My 2024 favorites - beauty, fashion, home and more!
Sharing everything that was more than worth buying this year.
I absolutely love a Favorites list - and I also understand that when it comes to shopping, "one size doesn't fit all". But I guess lists can help us to learn about life-saving products and items that are worth the money. I shared the list below on my IG, but considering that content on IG expires really quickly, and I'm really proud of this list, I thought it would be a good idea to share it here as well.
To give you an idea of how I love these items, I included a * on the products I already purchased twice (or more). Also, others were recommendations from my sister and my friends. I guess these people are the ones who most influence me in real life. They always have the best tips.
*SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum - European and Korean sunscreens are often considered superior to American formulas due to regulatory differences, a broader range of available UV filters, and consumer preferences - did you know the FDA has not approved new sunscreen ingredients since 1999? This one is my absolute favorite, with a formula featuring SPF50+ PA++++ and centella asiatica extract to soothe and hydrate skin without leaving a white cast. It's not greasy, not matte. It doesn't feel like you are wearing sunscreen. Shop here.
*Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream - As I mentioned in other posts, I'm using retinol - and that's a marathon, lol. It took me a while to figure out the best routine since it's an ingredient that can dry and irritate your skin a little. Taking care of your skin barrier is crucial (especially in the winter), and this cream is a holy grail. The formula contains azulene to repair and strengthen skin barriers, protecting against moisture and nutrient loss for healthier skin + nourishing and essential hydrating ingredients. The texture is super moisturizing, with a silky finish that does not have a greasy feeling. Shop here.
*Neutrogena Gentle Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover & Cleanser - I love using balms to remove makeup and sunscreen and let me tell you; it was a challenge to find a fragrance-free one. This has been doing the job, and it's affordable. Shop here.
*Florihana Plum Oil - “Chrissy Teigen Says Plum Oil Is Magical For Skin”. The headline on Google Discover. Of course, that got my attention. Reading the article, I discovered the model was referring to Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil, which costs $72. But there's one thing I've been learning more and more about the beauty industry is that not everything that is expensive is necessarily amazing, and not everything that is cheap is necessarily bad. Then, I did my homework: check the ingredients: Organic Prunus Domestica Seed Oil. Nothing less, nothing more. After googling it, I found Florihana Plum Organic Oil, which is made from plums cultivated in France. They have different sizes - and prices start at $5,90. By the way, my mom and my sister started to use the oil as well, and they love it. Shop here.
*Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides - another product I bought to fight the dryness, and it was a lovely surprise. It's a rich and replenishing cream that boosts skin hydration by 68% and helps strengthen the skin barrier. It has a velvet finish and it doesn't feel greasy. Plus, like all The Ordinary products, it's super affordable. Shop here.
*The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream - Dr. Shereene Idriss, my favorite dermatologist on the internet, once mentioned in one of her videos that using a retinol eye cream is key once you are in your thirties. I'm on my third purchase of this cream from The INKEY List - another amazing and affordable skincare brand. You may be wondering: but does it work? When it comes to skincare, I always think in the long-term. Shop here.
*Vanicream Cleanser - another interesting lesson I learned this year: cleansers that rip your skin off are not good. You want to use a cleanser that helps to remove dirt, oil and makeup without drying the skin. This one does the job - and it's super affordable. Only a few ingredients - and fragrance is not included in the list, which is a win for me. Shop here.
*Acure Shampoos - I'm allergic to some ingredients commonly used as fragrance in cosmetics - you can learn about it here - and hair care is, by fair, the most complicated category for me, since a beautiful hair is often linked to a hair that smells good, and a lot of the formulas carry the ingredients I'm allergic to. In my search for good products that wouldn't trigger some allergic reaction, I discovered Acure and I was really impressed with the performance - plus, prices are really good. Their mission is “to make clean beauty products accessible.” So far, I tried the Curiously Clarifying Shampoo, for like a “deep wash”, the Vivacious Volume Shampoo, to add volume, and the Buildup Balancing, also for a “deep wash”. Shop here.
