An absolute whirlwind of a year is coming to a close and this period is often a time for reflection and for planning your goals for the coming year… both big and small.

So of course, it’s time for us to look back at some of the products that have stood out for us in 2020. These aren’t all new products that have come out this year – but these are the products we’ve really found ourselves reaching and have become an absolute staple in our routines. We’re all about supporting small independent businesses and this is something that has become even more of a priority for us this year and something we want to highlight in our year review.

We’d love to know what products you’ve been loving this year.

Jessica’s Picks…

Oskia – Renaissance Cleansing Gel

This gorgeous cleanser has a gel to oil texture – which I love! It simply melts into the skin to remove makeup and dirt from the skin, leaving you glowing. It has a lovely soft Chamomile & Rose scent, which makes it a really lovely experience to use. It’s a nice, gentle cleanser, but it is beautiful and packed with vitamins!

Buy the Oskia Cleansing Gel for £35 from Oskia

Prismologie Massage Candle

Obsessed with the scent of oud that emanates from this beautiful candle. The purpose of this candle is to burn it, enjoy the scent and then massage the oil from the candle into your body… love it!  If you’re looking for a candle with a multi-purpose, this the one for you.

Buy the Prismologie candle for £60 from Prismologie

Trepadora Bamboo Ginseg Curling Glaze

Even from the first use of this fabulous product, I was immediately impressed by the effect this gel had on my hair and how it really helped to define my curls. It has an extra firm hold but doesn’t feel too heavy on the hair.

I struggle with a lot of flyaways when trying to tame my curls, but I found that this gel really helped to keep the hair in place. The hair also looks shinier which makes the curls look more together too.

I’m excited to try this product in different ways – it’s also supposed to work well on top of other gels to add a bit of extra hold to it.

The key ingredients include Bamboo Shoot Extract which boosts hair growth, Ginseng Root Extract prevents hair loss by improving the condition of your scalp & Organic Peruvian Inca Inchi Oil, renowned as the world’s richest known plant source for Omega 3, nourishing from within.

I’ve found myself reaching for this product over many others this year… so good!

Buy the curling glaze for £23 from Trepadora

Murad City Skin Overnight Moisturiser

This fabulous cream is rich in anti-oxidants including vitamin c to neutralise environmental pollutants and the ageing effects of blue light from electronics. It also helps to strengthen the skin barrier function and correct skin damage, evening the skin tone. The Vitamin C helps to reveal glowing skin and even and plump the skin.  The shea butter base gives a beautiful softening effect on the skin – it is also very anti-inflammatory and great at healing… perfect to heal your skin as you sleep. I do feel like my skin feels softer and smoothed in the morning, I particularly like to use this when my skin is feeling a little dull to ensure that I wake up glowing! A lovely addition to my nighttime routine!

Read our full review

Buy the Murad mask for £70 from Feel Unique

Denise’s Picks…

Ecooking Multi Balm

I love a good multi-purpose balm most of the time but to be honest, at this time of year I absolutely positively have to have one near me at all times.
This works well and feels good pretty much everywhere: personally I love it on my lips, cuticles and elbows. This is a fairly thick ointment style balm, that is unscented and non sticky, it just feels quite pure and quite nourishing. I love using it on my lips as it doesn’t leave them feeling sticky or heavy, just soft hydrated and very nourished…plus I don’t need to keep reapplying it. Love the fact that this is fragrance free and jam packed with some of my fave skin care ingredients like Shea butter and vitamin E.

Find out more about the balm here

Buy the balm for £23 from Cult Beauty

Root and Flower Comfort: Anxiety Roller Ball 

This Root and Flower blend is designed to provide comfort in those moments that you need something to soothe and calm:  Now whether you believe in the power of the ingredients or you think it’s psychosomatic all that I can tell you is that these are powerful tinctures and whenever I use them I am brought into a state of  mindfulness. This blend is particularly lovely at any time of the day that I need a breather …a moment to just gather my thoughts and exhale.

Buy the blend for £13 from Root and Flower

Saskia Essences Focus, Energise, Create Flower Essence

Ever since I started using these earlier this year after having them on my shopping list I’ve not been without them… you can purchase a full set which is ideal for gifting! So far I’ve tried ‘focus, energise, create’ and I swear that when I use it I become more productive. Breathe deep, seek peace is lovely when I want to quiet my mind. These are similar to Bach flower remedies where the essence of a flower is distilled and make the perfect gift, especially after the year we’ve had.

Buy the essence for £10 from Saskia Essences

79 Lux Hand Cream

79 lux never fails to deliver game changing products and this covetable handcream is definitely one of those! First of all the gorgeous scent rose geranium which apart from it’s gorgeous smell, is known for its ability to Brighton and tighten the skin as well as removing dead skin cells. Then there’s vitamin c and Squalane for brightening and deep hydration. This is not called deeply restorative and protective and cream for nothing, it leaves your hands feeling nourished, looking loved and smelling gorgeous. Go get it you won’t be disappointed.

Buy the hand cream for £28 from 79 Lux

Okiki Carrot & Papaya Soap

This lush sweet smelling soap is made of skin-loving butters like shea butter & cocoa butter, blended with avocado oil, sea buckthorn oil, carrot and papaya ….these are the kind of ingredients that when used in skincare are touted for their ability to preserve, nourish and protect the skin. This soap is perfect for a revitalising cleansing experience.

Maya Njie

Any perfume purchased from the glorious brand is guaranteed to delight, thanks to its founders unique interpretation of  fragrances. Maya Nije combines her cultural influences of  West Africa and Sweden. There are 5 fragrances in the collection and they are beautiful, addictive and unisex.

 Check out the brand

Soapsmith Hand and Body Lotion

This hand and body lotion Is luxurious, rich and deeply moisturising! I’m often disappointed with body lotions as many are too thin and watery to be more than a temporary salve on my dry skin, but this lotion is more like a cream and the effect on the skin is long lasting thanks to sweet almond oil, cocoa seed butter and coconut.

Buy the lotion for £18 from Soapsmith