My Favorite Things I Discovered in 2020 (Non-Makeup)
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Buckle up, friends! I have got a doozy of a post today. I am chatting about all of the non-makeup items that I discovered in 2020. We’ve got some beauty items, fashion, home, kids, and more.
With a year of being home, there was a lot of online shopping. I realize that not everyone has this luxury to have a “fun” budget, so that’s why I make it my mission to tell you all of the things that are 100% worth the purchase (and things that are not).
I’ll keep the blabbing to a minimum, and let’s just go through all of my favorites!
My Favorite Things I Discovered in 2020
You can skip around in this post if you want to see my favorites in different categories. Click on the links below to take you to everything from that category.
I hope you find something and love it as much as I do!
Beauty
Powder Puff
This year, I became a huge fan of using a powder puff to set the under eye area (and sometimes the face). I find that it’s a much more flawless approach than a makeup sponge. If you want to see my technique, check out this IGTV.
Scalp Scrubber
If you aren’t using a scalp scrubber when you wash your hair, you’re missing out. It’s almost as good as getting your hair washed at the salon.
Purple Hair Mask
If you really want a great toning hair mask, this is the ticket. It’s very pigmented, and also moisturizing. I personally like this so much better than purple shampoo. I leave it on for about 5-10 minutes and it neutralizes all brassy tones. Great for blonde or gray hair!
Foot Peel Masks
Staying home has been a great time to do beauty treatments, especially these foot peel masks. They’re an identical dupe to baby foot, but half the price for 3 of them.
Flat Top Foundation Brush
I kept seeing lots of Facebook ads for a “magic” foundation brush, but was able to find an identical one on Amazon for under $10 (the sketch sites were selling this for close to $30). It’s a great little foundation brush! Gives a lovely flawless finish.
25-Piece Makeup Brush Set
I’ve made it my mission to find an affordable brush set that has everything I would need/use. This has proven hard to find until now. Most brush sets have a lot of brushes I don’t like/use, or not everything I would want. This one has literally everything, and I am so glad it’s affordable. I’m very picky with quality. and these feel very soft/luxurious and have held up so well. Highly recommend!
6-Piece Makeup Sponge Set
These are the best beauty blender dupes I have found (and I have tried a lot). A 6-pack of them is under 10. Make sure to use my code megsave20 at Amazon checkout for another 20% off.
Lash Comb
Something I never realized I liked to have on hand. I don’t use this every time I apply mascara, but I definitely use it if I have clumps or things are looking a little wonky. I like that this one folds and is very compact.
Lash Liner Glue
This is an end-of-year discovery, but I have to mention it. If you’ve struggled with lash glue, you need to give this a try. It applies like a liquid liner and then you just set your false lash on top of it. I have the clear one and love it.
Bed Head Little Tease
This was a game-changing hair tool for me this year. If you have fine, flat hair – you need this in your life! It creates volume and texture at the root. Love this thing so so much. If you want to see it in action, make sure you check out this demo.
Bondi Boost Wave Wand
I loved the wave hair trend, and went through a couple of hair tools trying to find the perfect one. Ultimately, this one is my favorite. The large barrels, nice temperature control, and the experience gives me the best result.
Olive & June Nail Products
I was doing my own gel manicures at home, but my hands really started reacting to them in the summer. My fingers were red, swollen, and itchy. I developed some sort of hand contact dermatitis (not 100% confirmed but I am fairly certain) due to the gel manis. I switched to non-toxic nail polishes, and then I was able to use whatever regular nail polish without any issues. I discovered Olive & June in the fall – they sent me their fall collection and tools. I immediately fell in love and purchased a few more shades. O&J makes at home manis so easy, their polishes are amazing (last me a full week no issues), and they’re 7-free.
Pimple Patches
These little patches are miracle workers! They’re a hydrocolloid sticker that you can just place over any pimple. They suck out all the yucky gunk overnight. I even put these on popped pimples. Can’t live without them anymore!
Self Tanner Back Applicator
You don’t need a spouse or friend to help you with the self tanner on your back if you have one of these! Seems gimmicky but I LOVE this thing.
