Monthly Favorites: January 2025

Hey Babes!

Welcome back to the blog! As the first month of the year comes to a close, it is once again time to share everything I tried this month. It's time for Monthly Favorites! If you're not familiar with Monthly Favorites, essentially, I pick out new items and try them out each month. At the end of the month, I give my honest review. I keep notes on each item throughout the month and rate them 1-10 once the month is almost over. The items can be from any category: makeup, skincare, body care, hair care, food, books, clothes, etc. For January, I selected ten things that interested me. Looking at the list, the majority of these are unintentionally beauty products. Regardless, I made sure to give an honest and unbiased review for each one. From skincare saviors to indulgent reads, here is everything I tried this month.

1. YTTP Superberry Hydrate+Glow Dream Mask - Rating: 9/10

Even though it's only been a month, I'm already considering moving this overnight mask into my regular night routine. If you are someone with dry skin, you will definitely love this product. It's packed with vitamin C, squalane, and enriched with maqui, all antioxidant powerhouses in fighting dullness and anti-aging. After a month of using this mask regularly, my skin looks brighter and feels more hydrated. The texture is a bit rich but absorbs well, similar to Vaseline. My only gripe it that the price may be a bit steep for regular use. 

2. One Size On'till Dawn Setting Spray - Rating: 10/10

Patrick definitely knew what he was doing when he made this. For the longest time, I've struggled to find a setting spray that worked for me. After hearing all the rave reviews I decided to give this one a try, and it did not disappoint. On'till Dawn is lightweight yet powerful. It keeps my makeup intact for hours. Trust me, my makeup survived everything from long business days to the bedroom meeting after date night. All because of this gorgeous setting spray. My favorite part is that it leaves absolutely no sticky residue. The mist is fine and even. If this doesn't convince you of how good it is, just know that Beyoncé has worn it during her performances. An easy 10/10.

3. La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 SPF Sunscreen - Rating: 8.5/10

Maybe I'm to used to Bali Body, but this sunscreen isn't anything special. At the same time, I don't have anything negative to say about it. It provides excellent protection while being lightweight. It gets bonus points for being darkskin-friendly, as it doesn't leave a white cast. If you have sensitive skin then you may like this sunscreen. I found that it blended seamlessly into my skin and was comfortable enough to wear daily. Even though it was breathable, my only critique is that it isn't very hydrating. Still, it certainly feels like a reliable option for year-round wear.

4. Cosmic by Kylie Jenner - Rating: 4.5/10

I won't lie, I only bought this because of the hype online. I'm a bit disappointed. The packaging is unique and it definitely looks Instagram-worthy. The scent, however, feels generic and lacks complexity. To fix this, I tried to experiment with fragrance combinations. Unfortunately, Cosmic got lost in the mix and was quick to fade in an hour. I sprayed it early in the morning and it was gone before I got inside my car. On the bright side, the notes are definitely interesting. I want to like Cosmic, because I love a nice oriental+floral fragrance, but it isn't worth the hype. I personally think it works better as a room spray.

5. Juvia's Place Zulu Palette - Rating: 9/10

This palette is a bold, vibrant dream. The colors are highly pigmented and blend effortlessly, making it perfect for the creative looks I did this month. I love the versatility with the mix of mattes and shimmers. I got minimal fallout and the colors stay vibrant all day. If you're into experimenting with bright colors, this is a must-have.

6. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fu$$y - Rating: 10/10

Is anyone really shocked about this one? Rihanna once again continues to set the standard. This is a perfect pinky-nude that flatters my skin tone. It's ideal for everyday wear. Whether I was running errands or heading to brunch, this gloss elevated every look. Fu$$y has a luxurious texture, it glides on very smooth and satiny. I love that it gives just the right amount of shine to give my lips a juicy, faux-filler effect (not that I don't have fillers anyway...). I just cannot get enough of the sweet, addictive peach and vanilla scent. A perfect 10 but that's no surprise. 

7. Manolo Blahnik Fleeting Gestures and Obsession - Rating: 10/10

I love a nice, inspirational read. This coffee table book is an absolute masterpiece. It provides and intimate look into Manolo Blahnik's creative process, inspirations, and iconic designs. As well as including stunning visuals. As someone who loves fashion and art, this book was indulgent yet inspiring. It's a must-have for any fashion enthusiast's collection. Every page felt like a work of art. Although it is pricey, it's worth it if you are a lover of timeless elegance. 

8. Evive smoothie cubes in Viva - Rating: 8/10

Let's face it, eating fruit can get boring sometimes. These smoothie cubes are a game-changer. The Viva flavor is a vibrant blend of banana, strawberry, and dragon fruit. It delivers a refreshing, energizing boost. I put the cubes in a blender with some oat milk and it was delicious. The only downside it that you need to blend them thoroughly or else it will taste a bit grainy (the dragon fruit isn't easy to blend), but other than that, Viva is certainly a winner in my book.

9. YTTP Super food niacinamide body cleanser - Rating: 9/10

Youth To The People is slowly starting to become my favorite brand. This body cleanser is nothing short of luxury. Infused with ingredients like kale, green tea, and niacinamide, it turns an ordinary shower into a spa treatment. The gel formula lathers beautifully and leaves my skin feeling clean, refreshed, and hydrated without any tightness. It has an earthy scent that is subtle and calming. Trust me, it's a perfect addition to your morning and nighttime routine. It's also organic and vegan, so rest assured that everything in it is here to help your skin instead of harming it. 

10. Sol body spray #48 - Rating: 6/10

I wanted to rank this higher, but it fell a little flat for me. The scent is sweet and playful, with notes of coconut and vanilla. It's perfect for casual outing or layering with other fragrances. I paired this with Powdery Coconut by Dossier, and it blended perfectly at first. The dry down was a little lackluster, it clashed with the woody notes in the perfume. The longevity leaves much to be desired as well. Depending on your body chemistry the spray may last longer, but it faded after a few hours. Then again, body sprays aren't meant to last long, but Sol could've gave us a little more! On the bright side, this would make the perfect summer scent. Hopefully they improve the lasting power.

And that's it for January's Monthly Favorites! Let me know if you've tried any of these products or if you have recommendations for what I should test out next month. Until next time, babes! Stay fabulous.

xoxo, Scarlette