things I don't regret buying in my twenties

what's in my bag & purchases I swear by in my twenties

Feb 10, 2025

∙ Paid

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Opening Note

I've always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with consumption. Sales have always tempted me, I can't resist quirky little trinkets, and I’ve often found myself chasing fleeting fashion trends. But a few weeks ago, I decided to hit pause and reflect. I made a list of “ins and outs” for the year, and two goals stood out: embracing sustainable shopping and curbing impulse buys.

When I shared this with a friend, she said something that really stuck with me—and I can’t stop thinking about it. She pointed out that if you spent just $27 a day, every day for a year, it would amount to nearly $10,000. While most people won’t spend that consistently, it’s easy to see how impulse buys add up over time. That bargain you snagged in the moment—will it truly serve you in the future?

As I revisit these intentions, I’ve been reflecting on the purchases I’ve made in my twenties—the ones I truly use and love. So, in today’s newsletter, I want to celebrate those items: the everyday essentials in my bag, the travel companions I swear by, the makeup and skincare products I adore, the bookish items I cherish, and more.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). This is one of the ways I can continue to write free content for you.

Skincare

La Roche-Posay Sunscreen - Lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for daily wear, this sunscreen provides high protection while being gentle on my skin. It’s an absolute must-have for safeguarding against harmful UV rays.
Innisfree Green Tea Serum - Packed with hydrating and antioxidant-rich green tea, this serum keeps my skin moisturised and refreshed. It’s a daily essential for maintaining a healthy glow.
D’Alba Truffle Spray Serum - This facial mist delivers an instant boost of hydration and a dewy glow. Perfect for prepping my skin before makeup or refreshing it throughout the day, it’s luxurious and practical.
COSRX Propolis Syngery Toner - Infused with propolis, this toner deeply hydrates and soothes my skin, leaving it plump and radiant.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask - This rich, leave-on lip mask works wonders overnight, leaving my lips soft, smooth, and moisturised. A lifesaver, especially during the colder months.
Ishizawa Keana Rice Mask - These nourishing sheet masks are a treat for my skin, helping to refine pores and boost hydration. They’re perfect for a self-care session.
Snail 96 Mucin Essence - This essence is a hydration powerhouse, promoting elasticity and a healthy glow. It’s a staple in my routine for smooth and dewy skin.
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette - Fresh, floral, and feminine, this fragrance is perfect for everyday wear. Its light and playful scent instantly uplifts my mood.

Daily essentials in my bag

Brown hair claw clip - This clip is either securing my hair or tucked in my bag, ready to help me throw my hair up whenever I need it.
Rare beauty lip oil - Long-lasting and moisturising, this is my go-to lip oil.
Owala Waterbottle 24 Oz in Ice Breeze - Insulated and stainless steel, this bottle is a game-changer—keeping your drinks refreshingly cold for up to 24 hours.
L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream - A few years ago, a friend gifted me this, and it’s been an essential handbag ever since. Lightweight and non-greasy, it’s beautifully scented with a delicate cherry blossom fragrance—pure elegance in a bottle!
Rom&nd Lip Tint - Lightweight and long-lasting, this lip tint adds the perfect pop of colour without drying out my lips. It’s my go-to for a fresh, natural look that lasts all day.
Utena Matomage Hair Styling Stick - This is the one thing from Japan I wish I’d stocked up on! I’ve always admired how Japanese girls manage to have perfectly styled hair with not a single strand out of place. Enter this styling stick—my new holy grail for taming loose strands and stubborn flyaways, especially those tricky baby hairs. Absolute game-changer!
Coach Brooklyn Shoulder Bag - A perfect blend of style and functionality, this bag keeps all my essentials organised while adding a touch of sophistication to my outfit. Its spacious design makes it versatile for any occasion, from workdays to weekend outings.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Two Earphones - Designed for all-day comfort with a secure fit, they outperform AirPods in comfort and boast impressive battery life to keep you connected longer
Samsung Corded Type-C Earphones - I find it frustrating that many modern devices like phones and laptops no longer include headphone jacks—making earphones with a Type-C connector an absolute necessity.

