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The 25 Best Things I Bought This Year

As someone who reviews products for a living, it takes something truly spectacular to stand out enough to be considered a holy-grail favorite. To make my favorites list, it can’t just be an item I like—it has to be something I swear by, something I rave to all of my friends about, and something I find myself consistently reaching for.

In a world where new products are being thrown in your face daily, it can be overwhelming to keep up with what’s truly worth your investment—which is why I decided to put this list together. Think of it as your shortcut to navigate the thousands of options out there without having to spend hours researching.

Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or find the perfect gift for the women in your life, you’re in the right place. From everyday wardrobe staples to skincare must-haves, I’m sharing everything that has earned a permanent spot in my daily life over the past year. Ready to dive in?

CLOTHING

1. Effortless Pants

When I started thinking about items that truly changed my life this year, I immediately knew what would be number 1 on my list: the Effortless Pants.

I’ve talked about these exhaustively, and I will apologize in advance if you’ve already heard the spiel, but I’ll preach about them until I’m blue in the face. The name of these trousers says it all—they’re truly effortless.

Why? They are machine washable, they don’t wrinkle, they’re great to travel with, and they look polished no matter how you style them. I’m 5’6, and my bestie is 5’4, and the regular length is somehow perfect on both of us whether we pair them with sneakers/flats or a low heel—no tailoring needed.

I find that they run true to size, and I wear a size 2. They also come in Shorter, Short, and Tall, and are available in a TON of colors. I personally own them in Light Birch, Matte Pearl, Black, Rich Mocha Brown, and Nomad Taupe.

By far my most worn pant.

2. Sweatpant Jeans

I had seen the Rag & Bone sweatpant jeans going viral on Tiktok, and I resisted the urge to buy them for months. Eventually, I caved. And let me tell you—I did not want to love them. But MY GOD… these jeans have officially ruined regular jeans for me.

They are now the pair I reach for almost daily…and I’ve since bought a second pair. I realized that they serve a very specific purpose: making me feel “put together” when I’m working from home. And don’t get me wrong—I love WFH in sweats as much as the next basic bitch, but you get to a point where being a slob kebab no longer feels productive. (They have been sold out on every website that previously carried them, except for this one.)

Throw on a comfy sweater with these pants (which are essentially sweats masquerading as jeans) and you’ll start to feel like a contributing member of society.

Just one warning: DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE WASH. They will shrink. I learned that lesson the hard way. I wear a size XS, and fine they run true to size.

3. Amazon Cardigan

This sweater was a huge hit this year, and it looks far more expensive than it actually is. The gold buttons and striped design add such a chic touch.

The material is soft yet lightweight enough for summer, and it’s easy to layer as the seasons change. I received so many compliments when wearing it. I ordered a medium, which fits slightly oversized.

4. Scuba Half-Zip

I’ve also been loving my Lululemon oversized scuba half-zip for post-workout lounging. It’s a simple staple piece that I honestly didn’t realize I would get as much use out of as I have been. The fit is perfect. Great to throw over a pair of leggings to run errands, walk the dog, or take a workout class.

I’m wearing the XS/S here.

5. Standout Blazer

I have been head over heels for this blazer. I like to add a belt to this and it’s the perfect way to dress up jeans, wear for a night out, or to a meeting. My most worn blazer…I have it in three colors.

It cinches you in the waist and designed to be worn closed to give you the hourglass shape. Sometimes I’ll add a belt (see above) to dress it up a bit.

I have this both in a size 0 and a size 2. The size 2 I ended up getting tailored a bit, because it wasn’t as form-fitting as I hoped it would be.

6. Celine Sunny Dupes

I try to be really discerning when it comes to “dupes,” because as I get older, I’ve been trying to focus on investing in quality pieces rather than the cheap fast-fashion option.

That said, I can appreciate that buying designer isn’t always necessary. Earlier in the year, I bought myself the Celine Triomphe metal frame sunglasses, and I’m obsessed with them. But I scratched the lenses over the summer, and I was SO mad at myself.

Enter: the Amazon version. I ordered them, did a side-by-side, and other than the logo, I genuinely couldn’t tell which was which.

They’re perfect for any occasion and great to take to the beach or anywhere you don’t want to risk damaging a more expensive pair. The gold detailing on the sides gives them a high-end look, but at a fraction of the price.

7. Vuori Trench

Image a trench coat that feels like a cozy pair of sweatpants. That would be this trench coat from Vuori. I’ve been living in it. It’s perfect for travel, perfect as a “house coat,” and feels like elevated loungewear.

I’m wearing a size XS in the color Dune. This color is neutral enough to go with just about anything I own. It had been sold out in this color, but was recently restocked.

SKINCARE

8. Caudalie Eye Cream

When someone asks about my favorite eye cream, I always recommend the Caudalie Premier Cru Anti-Aging Eye Cream. It’s a product that I truly feel works—and it also happens to be the same eye cream that my derm uses. It helps with fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness with consistent use.

I usually apply three small dots under my eyes, then gently massage it in with the metal applicator.

9. Neck Cream

In skincare, we often forget that our neck deserves some attention too. The StriVectin Tightening Neck Cream is an easy, one-step routine for your neck and chest.

And if you spend 50% of your life looking down at your phone like I do, tech neck is inevitable. I’m trying to get ahead of it with this stuff. It targets stubborn wrinkles, visibly lifting and tightening the skin, leaving it smooth and firm.

10. Double Serum

Two words: Double Serum. This product is basically the equivalent of five serums in one. I like to call it the powerhouse of serums. Over time, it’s helped to even out my complexion and has generally made my routine a lot easier (especially in the morning) because it replaces the multi-step serum layering I had been doing previously.

