recommended); comfy like Havaianas, but with added arch support.

Eating and drinking: Everything we ate was fresh and local—fish, fruit, vegetables—often caught or grown nearby, sometimes the same day. Nothing heavy. Nothing overworked. Just simple food that tasted like itself and made you feel good. By the trip’s end, it felt like a full reset: better sleep, more energy, lighter in a way that had nothing to do with restriction.

What I brought home (besides a very real desire to return): fresh coconut oil, and a big ol’ bottle of overproof rum. 

The moral of our Fiji story: a simpler, less complicated life feels good.

Pacific Seas P.S.: Nicole has not been to Fiji, but she did go on a much less civilized trip to Vanuatu years ago for work (diving into the story of tamanu oil with a beauty brand). Highlights included attending a huge firewalking ceremony (and walking across it—more on that later), drinking kava in the forest, sleeping on the floor of a hut on a remote island where the men’s attire often was nothing more than a penis sheath, and a long trip on a small boat where someone lost a piece of their thumb. This was back in the Aughts, so the brand was on to something well ahead of its time: the benefits of tamanu oil are real, and more beauty brands are incorporating it into concentrates, balms and oils to help balance and restore irritated skin—and you can shop them here.

Mane event

Hacks for healthy winter hair

The Skinny: The most beautiful hair is always the healthiest hair, and for expert tips on how to combat flat, dry and lifeless hair in winter, we consulted with Bella Livoti, a stylist at NYC’s Fabio Scalia Salons. Oh and this isn’t just for the ladies! Guys, you can also take note.

1. Brush, brush, brush! But, how many strokes should you brush daily? “Instead of counting strokes, focus on time,” says Bella. “Brush daily for about 3–5 minutes. A boar bristle brush helps move your scalp’s natural oils down through the hair, which keeps the cuticle nourished, smoother, and more protected, especially in dry winter weather.” It works, and it doubles as a self-care moment. 

2. To keep hair hydrated, research which products are best for you (and ask your stylist for recommendations). “Winter air is very dry, so using oils, serums, masks, and moisture-locking products helps keep hair soft, healthy, and protected from dryness and breakage,” says Bella. 

3. There’s much less humidity in the air during winter, and humidity helps hair naturally expand and hold volume, explains Bella. When you add hats and dry indoor heat, fine hair can easily fall flat. “To prevent this, use lightweight volumizing products, avoid over-conditioning at the roots, focus on scalp health and proper blow-drying techniques to create lift without weighing the hair down.”

While we love styling tools, no one loves hair damage from heat. But soon, we won’t need to worry: leave it to L’Oréal to debut the Light Straight + Multi-Styler (available in 2027) using infrared light technology to curl and straighten hair (that is reportedly faster, and more effective, than heat).  

While you’re waiting for that, protect your hair if you’re heat styling, do so only 1-2 times a week if you can, and use a high-quality boar bristle brush. We’re also going to test some new air drying techniques (hint: half the battle is how you towel-dry your hair). 

Add to cart: for your New Year, New Healthy Hair, we’ve collected some of the best heat styling/protectants, masks, serums and air dry stylers here, along with top-rated heat stylers such as the Shark FlexStyle, the Dyson Air Wrap Multi-Styler and the T3 Aire 360. But of course the most important tool, and one that will last a lifetime and get better with age, is that high-quality boar bristle brush.

Last licks

This week’s newsfeed

• Survey says: gymgoers prefer a human element over tech and AI.

• Baby it’s cold outside, so time to pick up some earmuffs, they being the most whimsical of winter headgear. Browse and shop our curated list of earmuffs, headbands and hats here, and behold the fascinating history of the man who invented them (in Maine, ofc). 

• Let’s hear it for the Hot Dip, your cold weather party essential. 

• Last week’s most-clicked report: the on-trend allure of Grandma’s brooch, and how to style them; and this list of dupes for popular “overtouristed” global travel hotspots. 

• In deep winter, a jar of marinara is your pantry’s workhorse. For its finest hour, Food & Wine has put in the work to report on the made-in-Italy Costco sauce they recommend you snatch up immediately should you see it on the shelf. Plus, an overly detailed review of everyday marinara from Costco vs. Walmart.

• As a reminder of the unsung hero of frigid temps, a quick ode to the Hot Toddy. Four simple ingredients—bourbon, hot water, lemon and honey—that come together in a warm embrace. Nicole swears that it has “cured” a brutal cold more than once (which started as an excuse to still drink while feeling like s–t). Turns out, there are scientific reasons why a Hot Toddy can have the same benefits as OTC cold medicines (not to mention, being a natural remedy).

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