Productivity and work-related

Muji Monthly Planner - Sleek and minimal, this planner keeps my life organized at a glance. Its simple design and layout make scheduling effortless, and it’s perfect for jotting down daily to-dos or big-picture plans.
Muji Gel Pens - These pens are my writing go-to: smooth, precise, and available in gorgeous colours. Whether for notes, doodles, or lists, they make writing a joy.
Seagate Portable Hard Drive - Reliable and compact, this hard drive is my lifesaver for backing up important files, photos, and videos. Essential for peace of mind and staying organised on the go.
iPad Pro 12.9 inch - A powerhouse for creativity and productivity, my iPad is perfect for everything from editing my content and note-taking to photo editing and entertainment. Its versatility knows no bounds.
HP Sprocket Printer - This pocket-sized printer turns my digital memories into instant keepsakes. Ideal for scrapbooking, journaling, or sharing cute mementos with friends.
Macbook Pro 14-inch - My ultimate workhorse, combining power and portability. From editing and designing to multitasking and writing, it handles everything with ease and efficiency.
USB-C Multi-Port Adapter - This tiny device is a game-changer, seamlessly connecting all my gadgets. It ensures I’m always ready to plug in, whether it’s for presentations, file transfers, or charging essentials.

Cosmetics

Clio Kill Cover Cushion Foundation - This cushion foundation is a game-changer for achieving a flawless, dewy complexion. Easy to apply and buildable, it’s perfect for quick touch-ups and on-the-go coverage.
Urban Decay Setting Spray - A true holy grail, this setting spray locks in my makeup all day, keeping it fresh and smudge-free, even in humid weather. It’s the secret to my makeup lasting through busy days.
NARS Concealer - Creamy, blendable, and incredibly effective, this concealer hides imperfections and brightens under my eyes like a dream. A little goes a long way, making it an everyday essential!
Rom&nd Glasting Melt Balm - This lip balm provides a glossy, hydrating finish while nourishing your lips. It’s essential for achieving smooth, plump lips with a touch of colour, making it perfect for everyday wear.
Clio Superproof Pen Liner - Known for its long-lasting formula and precise application, this pen liner delivers bold, smudge-proof lines that stay intact throughout the day. It’s a must for sharp, defined eyes with a flawless finish.
Benefit Precisely My Eyebrow Pencil - With its ultra-fine tip, this pencil allows for precise, natural-looking brow definition. It’s a staple for creating well-groomed, defined brows that frame your face beautifully.
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter - This highlighter gives your skin a radiant, lit-from-within glow. Its blendable texture makes it easy to build the perfect level of luminosity, making it essential for a glowing, dewy complexion.
Clio Kill Lash Superproof Mascara - This mascara is essential for voluminous, lengthened lashes that last all day without flaking or smudging. It’s perfect for creating bold, wide-awake eyes that stay put no matter what.

Reading & Bookish items

Konket Pastel Highlighters - These highlighters bring a soft, aesthetic touch to my notes without overwhelming the page. Their smooth glide and pretty pastel shades make studying and planning a little more fun.
Kobo Clara Colour E-reader - Compact and lightweight, this e-reader lets me dive into books anywhere. The colour display adds vibrancy, and its adjustable light makes reading comfortable, whether it’s day or night.
Strapsicle E-Reader Holder - A genius accessory that lets me enjoy hands-free reading. It’s perfect for propping up my e-reader during cozy reading sessions or multitasking moments.
Coloured Sticky Note Tabs - These vibrant tabs keep my notes organised and my thoughts easy to navigate. They’re indispensable for marking key pages, highlighting ideas, or adding quick reminders.
Muji Pen Case - Minimal yet functional, this pen case keeps all my writing tools neatly in one place. It’s compact enough for my bag and helps me stay organised, whether I’m working or studying.

Technology

Sony a6400 Camera - A versatile powerhouse that’s perfect for capturing stunning photos and videos. Its compact size, incredible autofocus, and sharp image quality make it my go-to for all my creative projects. Here you can watch find my review of the camera as well as sample photos here.
Joby Gorillapod Compact Tripod Kit - This flexible tripod adapts to any surface, making it ideal for stable shots and creative angles. Lightweight and portable, it’s always in my gear bag.
Rechargeable Selfie & Phone Light Clip - Perfect lighting anywhere! This clip-on light enhances my selfies, vlogs, and video calls, ensuring I look great in any setting.
Samsung Portable SDD - Lightning-fast and ultra-compact, this portable SSD is a lifesaver for storing and transferring large files quickly and securely.
SanDisk 256GB Extreme SD Card - Reliable and high-capacity, this SD card handles 4K video and burst photography with ease, ensuring I never run out of space mid-shoot.
USB Port Hub - Essential for connecting multiple devices at once. It simplifies my workflow by keeping all my gadgets seamlessly connected and powered.
Sony Wireless Camera Remote - This remote makes capturing long exposures and group shots effortless. A must-have for precise and hands-free shooting.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone - A sleek and powerful device that doubles as my pocket-sized creative hub. Its pro-level camera and vibrant display make it indispensable for on-the-go photography and editing.
Gold watch: Since I have a petite wrist, I’ve struggled to find an elegant watch. I finally found this gold watch from Rosefield that I’ve been wearing daily.

