To be honest, I never liked New Year’s much. I always found January to be cold and depressing, and I’m so bad at saying goodbye. My version of a fresh start is Fall, perhaps because my graduated-school-3-years-ago self is hardwired to think in terms of the school year.
That being said, most people probably don’t think like I do. I decided to do a round up of what I consider to be the “best of 2018” to pay homage to the amazing brands that I have discovered this year. Think of this like my version of the Allure Beauty Awards or my version of the “Best Of…” YouTube videos.
I also wanted to write this post to thank you all for another year of supporting this blog and for supporting me! 2018 has been a year full of ups and downs, but it has also been a major year of self-discovery. This year, I was able to paint a clear picture of my purpose and of the future path and goals of this blog. This post will feature photos taken throughout this past year as a collage to everything I was able to do this year thanks for your support.
Without further ado, here is a round up of the best of 2018!
And the winner is….
Most Innovative Brand
Fashion: Vitamin A
Beauty: Lawless
These two brands won in this category because they were able to combine scientific and technological innovation with style. I admire these two brands SO much, especially their founders!
Best Breakout Brand
Fashion: Something Navy
Beauty: Ren Skincare
Honorable Mention: Ole Henriksen
What I’m looking for in this category are staples I cannot live without. All of these brands have proven themselves to be the proprietors of products I can’t live without.
Best Collaboration
Fashion: Olivia Culpo x Marled for Revolve
Beauty: Disney x Colourpop
This one is pretty self-explanatory but I have loved BOTH of these collections. I haven’t featured Olivia Culpo’s collab as much but trust me, I love her dress.
Can’t Live Without Product
Fashion: Workout Pants by Four Athletics
Beauty: Aqua Luminous Perfecting Concealer by Becca Cosmetics
I have raved about these two products across my blog, Instagram,YouTube channel SO MUCH that I had to give them an extra shoutout here!
Most Splurge-Worthy Product
Fashion: Robinson Tote by Tory Burch
Beauty: Jet Lag Mask by Summer Fridays
The Robinson Tote by Tory Burch is one of my favorite bags of all time! I have a video on what I put it in and a full bag review on my YouTube channel in case you want to check it out!
The Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask has also been one of my most favorite purchases! Mikhail loves it so much as well, and if a guy loves a skincare product, then you know it’s good!
Best Drugstore/Affordable Brand
Fashion: Express
Beauty: Milani
Most of my #realootd consists of clothing from Express. In a previous post I made on where I shop, I have talked about why I love Express.
Milani is a brand that I don’t talk much about but I love their quality for being a drugstore makeup brand!
Most Creative Brand
Fashion: Lilly Pulitzer
Beauty: Jeffree Star Cosmetics
This probably will come at absolutely no shock to anyone that these two brands made the list. I wear these brands so much that even my mother askes me if I have asked them to sponsor me yet (ONE DAY MOTHER! haha)
Lilly Pulitzer clothing is so versatile to me. They have cute new patterns coming out each year, but their old patterns always remain a classic. Jeffree Star also needs no introduction – he is iconic and so is his brand. Best makeup brand, hands down.
Most Sustainable Fashion Brand
I went to a Sustainability panel session with Everlane to promote their new Re-New line, and it was probably the best thing I’ve ever attended. I love what they are trying to do in this space, and I love that their price point is so cheap too!
Best Cruelty-Free Makeup Brand
Lush isn’t strictly a makeup brand, but to me, they are the original advocates for fighting animal testing. They were a huge reason why I went cruelty-free, and they are always speaking out about why the makeup and beauty industry needs to stop animal testing.
Influencer of the Year
Fashion: Peyton Baxter of Love n Labels
Travel: Victoria Magrath of In the Frow
Lastly, I wanted to give a shoutout to 3 influencers that have really inspired me this year. Each of these three ladies have contributed so much to my creativity, my purpose, and I really would not know what to do without Lauryn’s TSC podcast.
Go check out their pages and give them some love. They are constantly inspiring me everyday, and I can’t say enough about what it is that they do.
Here are my favorite outfits from 2018 from January thru December.
Thank you all so much for sticking with me! Here’s to an amazing 2018, and here’s to an even better 2019!
