As a shopping writer, I get a lot of new things to try out all the time. Between daily research, brand outreach, and nonstop launches, there’s always something new to try. That means I don’t buy the same thing again very often. When I do, it’s a clear sign that it really did better than anything else I’ve tried in its category, whether it saved me time, replaced a lot of products, or gave me results that last.
Since 2026 is almost here, I put together a list of the 16 beauty, fashion, and home items that I’ve bought over and over this year, both for myself and as gifts. These things are now a permanent part of my routine, not just a short-lived trend. The list has sheets, clean makeup and skin care, fashionable clothes from Amazon, smart appliances, and more. If you want to shop more thoughtfully in 2026, this is a quick way to do it: these are the things I’ve bought twice that I know are worth buying again (and I’m already planning to add them to my cart for next year).
As a shopping writer, these are the things I’d buy again next year.
- CeraVe Fragrance-Free Cleansing Balm for Removing Makeup, $12 (was $15)
- Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Illuminator costs $29.
- $29 for Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara
- $18 for OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum (was $25)
- $21 for Mrs. Meyer’s Kitchen Cleaning Set (was $23)
- The Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set is now $204, down from $239.
- Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer costs $359.
- $30 for an Owala FreeSip insulated stainless steel water bottle
- $30 for the Vrtige Striped Half-Sleeve Button-Down
- $23 for the Amazon Essentials Lightweight Waffle Robe
- $20 for Litfun Real Suede Cork Footbed Sandals
Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm from CeraVe Without Scent
It has been hard for me to find a cleansing balm that doesn’t have any irritating ingredients (especially essential oils) because my skin is sensitive. But I was lucky to find my holy grail cleansing balm in this CeraVe product that doesn’t smell. It’s one of my favorite parts of my nightly skin care routine, and I’ve bought it dozens of times and always have a backup on hand. The formula is gentle, moisturizing, and calming, but it still works quickly to get rid of makeup and mascara. It feels great on the skin and leaves a soft, smooth finish that never feels greasy. It was made with dermatologists to work on all skin types, including dry, oily, and acne-prone skin. It has been tested for allergies and does not clog pores. The size and formula are also great for travel. It starts out as a solid balm and melts into a buttery texture in seconds. When you rinse it off, it has the slightest lather. It even has ceramides to help your skin’s barrier, which is great news for people with sensitive skin!
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Saie Glowy Super Gel Dewy Illuminator That Is Light
If I could only keep one thing from my makeup bag, it would be the Saie Glowy Super Gel. This lightweight, all-purpose highlighter feels cool and melts right into your skin, giving you a natural glow without any glitter. It has no smell and won’t clog your pores. It is full of hydrating ingredients that are good for sensitive skin, such as glycerin, squalane, and rosehip seed oil. These ingredients will make your skin feel full and healthy. I wear it by itself, mix it with my skin care, and even put it under makeup (and foundation and blush go on smoother over it). I have tried all four colors, but I usually layer Starglow and Sunglow to make my skin look warmer and brighter. I always buy them again as soon as I run out (I even keep a travel size ready to go so I’m never without it).
Ilia Lip Sketch Crayon for Hydration
I tried more than 25 lip products this year, and I’m very picky. I want lip products that don’t dry out my lips or irritate them, go on smoothly and easily even when I’m in a hurry, last a long time, and don’t wear down to be patchy. The Ilia Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon is one of my favorite products of the year. It combines the creamy finish of a lipstick with the precision of a liner to give you rich color with a soft-matte finish that looks polished but never dry. It lasts a long time, doesn’t bleed, and is full of hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sea succulent, and rosehip oil. This makes your lips look smooth and feel good for hours. Pink Door is my favorite color. It’s a simple, everyday pink that looks good for running errands and going out to dinner. Because it’s in a pencil format that can be easily thrown in a bag and reapplied on the go, it’s the one lip product I always make room for when I travel. Deco (a rose pink) and Piazza (a bright, poppy red) are next on my list of things I want in 2026.
