20 Holy Grail Items That I Love and Guarantee Will Recharge Your January Batteries
This January, it’s all about self-care
Hello Besties,
Better late than never — the newsletters are slowly but surely returning. I always find January such a challenging month to navigate. There’s so much pressure: expectations to set big goals, overhaul your lifestyle, and stay busy right from the start. But for me, January is the perfect time to slow down after the chaos of the festive season. It’s a chance to invest in myself, take things at my own pace, and finally start ticking off those lingering tasks on my to-do list that I’ve been carrying over week after week.
This month has also been incredibly busy on the work front — something I’m truly grateful for and which has made me even more excited about the year ahead. That said, it does feel like we’re on day 106 of January!
So, consider this your gentle reminder: let go of the pressure, embrace a slower January (and February), and prioritise yourself.
On that note, I wanted to share a list of items I’ve been using and wearing on repeat — pieces that exude cosiness and have become my everyday go-tos.
Let’s dive right in…
Sweet Bee Magnesium Butter — Social media had me convinced I simply had to try it after a gazillion targeted ads, and while I was a tad sceptical, I can now say, oh my word, it’s genuinely life-changing. It does exactly what it says on the tin, smells utterly divine, and if you’re prone to being an anxious Annie like me or struggling to sleep, this product is an absolute game-changer. It’s literally butter for your skin. Personally, I don’t usually struggle with sleep, but I’ve been slathering this on before bed, and it gives me the best night’s sleep with no disturbances.
Neom Wellbeing Pod Diffuser — This is one of my most-used items. If I’m working from home, it’s always on, and I’ll often add a few drops of lavender oil before bed. Recently, it was an absolute lifesaver when I came down with the dreaded lurgy — a few drops of peppermint and eucalyptus oils worked wonders to clear my blocked sinuses.
The White Company Diffuser Oils — If you’re not familiar with these oils, it’s time to get acquainted. Just a few drops are all you need to fill your space with an incredible, long-lasting fragrance. Unlike other brands I’ve used before, the scent is noticeable instantly.
Mr Maria X Smiley Lamp — If you’re someone like me who finds this time of year challenging, with the dark days and lack of sunshine, I think this little ball of sunshine is a delight to have on in the evenings. It looks like actual sunshine and gives off the most wonderful, cosy hygge lighting. Even better, it’s a giant smiley face — what could be more uplifting?
Striped Fleece Dressing Gown — The pinnacle item of my winter cosy wardrobe and the fact that it combines my two favourite colours really is the cherry on top.
2025 Organiser — It’s not too late to grab yourself an organiser (Even more so now as they’re in the sale), I’ve been using mine to map out each week on a Sunday evening and keep myself accountable for ticking tasks off my to-do list.
Apothecary Warmth Candle — I love a luxury candle, but you can bet I’ll never actually burn them! That’s why this candle dupe is an absolute winner. It’s a perfect match for Le Labo Santal 33, and I can assure you it smells luxurious, incredible, and absolutely burn-worthy — especially at this bargain price.
Olverum Bath Oil — This is a big change from the usual Radox bubble bath I tend to reach for (which I still use most days). My sister kindly treated me to a bottle of this, knowing how much I love a good bath. At this time of year, my skin often feels quite dry, so I’ve been using this oil twice a week in the bath (very sparingly), and it’s absolutely incredible. It leaves your skin feeling deeply moisturised, smelling like a dreamy alpine forest, and fills the whole room with its gorgeous scent.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream — This product absolutely lives up to the trending hype, it’s a staple in my morning routine. If you’re looking for dewy, hydrated, and radiant skin, this is a must-try. Plus, a little goes a long way.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm — A true OG product, removing your makeup at the end of the day with this holy grail feels absolutely incredible, it melts away like butter.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask — This is an item I buy on repeat, gone are the days of never finishing a tin of Vaseline! I must have gone through 8/9 of these little pots of gold over the past couple of years, scraping every last bit out. I simply can’t sleep without glazing my lips, especially as a retainer wearer. It’s an absolute must-have and every flavour is so good.
Laneige Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask — This has quickly become a favourite in my nighttime skincare routine. The texture is incredibly luxurious, it has a bouncy, gel-like consistency that feels cooling and soothing as you apply it. A little goes a long way, and it absorbs so nicely without feeling sticky.
Laneige Bouncy and Firm Eye Mask — I’ve never been one to use an eye cream, but this year I’ve promised myself to establish a skincare routine that works for me and actually stick with it. This eye mask pairs with the Laneige Sleeping Mask, the texture is incredibly silky and glides on effortlessly. I absolutely love how it feels on my skin.
Tan-Luxe Super Glow Drops — I’ve used these for years, and after trying countless other brands, I always find myself circling back to them. They’re an everyday essential for adding a touch of colour to my face, especially at this time of year when I want a makeup-free day.
Posh Chocolate Soap — This is the ultimate soap, it smells like literal chocolate, and it's hard to believe you can't eat it!
Ginger Shampoo — This has been the only shampoo I’ve used for years, my scalp completely depends on it. If I use anything else, my scalp becomes itchy and irritated. Plus, I love the added bonus of being able to take your empty bottles back into store to be refilled.
Heatless Curls — The ultimate lazy hack, I absolutely love sleeping with mine in when I have an early start and want tamed hair that looks like I’ve actually made an effort.
Funky Slippers — I’m all for a pair of quirky slippers, they bring a little bit of joy every time you look down at your feet. I live in mine and always replace them time after time when they’ve seen better days.
Shark Face Mask — This item is most definitely an indulgence, but I like to think of it as an investment. After doing loads of research, I decided to go with Shark because it addresses so many different skin concerns. In the long run, I think it’s a brilliant way to save money, as I won’t splurge on single-use face masks and facials. It’s a new little gadget for me, but I’m absolutely loving it so far!
Kindle/iPad Holder — This is one for the lazy girls, what could possibly be better than no longer having to turn the page on your Kindle? Instead, you can use your hands as the ultimate snack tool while reading. On top of that, I always struggle to get comfortable while reading a book, but this lets you get cosy without needing your hands to flip the pages. I was sold the moment the TikTok algorithm introduced me to this invention.
I could go on, but these 20 items have been bringing me pure joy, either for years or particularly this month, and they stand out the most. None of these are sponsored, they’re all items I’ve bought myself.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my January musings so far. Just a little reminder to be kind to yourself and not put too much pressure on.
I’m excited to establish a more regular newsletter sending schedule and hold myself accountable, as I absolutely love writing these — they feel like a little diary entry. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to drop me a message if you enjoyed this one or have any feedback. I love speaking to you.
So much love,
Daisy x