This story is part of NBC Select’s New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches. We will continuously update this article throughout the month with new releases we think you should know about.
The Brooks Ghost Max are some of our favorite walking shoes, and you can jog in them, too. The latest version is similar to the previous model — it has the same thick layer of plush cushioning and wide footbase. The notable upgrade is a new upper material with a soft feel. Overall, the Ghost Max isn’t the lightest shoe at between 9.7 (women’s) and 10.8 (men’s) ounces, but it’s undoubtedly comfortable and supportive — we find it best for casual-pace runs, long walks or anytime you’ll be on your feet for hours. The sneakers are available in men’s and women’s sizes.
Standard running shoes won’t cut it on the trails, which is why Hoka made the Mafate 5 to withstand unpredictable terrain. The trail running shoe, available for men and women, has plush cushioning, a durable upper, a soft sockliner, reflective details and a grippy rocker-shaped outsole with lugs. Hoka also sells an ankle gaiter separately that you can attach to points on the sneaker’s upper, protecting your legs from debris as you run.
Spanx and Bala collaborated over a collection of exercise apparel and equipment in limited-edition colors, featuring some of both brands’ most popular products. You can shop activewear made from the butter-soft Spanxsmooth OnForm fabric, including a low-impact sports bra, tank tops and exercise dresses with built-in bras, a full zip jacket, a skort and leggings in full-length, cropped and flare styles. Bala put together a matching collection of fitness accessories, which includes its resistance bands, 2-pound Bala Bangle weights, Pilates socks and Wavy Yoga Mat. Everything part of the collection is sold individually.
Wacoal created this bra to adapt to women’s bodies as they change during hormonal shifts, pregnancy, menopause and weight fluctuations. It’s available in S to XXL sizes, and each one fits six cup and band sizes. For example, a large fits 36D, 38C, 36DD, 38D, 34DDD and 36DDD chests. The bra is made from soft, smooth fabric that can stretch as needed. It has flexible underwire, a five-row adjustable hook-and-eye closure and adjustable convertible straps, plus two-ply, full-coverage cups.
East-west bags are currently trending, and the Forma Shoulder Bag is Cuyana’s take on the style. It’s made from smooth Italian leather, and it has a soft yet structured look, a curved shape, a magnetic closure and a fixed-length strap. There’s a pocket and key loop inside the bag, which comes in four colors: black, clay, plum and chestnut.
DJI is best known for its drones, but the brand has been making other action cameras for years. This is its first 360-degree camera — it films all around you, meaning you can pick out your camera angles after you are done shooting. The camera can record video in up to 8K resolution, but most people will probably find the 4K option at up to 120 frames per second more useful for filming action and sports.
Power banks with retractable cables are having a moment right now — Sharge is the latest brand to jump on board. This power bank has a built-in 2.3-foot retractable USB-C cable, great for charging most smaller electronics. You can also plug it straight into a wall out with the folding two-prong plug, making it a great all-in-one travel option.
If you’re looking to improve your video call or livestream setup, this new webcam from Elgato could be a good upgrade. It captures video at 4K resolution at up to 60 frames-per-second, meaning it’s much faster and more detailed than any laptop’s built-in webcam. It’s also the first webcam to support traditional screw-on lens filters, a common accessory with photographers.
Double cleansing typically involves two steps: using an oil-based cleanser, then using a water-based cleanser. Merit essentially combined both of those products into one to make Double Cleanse. It washes away grime like makeup and sunscreen, as well as gently exfoliates skin to leave it feeling soft and looking brighter without stripping the moisture barrier. The oil-free formula doesn’t sting, so you can use it to remove eye makeup, and it’s safe for all skin types, according to the brand.
Neutrogena is one of our favorite drugstore skin care brands, and its new fragrance-free serum is centered around preserving your skin’s collagen. It’s made with 15% pure vitamin C and 2% PHA to gently exfoliate and brighten skin, evening out its tone and texture. The serum, which you can layer under makeup, also uses micro-peptides that can penetrate up to 10 layers deep to protect and preserve your skin’s collagen, according to the brand.
While this fragrance-free cleanser has a whipped consistency straight out of the bottle, it turns into a creamy lather when you start working it into your skin. It removes makeup and grime, and is formulated with hydrating, antioxidant-rich ingredients like hyaluronic acid, apple extract, vitamin B5, shea butter, sunflower seed oil and coconut acid. The cleanser is safe for all skin types, according to the brand.
Medicube’s pH-balanced Power Relief Spray is a facial toner mist that soothes and cleanses skin. It’s made with hypochlorous acid to calm redness and support the moisture barrier; niacinamide to even skin tone and texture; and allantoin and panthenol to hydrate, according to the brand. You can use the spray any time of day. For example, apply it after cleansing in the morning or evening, when you need a refresh during a long day or after a workout.