*Attitude Shampoo - another brand I found while looking for shampoos that wouldn't trigger my allergy. Their formulas are also on the clean side with clean naturally-sourced ingredients. So far, I tried the Volume and Shine, and the Extra Gentle, and I loved both. The bottles are big and I like the average price too! Shop here.
Four Reasons No Nothing - I actually had the pleasure of working with this brand on a campaign that told more about my allergy story. You can check the video here. No Nothing features a whole skincare line with fragrance-free formulas. I'm talking not only about shampoo, conditioner and mask, but also mousse, hairspray, leave-in and so on. And, because of the campaign, I had the chance to try pretty much all the products and I'm so in love - especially with the styling ones, like the mousse and the hair wax. Shop here.
*DryBar Big Brew - since I have thin hair, I'm always on the lookout for products that can add some volume - but without leaving residue or weighing my hair down. This product is not cheap, but a little goes a long way, and I love the results when I blow-dry my hair after applying this cream. My trick is applying only in my lengths and avoiding the roots. Shop here.
Briogeo Style + Treat™ Hair Styling Sleek Stick - I love a perfect sleek bun, and I bought this viral hair stick, which does a good job, but unfortunately, it's too hard to remove from the hair. So a friend of mine told me about the one from Briogeo and I know, I know, it's more expensive, but it's way better. It provides a great finish without leaving your hair super sticky (plus, it smells way better). Shop here.
*Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment - this is a fragrance-free anti-humidity hair spray that keeps straight, wavy, or curly frizz-prone hair frizz-free for days. I'm not sure about the effects lasting days - cause I pretty much wash my hair almost every day - but I do love how it helps me to blow dry my hair at home, providing a silky finish and controlling frizz. I know this product is controversial, but I've been using it for over a year without a problem. What I learned from someone who knows better about formulas is that you have to use a clarifying shampoo once in a while to remove the build-up from this spray. Shop here.
It Cosmetics CC Cream Foundations -I've always heard good things about It Cosmetics products, and I finally had the chance to try their famous CC Cream this year. You can't go wrong with either of the formulas - the CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation has SPF 40 and provides full coverage with a matte finish, perfect for oily skin. The CC+ Cream Full Coverage Color Correcting Foundation has SPF 50+ and also provides full coverage but with a more hydrating formula. What I love about both products is the range of shades and the fact that they provide beautiful coverage with an elegant finish but still make you look super natural. I'm also super curious about the CC+ Nude Glow Lightweight Foundation + Glow Serum - according to a follower, it provides a "very natural glowing finish, makes your skin looks healthy, like you have a couple of million dollars in your bank account haha I love it!" Shop here.
NARS Powermatte High-Intensity Long-Lasting Lip Pencil - this is a classic from NARS, and I got three different shades of it. Love how easy it is to apply because of the pencil format - and it lasts for a pretty decent time. Plus, the shades are gorgeous. Shop here.
ColourPop Chrome Liquid Eyeshadow - ColourPop is such an amazing and affordable makeup brand - you get products with great quality and pigmentation for such a great price. I got these liquid eyeshadows to use as eyeliners - I would love to know how to properly use eyeshadows, but I'm more like an eyeliner girl, so I love to have bold and different colors. These are gorgeous and with high pigmentation. Shop here.
*Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner - the most beautiful brown liquid eyeliner I've ever used. Not only is the shade gorgeous, but the pigmentation is amazing, and it lasts for a long time. But don't be fooled into buying the black shade once you get in love with the brown one - it's not good! Shop here.
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes™ Liquid Eyeliner - I told you I'm an eyeliner girl - and as an eyeliner girl, of course, I have my favorite black eyeliner. It used to be the one from Kat Von D, but only until I discovered this one from Makeup by Mario, which is super high-pigmented and it lasts for a long time. Shop here.