Ilia Lash Mascara Without Limits
I love how mascara looks, but because my eyes are sensitive, I went on a quest to find the best clean, non-irritating mascara that works without bothering my contact lenses or flaking into my eyes all day. Ilia’s Limitless Lash Mascara comes in black and a chocolatey brown color and is almost perfect. It lifts, separates, and defines for a look that says “your lashes, but better” that feels and looks natural. The brush has two sides: one with short bristles that curls and darkens the lashes, and the other with longer bristles that lengthens and separates them. I love this brush! The formula is gentle but strong. It lasts all day but is easy to remove with micellar water or cleansing balm. It also has nourishing ingredients like ethically sourced beeswax and organic shea butter that keep your lashes soft and healthy.
Nail Serum for OPI Repair Mode Bond Building
One of my self-care rituals is to paint my nails at home every week, but it’s just as important to me to make sure they’re healthy. This year, I’ve loved using this OPI nail serum between manicures. It goes deep into your nails to make new bonds from the inside out. It fixes damage, makes things stronger, and makes them smooth. You can use it every day or even twice a day to fix damage. If your nails are thin, brittle, or fragile, or if you’ve been hard on them by painting them a lot, washing your hands a lot, or doing other things that hurt them, this is a good thing to add to your collection. It also works quickly; when I had a small amount of keratin buildup on my nail, this got rid of it in less than two weeks. It’s also very easy to use; all you have to do is paint it on like clear polish.
Rosie Jane Dulce Eau De Parfum
I only buy and wear clean scents, and one of my favorites this year was Dulce by By Rosie Jane. I just bought a new full-sized and travel-sized bottle to replace the one I used up last month. I can’t wait to wear it until 2026. The scent has hints of warm hinoki wood, creamy vanilla, and brown sugar. It’s a light, rich, and more complex version of a vanilla scent. I love that it feels special enough for events but also easy to wear every day. Next on my list of things to buy from the brand is Missy, a bright, tropical scent that makes me think of summer (my bottle is almost empty, so I’ll probably buy it again in the spring).
Set for cleaning Mrs. Meyer’s kitchen
I change the cleaning products I use in my home a lot, but I only buy products that are not tested on animals. It’s fun to change the scents of multipurpose spray, hand soap, and dish soap, but I will definitely buy the Bluebell scent from Mrs. Meyer’s again. It’s on sale at Amazon right now. In the spring, I bought the hand soap for my guest bathroom. Every guest who came over asked me what it smelled like and where it came from. I am adding one of these multi-surface cleaning sprays, dish soaps, and hand soaps to my cart right now. The dish soap quickly cuts through grease and stuck-on food, and the multipurpose spray works in the kitchen, bathrooms, bedroom, and more. All three products work well.
Set of Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheets
I reach for Brooklinen’s Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set more than any other bedding in my linen closet. The sheets are made of 100% long-staple cotton, and they feel soft and luxurious right out of the package. They somehow get softer with each wash. The sheets still look new after being washed once a week, and the color hasn’t faded. I also love how well thought out they are. The fitted sheet has “Long Side” and “Short Side” tags on it, which makes making the bed much faster (and less sweaty). The pillowcases have envelope closures that keep the pillows in place. The fabric feels thick and high-quality, but it’s also breathable enough for me as a hot sleeper, so I can wear them all year. I’ve tried a lot of sheet sets, but this is the one I keep coming back to. It’s the only bedding purchase I’d be happy to make again.
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Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer
I had never used an air fryer before this year, but now that I have one, I use it several times a week. I like how easy it is to use the touchscreen and how it has preset cooking times and modes for different types of meat. It has a probe that lets you cook things like steak to the right temperature. Last year, I even made the crispiest chicken wings for my Super Bowl party, and everyone loved them. But mostly, it saves me time on weeknight meals when I’m really busy (and everything tastes great). I like the glass front because I can see the food quickly while I’m doing other things or washing dishes.
Nnewvante Couch Tray for Holding Cups
Last year for Christmas, I got this acacia wood couch holder tray, and I love it! It fits snugly over the arm of your couch and gives you room to put your drink, snack, remote, phone, and more. It has held up very well after a year of use and looks exactly the same as when it came, even though I use it every day. People like that it “feels sturdy” and is “a practical little addition” for people who like to curl up on the couch and read or watch the latest Netflix release. In 2026, I would definitely buy this again… and I might, for the other arm of my couch.
