Favorite Products of 2024

 I start this list in January and add to it as the year goes on. 

Bath/Body/Hair

FHI UNbrush My hair tangles so easily but this brush tames this wild beast, even if I skip brushing for a few days. But best use is morning and evening, before and after a shower. 

L'ange Brush Dryer Life changing. Seriously. Doing my hair has always taken more spoons than I've been willing to give it, but this along with a shorter style makes it fast and easy.  Dries my hair in under 10 minutes and styles it at the same time. They are almost always having a sale, so just wait to get it at a discount- I think I got mine 40% off. 

Compressed Towel Tablets I have often found compressed hand towels and wash clothes to be cheap, scratchy and not worth it. Then I found this. They are thicker, larger and softer than other options I've tried, they can take a beating and a lot of soap. Great to keep in the car, to travel with and to take camping. They take up almost no space, are light weight and need very little water to expand fully. 

Typology Tinted Skincare It took me a while, but I did finally cave after yet another day of makeup looking really cakey on me. I'm glad I did- While I've only been using the products since mid-October I would be completely fine parting with the rest of my make up.  I have linked the very popular trio as it's a good place to start. I currently have 2 different tints as I am somewhere in the middle, 2 lip colors (Ruby Red and Plum Purple), the concealer, color corrector for redness (Could wear this alone) and the glow drops.  It is the easiest and most flawless my makeup has ever been as an adult and I don't think I'll ever go back. I like that my skin looks like my skin but a little better. 

Goats Milk Soap This year I struggled a lot with contact dermatitis from pretty much anything and everything. But this soap never causes issues. It is my favorite for my home and to gift to others. It's made in small batches in rural MN. I personally love the pumpkin spice for a hand soap and use the unscented as a body soap. The Eucalyptus Mint is also a really refreshing scent. 

Food/Beverage 

LMNT Electrolyte Mix Not all electrolyte powders are created equal.  Most are filled with sugar and not enough salt. The first Ingredient in LMNT is Salt, the first in Hydration IV is Sugar. I've tried about a dozen different hydration brands and LMNT beats out last year's favorite Drip Drop by a mile in how it makes me feel.  Like most people I thought low sodium diets were "better for you" turns out I need more salt in my diet as it helps reduce my headaches. As a chronic migraine sufferer since the age of 2 I wish someone had said try salty water earlier.  I do my best to add 1 pack to 24 ounces of water once a day and it really helps limit my migraines. It's also good for staying balanced on hot summer hikes. I actually really love the Mango Chili Salt Flavor 

Home Goods 

Claire White Wine Glasses The wine glasses we got from our wedding were the same style I grew up with and was cut glass very ornate. Not my style now, so those were donated and I got myself a pair of stemmed wine glasses. I don't need many as it's normally just me and normally stemless is fine, but some drinks really need that stem. You can usually find these on sale through Amazon- I got mine for about $20. 

Shower Chair Chronic Illnesses dictate a lot of my life. Living with Autism dictates a lot of my life. Standing in a shower and self care is often something I have little to no energy left for, this chair has made a significant difference in my life. I put off getting a shower chair for a long time because I thought it was for "old people" but I wont feel bad any more because it makes my life better. 

KitchenAid Stick Blender This is probably the most used gadget in my kitchen. If I need to chop or mince- it does that. If I need to puree it does that, if I need to whisk it does that. I don't make bread and my cookies and cakes are limited. I don't need the big stand mixer and was okay with parting ways with it in the divorce. He will use it more than I will. But for the small batch cooking I do, this is perfect. The best part all the parts that touch food are dish-washer safe which makes clean up easy too. 

Instapot 6 Quart Well it took me about 10 months after moving out on my own to really get into a swing of cooking and I finally did it thanks to the Instapot. I've owned this for at least 4 years but have used in more in the last 3 months than I had in that entire time previously. I love the ease of a frozen meal, but given a new list of dietary things to avoid or limit, I found that it was easier to meal prep my own and then have options to choose from. I freeze all but 2 portions and have them on hand for an easy meal after work- especially on the really long days.  This fall I built a stock pile of soups and stews I could pull from during the week and not having to think about having a really good home made meal. 

Soup Freezer Containers Comes in a pack of 4 and each piece holds 2 individual servings. I put my soups/stews in the molds and stick them in the freezer after about 24 hours they are frozen and can be put in bags to store long term. This way I only defrost 1 at a time and have home cooked meals any night of the week. 

Cooling Sheets Climate change is real. Apartments without A/C can get very warm, and as someone who likes to have the weight of a blanket while I sleep, having the ability to stay cool is crucial.  I've also started to have night sweats/ hot flashes and these are wonderful. Many colors available. 

Electronics:

Skull Candy Ear Buds I own 2 pairs of these. 1 for work and 1 for home (mostly the gym). They are so much more comfortable and affordable than the Apple products and work really well. Between the case and the buds themselves they've got close to a 20 hour combined charge They have a small loop you can attach a carabiner to so they can go anywhere with you. 

Clothing

Athleta Brooklyn Mid-rise Ankle Pant I shop their sales specifically for this pant. I have it in 3 colors now, an olive green, mauve and a white and green strip for summer. This pant is light, flowy and can be dressed up or down. I love that Athleta has talls so I get the fit that is advertised. It hits me right at my belly button and is the perfect rise for this type of pant. 

Simple Seed Adult Romper Is a onesie in a cute pattern or solid that is soft, lightweight and great for sleep or lounge wear. I would not wear it outside my home unless I was camping- then it's completely reasonable. It has built in hand and foot covers just like baby's favorite onesie which is actually great for those of us that scratch or just get cold. The comfy jersey fabric and tag free design make this a sensory friendly option- they are also size inclusive. 

Thinx Underwear If you aren't someone who menstruates this doesn't apply to you- if you do I strongly suggest giving these a try if you are a light to medium bleeder. I cannot speak to how well it works if you are a heavier bleeder but for me this is a reusable option I could get behind.  The cup was never a good option for me and I don't like all the chemicals in pads and tampons or the impact they have on the environment. These are expensive upfront so I have been building up my set for about 2 years, but totally worth it.