Hello, my beauties, and welcome back! Last week I posted my makeup favorites from 2020, which you can find here. Today I want to share with you my non-makeup favorites from the year. This includes all of the other beauty things I loved, and a few miscellaneous items that I felt I needed to mention. I had a lot of fun putting this list together, I think I may have done one like this last year but a lot of the products I will mention in this post I purchased or discovered this year. They may not be new to this year, but they’re new to me. I’d love to know some of your 2020 yearly faves, so be sure to put it down in the comments below! Okay, let’s jump into it!

Perfumes

I have quite a few perfumes that I have really been loving this year. For starters, let’s talk about Elizabeth and James Nirvana French Grey rollerball perfume. I absolutely adore the Elizabeth and James perfumes and I’m so sad that they are so difficult to find now. This has a nice lavender undertone and it’s perfect for the day to day. It’s not overpowering and it’s not too obtrusive. I use this when I want something that is subtle. The other rollerball that I have been loving is the Dior Miss Dior rollerball perfume. The scent is really nice warm floral kind of scent and I love the note of Lily of the Valley that the perfume has. Blooming Bouquet is probably my favorite perfume so I decided to give another Dior perfume a try when they came out with rollerballs and I’m so glad that I decided to try it. I love to wear it when I’m going out somewhere because, to me, it feels like a “going out” kind of perfume. I don’t know if that made sense but there it is. I really love woodsy, earthy scents and you can get that in a lot of men’s colognes so I decided to try the YSL L’Homme cologne when the first Sephora sale happened last year. I love the notes of Bergamot and Cedar, it really grounds the scent giving it a mysterious, intriguing kind of feel. I love to wear this to work because I can smell it all day but it’s not overpowering. I’ve even gotten a few compliments on it and people are shocked when they learn that it is a men’s cologne. Up until now I had only heard of Jo Malone and I thought that their cologne perfumes were really expensive but then I saw Allie Glines talk about a combo she loved in one of her videos and I just had to try it because I trust her opinion. The combination was with the Peony and Blush Suede and the Wood Sage and Sea Salt colognes. Sephora has a mini set with both of these colognes in it and it wasn’t too expensive so I decided to try it. While they are beautiful on their own, Allie Glines said she would layer them so I decided to try that too and OMG it is so beautiful when layered! This quickly became my go to combination whenever I wanted something a little extra special. The last perfume type product I have been loving is the Bath and Body Works Almond Blossom body spray. This is a discontinued scent but they brought it back earlier this year and I fell in love with it. It’s equal parts sweet and earthy. I will use this all over and then add a bit of perfume/cologne to my pulse points to add some dimension to the scent. I would highly recommend any of these colognes and perfumes but that Jo Malone set, I would have to say that is number one on my list this year.

Nails

This year I’ve really loved doing my nails each week, picking different colors- always two colors because I do an accent nail on each hand. The top coat that I’ve been adoring because it is the best top coat I’ve ever used is the Diamond Shield Crystal Nail Laminate top coat. I get mind on Amazon, it bought a six pack! This really makes my nails shine and my nails don’t chip for a few days after I paint them. With all other top coats I’ve used since I was a child, my nails would chip the same day but this one really works well on my nails. I’ve also really fallen in love with Essie nail polish. I had a few shades before this year but this year my Essie collection exploded! I have at least one polish for every color in the rainbow plus some glitters and neutrals. One that I have really loved, especially during the holidays, is ‘Sugarplum Fairytale’. It’s a really pretty shimmer that’s kind of a pinky purple with a gorgeous shift. I either wear it on it’s own or I’ll use it on top of other colors. I discovered a new brand this year thanks to Instagram ads and that brand is Static Nails. I got myself this nude set, which if you know me you’ll know I prefer bold colors, and I also got one for my mom for Christmas because nudes is all she wears on her fingers. I really like these nudes though. Their top coat and base coat really surprised me, my nails stayed chip free for quite a few days. They are creamy and pigmented and now I’m looking to try more of their mini sets! I love nail polish, ever since I was a kid, and I love being able to pick out my favorites and try new brands. I find that nail polish is a great way to express yourself especially if you work in an office and have a dress code.

