my favorite items of 2024.
here’s to the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025!reflecting on the year we are leaving behind and writing goals for the year ahead, i’ve realized i loved a lot of items! divided into four categories: body care, skincare, fashion and miscellaneous items, these are the items i’ve loved the most.
section 1: bodycare
1. OUAI | st. barts scalp & body scrub
this is one of the best body scrubs i’ve tried in 2024! it smells absolutely delicious with top notes of orange oil, ocean breeze accord, and dragon fruit, middle notes of orange blossom, sampaguita, and tuberose, and the base notes of baltic amber and musk. on top of that, it is great for exfoliation and transforms into a soapy lather that leaves my skin super soft.
2. ARGAN MAGIC | moisturizing body wash with argan oil and vitamin e
i use this wash everyday in my shower routine! whether it is the last step on my exfoliating days or the first step in my moisturizing days, this is a bottle of goodness! it feels so silky and leaves me enough moisture after drying myself.
3. L’OCCITANE | shea butter hand cream
dry hands? l’occitane. this hand cream has been the only solution to my chronic dryness, especially in the winter months. the smell can be off-putting at first with the shea butter included for extra hydration, but overall it’s a 10/10 for me! it leaves a shiny finish on the hands and feels super hydrated (almost drenched) afterwards. in one day, i’ve grabbed this hand cream so many times and realized that my hands are still moisturized from the last time and had to put it back. i bring this everywhere with me, to school, at home and on the go. i would buy this for anyone who is constantly washing their hands due to work or personal reasons, those into skincare or for those who really really need it.
4. IMAGE SKINCARE | ormedic balancing lip enhancement complex
a life saver for dry lips. yes, it’s tiny, but it’s mighty! it’s a little more expensive than your regular lippie. that’s because it has nutrients like avocado oil and vitamin e which keeps the moisture that is so desperately needed in the winter months. i’ve seen a difference in the color of my lips over time. i had a little discoloration at the edges of my lips which lifted after long time use of this lippie. it definitely is something i keep with me in my purse or bag to grab in a lip emergency.
5. LIVELY APP | a period tips and tracking app
TMI but who cares? i use this app to track my cycle and get tips on how to sync my life with each phase. the layout of the app is simple and holistic and also connects to the apple health app. you can log what you ate and did throughout each phase, as well as symptoms and moods. it has both a free and paid version which is great for those who are just testing out the app or don’t want to commit to a subscription just yet. even with the free version, the basic functions that make the app usable and aesthetic are still available and you are able to log (of course with a limit) your cycle.
section 2: skincare
6. INVAINCU | light therapy LED 7 in 1 mask
i’ve introduced myself to light therapy after learning about the benefits of it. it emits specific wavelengths of light to treat various skin conditions, for example, blue light is meant for acne, while green light is to reduce pigmentation. there are many masks out there, but i use this mask because it allows me to do other things while wearing it and it is comfortable to wear. the typical time is 10 minutes overall so it’s easy to forget that you have it on until the light turns off. i can say that it has improved my skin through less breakouts and inflammation.
7. TRADER JOE’S | daily facial sunscreen spf 40
a dupe of the supergroup unseen sunscreen and only $9? an absolute purchase! i’ve replaced my old invisible sunscreen with this product. it’s super easy to apply and leaves your face looking moisturized and not super oily. i usually add this sunscreen as the last step of my skincare routine or as an extra layer of protection underneath my makeup. i haven’t experienced any pilling issues with this sunscreen which is great for those who layer up on the sunscreen or wear makeup over their sunscreen. overall, 11/10 product!
8. E.L.F. SKIN | makeup melting cleansing balm
this cleansing balm has been must-have in my bathroom cabinet. it comes with a tiny spatula and cover for sanitation, but you can also just use your finger if in a hurry. i use it clean my face on sunscreen, sweat, dirt, and makeup from the day, following with a gel-based cleanser. it also doesn’t strip you of the hydration in your face which is great for those with dry skin. since i’ve began using this balm and double cleansing, i’ve seen a major difference in my skin and feel so much cleaner! along with grabbing this oil cleansing balm, i suggest adding double cleansing to your 2025 skincare goals list. it’s only
9. NARS | pure radiant tinted moisturizer spf 30
this tinted moisturizer gives just enough coverage for those who don’t wear makeup but don’t want to do a full face and those taking a day off from the foundations, setting powders, and blushes. i love NARS for making this product! it’s lightweight and doesn’t feel cakey which is perfect for everyday. for me, it gives natural-looking yet even-toned coverage while keeping my skin hydrated and protected with SPF. it’s my go-to for a simple, polished look.
