I often dedicate the second half of March to one thing: stocking up on things for upcoming spring and summer travel. I usually try to buy travel accessories or clothes I know I can take with me or, at the very least, store in my room for the right occasion. My fellow NBC Select staff members have also had travel on their minds lately, which you’ll see reflected below in a lot of their recommendations. We had team members go to Japan and Rio and have their recommendations for cool vacation cameras, sneakers for those 20K step-days and of course, travel-friendly sunscreens.
Since our team consistently tests products across a variety of categories for our readers, and for fun, you’ll also find some random organizing essentials, kitchen finds and other non-travel stuff we fell in love with in March.
SKIP AHEAD Elliott Hyon | Jordan Bowman | Ashley Morris | Bianca Alvarez| Zoe Malin | Rebecca Rodriguez | Cory Fernandez | Lindsay Schneider | Nikki Brown | Harry Rabinowitz
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Elliott Hyon, NBC Select Page
Olay Complete+ Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen
I’m a loyal consumer of Korean sunscreens, but it’s been recently difficult to order them online. My friend recommended the Olay Complete+ Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen as a substitute and I was impressed by how smooth the formula was. My skin is acne-prone and sensitive from nightly tretinoin use so it normally can’t tolerate the chemical filters in American sunscreens, but this quickly became a part of my morning skin care routine. I only swatch it once on my face to blend it into my skin perfectly and it leaves no white cast. I like how my skin absorbs it and I can see plumper, softer skin from using it so it’s since become one of my favorites.
Kalimdor Pants Hangers
I moved to NYC a few months ago and even with my closet and dresser, I still need more room for my clothes. I love my clothing rack because I can visualize my outfits and plan ahead for the week. These pants hangers are such a practical way to hold all my bulky jeans and cargo pants that I like to wear in the spring. They save me so much time when I do my laundry because I can just slip them onto the rod. It’s even easier to create a rotating capsule wardrobe and stay organized when you have these hangers.
Jordan Bowman, commerce editor
Reebok Club C Jjjjound Suede
Reebok has had a long-running collaborative partnership with the Canadian brand, Jjjjound. They released an exclusive colorway of the Club C sneaker a few years ago that caught my eye but I wasn’t tempted enough to scoop up a new pair of sneakers at the time. During a recent sale, I saw a pair on sale and decided to go for it. I haven’t had a pair of simple classic sneakers in my closet for a while and I was drawn to the subtle grey suede color as well. The shoe is also incredibly comfortable and easy to wear for hours. I also walked around the city for a couple of miles and my feet felt perfectly fine. If you want a more classic option without the suede Reebok has more colors available here.
Priority Bicycle Continuum Onyx
During a recent chat with a friend I mentioned how I wanted to get back into riding and he said he had an extra bike lying around. He’s an avid cyclist and said he would drop off the bike for free as long as I agreed to log some miles. I’m happy to admit I’ve been obsessed ever since. I’ve taken rides around my neighborhood almost daily, just exploring and getting used to the way the Continuum Onyx works. The bike also has a hassle-free gear shifter, fenders to help with the rain and front hub powered lights so every time you peddle the front tires power up the light so you don’t have to worry about charging them up.
Ashley Morris, associate SEO reporter
Salomon XT-6 Sneakers
I recently took a (fabulous) trip to Rio de Janeiro, and before leaving I decided to get a new pair of sneakers for the hiking I had planned (and as a bit of an early birthday gift to myself). I’ve wanted a pair of Salomons for a few years now, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to pull the trigger — especially because when I bought them, they were on sale at Ssense. After wearing them while hiking through the jungle and walking down cobblestone streets, I can definitely say they’re one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I’ve ever owned. The sole grip is strong enough to prevent slipping, but not too much so as to trip me up while I’m walking (which is very important to a notoriously trip-prone person such as myself). I also love the sneaker’s bright colors — the shoes come in a wide range of designs, and the ones I chose add a pop of brightness to my neutral outfits, or serve as a point of contrast in outfits with other bright colors involved.
Tankair Studio Half-Moon Halter
I bought my first top from Tankair Studios back in January, and I love it so much that I’m now fully committed to their high-quality basics. This halter top has a scooped neckline and slight flare at the bottom, which makes for a very flattering fit. It’s made from a soft polyester-spandex blend, and is machine washable on a delicate cycle, according to the brand. I bought this as a casual top and so far it’s been great for nights out with friends, days spent walking the city and the occasional dinner date. I also like that it has a slightly heavy feel to it — it makes the top feel more durable and resistant to damage from daily wear and tear.
Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen
I received a sample of this sunscreen from Round Lab shortly before my trip to Rio, and it’s been my daily, go-to formula since. The SPF 45 provides UVA and UVB protection and is safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue, making it great for oily skin like mine. I wore it to the beach and in the water with no issues. I love that it doesn’t leave a white cast, regardless of how much I apply.
Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Counterpart The Charger
Exposed and tangled wires have always been a major eyesore for me until I tried Counterpart’s charger. It’s a round, colorful, retractable charger the size of my palm. Unlike traditional chargers, which tend to have one set length for their wires, I can connect my devices to the retractable 4-foot cord wherever they are in my space since the cord length’s adjustable. When I’m done or if I want to travel with it, I don’t have to worry about it getting tied in knots since I can just hit a button that automatically feeds the cord back into its round case. Plus, it’s way chicer-looking than my boxy, boring chargers.
Houndsy Kibble Dispenser
Growing up, I hated scooping out dog food because the smell was always terrible. The solution? This kibble dispenser. Instead of scooping it out, I now dump a bag of my 9-year-old pitbull’s food into this stunning wooden storage system. Not only does it hide her food’s colorful packaging and eliminate the kibble odor that tends to linger when it stays in its bag, but it also automatically portions out her food. You can set it to dispense as little as ½ cup to as much as 3 ½ cups. All I have to do is pull the lever, and it will release the right amount so I don’t have to do it manually.
Kitsch Hair Perfume
One of my favorite launches from this past month, with just a few sprays of this hair perfume my hair smell fresh and clean, like I just washed it. The brand sent me samples of all four of its fragrances and I immediately gravitated toward Amber Shores because it has notes (like kumquat and orchid) that I love in other body mists and perfumes. It gives my hair a warm, beachy vibe that’s reminiscent of a luxurious vacation. I was a little worried that the spray would cause my hair to look greasy and flat, but I haven’t had an issue with it so far.
Zoe Malin, reporter
Wild One Dog Harness
I adopted a teeny 5-pound puppy this month, and before I brought her home, I was worried about finding a harness that would actually fit her. I’ve heard amazing things about Wild One for years, so I bought the brand’s small adjustable harness. It’s a little big on her right now, but I can make it tight enough that it fits pretty well, and she has room to grow into it. I love how much padding it has — it covers most of her chest and back. Even with my puppy’s constant squirming, it’s easy to put on and she seems to enjoy wearing it, too, which is half the battle.
GoTags Personalized Collar
Is this collar technically for cats? Yes — in fact, both of my cats have one. But because my puppy is so tiny, I bought her one and it’s a perfect fit. You can customize the collar with your pet’s name and your phone number, eliminating the need for a dangly ID tag, which puppies and kittens tend to chew on, in my experience. Since my pup is so small and fast, I worry about losing track of her in my apartment so I appreciate that it also comes with a bell.
Petco EveryYay In The Zone Convertible Plastic Walk Through Pet Gate & Play Pen
Within minutes of bringing my puppy home, it became very clear that I needed something other than her crate to keep her in one place when I couldn’t hover over her. I found this gate at Petco, which converts into a playpen, giving me the best of both worlds. Since buying it, I put a wee wee pad inside since we’re working on potty training, but it also comes in handy when I want to section off my apartment, giving my puppy enough space to run around where I can see her.
The gate comes with three panels, one of which has a lockable door, and you can add or subtract panels depending on how large you want the gate or playpen to be. It’s also flexible, so you can arrange it in different shapes. The whole thing comes assembled, and you don’t need tools to reconfigure the gate to a playpen, or vice versa — you simply unscrew the panels from one another.It’s one of my most used new puppy essentials, and I regret not buying it before she came home.
Krups 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker
While my family’s two-slice waffle maker served us well for years, it was time for an upgrade. I like to make a big batch of waffles so everyone can eat them and save extras for later, so I knew I needed a four-slice model. After doing lots of research online, I settled on this one. It has five browning levels, so I can make some well-done waffles and some lightly browned ones. I love that it beeps and has a light that turns green when it’s heated, ensuring that I start cooking at the right time. There’s also a built-in cord wrap for storage.
Currex RunPro Medium Profile Insoles
I recently got my feet analyzed at Fleet Feet, and in addition to learning that I’ve been wearing the wrong size running shoes for my whole life, I discovered that I have rigid arches. That means my feet don’t absorb shock effectively, which can lead to injuries like shin splints and foot pain, especially when I run long distances. The pros at Fleet Feet recommended getting these insoles to solve some of my problems. The second I tried them on, I was shocked by how much support they added to my sneakers. The insoles hug my feet in all the right places, add extra cushioning where I need it and stabilize my heels and ankles. I wear multiple pairs of sneakers a week, so I put these insoles in each shoe before I run — taking them in and out of shoes every day is kind of annoying, but it’s worth it. I’ve only been using the insoles for about a week and I can already tell how much less fatigued my feet feel post-run. I can’t believe I ran without these for so long.
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Rebecca Rodriguez, editorial projects manager
Kodak Portra 400 Film
Before my two-week trip to Japan I had to stock up on film for my camera, and Kodak’s Portra 400 has been my go-to for years. I tend to reserve it for big moments like vacations because it’s pricier than other options, but it’s so worth the splurge if you’re looking to achieve a more cinematic look with your photos. It uses a fine-grain, low-contrast film, so it’s not ideal if you’re trying to capture more vibrant color in your photographs. I’m always so in love with how my pictures turn out when I shoot with it.