Haircare

I really found some great hair products this year. Let’s start with the shampoos and conditioner. Last year, around this time actually, I decided to try Function of Beauty and I am so glad I did. It’s a custom hair care site where you can tell them what type of hair you have, what your hair goals are, etc. and they will make shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioners, and oils that are customized to what you have said. You can change your hair goals at any time. You get to pick the color and the scent of your shampoo and conditioner and oil, etc. They come with a pump for each bottle, which is fabulous, or you can just pour it into your hand. My hair has looked so much better since I started using this. My hair is shinier and smoother and my color doesn’t fade as fast. I love my Cherry Blossom scent a lot. At first I was just getting the shampoo and conditioner but with my last order I picked up the oil too. It is a recurring order that automatically ships, for me I picked every 6 months. They also now have skincare and body wash and lotion. I’ve got a lot of products in those categories so I don’t think I will be trying them any time soon, though. You can check them out here. That link should get you 25% off, what a better way to try! I’ve also discovered the brand Briogeo this year. I started off with trying their Scalp Revival Shampoo and Conditioner. I love using this after a few too many days of not washing my hair or when I’ve used dry shampoo. Both products really help to clear all the debris from my scalp so my shampoo and conditioner will be most effective. It also smells minty, which is really nice. I’ve also been loving their limited edition Don’t Despair, Repair! Honey Moisture Deep Conditioning Mask. I know they came out with this last year but this year I finally decided to give it a try. This is really hydrating and I use it mostly on my ends, since they seem to need the most moisturisation. It smells divine, too, which is a big plus. I love using this after I use my regular conditioner that way I can get the most benefits from both products. I also treat my hair once I’m out of the shower and it’s still wet. I discovered the Kerastase Elixir Ultime hair oil this year as well. This year especially I’ve really been trying to take really good care of my hair. This oil, while pricey, is completely worth it. My hair is super soft after it dries when I’ve put this in when my hair is still wet. It also smells divine. I only use about a pump and a half because while my hair is longer, it’s still not past my shoulders so I don’t want to use too much for fear of my hair looking oilier sooner. I don’t use this every time I get out of the shower, I’ll usually use it twice a week and the other times I’ll use another hair oil. I love this stuff. Since my hair is getting longer it has started to tangle a lot easier, so I wanted a detangling spray and the Not Your Mother’s Knotty to Nice Conditioning Detangler fit the bill. It detangles my hair really nicely and yet it doesn’t weigh my hair down at all, even if I use it on dry hair. It smells really nice too. When I use it, I tend to use if before I do my hair oil that way it can get to work while I do the rest of my hair care steps. The last hair product I want to share with you is something a lot of people have loved for a long time but I’ve only just tried. I’m talking about the Wet Brush. My hair was getting pulled out when I would use my regular hair brush and my Tangle Teaser just wasn’t doing it so I did some research and I kept seeing this brush. People talked about how good it worked on wet hair so I thought I would give it a try and I am so glad I did! It glides through my hair with ease and it doesn’t pull or tug when it hits a knot. As I said before, I’m really trying to take better care of my hair especially because I dye it so often. These products have truly made a difference on my hair this year and I hope they will help you reach your hair goals too!

