21 Products We Absolutely Loved In 2018

Including clear shower curtain liners, jeans designed for hourglass figures, cold brew makers that will save you a ton of $$, and a bunch of other things that members of the BuzzFeed Shopping & Products team loved in 2018.

1. A cold brew coffee maker that will save you a TON of money in the long run — because buying cold brew is hella expensive, and we have yet to win the lottery. Thanks for that, fate.

Maitland Quitmeyer / BuzzFeed

"You just pour your favorite ground beans into the filter, screw said filter into the lid of the pitcher, fill it with water, stick that baby in the fridge to brew overnight (or up to 36 hours), and wake up to a whole PITCHERFUL of goodness!! Once you take the filter filled with grounds out, the coffee will keep for days and days. Thanks to the airtight seal, the flavor will stay fresh and free of odors from other food in your fridge (looking at you garlicky leftovers).

It's pretty concentrated, so you can either dilute it with water or milk, or just drink it straight with ice (I've done all three). It's so delish, it makes mornings far more bearable. Plus, it's dishwasher safe and great for keeping in the office for when that 3pm slump hits, but you don't feel like going to a coffee shop (or spending $5 on cold brew)." —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get it from Amazon for $18.99.

2. A coconut + coffee cleansing stick you'll want to add to your AM routine. This stuff will ~wake up~ your skin like a cup of caffeine and is super hydrating, meaning your foundation will GLIDE on, I tell ya!

instagram.com / Via @yesto

"This is probably the cheapest product you'll find in my shower AND YET it is also one of the best. I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser (also great and also cheap....just not *as* cheap) on a daily basis during my bleary-eyed morning shower, but every third day or so I spice (or scrub) it up a bit with this deliciously-scented stick. It sloughs off dead skin but doesn't irritate your skin while you do it. And — again — it smells great. If you love coffee, clean your skin, and have $3, just try it." —Mallory McInnis

Get it from Amazon for $2.99.

3. A clear shower curtain liner complete with mesh POCKETS (!!!) to store all of your various loofahs, body washes, razors, rubber duckies, etc.

Amazon

"I never thought I'd feel strongly about a shower curtain liner design but 2018 has been weird and I have a lot of toiletries. This liner has stood up to me groggily shoving heavy bottles of conditioner into the sturdy mesh pockets, which is really saying something because I shower without my contacts in and am extremely clumsy. But how clumsy are you, Elizabeth? A few weeks ago I slipped and fell into my shower curtain (and liner) and ripped my curtain rod off the wall. And only ONE of the nine pockets ripped, so you could say I tested it on a whole other level!" —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $10.98.

4. Produce-saving containers capable of doing the impossible — and by impossible, I mean they can keep fruit fresh for up to two weeks. PROOF, BELOW.

Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

"When I first saw Rubbermaid Freshworks containers on Amazon, I decided I HAD to see if they were too good to be true, so I got a couple and tested them on strawberries and spinach. Turns out, they really do keep produce incredibly fresh for two weeks! They've definitely cut down on my food waste this year, all while saving me money and making every last strawberry enjoyable, even a week later" —Natalie Brown

Get them from Amazon for $11.79+.

Read our full review Rubbermaid food storage containers!

5. A sleep shirt that feels super cozy and perfect for your next Netflix binge-a-thon — but unlike your old gym sweats, this will make you feel polished and put together.

Target

"After many years of vowing to throw away my holey T-shirt and buy myself a proper sleepshirt, I finally did it in 2018. I chose this one from Target because it looks super fancy but is actually reasonably priced. It's probably one of my best purchases of the year! Super soft and comfy and makes me feel put-together even when I'm lounging around the house." —Yi Yang

Get it from Target for $19.99 (available in sizes XS-XXL).

6. A hot air brush capable of drying your hair like a traditional blowdryer can... except it's in the shape of a round brush, meaning your 'do will look sleeker AND will be easier to style.

