Consumer Digest 003: January Favorites
Welcome to this month’s Consumer Digest, a list of everything I consumed this month that has had a lasting impression.
WOW! I must agree with the memes, January made sure everyone of its 31 days were felt. The days have been long, especially because I got my long awaited hip surgery. Because of my new hip, life has been very different this month – I can’t really go anywhere and the things that make my life better are found at a nursing home rather than a Sephora. Nevertheless, there are still many fun things that were notable this month. I just wanted to give a disclaimer that my favorites this month are more Baby Boomer than Gen-Z.
Let’s Digest!
The Doux Pop Glaze
Over the past two years, I’ve learned so much about my hair— even though I was raised in haircare. I grew up surrounded by labs that developed some of the most iconic hair products, spending my childhood testing formulas and rating them on everything from efficacy to scent to packaging aesthetics.
Naturally, I put The Doux Pop Glaze through the same rigorous test, and it absolutely delivered. Hands down, it’s the best detangling and defining product I’ve used. While it’s not quite a one-stop-shop like Innersense’s I Create Hold, it fills a crucial gap. Most strong-hold gels tend to skimp on moisture—this one balances that out perfectly, making it an ideal complement to firmer stylers.
Apotheose Perfume
The second the ball dropped and it became 2025 every gourmand girl on Perfumetok made it known that there would be a new scent category taking gourmands place in 2025. I disagreed and still do. I did however go to Scent Bar LA with my little sister and dad on a daddy daughter date and came across something that has in fact been making me put my gourmands on the back burner. Apotheose by Oriza L. Legrand has had my heart this month. It is the epitome of a fresh new start in a bottle, when I smelled this I understood why perfume tok shifted for the new year.
This clean scent smells like a clean slate, giving you the ability to redefine and reinvent yourself. It sounds dramatic but scent is integral to how we feel. In a world where so much of our interaction is filtered through screens—FaceTimes, Instagram stories, endless scrolling—we primarily engage our senses of sight and sound, while scent remains just out of reach.
That’s what makes fragrance so fascinating to me. There’s an undeniable intimacy in being able to smell someone or even yourself. It’s a deeply personal, almost subconscious connection that shapes how we experience others and, more importantly, how we feel about ourselves.
Lucia Pizza of Soho
I once read that lymphatic drainage massages are a great pre-op ritual. The article focused mostly on plastic surgery rather than orthopedics, but I took it as the perfect excuse to add a new self-care practice to my routine. The real reason I bring this up, though, is that The Tox Soho happens to be just down the street from my new slice shop of choice —Lucia Pizza of Soho.
Mid lymphatic drainage my masseuse gave me the tip of eating “clean” post massage - little did she know I had strategically planned my next steps. A pepperoni slice with hot honey was what my mind drifted to as she placed me in a relaxing state. It was too late.Her parting words —“Remember what I suggested” made me feel as though she saw the images of crust and pepperoni in my mind, I had no shame.I quickly made a right turn to get the slices I had been manifesting all massage. I then went back to the corner of Canal and Broadway immediately after my surgery and after all of my check ups this month.
Jewelry has always been a deep affinity of mine—something about it just feels personal, almost like an extension of my energy. Funny enough, I recently met with an energy healer, and the very first thing she asked me was, “Do you like jewelry? Like diamonds and gems?”
Apparently, having stones around me helps keep me grounded and balanced. Who knew my love for jewelry had a spiritual connection?
Anyway, for Christmas this year, I received the most thoughtful gift—a locket from Loquet London—and I’m completely obsessed. It’s not just any locket; it’s one you can customize over time by adding charms, making it the perfect gift that evolves with you. Think of it as a more elevated, sophisticated version of a Pandora bracelet. This locket gives me that same sentimental feeling but in a more refined, timeless way.
In 2022 I made the decision to say no to sweat pants and hoodies. I wanted to find other things that were comfortable but elevated. They also took up too much space in my closet and are not versatile enough to justify their occupation - I of course still have some, but I no longer depend on them.
I have opted for knits to fill this void and solve this issue - I now travel in knits and throw them on when I can't be bothered to wear anything else. This one from Arakki has been a god send, the cut is absolutely perfect and allows it to be a statement pieces in a way.
I’ve got a facial at the end of 2024 at The LA Facialist and they suggested that I up the exfoliation. I have used a few different things to do this but the one i have used the longest is the Cetaphil Gentle Face Scrub. I even got one for my little sister and I can always tell when she uses it!
CozyLand Pyjamas
Part of the benefits of being bed bound is wearing pajamas all day, I have PJs for sleeping and PJs for living. Partially because they’re easier to put on than sweatpants or any pants for that matter but also because the waist bands stretch enough to not put pressure on my incisions etc. I have been loving these CozyLand Pyjamas, they are a new and improved version of a set that has had my heart since 2021. I am notorious for wearing pumpkin pjs from Target out in public, they’re the most comfortable thing I owned until I met Cozyland. I love the cotton long sleeve, it’s light enough to wear year round and still covers you without smothering you. I could wear these all day everyday!
I’ve briefly discussed Tiktok’s momentary hiatus - for 12 hours or so my favorite app, my search engine, “ My Shayla” was gone. This cold Turkey break shifted my social media diet at the snap of a finger. I slowly opted for non-video apps like Pinterest. I think this is particularly because I have become obsessed with interior design and organization. Also because I love saving things - collections on Tiktok and IG. The fear of parting ways with my heavily curated Tiktok collections drove me to the ultimate saving platform — Pinterest.
Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash
We all know and love the Naturium Glow Getter Body Wash—it’s the definition of perfection. Easily the most nourishing body wash I’ve found, it’s packed with glycerin, linoleic-rich oils, and plant-derived squalane. Enter Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash, a formula that shares the same DNA, featuring glycerin, fatty acid water, and an oil-to-lather transformation similar to Naturium’s. These two products prove that perfection isn’t a solo act—there’s room for more than one standout.
I’m obsessed with Cyklar’s scent Crescent, a beautifully layered blend of bergamot top notes, a heart of rose, and a warm vanilla base. When I first purchased it, this was the closest thing they had to a true vanilla scent. Since then, they’ve introduced Vanilla Verve, which is equally incredible. Crescent, however, instantly reminded me of Briogeo’s limited-edition birthday hair mask—luxurious, comforting, and effortlessly chic.
Alexander McQueen Jacket
The Real Real and I had the healthiest relationship with a great balance of giving and taking – and let’s be honest if it’s from the Real Real it’s giving. NYC has been insufferably cold, and don't get me wrong I should have been more prepared. I of course had a jacket, but it was not cutting it – it was too thin and made me feel like a deflated Michelin Man – honestly I'd rather be an inflated marshmallow than a deflated one. I was scouring the vintage world for this beautifully insane Alexander McQueen Jacket that I saw on Aralda Vintage’s instagram, in my search I came across this more functional and reasonable jacket. I wear it everyday now!
The cut is incredible but most importantly the bottom cut breaks winds and curves in a bit to keep cold air out!
Things I’m Trying
Jan Marini everything! Primarily the Enzyme Line.
Colleen Rothschild Beauty Quench & Shine Restorative Mask
Glycolic Acid Peel Pads with Blue Agave
Rhode Peptide Lip Shape
Allies of Skin Copper Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum
Thanks for consuming!
Phia
“Each Day Gets Better”