Silicone Bath Loofah
This is so much better than the traditional loofah. Stays cleaner, and everything lathers up the same way.
Advanced Clinicals Products
I was introduced to this affordable skincare brand this year, and I have been so impressed! I love the Bulgarian Rose Cream, the Hyaluronic Acid, their mists, and more. Their products are affordable with great ingredients!
Curology
After I weaned Logan from breastfeeding, I wanted to get back on a Tretinoin prescription (otherwise known as Retin-A). I found Curology and it’s awesome! You go through a dermatology provider and they prescribe you a custom formula. Mine contains Tretinoin, Niacinimide, and Tranexamic Acid.
Fashion & Accessories
5-Pack of Cloth Masks
Wouldn’t be a 2020-related post without mentioning masks! These are my favorite brand of cloth masks for myself and my kids. They’re the most comfortable, adjustable, and don’t feel gross on your face.
Gold Chain Mask Lanyard
This little lanyard is great. I love that it’s a stylish gold chain.
Bike Shorts
Absolutely love these for hot Texas summers. Long enough and compressive, but not restrictive and sweaty. Love the side pockets, too.
Seamless Slip Shorts
Ever want a pair of shorts to wear under dresses, but don’t want to wear Spanx? These are the BEST! I loved wearing them under dresses around Disney because I was doing a lot of walking and this really helped with the thigh chafe. They are not super compressive, but they do provide a bit of smoothing. You can wear them in place of underwear or wear them over underwear.
Swiss Dot Faux Wrap Dress
Not many fancy clothing items in this post, as you’ll see, but I had to mention this dress! I got it for our family photos, and I could not be happier.
Cozy Tie Waist Jumpsuit
I lived in this cozy jumpsuit in summer, and will definitely pull it out again when the weather gets warm agin. It’s so incredibly soft and comfortable. I love the cropped leg, and you can wear a regular bra with it no issues. Feels like wearing pajamas!
Super Soft Joggers
These are truly the best joggers I’ve found, and they’re $15! I live in these year round. They’re super soft and comfortable, and are high waist.
Relaxed V-Neck
This relaxed v-neck is super soft and comfortable. Pairs well with jeans (if you even wear real pants) and is long enough to wear with leggings. I want to get lots of colors! True to size with an oversized slouchy fit (I have it in a small)
Leopard Cardi
This is my favorite open-front cardigan that I purchased this past year. It’s so cute and comfy. I own the color “BKhaki.” True to size.
Core 10 7/8 Crop Legging
Super impressed with this brand’s activewear, and I really loved these leggings. I don’t like my leggings to be too “busy” but I like the pretty deep jewel tones. These provide mild compression but nothing too tight. I have these in Ruby in Medium, but could’ve easily done a small.
Colorfulkoala 7/8 Crop Legging
This legging brand is super popular among Instagram and I am so glad I bought a pair. I love the super soft seamless waistband. They provide mild compression. I love the size pocket, as well! I have these in a size small in the gray camo. They run true to size.
Fleece Hoodie Pullover
This hoodie is so warm and cozy! I don’t really need a heavy coat in Houston but this is great to have. I sized up and bought a medium for some extra slouch, but it runs true to size.
Open Toed Fuzzy Slides
I love house shoes, but I don’t love it when they get gunky. These are awesome because they have a rubber sole with arch support. It’s like a slipper/sandal hybrid.
14K Gold Plated Hoop Earrings
I was on the hunt for cute jewelry on Amazon, but I didn’t want junk that would tarnish. I started searching for gold plated stuff and found a gold mine of cute affordable stuff. First up, these hoops! Lightweight and love them.
18K Gold Plated Circle & Bar Front Hoop Earrings
These are smaller hoops that have a different style to them, and they’re so chic.
14K Gold Plated Beaded Bracelets
Obsessed with these beaded gold stretchy bracelets! Awesome to add to a stack or wear alone.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
I love blue light glasses, but these have to be the CUTEST ones I own. They’re so flattering, comfortable, and fun.
