If you live in the Midwest, I don’t have to convince you this winter has been weird. No consistent snow. Rain in January. Days that feel more like early spring than the dead of winter. I’ve lived here long enough to know this isn’t normal… and I’ve definitely noticed.
As the founder and maker behind Hello Wink, I think a lot about seasons. Cold weather usually means dry skin, flushed cheeks, and cozy layers. But this year? It feels off. And when something feels off in nature, it’s usually worth paying attention.
A Warm Midwest Winter Isn’t Just in Your Head
Midwestern winters are supposed to be cold. Snowpack. Frozen ground. A reset for the land. Instead, many of us are seeing:
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More rain than snow
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Long stretches of above‑average temperatures
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Muddy yards instead of snowdrifts
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Fewer truly cold days
When winters run warm, it affects everything from agriculture to water systems to pests that normally die off in colder temps. Even if you’re not tracking climate data, your body notices. Your routines notice.
Why This Matters (Even If You’re Not a “Climate Person”)
You don’t need to be an environmental scientist to understand this: patterns matter.
Warmer winters can mean:
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Crops struggling with inconsistent freeze cycles
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Insects and pests sticking around longer
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Less groundwater replenishment from snowmelt
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Stress on ecosystems that rely on seasonal rhythms
And on a very human level? It can feel disorienting. When seasons blur, it disconnects us from the natural cues we’ve relied on forever.
What This Has to Do With Beauty (Yes, Really)
Here’s where Hello Wink comes in.
Our beauty routines are tied to the planet whether we realize it or not. Most conventional makeup is designed for convenience, speed, and disposability meaning plastic tubes, single‑use items, constant replacements.
But when we see how fragile systems really are, it raises a simple question:
Do we need more waste… or more intention?
Hello Wink was built on the idea that everyday products can be:
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Plastic‑free
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Multi‑use
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Thoughtfully made
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Less disposable
One small swap doesn’t change the world. But millions of small, conscious choices absolutely do.
Noticing Is the First Step
This winter being warm doesn’t mean everything is doomed tomorrow. But it does mean we should stay curious, stay aware, and stop brushing things off as “normal” when they clearly aren’t.
Noticing is powerful.
It’s how change starts.
XXOO Cheska