My best buys included supergoop sunscreen in the giant pump so I actually use the recommended amount and put it on everywhere in the summer, a chemical peel once summer was over, and Agolde jeans that fit perfectly. Oh, and the arthritis meds my dog is on, so he can keep being my walking buddy at 12 years old!
If you’re taking suggestions for a new cleanser, cannot recommend the indie Lee brightening one enough! Not sure what companies in Canada would stock, but it’s at Nordstrom, Ulta, and their website here in the US. I typically dislike scented things but there is a slight strawberry scent that is just the perfect smell to wake me up in the AM!
I'm also in the same boat re: disliking scented things. I don't need it to be scented, just to work please! I'd never heard of this brand before so I'll be looking into it! Also we will always +1 proper dosage and reapplication of a sunscreen. A v good reminder to all that the best sunscreen is the one you'll use and actually look forward to reapplying!
My best buys last year were a toss-up between a vintage denim duster coat (from ebay, no brand!) that is a delight and the "affection" lip oil (that's really more of a lip stain) from Rare Beauty.
I'm also doing a version of a low-buy! With a few exceptions (things that wear out/socks/underwear, a pair of shoes for my upcoming wedding), this coming year I'm aiming to purchase only five new, non-necessary things for my wardrobe. I'm calling it my "5 for 2025" rule! I love clothes and fashion, but I think I need to wean myself off the dopamine hit of buying something new, and re-route it to a similar rush of wearing a favourite piece or discovering a new combination of clothes I already have. I hope you'll do a reflection newsletter after your 3 months are up!
My no buy exceptions definitely include restocking of things (when they run out like a cleanser, if they break or wear down like socks etc). I *love* your “5 for 2025” concept!
Will definitely do a reflection after the three months! That’s a great idea.
I use Westman Atelier almost exclusively, and the new Vital Skincare Concealer delivers! I’ve tried countless concealers but none have this level of coverage without being too heavy and it Lifts - capital L intended! The brand can be pricey, but the products last a very long time.
I am all about Caudalie skin care lately- I feel like you would love their vino hydra line, and their hyaluronic serum feels like a drink of cold water on a hot day. I love to double cleanse with their vino pure oil/gel.
For clothes, I am addicted to Abercrombie for cute on trend but high quality pieces. They are size inclusive too, and as a tall girlie, having the option for extra length is everything.
And I know I'm at risk of overdoing the trend, but Lulu's all night festival bag is so perfect for me. I love the little top zipper I can put my cards in- most of the time I never even have to open the thing because of this feature.
you have such a lovely way with words Sarah. fashion wise I bought myself the doc martens platform chelsea boots as a reward from me to me for finishing my master’s dissertation (technically hadn’t finished it by the time i got it but i saw them second hand for a great price and couldn’t resist). they look so cool and add a great edge/polish to each outfit, plus they’re super warm. i also got a denim two piece from nobody’s child (asos also sell it: https://www.asos.com/us/nobodys-child/nobodys-child-roxy-denim-resort-boxy-shirt-in-navy-part-of-a-set/prd/206193098) and it makes me look so chic and put together even though it’s very low maintenance and comfy. i do need to get the trousers hemmed though because i’m also 5’4 and they’re longgg.
skincare wise i have been enjoying stuff from the ordinary and byoma recently. i also wore the glossier berry balm dot com non stop this year and was about to buy a new one when i found out it’s been discontinued. i did however get the clinique black honey lipstick instead which is quite similar.
I absolutely love + support a "to me, from me" gift for marking a huge milestone. Congratulations on the completion of your master! What an accomplishment. Did you see that Glossier just (re)launched Balm Dot Com in Black Cherry?
This was the year I started a really good skin care routine, so my finds of the year are The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid (good for pore minimizing and moisturizing) and First Aid Beauty Bounce-Boosting Serum (which may be undergoing a rebrand, it's getting harder to find, but includes collagen and niacinamides and has been lovely for my 46-year-old skin that is just beginning to show lines, thanks Mom for the excellent genes). I also committed to daily sunscreen in the morning and haven't regretted my choice of Olehenriksen's Banana Bright Tinted Mineral Sunscreen!
Possibly this counts since I got it in a couple of new colors/flavors this year: Glossier's Balm Dotcom, which I like best in mint but which I got in the holiday variants of Biscotti & Espresso. My lips are so finicky that for a while they would only tolerate plain petroleum jelly, but these have been good for me to wear and I'm trying not to be without them now that it's winter!
My beloved Too Faced Melted Matte was discontinued and I'm STILL looking for a replacement liquid lip, though. Maybe I can find that in 2025!
I also became extremely partial to the Baggu reusable bags this year and always have at least one, usually more, tucked into my purse. They're adorable and easy to fold and put away and weigh nothing. I adore them.
I used to be very into The Ordinary! Solid ingredients at very good price points. I may need to revisit their offerings and see what they've added to their lineup as it's been years! Ty for the reminder. My best friend is an *ardent* Baggu user and is slowly amassing a collection for the trunk of her car for errands.
My best buys included supergoop sunscreen in the giant pump so I actually use the recommended amount and put it on everywhere in the summer, a chemical peel once summer was over, and Agolde jeans that fit perfectly. Oh, and the arthritis meds my dog is on, so he can keep being my walking buddy at 12 years old!
