
32 Budget-Friendly Products That'll Still Bring Some Luxury Resort Vibes To Your Home
Now all you need to do is train your dog to bring you room service.
1. A new duvet cover because your old one is looking a little tattered, no? Despite costing less than a room service chicken club, this microfiber cover has over 50,000 5-star reviewers raving. They say it's buttery soft and comparable to ones from high-end brands.
Promising reviews: "I am enjoying the comfort, warmth, thickness, and quality of this duvet. No need for a hotel stay when you can have the same comfort and style at home!" — CW
" 10/10. Would buy again. I absolutely love this duvet cover. I bought it to replace my West Elm duvet cover and can't believe how much I love it. It is incredibly soft and was easy to put on my duvet with the ties that come built-in. It is a great quality for a very reasonable price. I bought a full-size duvet cover for my queen-size duvet, and it fits perfectly to give that fluffy duvet look." — Laura Baggaley
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in sizes Twin–California King and 29 colors).
2. And a set of extra soft cooling "hotel" bedsheets with so many 5-star reviews (almost 250,000!), you'd think they were capable of permanently curing insomnia. No promises, but some people are saying they never want to get out of bed.
Promising reviews:"I never write reviews, but I am the snob of all snobs when it comes to soft sheets, and these make me not want to get out of bed. Nine months pregnant and with complete insomnia, but these sheets make me not want to get out of bed ever. I just can't believe the prize. Seems like good quality. I'm in bed heaven!" — Samantha
"Feel like expensive high-end hotel sheets. I normally use flannel sheets year-round because it's the only material I like but these are my new favorite. Very soft and cooling. Fit our bed perfectly. I purchased both for our bed and our spare room and have only gotten compliments from guests. Great sheets without the huge sticker price." — Anna
Get them from Amazon for $37.97+ (available in 15 sizes and 45 colors)
3. A stainless-steel rainfall showerhead for a truly peak showering experience. It's not just that hotel showers hit differently because you've been at the beach all day — it's also the angle of the water! 🤓
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This is a beautiful showerhead, very thin, but feels quite sturdy and heavy. Installation took no more than five minutes. The showerhead has a very smooth, highly polished, mirror-like chrome finish. It gives a satisfying showering experience without wasting too much water. Absolutely no leaks whatsoever. Everybody in our family said they liked it. What else is there to say about a showerhead?" — Sadda Reddy
Get it from Amazon for $24.49+ (available in three sizes and four finishes).
4. A cozy waffle robe so you can feel like you're on your way to a fancy spa instead of your bathroom. Reviewers love this robe for its breathable fabric, durability, and unbeatable price.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Turquaz is a small business that sells robes and towels.
Promising review: "I have another waffle robe I got at a 5-star hotel, which is finally getting old. I looked everywhere on Amazon for a replacement and found this one. It's softer and higher quality than the expensive one. It didn't shrink or bleed after washing and drying because it's cotton and polyester." — kaitlyn2222
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in unisex sizes S–2XL and 17 colors, or see another option with sizes up to 7X for $28.50).
5. And a pair of fuzzy cross-band slippers with a cushy memory foam insole so you can feel like you're walking on clouds (expensive clouds!) while shuffling around your apartment. Your feet deserve a little pampering too, you know?
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"These slippers are amazing! Discovered them on TikTok and went back and forth about ordering them, but wow, they are so comfortable. I have barely taken them off since receiving them. They are so fluffy and stay on my feet surprisingly well when walking around the house. Can't wait until more colors are in stock to get another pair." — MSumm
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in women's sizes 5/6–9/10 and 20 colors).
6. Of, if you're going for realism, a pair of spa slippers you can customize with your initial. Unlike the disposable kind, these cotton slippies come with anti-slip soles and a sponge sole for support.
Authentic Style & Co. is a Californian small business that sells things for your beach vacation (or beach-themed staycation).
Promising review: "Purchased these for my wedding and love them! They are so comfortable too. Would def recommend." — Aubrey
Get them from Authentic Style & Co on Etsy for $29.94+ (available in women's sizes 5–12 and three colors).
7. A bedskirt because, NO, they're not just for hotels. It'll hide all the random junk lurking under your bed and make your bedroom feel more polished. Cleaning up before guests come over suddenly got way easier.
Amazon
Promising review:"This bedskirt does the job! We have a metal frame twin bed with a headboard and footboard, and it still works. Easy to put on (just lift the mattress and fit it on the box spring). Soft, lays nicely, no wrinkles." — Davis
Get it from Amazon for $9.89+ (available in sizes Full–California King and 11 colors).
8. An elegant glass pitcher with a built-in strainer so you can enjoy some fancy lemon or cucumber water at home. I know it seems like something you can legally only enjoy while on vacation, but you really can have it whenever; it's one sliced-up fruit away!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This is a beautiful pitcher to put on a formal table. I received many compliments at my last dinner party! It's easy to clean. I would recommend that you carefully hand-wash it and store it. It reminded me of the glass beakers used in science classes. It is very beautiful and functional. I might purchase a second pitcher for the bar." — Katherine
Get it from Amazon for $21.39+ (available in three sizes).
9. No drill, wall-mounted amber bottles for anyone who loves the convenience of having their toiletries at eye-level. At first glance, the waterproof labels conjure up an Aesop vibe, so guests are gonna be like, "OK, Waldorf Astoria."
The kit comes with a silicone funnel so you can easily transfer your favorite toiletries. You can see how one TikTok user styled these in this TikTok.