Biodance Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask
I have been a fan of the Biodance Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask for over a year now, so when I saw this one, which has been recently trending on TikTok, I immediately threw it in my basket. Unlike the collagen mask, which is meant to improve skin elasticity and minimize pores, this mask is designed to reduce redness and repairs the skin barrier, according to the brand. The start of spring allergy season has already begun irritating my skin, making it feel more sensitive. Because of that, I was hesitant to put on the mask, but I’m so glad I did. Not only was it instantly calming on my skin, but when I took it off after sleeping in it, the redness and rough texture I was struggling with had improved substantially and I had no irritation. I will definitely be restocking these regularly.
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Sneaker
Before my plane to Japan even took off, I had already planned to buy a pair of Onitsuka Tiger sneakers upon arrival, and on my second day in Tokyo, I did just that. The brand’s popularity surge was evident by just how packed the store was and I understand why. Their shoes are a great alternative to Adidas Sambas and since they’re leather they feel more elevated than most everyday sneakers. I found the slim fit more flattering than other athletic shoes and although they look like they would be uncomfortable to wear for long periods because of the flatter bottom, they were surprisingly supportive. I walked over 20,000 steps in them in one day without any pain. Sure, my feet were a little tired by the end of the day, but that had more to do with how much I walked.
Uniqlo Wide Sweatpants
I love a wide leg pant and a pair of cozy sweatpants — this is the perfect combination of the two. I wanted to add a new sweatsuit to my wardrobe, and when I saw these sweatpants and the matching hoodie at Uniqlo, they looked cozy and the price was right. The wide-leg design gives them a more stately appearance than your typical sweatpants and gives “leaving the house in sweats” a new connotation. These are now the most comfortable sweatpants I own and my go-to travel outfit. I got them in navy, which is currently unavailable online, but I’m already looking to get another pair in black or gray.
Cory Fernandez, commerce editor
Future Society Floating Forest
Future Society sent me a sample of its Floating Forest perfume and I immediately fell in love with its bergamot top note. While it comes off as very citrusy and herby at first, it mellows out once it’s been on my skin and clothing for hours. After it settles in, it becomes earthy, with base notes of cedarwood. I can already say it’ll be my go-to fragrance for the summer months ahead.
Seavees Calistoga Clog
I’ve been seeing these Seavees clogs everywhere and after the brand sent me a sample I can now understand the hype. They have a modern shape, the uppers are super flexible and not too tight and the soles are incredibly soft. I love wearing them for quick grocery store runs, trips to a coffee shop or a friend’s house, especially since I can easily slip my feet in them with little effort. I also love that the back of the clog doesn’t rub harshly against the back of my foot.
Lindsay Schneider, commerce editor
Minor History The Frame Shoulder Bag
A little peek behind the curtain: As an editor, I get tons of email pitches from PR reps introducing (or reintroducing) me to new or established brands. That’s how I first learned about Minor History and after receiving a sample from their new spring collection, I was immediately impressed. The big draw for me behind this particular bag (beyond its color) is how secretly spacious it is — it easily fits a water bottle, keys, sunglasses in a hard case, earbuds, snacks, a lip gloss and other little knickknacks. The bag’s also designed really well: It holds its shape without feeling too structured and has a long enough handle drop that it still fits over a thicker sweater or jacket without being too tight, which I appreciate. Plus, it doesn’t fall over when I set it on a table. It has a perfect slouchiness that still makes it feel cool and relaxed without sacrificing function.
Nikki Brown, SEO editor
Yamron Soil Moisture Meter
Happy gardening season to everyone who celebrates. I’m feeling extra prepared this year with an action plan and, most importantly, an actual timeline to stick to. Every year, I cover crops to prepare my soil for new plants and to pull this off successfully, you need to make sure that your soil is at an optimal temperature for whichever seeds you’re planting. I’ve officially graduated from mostly guesswork to a proper temperature meter. I’m loving this all-in-one device because it also measures moisture percentage, light exposure and soil pH, which means I can geek out on a whole other level as I plant things.
Ilia Before Dawn Limitless Lash Mascara
If there is such a thing as a “makeup uniform,” I think I’m getting closer to one I absolutely love. I’m already a huge fan of Ilia’s Super Serum Skin Tint and the brand’s new brown mascara (which the brand sent me to try) is already one of my favorite everyday products. I am very late to the brown mascara hype — black mascara is such a staple and one of those habits that can take a long time to break but I’m glad I finally did. Brown mascara gives my lashes the same level of lift and definition but it doesn’t look as harsh or extreme compared to the rest of my no-makeup makeup look. I’ll definitely be repurchasing after this tube runs out.
Harry Rabinowitz, reporter
Pentax 17 Film Camera
This might be one of the best new cameras for beginners looking to try film photography. I’ve been using it for a little over two months after the brand sent me one to try out, and it deftly mixes modern and vintage features to create an easy and fun point-and-shoot experience. You can easily capture great images in the auto mode, but the other modes and exposure compensation dial help more experienced photographers control their shot.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about home and lifestyle topics, such as the best mattresses, reusable water bottles and handheld vacuums. I surveyed my colleagues for their favorite purchases and samples from this month.
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