From beauty to tech: The 25 products that have changed our lives this year.

At Mamamia, we independently choose and write about products our writers genuinely recommend. We have affiliate partnerships so if you use these links to buy something, Mamamia may earn a small commission.

Here at Mamamia, we're all about working smarter, not harder. 

And while functionality isn't always at the forefront of our spending brains (please, we're only human), once or twice we find that special item that we'd buy 100 times over for the sheer value it adds to our lives.

And we really need to talk about those products. 

You know the ones. They make life easier, more pleasant, and overall better across the board?

From smart watches to a good pair of shoes, here are the 25 products that have changed the Mamamia team's lives for the better.

A French Press

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"My friend Carl recently gave me a french press for a housewarming gift, and Oh.My.God.  

"It's revolutionised my morning routine because I no longer have to buy cafe-coffee, but still get that cafe-quality taste. The perfect middle ground.

It also just feels so luxurious - like you're having a buffet breakfast at a hotel type vibe - you feel me?! I definitely recommend this to add a touch of decadence to your life." - Eleanor Katelaris.

We recommend: The Royal Doulton Coffee Studio 1.5L French Press, $129.00 (currently reduced to $72.24).

Beats Pill+ Portable Bluetooth Speaker, $249.95 (currently reduced to $219)

"After lots of umming and ahhing, I decided to buy myself a beats pill bluetooth speaker and I am in love. It's the perfect portable size and has the most beautiful audio quality. I take it everywhere with me." - Emma Gillman.

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The ASOS Pieces wash bag in pink & red check, $36

I was gifted a proper big makeup bag, and it's made packing SO much easier. I keep all the basics in there and when I'm in a rush, I can pick it up and take it without thinking. Extra points if it has a handle. - Rose Kerr.

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A Menstrual Cup

"Now, menstrual cups can take some practice to get in, but once you get past that hurdle, they are fantastic. 

"Not only are they good for the wallet and the environment, you also don't have to worry about changing it while you're out as you can wear it for up to 12 hours." - Talia Phillips.

We recommend: The TOM Organic The Period Cup, $45.

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An Air Fryer

"You can literally cook anything in an air fryer. The options are endless." - Bella Frater.

"Enough said." - Lucy Neville and Emily Vernem.

Image: Supplied. Listen to Lucy and Em rave about the airfryer on their podcast, The Undone. Post continues below.

We recommend: The Tefal Easy Fry Classic Air Fryer, $199.

Mirabella Wifi Dimmable Light Globe, $18

"I bought a Mirabella Wifi Dimmable Light Globe from Kmart and am obsessed with it! 

"I can make the light in my lamp any colour. I can dim it to read or even have it strobe different colours if I want to party and it's all controlled from my phone!" - Mikayla Floriano.

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A Google Nest, $79

"Google Nests (or really any smart speaker) just make life easier.

"I love that I can talk to it, ask it to change songs, or check what the weather is for the day." - Emma Cassidy.

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The Sodastream Source Element Sparkling Water Maker, $129

"I love the fact I now have soda water on tap whenever I want. My go-to drink is vodka soda and I always run out of soda water. So with this, I can make it in seconds! Then when you run out of gas you just go and replace it for next to no money. It's been a game-changer." - Charlie Begg.

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The Flexible Book Light Rechargeable, $29.95

"I bought a reading light from Dymocks and it means I can read in bed even when my boyfriend has turned the light off at 8:30pm. Just amazing." - Jessie Stephens.

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Bralettes

"Normal bras are basically dead to me now." - Chelsea McLaughlin.

We recommend: The La Perla Comfort Zone Bralette, $240.

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Kenwood 4.6L Classic Chef Stand Mixer, $349

"My partner bought me a Kenwood stand mixer last Xmas, and it's a game changer. I was using a hand mixer before and thought that was perfectly fine until I tried this." - Emmeline Peterson.

The Panasonic Hydrating Hair Straightener EH-HS99, $279

Image: Supplied. "I actually cried when my last hair straightener died, but my new one (the Panasonic Hydrating Hair Straightener EH-HS99, $279) is fabulous and I use it almost every day to fix my naturally frizzy and just not cute looking hair." - Charlie Begg.

