It’s the best time of the year! And not just because so much of the working world shuts down for the better part of a week and almost everything is on sale. No—it’s the best because it’s finally time for our favorite Open Thread of 2017: What were your favorite things? Last year, it was a runaway hit (and a damn good Sephora shopping list for the next few months…) Maybe this year, we can break our comment record? Go tell your friends. And in the meantime, we’ll kick it off with our 15 personal favorites. Note: Team ITG has a hard time choosing just one.
Skincueticals Phyto Corrective Gel: This stuff makes my skin sing—it’s the perfect neutral light (but not too light) moisture my skin needs after cleansing. —Tom Newton
Chanel Inimitable Mascara: My eyelashes have never looked better. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a mascara. Waterproof version for when it’s raining or humid out. —Anna Stevenett
Dr. Jart Ceramidin Sheet Mask: The good doctor has seen me through some pretty rough times. Always keep on hand to sooth irritation and redness while speeding up zit healing time. —Emily Ferber
Le Labo Laurier 62: 2017 was the year I really grew into my candle obsession. The next step is to stop sleeping around with scents and commit to just one (for the sake of my sooty, empty-candle-jar filled apartment). Laurier is the candle which I would compare all others against and nothing will ever, ever compare. —TN
Baxter Deodorant: Won its place here for being the only aluminum-free deodorant that has ever worked for me. Not only is the fragrance great, but it doesn’t irritate my skin either. Bonus points for packaging! —AS
Windle & Moodie Ultra Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner: In the past three years, I’ve washed my own hair maybe 10 times. Fifteen if I’m being generous. Finally there’s a haircare line that makes me want to do it myself. This is it. —EF
Goop Shiso: I have been looking for something like this for so long—a fragrance that doesn’t have that small tinge of ‘walking through Macys’ in it. This smells like a place and time, not at all like something that comes in a bottle. —TN
Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texture Mist: Boy do I feel cool using this. Honestly, amazing work, Sam—everything about this product is perfect. From the fragrance (a lovely pine) to the packing (elegant) to the product itself, which put an indefinite pause on my salt spray phase. It’s similar, but a less sticky, less crunchy. And easier to use. —AS
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer: If you want a zit to disappear, this is your pot. Pat on with a finger or brush and you’ll forget you ever had pores to begin with. (I use Vanilla.) —EF
May Lindstrom The Problem Solver: The end-all be-all mud mask. It’s just right. —TN
Le Labo Lys 41: This fragrance has been on me for so long now that I feel entirely not myself without it. Objectively speaking it’s a perfect balance of white florals and orange blossom, plus something rich and woody on the side. I’m no perfumer, but it’s really, really nice. —AS
Vintner’s Daughter: People talk a big game about balancing oils—concoctions aimed to curb sebum production and restore skin to it’s even, basic self. Nothing works better than this one. Brightens, too! —EF
Reverie Rake: I’ve been looking for an easy way to make my hair look like it’s having a good day—and there’s always something a little off. It’s always to waxy or too scented or too light but this is the medium goldilocks moment, giving me just the right amount of texture and hold. —TN
Cane + Austin Face And Body Scrub: In a matter of weeks, this all but completely cured the KP on my arms, something I’ve never had any success with. I’ll keep using it, too, because it makes my skin prettier and softer all around. —AS
Lovett or Leave It: 2017 was the year of the podcast for me. NPR is my high priestess, but the guys at Crooked Media are making a run for my devotion. Particularly with Jon Lovett’s Saturday morning comedy panel-meets-gameshow. If you like to laugh (and want to feel less alone with the thoughts in your head), subscribe now. —EF
Your turn.
Photographed by Tom Newton.