Kids
5-Pack of Cloth Masks
The girls are going to school in person and wear a mask all day. Out of all the cloth masks we own, these are their favorites. They’re adjustable, comfortable, and fit the best. My girls are 6 and 9, for reference!
Custom Mask Lanyard
My friend Taylor makes these custom lanyards (sold out now but follow her on IG for updates!). The girls wear these with their masks every day to school, and they like having them.
14-ft Trampoline
I don’t want to post toys and gifts on this list, but I felt like I had to mention this trampoline. Best thing we got the girls for Christmas, and something they play on nearly every day.
Water Bottles
The girls take these water bottles to school every day. The reason why I like them so much is it’s a screw top lid with no straw. I hate how gross straw water bottles can get, and this is easy to clean and keeps the water really cold. Cute colors, too!
Tutu Tank Dress & Skirt Set
I grabbed these for the girls for our Disney trip (right before the world shut down), and they are the cutest! Also super affordable.
Her Body Can Book
One of my best friends wrote a body positive childrens’ book! It’s super empowering for young girls, and a great addition to your book collection.
Baby Boy Swimsuit
This cute swimsuit fit Logan from 6 months til past 12 months! (Got the 6-12 month size.) It is perfect affordable little swimsuit.
Home
Leopard Fleece Blanket
This blanket is seriously so cozy, warm, and amazing. Honestly feels super luxe and high end, but it’s under $25! I have the gray leopard in the twin size, and it’s a perfect throw blanket for the couch.
Air Fryer
I’m sure you’ve seen all the memes about people and their air fryers, and I suppose I’ve become that person. I love my air fryer and use it all the time!
Silk Pillowcase
I started using a silk pillowcase (Greg has one too), and I am never going back! They’re cooling, keep hair free of tangles, and are good for your skin. Highly recommend you treat yourself to one.
Sheet Set
This sheet set is super popular on Amazon, and I understand why. These sheets are incredible and feel super luxurious. They’re so affordable!
Coop Pillow
Instagram influenced me to ask for this for Mother’s Day and Greg bought it for me (he then got one for himself). We love these pillows. They are a bit of a splurge but well worth it. You sleep on a pillow every night – may as well make it the best one!
USB Candle Lighter
If you don’t have one of these candle lighters, you’re missing out! They charge by USB – no lighter fluid.
Mason Jar Soap Dispensers
Something I use every single day. I bought these for my kitchen sink to dispense dish and hand soap. Love them so much!
Gray Area Rug
I bought this for the entryway in our home, and I am super impressed with the quality! It’s super affordable, too.
Tech & Office
AirPods
I never understood the hype behind AirPods until I got some. I use them every single day. Between uploading instagram stories and editing things on my phone, I am on it a lot and it can get annoying for other people in the house. I pop these in and edit videos, listen to audio books, and I also like that they can connect seamlessly to my MacBook.
AirPods Case
This case is cute and super affordable! A must have!
Phone / Tablet Stand
I have been through so many dang phone tripods. Seeing as how I’m on IG stories daily, I needed something sturdy, and this is for sure the best! I know not all of you are doing live videos or need it for what I do, but I thought it was worth sharing because it’s also been a helpful tool for Zoom calls. This fits any size phone and even our iPad. I also think this would be cool to have in the kitchen with recipes on a phone/tablet.
The Best Pens Ever
I’m a pen snob, and these are the best pens I’ve discovered in a long time! Trust meeeeeee.
Plum Paper Planner
The idea of having a planner in 2020 was kind of silly, but I bought this in July as a way to organize my blog, lay out my to-do lists, meal plan, etc. I bought the vertical priorities 8.5 x 11 size planner and I could not be happier. It is BIG, but I bought it to stay on my desk. If you want more than just a desktop calendar and need lots of space to write notes, etc. Definitely check them out. Everything in the Plum Paper Planners are customizable, which also is a huge plus.
Happy 2021! What was some of your favorite things you purchased last year?
I love the scalp scrubber you recommended. I have one at home and it’s helped with my dandruff so much in the last few months! Great suggestions!