The White Knight Poni Tubular Mascara, $32

"I've been using the White Knight Poni tubular mascara for a couple of years now, and I'm never going back to Panda-eye town." - Emma Gillespie.

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Kindle Paperwhite 8GB eReader, $239

"My Kindle changed my life! 

"I used to take lots of books in my suitcase while travelling, and now I have all the books I like on hand (for a fraction of the weight!). 

"I also love the feature that lets me underline passages I like." - Emilie.

KIKKERLAND OR74 Bedside Pocket, $34.29

"Exposing my laziness but my best purchase this year was a bed pocket! It keeps your bedside table neat by holding your e-reader, headphones, lip balm, phone charger, etc. Like a handbag for your bed." - Susannah Makin.

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Birkenstocks, $67.95 to $407 (in varying styles)

"I wear mine literally everyday, on walks, to the beach, out to the shops. I don't know how I lived without them." - Lily Allsep.

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Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, $599.95 (reduced to $489.95).

"My brother gave me my first ever pair (long before I worked in podcasts) for travel and it changed everything!

"Flying long haul (those were the days) used to be a nightmare for my very sensitive hearing, but the headphones make it so much better. 

"I can watch movies without having the volume cranked up to 11, and actually get some sleep without all the racket. 

"Also a game changer on the daily commute to block out all the city traffic on the bus or while walking.

"I'm now on about my fourth or fifth set and have bought them as gifts for others. 

"I'm sure other brands are also good, but the Bose ones fit my ears (both the outer padded kind, and the inner ear pod kind) so well and look super sleek so I'm totally committed to the brand.

"They are not cheap but you get what you pay for." - Siobhan Moran-McFarlane.

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Period undies

"Period undies changed my life. They are so comfortable and you can wear them all day and not worry about anything. 

"I always get such bad pain on my period so not having to worry about changing tampons has been amazing." - Lily Allsep.

We recommend: The BONDS bloody comfy period boyleg, $24.99.

ASICS Running Shoes.

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"I love running but my feet are super wimpy and get sore from literally any other shoes. These are my favourite!" - Genevieve Maslin.

We recommend: The Asics Gel Kayano 28, $270.

The Apple Watch SE, $429

"I upgraded from a FitBit and I love having a more versatile smart watch. It can track pretty much everything my FitBit did, but with so many additional features too." - Chelsea McLaughlin.

"I love my Apple watch! It reminds me to walk, reminds me to stand, reminds me to breathe. And I love being rewarded with a ring every time I do a legit workout. SO glad I got it in February prior to working from home, otherwise I wouldn't have realised how slobbish I could be." - Isobel Paine.

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Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ Luminising Sun Serum, $47

"I hated using sunscreen on my face until I discovered this. It feels and smells like a nice moisturiser, doesn't break me out, and is SPF 50+! It ticks all the boxes." - Emma Cassidy.

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Frankie Footwear

"My Frankie Footwear sandals changed everything for me... 

"I can walk to work in them comfortably because they're built to be super good for your feet." - Jessie Stephens.

We recommend: The SANDY II White Croc Emboss, $174.95

Bosch Athlet Vacuum, $349

"Vacuuming used to feel like such a huge chore and is now super quick and easy. Game. Changer." - Polly Taylor.

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Dyson Airwrap, $799

"I love my Dyson Airwrap. It's revolutionised my whole getting ready routine because it means I only need to have one product and it does all the things. It will blow dry my hair in minutes, smooth it with the smoothing brush attachment, and then produce professional looking curls! Such a game changer. It also comes in this super cute copper colour set - love!" - Eleanor Katelaris.

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Revitalash Eye Serum, $79

I started using the Revitalash eye serum a couple of years ago when I got alopecia on my eyelashes and have never gone back since. I'm always getting comments on how long my lashes are and I have recommended it to that many people I should be getting commission. - Mel Sauer.

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Feature Image: Mamamia.

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