As 2024 draws to a close I thought it’d be a good time to look back on the year, and also include all the things I’ve enjoyed using. This year has been fairly so-so for me. Nothing major has happened but there are a few things I want to work on in 2025.
I found I’ve been more mindful with my purchases probably since Covid hit and this year is no different. I’ve been making use of the things I really enjoy instead of frivolously spending on things I don’t need. I concentrated most of my attention on perfumes instead of make up and I’ve built up and refined my collection so it just has fragrances I really love and feel like me.
Here are a few beauty and miscellaneous bits I’ve been enjoying this year.
The return of the headband
I remember headbands making a brief appearance in 2019 but that trend seemed over before it even started. They made a return in 2024 and I was there for it. Headbands are such an easy way to accessorise an outfit and feel a bit more put together. I have a couple in my collection including this polka dot one and a rather snazzy gold one and they’re quite fun to wear, and keep the hair out of my face.
Diptyque Do Son EDT
I’ve reviewed Do Son on my blog previously and I’m still obsessed. It’s the most perfect white floral perfume for spring and summer and I can’t wait until the weather warms up to wear it again. For an EDT it is very long lasting and has good projection. It’s also quite fresh and green. It’s such an uplifting scent and I definitely recommend Do Son for warmer weather if you love your white florals too. I really enjoy most of the Diptyque fragrances I’ve tried so far.
Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color Lipsticks
I have three Crushed Lip Color lipsticks in my collection and I love them all, here’s my review of Blondie Pink. I’ve been wearing lighter make up recently and these are absolutely perfect for a low maintenance look. They’re balmy and offer buildable coverage so you can control how dramatic you want the effect safe in the knowledge they won’t dry your lips out. They leave lightweight diffused colour on the lips and are similar in consistency to a tinted lip balm. They’re gorgeous with a great shade range. I’ve loved these lipsticks for years and would definitely recommend them if that’s the sort of thing you’re looking for.
Tatty Devine Jewellery
I love quirky jewellery and have picked up a couple of pairs of earrings from Tatty Devine this year, including the Prayer Plant Leaves you can see in the picture. I think they’re gorgeous and have held up well. They have some fab statement pieces which are such an easy way to add a bit of something-something to an outfit.
Reusable insulated cups
I’ve reviewed the Stanley Iceflow on my blog as this year I moved away from plastic water bottles and firmly invested in a few reusable cups and bottles. This S’well Traveler Bottle is small enough to fit in a handbag and doesn’t leak. It’s a perfect size for hot drinks but will also keep cold drinks icy cool and the wide mouth means you can easily fit ice cubes inside.
Liz Earle Skin Repair Light Cream
This is another product I reviewed on my blog and I love it. Liz Earle Skin Repair Light is the perfect moisturiser for me that isn’t too heavy but really packs a punch. I will forever repurchase this.
Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara
I don’t really have great lashes. They’re not long or fluttery and they’re quite sparse. I wore the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara for the first time about eight years ago and someone asked if I had false lashes on – it’s that good. I’ve repurchased it so many times since. Unfortunately it’s not water / sweat proof so during the warmer weather I used a different mascara which didn’t compare at all. I’d really recommend the Clinque High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara if you’re looking for something volumising.
NUXE Sweet Lemon Lip Balm
I’ve gone through so many lip balms in my life I can’t keep count. The NUXE Sweet Lemon Lip Balm is a little pot of pure wonder though. It smells delicious and is really thick and nourishing without feeling claggy. I can’t be without this, and would definitely recommend it especially for the cooler months.
For 2025 I hope to put myself out there a bit more. The end of 2022, 2023 and a lot of 2024 was quite hard for me personally and I feel like I retreated inside my home and withdrew into myself. I still have off days every now and then but they are getting less. For 2025 I’d like to restart doing the things I enjoy again, and get out and about exploring, too. Hopefully I can share my London adventures a bit more on my blog. That’s my one resolution for 2025, I like to keep it small to make it achievable.
What do you want to achieve in 2025? I hope you have a wonderful new year and that 2025 is everything you want it to be and more.