Maitland Quitmeyer / Buzzfeed

"All you need to do is section your hair out, depending on how thick it is, and roll it under your hair just like you would a regular round brush — but because it releases hot air, there's NO NEED FOR A HAIR DRYER! TRULY EASY!!!!! And you get better results than with a flat iron, because you're lifting and brushing out the hair rather then just pressing it flat. And the results last for daaaayyyyssss and dayyyyssssss." —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get it from Amazon for $41.79.

Read our full review of the John Frieda Hot Air Brush.

7. A moisturizing lip balm that will pack a colorful punch of hydration to your pout. A bold lip that's not cracking under the drying effects of matte formulas? Sign me up immediately.

Clinique

"My favorite beauty product in 2018 was easily Clinique's chubby stick lip balm. I don't know about you, but after YEARS of packing as much trendy matte color onto my lips as possible, they were ready so ready for a break. This balm is moisturizing, long-lasting, and has the high color payoff I always look for in a product like this but rarely find. There are a ton of color options — also scarce in similar products — so you don't have to choose between completing a look and keeping your lips moisturized. I use 'Pudgy Peony' when I'm having a dainty, pink, drowning-in-Glossier-puff-cloud-paint moment and 'Fuller Fig' when I'm going for a more neutral yet dramatic palette." —Rachel Dunkel

Get them from Clinique or Sephora for $18.50 (available in 16 colors).

8. A liquid eyeliner here to help you achieve the cat eye of your DREAMS. The formula glides on, it's super affordable, and it WILL NOT BUDGE.

Sarah Han / BuzzFeed

"This is my favorite black eyeliner in the history of ever. The holy grail of cat eyes. The blackest black ink known to humankind. It has one of the smoothest eyeliner applications I've ever witnessed. I don't have the steadiest of hands, but there are absolutely no bumps whenever I draw my lines! There's no smudging or displacement throughout the day (even when I accidentally rub my eye) and did I mention it's super inexpensive???" —Sarah Han

Get it from Amazon for $7.

Read our full review of the NYX epic ink liquid eyeliner.

9. A wick trimmer for the candle connoisseur in your life who lives and breathes the Bath & Body works semi-annual sale. This nifty tool will extend the life AND aroma of your candle!

Amazon

"I am a little too passionate about my candle wick trimmer. I became a ~candle person~ in late 2017 (I don't know what took me so long) and soon after becoming one, one of my colleagues at BuzzFeed (Tom Vellner) published this post full of candle-related tips. I read it and added a wick trimmer to my Amazon cart almost immediately. AND I AM SO GLAD I DID! Now my eyes burn (like a candle, get it!??! ha!) with judgement whenever I see someone burning a candle with a wick that blatantly needs to be trimmed. 'You really should get a wick trimmer,' I not-so-chill-ly say to my sister/friend/boyfriend as I stare at their way-too-long wicks. Don't make me judge you. Get one!" —Mallory McInnis

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

10. Petsies, which creates a plush, 3D doppelganger of your favorite furry (or feathery, or scaly) companion.

Petsies, Emmy Favilla / BuzzFeed

"I, like most humans who have dogs, am obsessed with my pup. So obsessed, in fact, that when I heard about Petsies, a company that creates a stuffed-animal version of your pet, I knew I needed one immediately. All you do is send 'em a few photos and choose what sort of details you'd like the plush to have, and in a few weeks, you'll receive you'r pet's mini-me. I was blown away by what an amazing job they did and would recommend this as a gift to anyone who adores their pet!" —Emmy Favilla

Get it from Petsies for $199.

11. A sound machine for folks who cannot fall asleep when it's too quiet. This nifty gadget fits compactly on your nightstand, has amazing volume options, and will bring your much-needed beauty sleep to a whole new level.

