We’re bidding adieu to another year rich in trends. Community-building on social sites continued to be as robust as the year before, and the overarching message across all channels was one of being true to yourself. The online discourse was all about wellness and comfort, translating into the products we purchased. The most-searched questions on Google began with 'Can I change...', according to the search engine's end-of-year report. There's been a clear shift to a slow and steady approach to life, from low-intensity fitness to skin cycling.
What were the most-shopped items of the year? If life got in the way and you missed out on some trends, lament not. We walk you through 2022 highlights on Amazon, including walking pads, multifunctional appliances and over-ear headphones, as we head into the New Year.
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1. Best Fitness Trend: Xiaomi Walkingpad Kingsmith R1 Pro
Pros
- Foldable, compact treadmill with rollers
- Armrest support on running mode
- Speeds of up to 10km per hour
- Shock-absorbing walking belt
- Comes with remote control
Cons
- Only bears 110kg user weight
In 2022, we were actively looking for ways to elevate our work-from-home conditions. With the flexibility of standing desks came under-desk fitness equipment, such as compact bikes and treadmills. Several lifestyle influencers reported improved productivity and concentration at the desk, when they were walking and working simultaneously. If you've been meaning to switch up your sedentary work routine, try the viral WalkingPad line by Kingsmith. Tuck the shock-absorbing R1 Pro under your workstation and meet your daily step count with ease. It has a decent speed range of up to 10km per hour for running and 6km per hour for walking. If you need support, you can always prop up the attached armrest when watching TV. The foldable unit has rollers at the bottom, meaning it can be transported to any corner of the house quickly, whenever needed. Find more under-desk options and advice from health experts here.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh133.75 for 12 months with select banks. Add professional assembly for Dh76.50.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh114 and two years for Dh162.
2. Best Tech Trend: Sony WH 1000XM5 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones
Pros
- Active noise cancellation
- Clean, minimal design
- Soft ear cushions
- Speak-to-chat function
- 30-hour battery life
Cons
- Don't fold in half
- Maximum volume is low for some reviewers
In the same vein, bulky noise-cancelling headphones rose in popularity because they allowed us to work and study in public spaces. They're also a handy accessory to have on your person in particularly noisy environments. Besides the fashionable AirPods Max, which are better suited for Apple users, this Sony pair came up just as frequently on social media. The WH-1000XM5 wears soft and looks like it means business, thanks to its clean, minimal design. The pair gives you 30 hours of playback, after which it can be plugged in to keep the music going. Eight built-in mics in the ear cans work hard to cancel ambient noise. It has all the bells and whistles of a high-performing wireless pair of headphones - from pausing music when you talk to hands-free voice assistance control. Five-star reviews highlight the super soft cushioning and excellent noise-cancelling ability. Check out other trendy headphones here.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh99.83 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh69 and a two-year extended warranty for Dh113.
3. Best Kitchen Appliance Trend: Instant Pot Duo Crisp
Pros
- Air fries besides 10 other cooking programmes
- Space-saving appliance to replace bulky microwaves, rice cooker and more
- Cooks faster and adjusts temperature on its own
- Large 8-litre capacity
Cons
- Doesn't include utensils
One-pot recipes became the way of life for most busy households this year. Working and stay-at-home parents, alike, prepared quick, hearty meals in these electric cookers, and so did those who live alone. What's more is that some models include the functionality of an air fryer, too. The 8-litre Instant Pot Duo Crisp was recommended by our multi-cooker expert and food blogger, Marium Shariq. Besides air frying, you can saute, steam, slow cook, bake, broil, dehydrate and more in the 11-in-1 cooking appliance. All you have to do is pick the cooking programme you want and go about your day, while the smart cooker adjusts the temperature and timer for you. Reviewers say they've saved a lot of counter space with this multifunctional appliance and mention accessible recipes online.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent instalments and pay Dh69.41 for 12 months with select banks.