11. Shower Oil

This product has quickly become #SilbSquad’s top pick for the past few years: the Bioderma Shower Oil. It’s a game-changer. It works for both body and face, and I even use it to shave. It’s a lifesaver for dry skin, and I could write a novel about how much I love it—but we’ll keep it short. Just trust me on this one.

12. Moisturizer

This water bank moisturizer by Laneige has been a staple for a while. It’s incredibly hydrating and smooth, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and radiant. It’s a simple, not-insanely-expensive cream that feels super rich, and is especially great in the winter.

HOME

13. Floor Length Mirror

I didn’t make a lot of home purchases this year, but one of the standouts was definitely this Amazon mirror. There are 900 of the exact same-looking mirrors on Amazon from 900 different sellers and for whatever reason I made it a mission to find the BEST one.

I spent 2+ hours combing through every review, comparing close-up photos. I did the work for us. This is the best one. Don’t fall victim to the scroll. You’ve been warned.

14. Fancy Hand Wash & Reed Diffuser

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one of the greatest highlights of my year: the launch of Hotel Lobby Home Hand Wash and Reed Diffuser. These babies were a labor of love and I couldn’t be more happy with how they turned out, and the feedback we’ve been getting on them.

The hand wash is INSANE. It’s thick, moisturizing, and leaves your hands with the most absurdly decadent fragrance. Signature is my personal favorite.

And the Reed Diffuser? Chic AF, and greets you with the richest hotel-inspired fragrance the second you enter the room it’s in. The bottle is the perfect size, and looks gorg on your counter. My favorite is the New York scent.

SHOES

15. “Fancy” Birkenstocks

I spend half the year in Miami, which means I have two closets: one for my New York shoes and one for my Miami shoes.

I get so many questions about these sandals I got from Free People. I like that the oversized gold buckle and slightly shiny cream-colored finish makes them feel like a dressed up version of regular Birkenstocks.

16. YSL-inspired Slingbacks

These Amazon heels have been my go-to all year. They are the cheapest pair of pumps I own, and also happen to be my most worn pair.

They’re extremely comfortable (I can wear them for over 4 hours without any discomfort), incredibly affordable, and look exactly like the wildly uncomfortable YSL Lee slingbacks. I tried the YSL version on IRL in Paris and could barely walk. Amazon version FTW.

17. Classic Sneaker

Now, let’s talk about sneakers. I’ve been wearing these New Balance 9060s all year. They’re perfect for walking or working out, plus they go with everything.

As an added bonus, they thick sole gives you about 1/2 inch in height. They come in multiple colors, but I especially love this neutral wash because I can pair them with anything. (These shoes are sold out everywhere except for this one.)

18. Over-the-Knee Boots

In fairness, I didn’t buy these this year, but I still put them on the list because I’ve been reaching for them a lot. The Stuart Weitzman 5050 boots are absolutely fabulous and have been a staple of mine for years.

They’re sleek and versatile, perfect for both day and night. I love dressing them up with a big faux fur coat or dressing them down with faux leather leggings. (I have a whole blog post dedicated to these boots.)

MAKEUP

19. Face Palette

If you are looking for an all-in-one product, consider this your sign. The Makeup Forever face palette is a gem. I could pack this one item for a weekend trip and not have to worry about bringing anything else.

20. Expensive AF Foundation

Yes, $270 for a foundation is… a hard pill to swallow. But hear me out, there is SO much product in this tub, a little goes a long way, and it lasts forever.

And SPF 22! Of course, whether or not something is “worth it” is very subjective, but The Foundation is a product I personally would splurge on. It gives me the most insanely velvety blurred-out complexion, but feels like you’re wearing nothing on your face. I anticipate my tub will last me well over a year, and I use it multiple times a week.

21. Makeup Brush

If you are looking for another product that’s a 2 in 1…this is it. This is my number 1 most-used brush at the moment (replacing my beloved ItCosmetics dual-sided brush!)

I’ve grown to like the shape of this one more, and the fact that I can use it for everything: foundation, contour, bronzer, blush, and powder. I’m 100% going to be buying another one and ditching some of my older brushes. It is also $20 LESS than the ItCosmetics one! I have a feeling they’ll raise the price soon. 

22. Setting Spray

Putting on makeup for a special occasion or long day calls for setting spray. I need something that lasts all day without having to worry my makeup is going to disappear. The setting spray from One Size is a holy grail. After I use this, my makeup is locked in ALL day…I could probably could wake up the next morning looking just as good.

23. Pressed Powder

Speaking of flawless skin, if you’re in need of a new pressed powder, this one is a must-try. The Charlotte Tilbury Setting Powder has been a repeat purchase for me.

I hit pan on it, and that’s when you know it’s truly a winner. It gives your skin a soft, airbrushed effect, and I haven’t found anything better. I wear the shade Fair.

24. Lip Treatment

This has been the year of the lip treatment/lip oil/lip stain/etc. I know everyone dies for the one from Rhode and Summer Fridays, but I’ll be honest—the best one on the market is actually the Ole Henriksen lip peptide.

The shade he did in collaboration with Anine Bing has been my top pick. The color is perfect, with a subtle shimmer that gives your lips a plush, glowing finish, and the peptides make your lips feel hydrated and not sticky. I love wearing it over a lip liner or simply applying it on its own for a fresh, daytime look.

25. Brush Set

I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of using the same brushes for… well, I honestly don’t even remember how long. This brush set from Sephora is an excellent investment—it has everything you need. The brushes are incredibly soft and durable, ensuring they’ll last for as long as you choose to keep them.

OK — that’s the list! I’m POSITIVE there are things I’m forgetting. I’ll either add them to the comments or update this post as they come to mind. Drop a note below if there’s anything you purchased based off of my rec this year that you’re loving!

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