Amazon

"I had been using a ginormous fan to help me fall asleep at night because I need sound in order to fall asleep. But sleeping with a fan right next to your head? In the winter? I already feel the sniffles beginning to form! Which is why I decided to invest in a sound machine — and it's easily the best investment I've made for myself since my Tamagotchi purchase in 2005. This machine is really compact (it can fit easily on your nightstand), and has two sound options: white noise or fan with 10 variations. The volume can go up super high, it has a 60-minute auto shut-off feature, and it's really easy to use. Just plug it on, hit the on button, and BAM! Done. If you've had trouble falling asleep, I seriously cannot recommend this little gadget enough. I don't think I'd be able to survive without it..." —AnaMaria Glavan

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in five colors).

12. A bathroom cleaner that removes soap scum and grime without any harsh chemicals. If you're ready to make your tubs SPARKLE, this bottle of magic is your new BFF.

amazon.com

"Have you ever seen the movie The Santa Clause? There's a scene where Tim Allen's character shaves away his white beard and then ~WHOOSH!~ it reappears instantaneously. That's basically my bathtub and soap scum. I've tried many products to keep it at bay, but this is the only one that has ever really worked. Not only does it have a cute dog on the packaging, it also allows me to (easily!) wipe away dastardly soap scum without having to use a lot of muscle! Which is great, because I don't exactly have a lot of muscle to use." —Mallory McInnis

Get it from Amazon for $16.99.

13. A mid-century sleeper sofa constructed with a pull-out bed that your guests will fall in love with. It's gorgeous, comfortable, and has a lifetime warranty — plus, you get a 365-day home trial.

Joybird

"This sofa was the first 'grown up' furniture purchase I've ever made. I wanted a real sleeper sofa, with a comfortable pull-out mattress, and I couldn't be more pleased! I purchased this in velvet green and the color is glorious. The fabric also holds up well even with my cats on it 24/7. When the bed is pulled out (which is a breeze to do) it can comfortably fit two to three people. It's dang soft, super plush, and looks gorgeous. I love this thing." —Mallory Mower

Get it from Joybird for $1,819 (originally $2,599).

14. Crew socks capable of bringing you joy every darn time you put 'em on your feet. Heaven on earth = a fabulous sock drawer.

Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

"I never thought I'd find a multipack of kinda plain socks (you know, without any cute patterns on them, like poodles or cherries or tacos) that really and truly made me happy to look at and wear. Like, socks are a practical purchase that you can't get too attached to because the dryer monster likes to nosh on them and if you wear them hiking it'll inevitably rain and you'll slip in some mud and stain them forever. But! When I needed to borrow socks from my sister a few weeks ago and she pulled out one of these beauties, I knew I had to get some. While they're definitely NOT wool like the listing claims they are (I suspect they're actually some kind of cotton/acrylic blend), they're soft, medium-weight, don't slip at the ankle or stretch too much at the toe, and weirdly bring me joy every time I notice them on my feet." —Natalie Brown

Get a pack of five from Amazon for $16.99.

15. A litter box subscription with a revolutionary formula that controls order and lasts an entire month without having to replace it. This litter even changes color to indicate your cat's health.

PrettyLitter

If the litter changes to a certain color, that indicates what exactly may be wrong with your cat. If the litter changes to blue or green, for example, that suggests that your four-legged BFF may be experiencing issues with their urinary tract!

"This litter gives me peace of mind over my cats' health while also keeping my apartment feeling fresh. The litter comes as a subscription, so I never forget about grabbing some. The crystals evaporate liquid, which means I use far less litter now (even with two cats) and deal with a lot less waste when I'm scooping up, you know, waste. This has no smell, which I prefer, and my cats seem to really like it. I've also found that it tracks less litter around the apartment, which is my number one priority (the color-changing health alert is just a big big bonus). I love this stuff." —Mallory Mower

Start your subscription at PrettyLitter for $18.70+ (available in monthly, three-, six-, and twelve-month deliveries).

16. An alcohol-free face mist packed with vitamins c, e, and b5 (as well as lemon and orange extracts) to give your skin a healthy and hydrated glow. Use this is as a primer, setting spray, or a mid-day pick-me-up!

