Best of 2020: Fashion, Beauty, College Essentials, and More!

All of my favorites from an unforgettable year, to say the least.

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Today I am sharing with you my TOP 20 must-haves from 2020!

Best of 2020: My top 20 fashion, beauty, and college essentials
Photo: @mollycohenn

These are all my favorites, including fashion, beauty, college essentials, and so much more, from 2020! Read on to find out what I have been loving this past year and to hopefully find some new favorites for yourself.

1. Oversized Band Tees

These graphic band tees from Urban Outfitters have been a staple in my wardrobe for 2020. They are so versatile and the perfect addition to add to your closet. I wear mine to class, either with leggings or a pair of athletic shorts, for a more casual look. These are my favorite 2 designs, but I have so many others too.

To dress it up, I tuck the tee into a pair of mom jeans and add some gold hoops and layered necklaces. The oversized t-shirt dress fit provides the perfect look.

2. To-Do List Book

This planner is full of tear-off daily to-do lists.

It has been a college essential for me this past year. It helps me organize my days and keeps me organized while juggling so many different aspects of my day into one list. They come in many different colors and patterns on Amazon, but this pink and gold one is my favorite!

I love this book because the to-do lists have many sections besides just your general list. My favorite is the “I am grateful for” section. It really sets the mood for my day. The fitness section and times to remember section are also essential to being productive and making the most of my time.

3. Jewelry Tray

This tray from Amazon is perfect for any dorm room or college apartment. I use mine to keep all my earrings in.

I love organizing my earrings in this tray because I can see them all laid out. It makes choosing a pair easier and faster. Plus it looks super aesthetic on top of my dresser!

You can also buy more and stack them.

4. Ugg Slippers

These slippers from Ugg are on the pricer side, but they are totally worth it! They have been my go-to slippers for 2020. The best part is they can be worn outside, as well as indoors. They’re extremely soft and comfortable, and the trendy strap makes it easier to walk and not slip.

Whether it’s lounging in your room, walking around your dorm, going to study, or running to Starbucks for a quick coffee break; these slippers are always the first pair of shoes I reach for. The charcoal grey is my favorite because it goes with so much, but the slippers come in many other super cute colors!

5. Chunky Gold Hoops

These hoops from Amazon have been my go-to earrings for the whole year!

They go with absolutely every outfit and can be worn casually or dressed up. I wear them during the day with my graphic tees, or at night when going out with jeans and a cute top.

The chunky width is my favorite style of hoops and they’re also super lightweight!

Oh, and did I mention they’re less than $14 for the whole set?

6. Revlon Hair Dryer Brush

Ok ladies, now this one will change your life.

Well, that’s a little dramatic, but it certainly changed my hair routine and elevated my hair game.

This Revlon Hair Dryer Brush really does put all your hair care steps into one. I bought mine on Amazon Prime Day and have been using it near daily ever since!

It’s so simple to use. I wash my hair like normal, and use it right after the shower. It gives so much volume to my hair and eliminates any frizz that I usually get from drying my hair.

This tool is so versatile. I can either use it to dry my hair straight, or flare it out on the ends, or even put some loose curls into it. It has definitely gotten me to use less heat on my hair, and saves me so much time in the morning!

7. Loving Tan Self Tan

Loving Tan by far makes my all-time favorite self-tanning products! This deluxe bronzing mousse is on the pricer side, but the bottle lasts me such a long time. The tan is so pigmented, that you can use less.

My favorite part is how easy their tanning products are to use. They go on evenly and always dry streak-free.

I love all of their products but my favorite is the 2 Hr Express Bronzing Mousse because the color develops in just 2 hours! For all you busy college girls, this is the perfect way to get some quick color before going out.

8. Sunglasses

These have been one of my favorite pairs of sunglasses for much longer than just 2020. They are the perfect oversized fit!

I love throwing them on when I don’t want to wear makeup because they cover just about everything! The all-black is super cute and they have held up for so long.

These have been my other favorite pair of sunglasses for 2020. I love the square cat-eye shape and all black.

They are so comfortable and trendy and look great on! I wear them casually after a workout or dress them up with a cute outfit.

9. Set Active Athleisure

Set Active has quickly become one of my favorite athleisure brands!
I discovered their Instagram over quarantine and fell in love with their workout sets.

I have the ribbed one-shoulder sports bra in a light olive green color and the matching leggings. It is my go-to workout set for spin and barre classes. I will even wear it at the gym to go running and just throw a cute tank over the bra.