If you’re taking suggestions for a new cleanser, cannot recommend the indie Lee brightening one enough! Not sure what companies in Canada would stock, but it’s at Nordstrom, Ulta, and their website here in the US. I typically dislike scented things but there is a slight strawberry scent that is just the perfect smell to wake me up in the AM!
https://indielee.com/products/brightening-cleanser?variant=31253676458051&country=US&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADCSYCQJF8eY6HIzQKq3_cv7YvQCO&gclid=Cj0KCQiAst67BhCEARIsAKKdWOnrxYg8o15IsBQyQmhZJrTVTfmps66iUX1pZdK-FVJ8kXoQnhsMWEgaAuItEALw_wcB
I'm also in the same boat re: disliking scented things. I don't need it to be scented, just to work please! I'd never heard of this brand before so I'll be looking into it! Also we will always +1 proper dosage and reapplication of a sunscreen. A v good reminder to all that the best sunscreen is the one you'll use and actually look forward to reapplying!
My favorite buy was this perfectly loose VOTE jean jacket from the only instagram ad that I've been happy about from Civic Sewers (https://civicsewers.com/products/vote-jacket?srsltid=AfmBOopScZCmSEwCjfkEeAMALYLdnSc62JrN9KTexxr2SgbDFC0g2A5T). I work in elections and voting rights, so I have an assortment of pins attached to it. Very cute!
That is such a cute jacket! (And thank you so much for your work)
My best buys last year were a toss-up between a vintage denim duster coat (from ebay, no brand!) that is a delight and the "affection" lip oil (that's really more of a lip stain) from Rare Beauty.
I'm also doing a version of a low-buy! With a few exceptions (things that wear out/socks/underwear, a pair of shoes for my upcoming wedding), this coming year I'm aiming to purchase only five new, non-necessary things for my wardrobe. I'm calling it my "5 for 2025" rule! I love clothes and fashion, but I think I need to wean myself off the dopamine hit of buying something new, and re-route it to a similar rush of wearing a favourite piece or discovering a new combination of clothes I already have. I hope you'll do a reflection newsletter after your 3 months are up!
My no buy exceptions definitely include restocking of things (when they run out like a cleanser, if they break or wear down like socks etc). I *love* your “5 for 2025” concept!
Will definitely do a reflection after the three months! That’s a great idea.
I use Westman Atelier almost exclusively, and the new Vital Skincare Concealer delivers! I’ve tried countless concealers but none have this level of coverage without being too heavy and it Lifts - capital L intended! The brand can be pricey, but the products last a very long time.
https://www.westman-atelier.com/products/vital-skincare-concealer-atelier-l1
I am all about Caudalie skin care lately- I feel like you would love their vino hydra line, and their hyaluronic serum feels like a drink of cold water on a hot day. I love to double cleanse with their vino pure oil/gel.
For clothes, I am addicted to Abercrombie for cute on trend but high quality pieces. They are size inclusive too, and as a tall girlie, having the option for extra length is everything.
And I know I'm at risk of overdoing the trend, but Lulu's all night festival bag is so perfect for me. I love the little top zipper I can put my cards in- most of the time I never even have to open the thing because of this feature.
you have such a lovely way with words Sarah. fashion wise I bought myself the doc martens platform chelsea boots as a reward from me to me for finishing my master’s dissertation (technically hadn’t finished it by the time i got it but i saw them second hand for a great price and couldn’t resist). they look so cool and add a great edge/polish to each outfit, plus they’re super warm. i also got a denim two piece from nobody’s child (asos also sell it: https://www.asos.com/us/nobodys-child/nobodys-child-roxy-denim-resort-boxy-shirt-in-navy-part-of-a-set/prd/206193098) and it makes me look so chic and put together even though it’s very low maintenance and comfy. i do need to get the trousers hemmed though because i’m also 5’4 and they’re longgg.
skincare wise i have been enjoying stuff from the ordinary and byoma recently. i also wore the glossier berry balm dot com non stop this year and was about to buy a new one when i found out it’s been discontinued. i did however get the clinique black honey lipstick instead which is quite similar.
I absolutely love + support a "to me, from me" gift for marking a huge milestone. Congratulations on the completion of your master! What an accomplishment. Did you see that Glossier just (re)launched Balm Dot Com in Black Cherry?
This was the year I started a really good skin care routine, so my finds of the year are The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid (good for pore minimizing and moisturizing) and First Aid Beauty Bounce-Boosting Serum (which may be undergoing a rebrand, it's getting harder to find, but includes collagen and niacinamides and has been lovely for my 46-year-old skin that is just beginning to show lines, thanks Mom for the excellent genes). I also committed to daily sunscreen in the morning and haven't regretted my choice of Olehenriksen's Banana Bright Tinted Mineral Sunscreen!
Possibly this counts since I got it in a couple of new colors/flavors this year: Glossier's Balm Dotcom, which I like best in mint but which I got in the holiday variants of Biscotti & Espresso. My lips are so finicky that for a while they would only tolerate plain petroleum jelly, but these have been good for me to wear and I'm trying not to be without them now that it's winter!
My beloved Too Faced Melted Matte was discontinued and I'm STILL looking for a replacement liquid lip, though. Maybe I can find that in 2025!
I also became extremely partial to the Baggu reusable bags this year and always have at least one, usually more, tucked into my purse. They're adorable and easy to fold and put away and weigh nothing. I adore them.
I used to be very into The Ordinary! Solid ingredients at very good price points. I may need to revisit their offerings and see what they've added to their lineup as it's been years! Ty for the reminder. My best friend is an *ardent* Baggu user and is slowly amassing a collection for the trunk of her car for errands.