Water-Resistant SD Holder - Durable and protective, this holder keeps my SD cards safe and organized, even in challenging environments.
Compact & Portable Phone Tripod - A lightweight tripod perfect for stabilizing phone shots. Great for travel, vlogging, or capturing steady content on the go.
Tamron 17-70mm Lens - This versatile zoom lens delivers exceptional image quality, making it ideal for landscapes, portraits, and everything in between.
Sony FE 35mm Lens - A fast prime lens that produces stunningly sharp and vibrant images, especially in low-light situations. Perfect for portraits and everyday photography.
Leash Camera Strap - A sleek and adjustable strap that’s comfortable for all-day shooting. Its quick-release mechanism is perfect for switching between handheld and tripod setups.
Airplane Headphone Adaptor - A small but mighty gadget that lets me use my own headphones with in-flight entertainment systems. A must-have for comfortable travel.
iPad Pro 12.9 inch - I often edit my content on my iPad over my phone since it has a bigger screen and the processor is better for multitasking.

Travel

Microfibre Towel - Lightweight, quick-drying, and compact, this towel is perfect for travel. It saves space in my bag and is ideal for the beach, hiking, or hostels.
Portable Luggage Weight Scale - This handy tool ensures I never face surprise overweight fees at the airport. Compact and easy to use, it’s a packing essential.
Tenba Camera Backpack - A secure and padded bag that keeps my gear safe and organized while travelling. It’s perfect for protecting my camera and accessories on the go.
Packing Cubes - These cubes are a game-changer for keeping my luggage neat and organized. They maximize space and make finding items in my suitcase a breeze.
Refillable Portable Perfume Bottles - Convenient and TSA-friendly, these bottles let me carry my favourite scents without the bulk of full-sized bottles. Perfect for freshening up on the go. Lately my favourite perfumes have been this one from Chanel.
Wise Travel Money Card - This card offers easy currency conversion and low fees, making it a stress-free way to handle money abroad.
Universal Power Adaptor - A must-have for charging devices in any country. Compact and versatile, it ensures I stay powered up wherever I go.
Compact Brush - This small but sturdy brush is perfect for keeping my hair looking neat during travel. It’s easy to pack and always handy.
Travel Bottles - Leak-proof and reusable, these bottles let me bring my favourite toiletries in a TSA-approved size, keeping my packing light and eco-friendly.

Laundry Detergent Sheets - Compact and mess-free, these sheets make it easy to wash clothes while travelling. Perfect for longer trips or unexpected spills.
Pacsafe Convertible Crossbody Bag - Stylish yet secure, this bag has anti-theft features that give me peace of mind. Its convertible design makes it versatile for any travel scenario.
Neck Pillow - An essential for comfortable flights or long journeys. It supports my neck and helps me catch some rest while on the move.
Luggage Locks - These TSA-approved locks keep my belongings safe and secure, offering peace of mind during transit.
La Roche-Posay Hand Cream - Travel can be tough on the skin, and this compact cream keeps my hands soft and hydrated, no matter the climate.
Portable Power Bank - A lifesaver for keeping my devices charged, especially during long travel days or when outlets are scarce.
Tote Bag - Foldable and lightweight, this bag is perfect for extra shopping, beach days, or carrying essentials while exploring.
Vaseline - A multitasking hero for travel—perfect for chapped lips, dry skin, or even taming flyaways. Small but mighty!
Owala Waterbottle 24 Oz in Ice Breeze - It features a clever ‘Freesip spout,’ letting you choose between sipping through the built-in straw or drinking the traditional way. Stylish and functional, it’s worth the hype you’ve seen on social media.

What are your must-have bag essentials or items you can’t go without? Share your favourites in the comments!