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I polled My Sister Made Me Buy It followers in December asking what their favorite recommendations or finds were through our account. We received over 500 responses and I read through every.single.one. It still surprises me how much of an impact I (and sometimes Missy) have on people we have never met. My favorite responses were the ones where we have helped followers with grief support or spending more time with family. Or that fire blanket my dad recommended.
I have talked a lot about how even though we are “just a product” Instagram account, I still feel such a connection to our followers. The account really helped me through three very difficult seasons of my life. And it turns out – honoring those you have loved and lost by telling stories about them really helps you honor their memory. While my mom did not recommend the Salutation joggers, she did swear by Zout, and that was another favorite. We are our loved ones legacy. It is just neat to actually see that happen via product recommendations.
As always, I truly appreciate every one who follows us and engages with our content or via DM. I love the extra income from My Sister Made Me Buy It, but the friendships and connections I have made with others — it is priceless.
The Top Ten Favorites
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I picked the top 25 to feature, but there were over 100 different responses!
1.K-18: I have talked about K-18 ad nauseum. I tried it in May of 2021 and my hair felt softer and healthier after one use. Results not as typical – I have very fine hair. The last two years I have been bleaching my hair and using Olaplex #3 in between salon visits. But I HATED having to leave it in and figure out when to do it based off of when I could take two showers. That is why I love K18. Shampoo. DO NOT CONDITION. Towel-dry hair ( you do not want to apply to dripping wet hair). Pump out a pump. Rub hands together and apply to a few sections of hair.
2. Pens: I am not exaggerating when I say being a “penfluencer” is a dream come true. I love to talk about school supplies. I love pens. I love having several different types of pens to use depending on my mood. And I love to buy pens when I need a change or motivation. Linking to my favorite pens from our Amazon store. If you like ballpoints, but wish they wrote like a gel — highly recommend the Pentel Glidewrite pens! One of my favorite finds from this year!
3. Raincry Shampoo and Conditioner: I LOVE this shampoo and conditioner. I found the brand through Goals to Get Glowing when she posted about liking the Raincry shampoo better than Pura D’or for hair fallout.
2. Pens: I am not exaggerating when I say being a “penfluencer” is a dream come true. I love to talk about school supplies. I love pens. I love having several different types of pens to use depending on my mood. And I love to buy pens when I need a change or motivation. Linking to my favorite pens from our Amazon store. If you like ballpoints, but wish they wrote like a gel — highly recommend the Pentel Glidewrite pens! One of my favorite finds from this year!
3. Raincry Shampoo and Conditioner: I LOVE this shampoo and conditioner. I found the brand through Goals to Get Glowing when she posted about liking the Raincry shampoo better than Pura D’or for hair fallout. It really works! I have less clumps of hair on the bathroom walls now. Plus, I have had so many followers DM me that they have noticed more hair growth! Then I tried the conditioner and fell even more in love with the brand. The conditioner is as good as a conditioning mask without weighing down your hair! Both the shampoo and conditioner are always 25% off at Skinstore with our code: SISTER.
4.Athleta Salutation Joggers: Another follower favorite that is also one of my favorites from the year. They are so comfortable. They have a wide, stretchy waistband that make it so they do not cut into your stomach. The legs are so soft. I have two pairs and could buy 5 so I have them to wear everyday. I love them so much.
5. Litehouse Homestyle Ranch dressing:They should change the name to “restaurant ranch at home.” You can find in the produce section. The “Homestyle” version is the best version.
6. Bioderma Shower Oil: This shower oil is always a favorite. It is so moisturizing, yet lathers like a body wash. It has the most delicate scent and the large size lasts FOREVER. Seriously. Months. I use it for shaving, too! We also use it as Rebecca’s body wash since she has really bad eczema. You can also buy on Amazon, but for some reason it is usually $4.00 more expensive and Target just started to carry.
7. Grief Support: When my mom passed, I felt such sadness when scrolling Instagram. I almost gave it up. It just seemed so odd to me that so many people were living normal lives when I was so sad. On the first anniversary of her death, I decided to start this account. To show up as myself. To recommend products. To make people laugh. To show people what a grief journey looks like. I started it just in time because 4 months later, the pandemic started. And I needed all of the friends I was making. You can check out my grief highlights — I have two. The first one is here. The second one is here.