4. Best Hair Styling Trend: Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumiser Hot Air Brush
Pros
- Large barrel head for more coverage
- Cool-shot setting
- Works quickly and effectively
- Adds volume and waves
Cons
- Nylon and tufted bristles might be difficult for curls
A beauty tool that's been making rounds on the internet, the Revlon hot air brush dryer was everyone's one-stop solution to styling unruly hair in minutes. Currently, it's Amazon's bestselling hair dryer, too. When there's simply no time to sit through a multi-step styling routine, grab this barrel-shaped hair dryer brush and add waves or straighten locks quickly. Its oval head covers more surface area and gives you the option of three heat settings with a cool-shot option. Reviewers say they get frizz-free blowouts in under 10 minutes, the brush replacing their flat irons and hair dryers. We have other hot hair brush picks for you to choose from here.
5. Best Organisation Trend: LUXEAR Vegetable Containers for Fridge, 3 Pack
If you scrolled long enough on TikTok in 2022, we're certain that you would've come across restocking clips. From packing your handbag for the day to organising grocery hauls, what really stuck with the audience was fridge organisation. The trend is especially useful for reducing food waste and streamlining your grocery expenses for the month. By storing your perishables and snacks in clear uniform bins and containers, you can take stock easily, says our organising expert Sarah Nassar. Start with this three-pack airtight storage container for fruit and vegetables. They keep your food fresh for up to two weeks, and different sizes cater to anything, from bell peppers to strawberries. There are removable baskets in each to help with the washing as well. You can browse other stocking tips for snacks, drinks and dairy products here.
6. Best Haircare Trend: Ouai Hair Oil
The year 2022 introduced us to a plethora of beauty trends, so it's completely understandable if you missed out on some. In the realm of haircare, we learned of heatless sock curls and a nightly routine called hair slugging. The latter renewed our love of hair oils and conditioning serums. On days that your hair might need a pick-me-up, try TikTok's overnight hack for a hydration boost. Apply the lightweight Ouai hair oil to your ends and wrap the locks in a sock or a bonnet to minimise frizz. You'll be rewarded with shiny hair in the morning. The formula is suitable for all hair types and contains a blend of African galangal root extract and Asian borage oils. It's also a great heat and UV (ultraviolet rays) protectant. Reviewers confirm that it's not greasy. You could even opt for serums and leave-in conditioners for slugging - check them out here.
7. Best K-Beauty Trend: KAHI Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm
Speaking of beauty trends, we can't not talk about the innovation of the Korean beauty industry that keeps us on our toes. K-drama fans are most likely familiar with the multi balm stick - it's a lip balm-shaped product perfect for your winter skincare kit. The viral KAHI Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm delivers hydration in one swipe, to your face, lips, cuticles and even split ends. The secret lies in its salmon-derived ingredients and fermented oil from Korea's Jeju Island. Reviewers have tried it as a primer, highlighter and moisturiser, in one. This could be your initiation to achieving 'glass' skin. Browse more multi balms here and check out other Korean skincare products, too.
8. Best Bag Trend: Lululemon Athletica Everywhere Belt Bag, Black
Belt bags offered a cool, hands-free way to carry all our daily essentials, where they'll be accessible at all times. Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag came up the most on TikTok for its clean, sporty design, making it a fashionable addition to anyone's athleisure wear. Look forward to gym days, by gifting yourself this water-resistant functional bag. It has an easy-access slip pocket for your phone, too. You can pick from 12 available colours or check other best options for fanny packs in this list.
9. Best Footwear Trend: Cushionaire Women's Feather Recovery Slide Sandals
Slip into your very own pair of cloud slides, one of many footwear trends (including ballet flats) on TikTok. These shoes act as an excellent buffer between the footbed and the hard ground, giving you the impression of walking on clouds. The Cushionaire pair received the most attention online, and it's most likely down to the spongy EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) sole. They're great as house slippers but work just as well for an errand day. However, our foot expert, podiatrist Stephanie Fournex, cautions against soft shoes, if you suffer from an inflamed tendon. You can find more on the footwear here, where we recommend other style variants.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
