I was cleaning out my Google Docs and found a fully realized list of favorites from the top half of the year so I thought I’d share as I still enjoy all of these and I’d like to compare when Jan. 2026 comes around.

Beauty: 

1. Essence Stay & Play Gel Liner in Black – If you’ve known me at any point in my time of wearing makeup you would know I LOOOOOOVE tightlining my eyes and I love wing liner. I was obsessed with Essence as a brand in highschool but got away from it in my adult years but when looking for a comparable eyeliner pot to my Inglot gel liner someone recommended this. I’ve been using this eyeliner since late December and I have yet to go to another liner, it’s literally been living in my makeup bag in my purse.  
2. Made By Mitchell Curve Case in DEEP – This palette has been a holy grail over the last month, the blush and bronzer shades are perfect for my tone. I was relieved to like the shades so much as I normally struggle finding bronzers that are not too red or too cool for me. This on my cheeks, tightline and a lip have been my go to lately. 
3. Made by Mitchell Skin Tint in TT14 – Now this is a late entry for this category but a necessary mention, great shade match, lovely coverage especially for a skin tint. As well as wearing a long-wearing primer and powder, this skin tint lasts me all day. 
4. Ruby Kisses Glitter Glosses in Diamonds & Pearls & Monet Kisses – These have definitely been my throw in every purse I wear glosses all month. A tinted pink gloss with one of these on top *chef’s kiss*
5. Vaseline – Self explanatory. This has been one of the coldest and driest winters I’ve experienced in all my years living in Virginia aka all my life. 
6. Danessa Myricks Tinted Balms – These have been my favorite blushes to just throw on my cheeks if I don’t want to wear a full face but I want to look alive. This, a little powder and a lip gloss is all I need. 
7. Ponds Cold Cream 
8. Elf Grip Primer – As my skin ages (I say that now like I’m not only 30 LOL) I love a good sticky primer. I used to love a matter primer or a smoothing primer but these days, a good sticky primer does the job for me. Especially as I don’t really use full coverage base and go for a more demi matte model skin look. 
9. Red Gel Nail Polish 
10. B.Tan Glow Your Own Way Clear Self Tanner in Insanely Dark & Tanning Mitt – Although I’m a brownskin woman, I do have sensitive skin and am scared of the harsh effects of a nature tan so I’ve been self tanning for years now. This one is easy to use and is perfect to layer.
11. Essie Nail Polish in Snake, Rattle & Roll
12. MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in D for Danger – Perfect mid tone red for my skintone especially for fall, I got myself a mini size but I’ve been enjoying it so much I know I’m ready for a full size.

Tech:

1. Nintendo Switch Lite + Animal Crossing: New Horizons – I got a switch lite for Christmas and to say I’ve been obsessed with it is an understatement. I’ve been playing it daily, I love checking on my Animal Crossing island and making new advancements. Growing up I always loved handheld gaming and this console really has activated a certain level of nostalgia for me. 
2. Refurbished Kindle Paperwhite 10th Gen in Black – As someone who has been obsessed with reading since being taught the skill, I don’t know how I had never considered buying a reading tablet or E reader prior to now but I was still a physical book girly until recently. 

MEDIA:

Music

1. Ruined Me by Muni Long (single) – If you know me personally you know I love the artist formally known as Priscilla Renea, now known as Muni Long. Since her first album’s single ‘Dollhouse’ so this is a no brainer. I love all things Muni Long 
2. Heart Of A Woman by Summer Walker (single) 
3. Pookie’s Requiem by Sailorrr (single)
4. Jolene by Dolly Parton (album)
5. Gentleman Ruffin by David Ruffin (album)
6. Villainous Classical Music – specifically a spotify playlist I came up with that makes me feel like a cunning villain on the verge of pulling off my master plan. Playlist linked above. 
7. Dlow Curry by Bossman Dlow (album) – Now I’m going to be honest in saying that I’m not shocked to find out that I like this project but I will say I am shocked at how much I like this project, specifically how much I like some of the features on here. Especially because my favorite ones are from artists whose music I otherwise skip past such as Ice Spice and French Montana who unexpectedly make the song for me with their features.

Books 

1. From The Streets To The Sheets by Noire 
2. Thug-a-licious by Noire
3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker – this is one of my emotional support reads, I turn to this book to read a few times a year since like middle school. 
4. Sula by Toni Morrison – Another ESR.
5. Their Eyes Were Watching God  by Zora Neale Hurtson – another emotional support read for the top of the year.
6. Women, Race & Class by Angela Davis 

Movies 

1. Fat Girl, 2001 (Catherine Breillat)
2. Undercover Brother, 2002 (Malcolm D. Lee)
3. The Wiz, 1978 (Sidney Lumet)
4. American Psycho, 2000 (Mary Harron)