Throughout the last few years, my shopping addiction has led me to spend quite a bit on trying new products and items I’d seen advertised on social media. While I admit that some were a complete waste of money and were not worth it whatsoever, there have been a few purchases that I absolutely can’t live without. Things that have changed my life for the better, made my life easier and created a little bit of joy from owning them. Here is my list of 10 things you need to purchase, that will be worth your dollar.
- Olaplex Number 3: hair perfector
-
The rave about Olaplex hair products is everywhere, promoted by hair salons as well as social media influencers. I personally believe their entire haircare line is good, but the product that stands out the most is the hair perfector. Used as a hair mask prior to washing, this mask has changed my hair texture drastically after only one bottle. As someone with naturally curly hair, when using this product, my curls have never been curlier. And when straightening my hair, the process is much easier and results in softer, shinier hair that lasts for days. This product is definitely worth the price.
- Kindle Paperwhite
-
If you’re someone who wants to start reading but don’t know where to start or don’t have the funds for books, a Kindle is perfect for you. The baseline cost might be pricier than a regular book, however, once you begin to fill your kindle library for less than half the cost of buying paperbacks, it’s worth it. Not only is a Kindle portable but you can adjust the lighting to read in sunny areas and in dim-lit rooms. Purchasing a Kindle unlimited subscription also gets you access to thousands of free books each month, directly added to your Kindle. No more waiting for books to arrive in the mail or feeling disappointed that your local bookstore is out of stock. Kindles are easy to use and cheaper in the long run for avid readers.
- Apple Watch
-
An impulse purchase for me soon turned into one of my greatest purchases of all time. I originally bought it the summer when I was working a ton and on my feet all day. Knowing that I’d soon be in school and sitting the majority of the day, I wanted to track my steps and activity levels to ensure I maintained that throughout the school year. Being aware of my steps and activity levels has created healthy habits for me, as I can see when I am in need of more physical exercise. Not only this, but the ability to connect your music, text messages and email to your watch is an amazing feature that allows me to put down my phone more often. Overall, this is one purchase I will never regret.
- The ordinary niacinamide/zinc serum
-
One of the cheapest skincare products I’ve ever purchased turned out to be the best. As someone who grew up with cystic acne, I am always cautious towards what I use on my face. After doing some research and seeing the raves about The Ordinary, I purchased their Niacinamide serum and it did not disappoint. Using once nightly, I apply this serum after my facewash and prior to my moisturizer. This evened out the redness in my skin drastically and reduced acne scars I had from previous years. With continual use, my skin became more radiant and smoother. At under 10 dollars a bottle, this product is worth the purchase.
- Rare beauty liquid blush
-
Received as a gift from a friend, the Rare Beauty Liquid Blush turned out to be an amazing addition to my makeup collection. As someone with a reddish skin tone, I avoided blush for years. However, after receiving the liquid blush I decided to give it a go and add it to my makeup routine. I’m never going back to no blush again. This product goes on easily and with only a few dots, can liven up your face and make your face structure look amazing. This product is one I never would’ve expected to love but now can’t imagine living without.
- water tumbler (with a straw)
-
Something very simple, but very essential to my daily routine is my water tumbler. As someone who always forgets to drink water throughout the day, having an easy access bottle is essential. Especially one with a straw. I find when a cup has a straw, I go through more of the drink than without. My tumbler is from DavidsTea and can be used for both hot and cold drinks, which is ideal for a tea drinker like myself. Although I have dropped it many times, it’s still going strong and hasn’t let me down in terms of keeping my drink cold on hot summer days. Something simple, but worth the investment.
- Phone case card holder
-
As a very forgetful person, I find myself leaving the house without my cards a lot. Either that or I toss them in my purse, and they go missing somehow. Having a card holder that attaches to the back of my phone case has made my life so much easier, as I can carry my ID, credit card and any other cards I may need for the day, in the back of my phone. I don’t ever forget my phone, therefore, having my cards attached to the back of it ensures that I always have them with me.
- Evry Jewels Ring
-
Rings can spice up any outfit and therefore, my ring collection has grown drastically in the past year. It can get expensive to find good-quality jewelry and you don’t want to settle for rings that will tarnish within a few wears. Evry Jewels is an online company that carries all sorts of jewelry and accessories. However, the one thing that stands out is their rings. I’ve owned a few of their rings for over a year now and they still haven’t tarnished, despite many wears. Not only are their products good quality, but they often have insane discount codes posted on their social media accounts, up to 80% off their already low prices. Investing in a few quality rings can elevate your outfits and make you feel more put together, which Evry Jewels can help with.
- Indigo Planners
-
Every September, I get excited to see the new Indigo planner designs released. A habit I started in the tenth grade was purchasing Indigo planners right before the new school year, to ensure I can begin the semester with a solid study plan. As someone who was always on the go with school, work and leisurely activities, a planner was essential. With the demanding schedule of university, planners have only become more important. Using different coloured highlighters, I would highlight my work schedule in one and study schedule in another. That way I could easily see when I had free-time and which days I was extremely busy with. The planners sold at Indigo typically come with a good amount of space to write in per day, as well as a notes section to write any miscellaneous things for the week. The best part is that the designs are plentiful, and they have something for everyone.
- claw clips
-
Ending the list with something trendy and cheap, claw clips are one of the best things you could invest in. As someone who is used to pulling out hair with cheap elastic bands, claw clips can get your hair out of your face and still look put-together without damaging your hair. The variety of colours and designs claw clips have, creates a look for everyone. The number of hairstyles that can be created with a claw clip, from messy to chic allows this clip to be multi-purposeful and used for any occasion. I hope we don’t go back to the elastic phase, as these trendy clips have saved me on multiple occasions.
Shopping for new products can be a gamble, but with this list, I can ensure you will not regret your decisions in purchasing these items. Every one of these things has changed my life for the better and I hope you decide to go out and try these items as well.