Skincare and Body Care

I definitely have a lot of products in this category because my skincare especially has changed quite a bit. I’ve discovered and rediscovered quite a few products. The first product I want to talk about is the Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser. I had heard so much about this makeup remover that I finally broke down and purchased it this year. It. Is. AMAZING! It gets all of my makeup off, including my waterproof mascara, with ease. It took me a hot minute to realize I was using it wrong but once I started using it right, I fell in love with it. It’s a thich balm texture and it comes with a spoon that magnetizes to the lid that you use to get the product out. I find one scoop is the best for a full face of makeup and that half is perfect for a light makeup day. There’s not really a fragrance with it, which I like since I’m using it around my eyes. I’ve already purchased a backup of this makeup remover/cleanser. Next up is the Effaclar face wash from La Roche Posay. I keep trying new face washes but I always come back to this one, it does a great job at clearing my skin and keeping it clear. It’s medicated for acne which was why I even picked it up in the first place. I purchase mine from Ulta and it’s not too pricey either. I think it’s a good mid-range price. It’s a clear, gel like cleanser that foams up nicely and makes my skin feel really clean. One moisturizer I use when I’m getting ready in the morning is the Dior Dreamskin Skin Perfector. To be transparent, I was sent this product complimentary of Influenster for the purpose of review which I did here. This is definitely one of the pricier products on this list but it really is worth it! I apply this serum type product before my moisturizer and serum/oil mixture and I think that it really helps to even out my skin tone and it helps to combat the redness I tend to have in the morning. I do find that it gives my skin a bit of luminosity, which is great alone and with makeup applied on top. I see it as a skincare primer before my makeup primer. What I find really cool about this product is that, instead of having to buy a whole new bottle you can just buy a refill for a less expensive price. The most expensive piece of skincare I own is also one of my absolute favorites. I’m talking about the Amore Pacific Youth Revolution Creme and Masque moisturizer. I had received this product as a deluxe sample and I fell head over heels for it. I didn’t purchase the full size for a long time because it is very expensive. But I use this overnight masque every other night and it really makes my skin feel so amazing the next morning. It smells like the way you would think luxury smells. It’s not an overpowering scent by any means but it is absolutely divine. The cream itself is quite light and sinks into the skin nicely. I will only purchase it during a sale, though, because it is so so expensive. The eye cream I use at night is the Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment. I love using this at night because it’s a bit thicker than what I had been using so it gives a deeper moisturization. Also, it absorbs so nicely into the skin and it makes my under eyes not feel so crepe-y when I get up in the morning. I initially bought it because it had Maracuja oil in it and I love the Tarte Maracuja Oil so I thought why not give it a try. I have noticed my under eye area being a bit brighter and my dark circles being a little less. I wouldn’t use this during the day since it is so heavy but I’m so glad to use it at night! Now onto more body centered products. First up is the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser. I discovered it this year and it is the best exfoliator I have ever used. The texture and thickness kind of made me think of cement but in a good way. It’s thick but the exfoliators in this product are amazing. They do a great job but they don’t scratch up my skin. I use it on my legs, my arms, and my shoulders. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and when I get out of the shower I immediately moisturize my newly exfoliated and shaved body parts. First I spray on the L’Occitane Supple Skin Oil spray and that gives me a good base for my next step which is lotion. I really enjoy that this is a spray, I find oils that I have to pour out to be super messy but when I spray it and then rub it in it works beautifully and doesn’t make my hands super oily. At night I use the Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy ‘Sleep’ body cream, I currently use the Vanilla and Lavender scent. I find that this scent really helps me fall asleep a bit faster. I love the Bath and Body Works body creams because they are thicker and I find that the scent lasts a little longer on the skin. It also absorbs really nicely into the skin. When I want something a little lighter I reach for my Crabtree and Evelyn Sweet Almond Oil body lotion. This is quite a bit lighter than any other lotion or cream I use. I love this scent so much, which is why I love the L’Occitane sweet almond oil products they have. This absorbs really nicely into the skin and doesn’t leave any sticky or oily residue on your body or your hands. I love this lotion so much! The last moisturizer is one I cannot live without, the Body Shop’s Argan Oil Body Butter. I love this body butter most because it is really really thick and it definitely gives my skin a lot of moisture. It is thicker than any of the other body butters I’ve tried from The Body Shop. I love to use this on my feet and my elbows every night when I go to bed. I put socks on over it and it really makes my feet soft. I love the scent too. It’s not super strong but you can definitely smell it. I don’t use it too much during the day because it is so thick. For during the day, on my hands, I use the O’Keefe’s Working Hands hand cream. This is a recent discovery of mine after my new job kept causing me to split my skin because my hands were so dry from washing and sanitizing so often. I like the one in the tube, it’s easier to store. There really isn’t a scent to this which I’m actually okay with. It’s a thicker hand lotion and I love that. I know you’re probably thinking, what about the Soap and Glory Hand Food you love so much? I still use it and I still love it, I alternate which one I use throughout the day because I do really love that one too. It’s light but moisturizes like it’s a thick lotion. Last up are lips. During the day I really like to use my Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, currently I’m using the Berry scent. I really love this lip balm because it’s light but it still lasts a long time on my lips and it really moisturizes them well. I still use my Carmex but I love to reach for this. It’s pink tinted and it smells really nice. The last product for my lips is from the same brand, the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Vanilla. This is probably my holy grail lip balm, no matter how much I love my Carmex. I love putting this on right before I go to bed and sometimes during the day when I’m at home and I feel the need for a really hydrating lip balm. I love the Vanilla scent but my favorite is the mint one they come out with at Christmas time. This year they came out with a limited edition full size… I bought two. This was definitely the biggest section in today’s post but we’ve got one more shorter one.

Miscellaneous

First up in this Miscellaneous section are my Filofax planners. I have one in the pocket size where I keep medical stuff. It’s small so I fit it into my purse for doctor’s appointments and I also have the personal size. My personal size planner is what I use for my day to day stuff. For it’s inserts I use a brand called ‘Sew Much Crafting’ which you can check out here. They have inserts for a few different sizes, so if you have a ring bound planner I would suggest checking them out. I love my Filofaxes, they keep my life straight so I can know when I have doctor appointments, meetings, birthdays, etc. I used to use Erin Condren for personal but now I only use them for blog and YouTube planning, but they’re really good too. I would definitely suggest Audible if you’re wanting to read but have trouble finding the time. I used to despise audiobooks but now I really love them. Right now I’m getting ready to start my yearly re-read of the Harry Potter series. The first book I want to suggest to you is definitely one where you should really get the physical copy. I’m talking about Jen Sincero’s ‘You Are A Badass Everyday’. I own all of her ‘Badass’ books, they’ve really helped me. This one is really great because it gives you exercises for practically every single day. I love her books because they are written in such a way that it feels very conversational and relaxed. Her books have great and practical advice. Right now I’m reading her newest book which is called ‘Badass Habits’. Definitely check out her books, they’re fabulous! The last thing that was a favorite of the year is Trevor Noah’s ‘Born a Crime’. I bought the Kindle version of the book and I finished it in five days flat, I loved it that much. It was informative, I learned a lot about apartheid which I knew nothing about, and I learned a lot about the segregation in South Africa. I found it educational and also quite funny. His story was both something that made me laugh out loud and also allowed me to learn about something I knew nothing about. This is a great book and I think it’s something everyone should read at some point.

That’s it! I know that this was a super long post and if you made it to the end I congratulate you! If you did make it to the end, leave me a smiley face in the comments! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed my non-makeup favorites of 2020. What were some of your non-makeup favorites from this year? Share that with your smiley face! I will be back next week with a new post, possibly a video. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. I would love for you to subscribe to my blog before you log out, and below I will link my YouTube channel and Instagram account so you can check them out. Thank you so much for reading and always remember: be bold, be beautiful, be YOU! XO Emma

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