10. White Sneakers

Anyone that knows me knows white sneakers are my signature shoe of choice. My whole closet is basically just white sneakers, but I’m not mad about it!

For me, the classic Nike Air Force 1 has been a staple in my wardrobe for the whole year. I pair them with just about every outfit, casual or dressy.

These have been my other favorite pair of sneakers for 2020. I bought these when I was in New York City at the beginning of the year, and have been wearing them ever since.

The velcro strap is my favorite part. I love how retro they look and they look so cute with my favorite pairs of joggers.

If the velcro isn’t your thing, they also come in a normal lace-up style.

11. Lululemon Backpack

In my freshman and sophomore year, I used my North Face backpack religiously. But in 2020, I bought this Lululemon backpack off Poshmark and fell in love with it. It is the perfect size to hold my laptop, books, planner, and all my other college essentials.

I have the pink color, of course, and use it just about every day. The different pockets are perfect for organizing my things, and the water-bottle pocket inside is so convenient.

This backpack also comes in 2 other smaller sizes, the mini, and the micro.

12. Too Faced Mascara

This mascara is my absolute favorite! I have re-purchased it so many times.

It does what 3 different mascaras do, all in one. It makes my lashes super voluminous and long and dramatic.

This mascara looks great on both my top and bottom lashes and stays on all night without running or flaking.

13. Dr. Martens 1460s

Buy from Amazon.com

These boots are staples and classics. I wear them in the fall, winter, and spring with dresses and skirts. They go with everything and have held up so well.

I’ve had mine for, no joke, 8 years now, and they still look brand new.

So yes they are expensive, but they’re an investment, and you will definitely get your money’s worth.

14. Favorite Book

My favorite series of all time is Girl Boss on Netflix. It is based on Sophia Amoruso, the founder, and CEO of Nasty Gal, one of my all-time favorite clothing stores.

The series stars Britt Robertson as Sophia Amoruso and is seriously addicting for anyone that loves fashion.

I decided to buy the book the series was based on and also fell in love. It is a classic and so inspiring for any girl boss.

15. Make Up For Ever Powder Foundation

This Make Up for Ever powder has been my go-to foundation for 2020.

Whenever I don’t feel like wearing a lot of makeup, I put this on with the applicator sponge it comes with, and it instantly provides me coverage.

It’s full coverage without feeling like it. It’s lightweight and stays on forever while blurring and smoothing. It really does give you that filtered look.

16. Blue Light Glasses

The Quay blue light glasses have been crucial to my year.

As a college student, I am constantly on my computer, now more than ever, because of online classes. These keep my eyes from hurting when looking at the screen for long periods of time.

Plus they’re super cute and the clear frame is trendy and aesthetic. The pair linked above is from Red Dress boutique, but this pair from Amazon is also great and a more affordable option!

17. Hair Ties

These Gimme Bands hair ties are my favorite for working out. They hold all day no matter how thick your hair is.

I love these hair ties because they don’t move or fall and stay in place through your whole workout! With these, I can go hard during my workout without worrying about my hair.

18. Crew Socks

I don’t know about you guys, but I am over ankle socks. I love the look of scrunched white crew socks with my sneakers. They look so cute with jeans and joggers. My favorites are from Nike and Champion.

Buy from Amazon.com

19. Cute Button-Front Cardigans

The cute cardigan look has been one of my favorite trends from 2020. This one from Princess Polly is my favorite and it comes in so many different colors! This cardigan looks great with jeans, skirts, and joggers.

This short-sleeve style of cardigan is also super cute and one of my favorite going out shirts.

20. Mini Shoulder Bag

And lastly, this mini shoulder bag from Princess Polly has been one of my favorite bags from 2020. I love the mini shoulder bag trend, and this baby blue color is so cute and goes with much more than you would think.

The nylon material is so trendy right now and reminds me of more expensive designer bags. I love throwing this bag over cute tops and sweaters and dressing it up and down.

It’s the perfect going out bag and holds all my essentials for the evening.

On another note, Princess Polly has definitely been one of my top stores for 2020. (Not sponsored, just love them!) They have such great and trendy pieces, that are still affordable and wearable. Plus, they are always doing sales and markdowns!

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

What are your favorites from 2020?

Are you going to try out any of my favorites? Which will you still be using in the new year? Let me know in the comments below!

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