10. CLEAN SKIN CLUB | clean towels xl
two words. absolutely amazing.
if you don’t know about this product, here’s what you need to know: your bath/face towels hold bacteria even after you wash them, this can cause breakouts amongst other things to pop up on your skin. so why use something that holds past dirt and bacteria right after you wash your face? these are disposable (and also reusable, check website for more info) towels that keep your face clean and reduce bacteria. it has helped me so much with redness, breakouts and feeling clean. knowing that my face isn’t being dirtied up again by the bacteria i washed off my face is a good feeling to have, especially if you are into skincare. it’s an essential for me whether at home or away (they also carry a travel size!!)
section 3: fashion
11. LOVESHACKFANCY | lightning mini dress in pink
if you’re looking for cutest disco or party outfit, stop looking. this dress sparkles and shines like no other and comes in two colors, blue and pink! i decided to get the pink version because it is my favorite color and wore it to an event in support of the arts. i got so many compliments that my face hurt from smiling and saying thank you! this definitely a show stopper and will catch the eye of everyone in the room with the sequin pattern designed to catch light and bounce it off the dress in the most magnificent ways.
12. KHY | sueded stretch knotted top in stone
i’ve been vying for this top ever since i saw it on kylie jenner (the creator of khy). it’s super soft with a suede-like feel, and the knotted detail at the front adds a chic, elevated touch to my outfits. the stretch fabric makes it comfortable and flattering, it’s versatile and effortlessly stylish. it’s so cute on and when it gets warmer, it will become a staple in my wardrobe. it also comes in multiple colors such as black, stone, pink, red, orange, etc.
13. LONGCHAMP | navy le pliage original large tote bag
my go-to bag when i need more than just a mini shoulder purse. this holds everything! i’ve had and used mine for at least 4 years now and the quality hasn’t diminished at all. i got it in navy for more wear and usability and now i want it in more colors!
14. VAN CLEEF & ARPELS | vintage alhambra bracelet w/ 5 motifs 18K yellow gold
this bracelet is so elegant and timeless. as a gold jewelry girl, i wear this so many times to complete my outfits.
15. ON | cloud x 3 ad in white
one of my favorite sneakers! they are super lightweight, comfortable, and great for walking and workouts. the cushioning feels amazing, and the white design looks clean and stylish. it’s definitely something i can wear with any workout set!
16. THEREALREAL APP | a luxury consignment and vintage service
if you’re looking for a luxury brands on a budget, this is the app to download. therealreal has thousands of brands to shop from and regularly have sales on these items. every time i open this app, i find something new!
section 4: miscellaneous
17. MUJI | smooth gel ink knock type ballpoint pen 0.5mm
if you’re going to use pens, do it right! muji embodies the perfect pen in their smooth gel ink ballpoint pen in 0.5mm. it comes in multiple colors, ranging from purple to yellow and each color comes out smooth, clear and bold. i have a semi-heavy hand when it comes to writing, so these pens are amazing for keeping the same writing experience for me.
18. DIPTYQUE | geranium rosa classic candle
this candle is absolutely lovely. it’s the perfect summer scent, with the perfect mix of rose and fresh geranium. it feels calming and luxurious, i love how long it lasts after it burns and how beautifully the fragrance fills the room without being overpowering.
19. FOODNOMS APP | daily calorie and macro food tracker
this app is designed to make tracking your calories easy. you can set goals easily to lose weight, gain weight, or maintain weight. it has a huge database of food items and allows submissions by users. it makes it simple by scanning the nutrition label. it also can use data from apple health to tailor your calorie goals to you. you can also track protein, carbs, fiber, fat, water! there is a paid and free version of the app.
20. OPORTUN APP | automated money-saving app
you want to save money but hate taking it out of your checking account? make it automated. oportun automates your saving by taking out different amounts of money based on your balance and savings goal. it also has a low balance account warning that prevents it from taking out money if your balance will go below a certain amount. you just connect your bank account to oportun, set a savings goal and wait. it’s made saving so easy for me.
et voilà!
as always, thank you for reading and don’t forget to follow us on our instagram page, @thejouyblog!
