11 Little Luxuries to Brighten Your Day in 2026
My beauty, fashion, and lifestyle picks to kick the year off right
2025 was a challenging year filled with some ups but mostly downs (I Googled “how to know if you are cursed” at one point). So you’ll see where I’m coming from when I put this list together. I took a mental inventory of the beauty, fashion and wellness stuff that’s helping me through the start of the year so far. Hope you enjoy!
LYMA Laser
If you’re like me you’ve probably seen someone on social using the LYMA laser. It’s the one device I’ve been dying to try for years but had not for some reason. I was gifted this a few months ago so I’ve had a solid two months using it. First of all, this is not LED. It’s a clinical-grade cold laser that actually works at the same power level dermatologists use in-office.
Most LED never makes it past the surface but the LYMA’s laser light penetrates all the skin layers instead of bouncing off. LYMA treats a full cheek or jawline in one pass, it’s pain-free, safe for all skin tones, and it doesn’t rely on stressing the skin to get results. It’s regeneration without inflammation.
You can use it for as little as three minutes a day even over SPF or makeup (which is so unique!). I also use it on my body too like knees or hands,. You just apply the oxygen mist and then the glide gel; and honestly it’s so easy to just glide it or hold it while I’m reading or watching TV, I end up using it for about 10-15 minutes a day. In the past two months I’ve definitely noticed differences in my skin texture and tone; and the hyperpigmentation on my cheeks has lightened.
Listen, at $2650, it absolutely is a mega-splurge. In full transparency, the LYMA was gifted to me so I’m not personally feeling the sting in my wallet. But as with any at home device, consistency is key. And if you have the means, this one is so easy and effective, it can be a great tool if you stick with it.
Bondi Boost Infrared Thermal Brush
I have no problem doing multiple steps in a skin care routine but I am famously lazy with my hair. I had a scalp treatment in Korea and the woman asked if I always dry my scalp after showering and I was like, errrmmm, how about never? Since then, I’ve been trying to do better. I love that we’re in a new golden era for hair tools and can’t believe it took me so long to try the Bondi Boost Infrared brush.
I’ll roughly blow-dry my hair to about 70% then let it air dry. Once it’s dry, I’ll do a pass with this brush (I get the best results holding the brush upside down). It gives my hair blowout sleekness and volume with a loose wave at the end in much less time than an actual blowout.
Ruti The Wide-ish Pants
When I first saw barrel-legged pants, I was like, oh, only very cool fashion people can pull those off. I thought they’d be a quickly passing fad. How wrong I was. I've been on the hunt for comfy pants that aren’t leggings or joggers and these Ruti trousers are everything I wanted and more.
The fabric is super lightweight with a little stretch; and the shape is absolutely perfect for dressing up or down.
Make Up For Ever Lip Pencil in Wherever Walnut
I started the year telling a friend that I hate lip pencil and I’m ending 2025 as a real convert. If you’re Asian or have similar coloring to me, this Wherever Walnut shade is the perfect “your lip color but better.”
It’s creamy and incredibly forgiving (meaning, no one will notice if you lined your lips in a rush).
Neogen Hyal Glow Rose Essence
Stressed skin needs soothing. I’ve tried a zillion K-Beauty products this year and this toner has become one of my holy grails. It’s a slightly viscous milky essence with serious hydrating power.
And don’t worry if you’re not a fan of rose. The scent is very subtle.
NOYZ Lost + Found Solid Fragrance
It’s basically become a joke among my friends: I’m kind of addicted to this NOYZ solid fragrance. If you’re out with me and see me reach into my bag, chances are I’m reaching for this NOYZ stick to give my wrist or neck a refresh. I love it in the Unmute and Only Human scents too but the citrusy-woodsy Lost + Found is simply perfect.
Garnier Fructis Frizz Tamer Hair Mascara
I’ve been dealing with hair loss for the past few years (as I discussed here) and while I’m always happy to see new growth, it’s tough to tame those wire-like strands popping out on top. I’ve tried the ol’ hairspray on a toothbrush trick, pomades, wax sticks…nothing was strong enough to hold them down.
So I was so happy to find that this Garnier hair mascara does the trick! I’ve tried a few more expensive variations and keep coming back to this one because it’s clear (the other one I’m currently using has a cream in the tube so it leaves some random white spots in my hair if I’m not careful).
Bonus: the Garnier one is pretty affordable so I leave one in my bag for touchups later in the day if I’m out.
GoHydrate Monthly Subscription
Sometimes, it feels like such a drag to drink plain water. This is the best-tasting hydration powder I’ve ever tried. Believe me, a million times better than those big-name ones (which my 5-year-old calls “pasta water” lol). It’s made with clean ingredients, is low-sugar, low-sodium, and has vitamin D.
I gave myself a gift of a monthly subscription! My family loves the fruit punch flavor and the new iced team lemonade flavor is also divine.
Electric Picks Nailed It Bracelet in Gold
My style has evolved a lot over the past five years but I’ve always described it as tough-pretty. I grew up on Dr. Martens with floral dresses—and my love for that juxtaposition carried into adulthood. If I’m ever wearing something that feels too pretty-pretty, I’ll typically toughen it up with an item or two: a jacket worn across my shoulders, stacks of jewelry, unexpected shoes.
This bracelet is a cool statement piece but still feels unfussy and easy to wear.
Perelel Women’s Daily Vitamin Trio
I’m a terrible vitamin taker. I know it sounds silly but I have a hard time making it part of my routine. So I loved having these easy packs, which have a daily trio of supplements in each one (multi, omega and Beautyblend). Somehow it really reduced the mental load of remembering.
Koala Eco Multi-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner
A kitchen cleaner? I know this is somewhat outside my typical topics but I just want to tell everyone about this stuff! As you can tell from my NOYZ suggestion above, I’m a big fan of citrus scents. If you are too, you absolutely must get this Koala Eco Lemon Myrtle & Mandarin Essential Oil Kitchen Cleaner. It’s sustainable, natural and has no synthetic fragrances and oh my god, it smells like a dream. Makes our whole kitchen smell like a mandarin field.