8. Necessaire Body Serum: When I first started to use this serum, I used it on my face instead of my body. It is a great, hydrating serum. It plumped up my face so well! I just ensure that my face is still a little wet before using it to really maximize the plumping effects. Plus, while it is $45 – it ends up being $9/oz, which is a steal for a good hydrating face serum! I just recently started to use on my body right after I get out of the shower. Then I top with the Necessaire oil. And CHEFS KISS. So good. My skin is so soft! Necessaire will sometimes have sales. Right now you can get this set – which contains the body serum and the body lotion (it is a great lotion — non-greasy and unscented) for $50 after using the code “10SISTER.”
9. Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore: This $130 moisturizing cream is so expensive t. I did not even want to recommend it, but I noticed last year it really helped with my eyelid eczema. It is a patented ratio of lipids and ceramides that is clinically proven (through case studies they paid for) to help heal skin after starting a new retinoid. But I just know it as a moisturizing cream that moisturizes my face so well. I was comparing the SkinFix barrier cream on a side by side when I realized — I want to pay full price for this. After a week the Skinceuticals side felt softer and plumper. It is the most expensive part of my skincare routine, but I enjoy it and it is something I think is worth investing in. I still like the Skinfix second best though, and it is more than 50% cheaper!
10a. Athleta Pranayama Wrap: I had a tie for 10th place — and it is between my other favorite clothing items I found last year. I LOVE THE PRANAYAMA Wrap. I first saw it in the Athleta store and was blown away by how soft it was. Then I looked at the price tag — $89?!!? (I realize the irony of not wanting to spend $89 on a wrap, but would spend $130 on a face cream). So I passed. Then I found one in my size on sale and bought it. And fell in love. I am wearing it right now. I wear it a lot on the weekends. Or sometimes for work. It looks like a cardigan, but feels like I am wearing a dream.
10b. J.Crew Gauze Button-Down Shirt: I bought this shirt on a whim last spring. It looked cozy. And kind of looked like a shirt Taylor Swift wore to announce the Lover album. Once I got it, I knew I would need more. It is a gauzey material — so it soft, yet lightweight. You could wear it year-round. And it only gets softer with every wash. Wear it to work. Wear it to buy groceries. Wear it with shorts. Wear it with a cardigan. You get the jist. I have both my dress size in the shirt and a size down and both fit fine. I am not sure what to tell you on how to size because my body is not your typical body. If you have large chest? I would stick to your normal size. If you have a B-cup or smaller — you can size down.
The Rest of the Favorites (#11 -25)
I am sick of writing, so I am going to make the rest short and sweet!
11.Dominos Cheesy Bread: When will Dominos reciprocate my love? Well if they are anything like my high school crush — never.
13.Kerasol: Apply the night before. Your feet will be like new the next morning. You could also buy at Amazon.
14.Donate blood: One donation can help save three lives — more if it goes towards kids.
15.Hotel Lobby candle: Finally purchased one after I hit a big milestone. I bought Miami and LOVE IT. It is still my favorite one. Just smells like wealth. I think I have tried all of them except for Island and love them all. My favorites are: Miami, Nuit (James likes this one), Linen and Signature. You cannot go wrong with any.
16.Colorscience Flex: I love this tinted SPF. It starts out white then adjust to your skin color. Great base for when you do not feel like wearing makeup, but want to even out skin tone. The only downfall is they need a Light color. I use Fair.
18. Hyperchiller: A favorite if you loved iced coffee! Just freeze the inserts, pour in your coffee (or wine, pop, beer) and it is chilled within a minute!
19. Paula’s Choice Vitamin C My favorite Vitamin C serum. It is just so easy to use. I am not sure I even notice a difference with any VItamin C serum now since I have been using one for so long. But I will never stop using because it helps protect my skin from damage that isn’t just related to sun damage.
22.Saie brush I use this brush for everything. $25. I use it to blend in foundation. Tinted moisturizer. Cream blushes and bronzers. Highlighters. Everything. It is amazing.
23.Take the damn picture: Not something you can buy. Just a reminder to get over yourself and take the picture. Because the picture has never been about you — it is about your loved ones wanting to preserve your memory.
24.Westman Atelier blush: I love Westman Atelier blush. It is so easy to use. You can use it on your cheeks, eyes and lips. I love the color Dou Dou and Missy likes Petal
Well – that’ll do it! That took 10 hours to compile. I paid my best friend to compile the results. Then I went through every single line and separated out the multiples. Then I created a pivot table. Then I created a collage. Then I started to write, which mean linking everything too. Whoo!! Like most creators say — it is not hard work, but it is a lot of work. That is why I appreciate all of the engagement when I do post a blog or Instagram post. It tells me you enjoy it and it was not a waste of time!