Give your skin a glowy look with Glossier’s buildable liquid highlighter, which is water-, sweat- and humidity-resistant. Tiny pearls inside the highlighter work like mirrors to reflect light, making areas appear more radiant and giving them a soft, natural shimmer. It also has a gel-like serum base that smooths uneven texture while holding the pearls in place. The highlighter is made with hydrating hyaluronic acid, too, and it lasts for up to 12 hours, according to the brand. You can buy it in six shades, all inspired by and made to complement a range of skin tones.
Peach & Lily’s first-ever ampoule (an extra-concentrated serum with a higher percentage of active ingredients) helps improve the look of collagen loss over time and gives skin a glowy look post-application. The brand worked with chemists in Korea to develop it, formulating the serum with ingredients like rice-derived peptides that boost skin elasticity and resiliency, vegan exosomes and phyto growth factors that smooth wrinkles, fine lines and texture, according to the brand. The ampoule has a rich, creamy texture, and you can use it daily in the AM or PM.
This acne spot treatment targets pimples’ height, diameter and redness using 10% sulfur, a gentle ingredient that’s safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand. It’s a powder formula that turns into a cream when you rub it between your fingers, letting you easily pat it onto blemishes. The treatment dries clear, and it’s also made with niacinamide, which helps absorb and control oil to reduce shine.
You can use this fragrance-free serum all over your face or as a spot treatment for blemishes. It’s made with 0.5% salicylic acid to unclog pores and minimize oil without causing stinging, dryness or irritation, as well as niacinamide and panthenol (vitamin B5) to calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier, according to the brand. It also soothes redness and improves skin texture. The acne serum is fragrance-free, noncomedogenic and gentle enough for daily use. It’s best for acne-prone, oily, combination and sensitive skin types.
SkinCeuticals’ newest serum helps tighten skin around the neck, jaw line, cheeks and forehead, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging. These issues are typically caused by skin elasticity changes due to collagen decline, which those who take GLP-1 medications are prone to, according to the brand, which developed the serum with them in mind. The serum is made with ingredients that boost collagen production, make skin firmer and are anti-inflammatory, like 30% proxylane, 4.6% wild fruit flavonoids, rhamnose and gentiana lutea root extract. SkinCeuticals says you can use the serum while undergoing professional lifting ultrasound treatments. It’s safe for all skin types and tones, too.
K-beauty brand Aestura launched its first body care product in the U.S. this month. The Atobarrier 365 Body Lotion uses ceramides to hydrate skin and PHA to exfoliate and improve skin texture, as well as vitamin E, glycerin and panthenol to lock in hydration, according to the brand. The lotion is lightweight and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue, plus it’s accepted by the National Eczema Association.
This sculpting serum lifts and contours the face when you pair it with a gua sha-like massage technique Dermalogica’s skin therapists developed. It’s made with bacillus ferment, an exfoliant, to lift and contour, as well as winged kelp to firm and smooth skin texture, rosewood extract and squalane oils to hydrate and a botanical blend. The brand recommends using it daily.
Dibs Beauty’s mascara has a double-sided brush with a different formula at each end. One side has a tapered elastomer and bristle combo brush paired with a brown conditioning tubing primer to separate, prep and elongate lashes. The other side has a wavy bristle brush paired with a volumizing black mascara that adds depth to and thickens lashes. You can wear the primer alone, or the primer and mascara together — depending on which products you use and how you layer them, you’ll get a different look.
In addition to getting rid of makeup, sunscreen and grime, this fragrance-free cleanser moisturizes and is safe for those with sensitive skin. It’s made with soothing ingredients like ashwagandha and chaga mushroom, as well as snow mushrooms, hyaluronic acid, oat oil lipids, ceramides and vitamins E, B3 and B5, which plump, hydrate to support the skin barrier. The cleanser is also fragrance-free and pH-balanced with a low-foaming, milky texture.
Youth to the People also just reformulated its Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream, which is now accepted by the National Eczema Association.
The Shark Glam is a mult-styler that combines ceramic and air technology to help you style and dry hair with interchangeable attachments. It has built-in sensors that continuously monitor the tool’s temperature so its air never goes above 302 degrees Fahrenheit, which protects hair health and new hair growth. The tool, which can replace a flat iron, curler, round brush and blow dryer, also adds a gloss shine to dry hair. It’s safe for all hair types and color-treated hair.
The Shark Glam is available in two systems, each with five attachments: one tailored to straight/wavy hair and the other made for coily/curly hair. They both include a round brush, a straightener and a 1.25-inch auto-wrap curler. The straight/wavy system also comes with a frizzfighter attachment and a concentrator, and the coily/curly system also comes with a diffuser and wide-tooth comb.
Hair stylist Chris McMillan debuted his hair care brand this month, which includes seven styling products. Each one is made with a group of active ingredients that protect hair from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, strengthen it and add shine, according to the brand. You can shop products like The Glassy Smooth Blowdry Spray, The Major Hairspray, The Dry Texture Spray, The Styling Balm, The Gel and The Mousse, plus The Wand, a touch-up brush. You can shop the line online now, and it will be in Sephora stores nationwide on Aug. 18.