Marcella NYC Georgia Pants - I thought there was no way I would find wide-leg pants more beautiful than the ones I have from Modern Citizen - but these ones from Marcella NYC proved me wrong. Even wider, with a lighter fabric, high-waisted, and the best part: they have a petite version (as a short human being, I'm so grateful, lol). Tip: wear thermal pants underneath your wide-leg pants for those freezing days! Shop here.
Uniqlo AIRism Cotton Oversized T-Shirt | Half-Sleeve - I found out about this stylish basic t-shirt from Uniqlo this year and it became my new obsession. I love the brand for winter staples – but they have so many great items for summer as well! I think the neckline and the longer sleeves make a difference in this piece. Also, this is part of the AIRism collection, which features a "special material made of ultra-thin fibers absorb and emit water vapor from your body." This is an unisex style - and it's available in a lot of shades. Shop here.
Hoka Bondi 8 - I think sneakers are a very personal choice – but I've been wearing the Hoka Bondi 8 for over 5 months, and I absolutely love it! It features soft and light foams and an extended heel geometry. I must say it took me a while to get used to it – not because they were uncomfortable, it was just… different? Shop here!
Uniqlo Pleated Wide Pants - another item from Uniqlo, this was a tip from my sister, who has been obsessed with these pants. I love how they are effortless, comfy, versatile and affordable - and you can dress up or down, depending on the occasion. Shop here.
Everlane The Banana Boat - the perfect knee-high boots - at least for me, lol. It took me a long time to find these boots. Most of the knee-high boots either have super high heels or don't have heels at all. When it comes to shoes, I prefer either medium or low heels or no heels. But for knee-high boots, I didn't want something flat. Also, there's another thing I consider when buying shoes: comfort and quality - and that can cost you some extra $$$. But living in a city like NYC, where we walk a lot, that is essential. These boots are super chic, comfy and high-quality. Not super cheap, but considering everything I think the price is reasonable. Shop here.
Aritzia Agency Mini Short - I was on the hunt for cute tailored shorts for the summer, and I must tell you that it was a challenge to find something that was a good fit. I tried some from a couple of brands but didn't love the design and how they fit. Until I decided to stop by Aritzia and finally found the ones I was looking for. I love them - they are so chic and comfortable! Sometimes, there's a reason why some brands are more expensive, and that's because of the design and how they fit. Shop here.
Polène Bag Numéro Un Nano - this year, I decided I wanted to buy a good bag. And I don't care enough for luxurious brands. I've been keeping my eyes on Polène for a long time, and I finally decided to buy one of their bags for myself. And since my sister lives in Paris and she was coming to visit me, I asked her to buy it for me - the bags are more expensive in the US. I got the Numéro Un Nano - it's small but not tiny. It fits my phone, wallet, sunglasses, keys, and lipstick. And since I love smart shopping, I was especially happy to see Tanner Leatherstein saying Polène provides a nice luxury alternative for people that don't care about status. Shop here.
Ninja® CREAMi® 7-in-1 Ice Cream Maker - when my husband told me he had seen a video on YouTube about protein ice cream, I was a little skeptical. Then, I decided to watch the video, and that was the first time I heard about the Ninja CREAMi. And there was no looking back, lol. This machine has become a popular kitchen gadget for making customized ice creams, including high-protein, low-calorie options. It works by "creaming" a frozen base into a smooth, creamy consistency using a spinning blade system. It changed the whole protein powder game in our house - there are so many recipes you can create! I can't live without my CREAMi anymore. I make protein ice cream as my afternoon snack almost every day. My sister, who lives in Paris, visited me right after I got mine back in May, and when I told her about the machine, she didn't care. But when she got here and tried the ice cream, she was sold out. Shop here.
dreame L10s Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo - when it comes to gadgets that can help us do domestic tasks and save our time, my husband and I are totally in. At some point last year, I decided to do some research about vacuum robots that could vacuum and mop at the same time. We already had one from Roomba, which I loved it, and we tried their mop one - which was an awful product. After some research, I found the L10s from dreame, and I was intrigued - especially when the only con was the price. I mean, over time, if the product does what it promises, the price is not a big issue anymore (of course, everyone has a cap). So, one year later, we still love this product - not only because it vacuums and mops at the same time but because it has features like self-emptying, LiDAR navigation for precise mapping, and AI-powered obstacle avoidance. The dual rotating mops scrub floors effectively and lift automatically on carpets. Its docking station handles dust bin emptying, mop washing, and refilling water, offering near hands-free maintenance. Shop here - and it's so much cheaper nowadays!
