R29 readers have shared with us their best buys of the year, all for £10 or less. These are the things that helped make the year that bit easier, or even went as far as to change some of their routines. From the product that stops your sleeves from getting wet as you wash your face, to the kitchen essential that elevates a cup of tea, all of these buys come in at a low cost – but with big reward.
Scroll through to shop our edit of your best picks that are realistic and practical, rather than completely aspirational.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by us. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, we may earn a commission.
Abeillo Washbands, £5.99
“These 100% changed my life. No more annoying soggy sleeves when I wash my face at the end of the day. Before, I’d go to bed with cold wet sleeves. Now, my PJs stay dry and I can just throw these in the wash when they need it.”
Lucy Otter
Glassette Solway Ceramic Teaspoon, £2
“This gorgeous little spoon has elevated my morning matcha. It’s so pretty and I use it every morning, instead of the basic silver teaspoon I had before. It’s ideal for honey or quickly stirring matcha.”
Katharine Sohn
Sulives Box Opener, £4.59
“They’re so convenient. Before, I would always rip everything open with my hands or nails (RIP to all the acrylics lost) so these have changed the game! Plus, they’re very cute.”
Mared Perry
Bear Grips Straps, £9.97
“I have sweaty hands at the best of times, so when I’m lifting weights it’s even worse. Using these has upped my gym game – by having that extra bit of grip, I can now get a few more reps out of each set, without feeling my weights slip out of my hands.”
Tanyel Mustafa
Dunelm Silicone Garlic Peeler, £2
“I love garlic, but I don’t love peeling it. I use garlic a lot when cooking and this has made the process so much easier.”
Kiran Bird
Estrid The Starter Kit, £7.95
“I’ve made the switch to reusable razors and love these ones. They’re reasonably priced, are easy to clean, and blades last a lot longer than the cheap ones I used to use (that would also leave me covered in nicks). The soft padding on the blades is good for my sensitive skin, giving me fewer ingrown hairs.”
Anna Berman
Bala Exercise Sliders, £9.95
“These are super affordable and definitely multi-purpose – you can use them for HIIT workouts, Pilates, stretch, cardio and so much more! As a PT, I find them perfect for working out at home over the holidays.”
Eloise Skinner
Treseme Replenish & Cleanse Shampoo, £3
“Treseme Replenish & Cleanse Shampoo is a life changer!!! After years of using different shampoos I’ve found the perfect one that makes my hair feel so healthy and I can’t stop raving about it.”
Rachel C
Lint Remover, £2.49
“Without a doubt this carpet scraper/lint remover from Amazon. It’s so weirdly therapeutic to use to make the carpet clean, and I’m obsessed!”
Elizabeth Bowles
Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel, £9.96
“I’m a book blogger so I’m reading all of the time, but Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel was by far my best book buy this year by a country mile.”
Lucy Pearson
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