Straighten, curl and create waves in your hair with the T3 Curling Straightener. It has slim, extra-long plates that flex to curl and glide to straighten, and they’re externally and internally heated to touch hair from all sides. The Curling Straightener also has nine custom heat settings, a lightweight design and an ion generator that minimizes static, adds shine and locks in styles. It heats up quickly, maintains a consistent temperature and smooths strands, too. You can store and travel with the Curling Straightener in the included lipstick case, and adjust its settings using the digital display.
Over time, using this daily leave-in serum can help hair look denser, fuller and healthier, according to the brand. It’s made with 70% rosemary water, oil and extract, as well as 5% Capixyl, an anti-thinning agent, plant proteins and ceramides. You can apply the serum to damp or dry hair, and use it on your whole head or in problem areas. It’s clear, dries quickly, doesn’t leave behind a residue and smells like pure rosemary — the brand didn’t add additional fragrance.
This hair mask helps reduce frizz, repair hair, strengthen strands and seal split ends using ingredients like squalane and bisabolol, according to the brand. It’s also non-irritating and noncomedogenic, so it won’t clog the pores on your scalp or around your face. You can buy the treatment in a scented or fragrance-free version, the latter of which is best for those with sensitive, acne-prone and eczema-prone skin. Those with colored and/or keratin-treated hair can use the mask, too.
Blueair’s Petair device is part pet bed, part air purifier. It has a pre-, HEPA and active carbon filter to trap fur, dander and odors, as well as a compartment that collects hair and a pet lock button so your furry friends can’t accidentally change the settings. There’s also a built-in pet bed on top, and you can choose from three soft bedding options (the pad is removable for easy cleaning). Petair senses when your dog or cat is using the bed and lowers its fan speed to operate silently. It’s best for rooms up to 271 square feet and ideal for pets under 25 pounds, according to the brand. You can control Petair from your phone via a companion app or using buttons on the device.
This extra-slim single-serve coffee maker is only 4 inches wide, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counterspace, offices and dorm rooms. Its removable reservoir holds enough water to make one 12-ounce cup of coffee at a time, and it fits cups up to 7.25 inches tall under its spout, making it compatible with most travel mugs. The brewer has a sleek, streamlined look, so it’s not an eyesore in your home.
Mustard Made’s The Storyboard is part decor, part magnetic bulletin board. You can hang it vertically or horizontally, and use it to display calendars, mementos, flyers, important reminders and inspiration pictures anywhere in your home, office or a dorm room. It’s made from powder-coated steel and comes in numerous colors. The Storyboard, which measures 33.5 by 20.9 by 2.0 inches, does not come with screws, wall fixings or magnets, but the brand recently started selling magnets you can add to your order.
You can now buy Graza’s Sizzle and Drizzle olive oils in glass bottles with built-in pop-up spouts, which are easy to pour from like the brand’s signature squeezy bottles, but don’t involve any plastic. The glass bottles are coated in UV-blocking paint to preserve the oil’s freshness. You can remove their spouts once they’re empty to throw them in the recycling bin or refill them. Sizzle and Drizzle in glass bottles are sold separately, plus as a two-pack.
This sleek, compact machine lets you make espresso, drip, lungo and Americano coffee, and you can customize the strength, temperature and size of every beverage you make. You add whole beans to the built-in grinder instead of using pods, and there’s a self-cleaning system, front-loading waste bin and drip tray to keep everything tidy. You can adjust the appliance’s settings using the stainless steel dial.
The Carry-On is a new take on Hulken’s Rolling Tote that’s specifically designed for travel. It’s essentially a wheeled duffel that opens on the top rather than the side, which makes it easier for you to put items in and take them out.The Carry-On is lightweight, folds flat and has 360-degree spinner wheels. Its spacious interior has two internal pockets (one zippered and one open), and there are also two external pockets with velcro closures, which you can tuck the bag’s handles into if needed. The Carry-On, whose exterior is made from a durable, water-resistant material, fits in most major airlines’ overhead bins and it comes in a dust bag for storage (or a place to put laundry).
Hulken also came out with a five-piece set of nestable packing cubes. They each have clear tops and grab handles, and come in four sizes to hold clothes, toiletries and other essentials.
Lifestraw is best known for its portable water filters and water filter bottles. The Lifestraw Escape is a little different: it’s a larger, high-flow portable water purifier made for emergency preparedness, off-grid living and camping, according to the brand. The 20-liter system has a larger Lifestraw filter built into the spout, and it’s pressurized with a simple hand pump — you don’t need a battery or to do any awkward tilting to get water flowing.
To round up the best new launches each month, reporters Zoe Malin and Harry Rabinowitz choose products they think NBC Select readers should know about. They include products from brands NBC Select has previously covered, or brands staffers recommend. Malin and Rabinowitz also regularly try new product launches to share their first-hand experiences.
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