Insulated stainless steel water bottle from Owala FreeSip
As a shopping writer, I often test water bottles. The Owala is my favorite, though. The brand’s 24-ounce insulated stainless steel bottle has a patented FreeSip spout that lets you sip through the built-in straw or tilt it back to drink. It promises to keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours, and it does: even though I live in Florida and the temperature often goes over 100 degrees in the summer, I can leave the bottle in my car for hours and still find ice. It’s easy to carry around because the cap locks securely and can also be used as a handle. You can also easily clean it by taking apart the lid and straw in a matter of seconds and washing everything.
Button-down shirt with half sleeves and stripes
A polished button-down is one of my favorite things to wear every day because it’s easy to dress up or down, looks great, and is comfortable. I usually go for this half-sleeve version because it fits the best and is made of light, swishy fabric. It comes in 30 colors, and I have five of them: pink, purple, yellow, turquoise, and royal blue. I always want to add another color to my collection because I wear these tops every week. People always say nice things about them when I’m out and about, and the best part is that they’re cool enough to wear even on the hottest summer days. The roomy, big fit is also easy to layer with long sleeves when it gets cooler.
Loose Linen Overalls from Anrabess
I’m known for being very picky about rompers, especially since I have a curvier body type, but this loose linen bib romper won me over completely. The wide-leg shorts, drapey fit, and adjustable straps make it surprisingly flattering at the waist and hips. The square neckline and working buttons give it a polished look. I wear it all the time because it can be worn in so many ways. In the colder months, I wear it over long sleeves or thermals, and in the warmer months, I wear it with tanks or tees. With three places to button the straps on the romper, you can get the perfect fit. You can also easily dress it up or down by changing your shoes, and the front pocket detail is cute and useful because there are real side pockets. I already have four of these in my closet (white, purple, black, and yellow), and I love that there are 20 colors to choose from. This is one of those rare finds that I’ll keep buying.
Anrabess Dress with Ruffles, Sleeveless Square Neck
I wear this square-neck dress with smocking all the time. I’ve already bought it in a few colors, but I want to get a few more (there are 24 colors to choose from). The smocked top and flowy, tiered bodice make the fit very flattering and comfortable. The shirred straps add a fun touch. I love how the buttery-soft, light fabric feels stretchy and comfortable, even in lighter colors, and it doesn’t show through. It works for any occasion and always gets a lot of praise, so it’s a tried-and-true winner in the closet.
Lightweight Waffle Robe from Amazon Essentials
It’s hard to find a good robe that doesn’t cost a lot of money, which is why I keep going back to Amazon Essentials’ Lightweight Waffle Mid-Length Robe. This cotton-poly blend is breathable, soft, absorbent, and lightweight, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. It also doesn’t stick to your skin when you wear it right out of the shower. I like how relaxed yet close it fits, how the tie waist can be adjusted, and how the inside waist tie and front patch pockets are well thought out. These features make it useful for everything from lounging to wearing after a bath. It also comes in a wide range of sizes (up to 7X) and is easy to care for, as it can be washed and dried in the washing machine and dryer. I’ve given this robe as a gift many times, even to a family member who had surgery, and the response has been so good that I’m already planning to buy one for myself next.
Real Suede Cork Footbed Sandals from Litfun
I wear sandals all year long because I live in Florida, and these Litfun Genuine Suede Cork Footbed Slides have quickly become my go-to pair. They look nice enough for lunch dates and casual dinners, but they’re also comfortable enough for long days of running errands and traveling. You won’t even get sore feet after hours of walking. The soft cork footbed gives the right amount of arch support and cushioning, and the adjustable buckles make it easy to get a perfect fit without having to break them in. I also like that they are made of real suede and have a non-slip sole. This makes them feel much more expensive than the less than $40 price tag. I got them in black, but I’ve worn them so much that I’m already looking at the brown and apricot colors for next year.