Sephora

"Fresh's Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Mist rescued my face this year! I have sensitive combination skin so it's nearly impossible to find skincare products that don't break me out or make my skin feel too dry or too oily. This spray actually soothes and hydrates my skin and makes it look, well, fresh. I use it as a setting spray after makeup, as a toner, or on its own on days where I want to give my skin a break. Cannot recommend it enough!" —Yi Yang

Get it from Sephora for $25+.

17. A whistling tea kettle with an easy-pour spout, a cool-touch handle, and a gorgeous design you'll proudly store on your stovetop (because heaven knows you have nowhere else to put it).

Macy's

"I heat up water on the reg for cups of tea and French press coffee but embarrassingly had been using an old roommate's leftover kettle for years. Cue the gorgeous matte-black tea kettle by Goodful for Macy's. It looks quite dashing on my stovetop — which is good because I have no other storage room for it — and its cool-touch handle means I'm spared the hunt for an oven mitt. Did I mention I can operate it with ONE HAND thanks to its well-place button that pops open the spout? i'm in love." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get it from BuzzFeed's Goodful collection, exclusively at Macy's for $31.99+ (originally $56.99).

18. High-rise jeans engineered for people with hourglass figures. Let's get a round of applause for pants that don't gape at the waist, aren't too small on your thighs, and are also super COMFORTABLE!

Madewell

"I absolutely despise belts, so finding a pair of jeans that fit my waist is super important — which can be pretty darn difficult when you have an hourglass figure. (Jeans that fit my waist often won't fit my thighs and vice versa). But these Madewell jeans? Oh my LORD, do they completely change the game! They have the perfect amount of stretch without stretching out throughout the day, they fit my waist perfectly and stay PUT, and there's no signs of wear or tear on the inner-thighs. And — forgive me but there's no eloquent way to put this — they will make your behind look FANTASTIC. Comfy. Quality. Fit great. Guess who just found the perfect pair of jeans? I do suggest ordering your own size AND the size below, because I did find my normal size to be ~a tad~ loose." —AnaMaria Glavan

Get them from Madewell for $59.99+ (available in sizes 23-37, eight colors/styles, and petite, regular, and tall inseams).

19. A vegan, cruelty-free matte lipstick with a long-lasting, lightweight formula that won't feel super drying to your lips. And the color? I'd probably marry it.

Winky Lux

"I've always loved a bold lip, and this year I discovered my new favorite shade! I fell in love with this cruelty-free, velvety, matte purple as soon as I saw it, and it looks even better on than I imagined. I feel so confident in this shade -- it makes my eyes pop and goes with plenty of outfits. And don't even get me started on how long it lasts! I can drink and eat a full meal and it still looks fab." —Katy Herman

Get it from Winky Lux for $14.

20. A heart-warming and tear-jerking book about the incredible bond between an African grey parrot and the scientist who worked with him to unearth how extraordinarily intelligent these animals are.

Amazon

"The story of Alex the parrot and Irene Pepperberg, the scientist who worked with him, is a story of many things — of how a woman in a largely male-dominated field had to fight to fund research, of the profound bond between humans and animals, and of how there is so much more to learn and understand about the cognitive abilities that animals possess. Alex could count, identify objects, and communicate his desires and intentions. This is a book any animal lover or anyone interested in animal psychology will not be able to put down from cover to cover (I know I couldn't — I read the whole thing in two days!)." —Emmy Favilla

Get it from Amazon for $12.50+.

21. Slip-on moccasin loafers designed with cushiony, pressure-diffusing midsoles that allows wearers to 🎶 walk 500+ miles 🎶 without any discomfort.

FitFlop

"This year I became obsessed with my FitFlop loafers. They're kind of on the expensive side, but having just moved to NYC, I'm so relieved to have a pair of shoes I can walk around town in that *aren't* sneakers! They're great with or without socks, meaning I can wear them in any kind of weather. They make any casual outfit look a little more professional and are tbh flawless." —Rachel Dunkel

Get them from FitFlop for $84 (originally $140, available in sizes 5-11 and in three colors).

Reflecting on 2018 like:

TLC

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