Ninja Luxe™ Café Espresso Machine Drip Coffee Maker & Cold Brew Machine - I always wanted to have a machine like this. We bought a Bambino from Breville last year - and it was a good and compact machine, but I never took the time to learn how to froth the milk properly. So, what I love about this machine from Ninja is the fact that everything is automated. It features a technology that provides grind size recommendations and automated brew settings for consistent results. The hands-free frother creates perfectly textured microfoam with both dairy and non-dairy milk. Shop here.
loop Dream earplugs - I first heard about loop earplugs through my sister. She is very sensitive to noise and uses hers for the subway and other noisy environments, as well as for sleep. Inspired by her, I bought a pair of the loop quiet - I'm a light sleeper, my husband snores sometimes, and I got to a point where I don't want to compromise my sleep quality anymore. Let's say that, when it comes to using it for sleeping, I was not super impressed with the loop quiet. Enter loop dream, their new product. I was intrigued and decided to give it a chance - yes, it's kinda expensive for an earplug, but they have a good return policy, so I thought, why not? Well, what a game-changer. This cute little thing offers maximum noise reduction - 27 dB (SNR), to be exact and I've been sleeping so much better! Turns out it was "cheap" considering the benefits that it has brought me! Shop here.
Indyx - I had never thought about cataloging my closet until reading Beni's Substack and finding out about Indyx . OMG. I'm obsessed with this app! Indyx allows you to catalog your closet and add tags like category, size, brand and colors. I was able to catalog a lot of my items by just searching for images or checking my last purchases on my favorite websites. But you can also take a photo of your items - and their tool removes the background, providing a cleaner look. Another great tip is to find pictures of similar items. Let's say you own some black tank tops - it's not gonna be hard to find images online.
One you have everything catalogued, you can also use Indyx to create outfits. I'm already saving a lot of ideas of outfits for the future - and I'm sure this is gonna be such a great tool to help me to pack for trips, for example. Because let's be honest: not all of us have huge walk-in closets that let us visualize every item we own.
And I know it can sound overwhelming to catalogue your whole closet. But it's a one-time job - think about that. Plus, you can set goals so you don't give up. First, you catalog tops, then denim pants, then coats, and so on. By having a better idea of what you own, it's easier to make better choices - and perhaps even avoid unnecessary purchases. Seriously, I have so many ideas now; it's like shopping for my own closet, lol.
Shark FlexStyle - after deciding to retire my Revlon One Step Dryer and starting to use the Dyson Airstrait, I kinda missed the styled blow out that Revlon would provide, so I started to put my eyes on Shark devices – and that’s when I finally purchased a Shark FlexStyle. And it was so worthy! Not only Shark FlexStyle gives you fast drying while maintaining low heat, it also provides the salon blow dry finish, like the one I could achieve with Revlon. Check the full review on my blog!
The possibilities with Shark FlexStyle are endless – but that can turn into an expensive hair tool if you don’t use it that much. I justify the investment to myself by the fact that 1. I have to dry my hair every time I wash my hair, which happens every other day if not every day. 2. Because I expose my hair to heat, I would rather invest in a tool that will not damage my hair. 3. I don’t spend money at hair salons unless it’s for a hair cut or for highlights. And I wish they offered the possibility to buy the brush only. Shop here.
And that's a wrap! While I love to share my favorites, my idea is to provide some help in case you are thinking about purchasing any of these items or looking for some recs.