Promising review: "These sleek black dispensers have completely transformed the look of my bathroom! The minimalist design and matte finish add a luxurious, hotel-like feel. Each dispenser is clearly labeled with elegant gold lettering. The quality is fantastic — sturdy and durable. The wall-mounted setup is both functional and pretty, decluttering my shower space and giving it a more organized, upscale vibe. Refilling is simple and mess-free, and the bottles are large enough to hold plenty of product, which is perfect for reducing frequent refills. If you're looking to elevate your bathroom and enjoy the convenience of a tidy, high-end setup, these dispensers are a must-have. They truly give off that five-star hotel experience!" — Sam
Get it from Amazon for $24.70+ (available in six different styles and quantities of one, two, or three).
10. And to put in one of those bottles: some Pharmacopia body wash, famously seen in Hyatt hotels. Made with argan oil, aloe, coconut oil, and green tea extract, the soap can moisturize while it cleanses. It also doubles as bubble bath, so grab a rubber ducky!
www.instagram.com
You can also grab the lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.
Promising review: "Bought this after staying in the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Great scent, not too thick and with natural ingredients and scents. Excellent combo of body wash and lotion. Mild aloe vera-type scent. Will buy again and highly recommend!" — SWIPE
Get it from Amazon for $29.95.
11. Foam sponges to help you expertly clean blinds, glass, baseboards, vents, railings, and more. The ridged U-shape helps it get into tight corners and scrub away dirt so thoroughly, you'll feel like a team of professionals came by for turndown service.
To activate, just soak this in water.
Promising review: " The sponges are great! They pick up all the pesky tidbits that a towel leaves behind when wiping a surface. They're great for dusting all types of surfaces, cleaning baseboards, etc. I use them to help clean the cages of my pets! The sponges are easy to clean after use and easy to store since they completely dry down. The sponges are also easy to rehydrate and become just as flexible as the first use. The sponges are a great value and great use. Side note: I love that they come in different colors. I assigned each color a different cleaning task essentially (I.e., bathroom, animals, etc.)." — Tricia
Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors and three pack sizes).
12. A set of airy linen curtains so you can get some privacy without sacrificing sunlight. These are also ideal for when you want to forget there's no tropical view outside your bedroom.
BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart says, "I have these in white, and I just adore them. They let in SO much light (but still offer privacy), and I love that they have visible texture. I was originally searching for real linen curtains but didn't want to shell out the $$$. When I found these, I wasn't really expecting much, but I thought I'd give them a shot, and wow — the quality is pretty incredible given the price. They're also rather lightweight."
Promising review: "These are beautiful curtains. Sheer enough to let the light in but full enough so you can't see in the house — even at night. They do have a bit of a hash texture I wasn't expecting, but I think it's nice." — MRC
Get a set from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in two sizes and two colors).
13. Oversize waffle-weave bath towels that look and feel like the ones you might find at the spa. They dry faster than the heavy terrycloth variety and just feel a little more luxe.
Promising reviews: "These towels are large and the thickest towels we ever had, and I'm talking about the most expensive hotels we ever stayed at. I would imagine after dozens and dozens of washing and bleaching these towels may equal those used at the Waldorf Astoria and the Plaza in New York City. You won't find much lint on your lint trap after drying. These will last a lifetime!!!" — PS
"Just finished washing towels and not one speck of lint! Just what I wanted. These towels are not plushy. They are quick dry, so they're textured and a lighter weight than a traditional thick plush towel. It is exactly what I wanted. In Europe, they use towels like this because many homes do not have dryers; everything is line-dried. The thick, plushy towels don't dry well and easily get musty and odorous. These are A+++." — Sammi
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $38.99 (also available in a two-pack and as a 12-pack of washcloths).
14. An actually-affordable countertop ice maker for anyone who needs more ice than their little freezer can provide. It's self cleaning and makes nine cubes in six minutes — there's even a scoop and basket to really sell the hotel experience of foraging for ice.
This device makes those hollow nugget ice cubes commonly found in fountain drinks that provide that excellent *cronch*. It comes with a handle so you can make ice on the go. Keep your new device in tip-top shape with ice maker tablets.
Promising review: "I've been looking for a nugget ice machine for a while now that wouldn't break the bank. Specifically a NUGGET ice machine as I'm particular when it comes to the ice I have to have in my water. When I found this one, I had to order it and couldn't wait! I love EVERYTHING about it! I've already made a full bag of ice to take with me to work. My husband said I'm like a little kid at Christmas. It's quiet. It doesn't take up a lot of counter space. WORTH EVERY PENNY!!" — ThatArmyVetsWife01
Get it from Amazon for $39.99.
15. And to complete the experience, a classic 3-liter ice bucket. It comes with a scoop, tongs, lid, strainer plate, and user guide. Thanks to the double-wall insulation, it'll keep your ice cold without freezing your hands or dripping condensation on your table.
It comes with a lifetime warranty!
Promising review: "There are many different choices of ice buckets at this price point. We bought this and are pleasantly surprised at how nice this is. It's good enough to use at a fancy party, the capacity is good, finish is smooth stainless steel. We're happy with our purchase." — Charles H.
Get it from Amazon for $31.97+ (available in five styles).
16. A headboard lamp for anyone who loves the ample lighting options found in fancy hotels. Now your partner can get some shuteye while you indulge in juuuust one more chapter — OK, two. Three? Oh my god, is that sunlight? Is it dawn? Anywayyy, you can just slide this over your headboard to enjoy direct lighting when a standing or nightstand light isn't an option.
Amazon
This is designed to slide over headboards up to 1.5 inches thick but reviewers say it will stretch for larger headboards. It's designed to work with a 40W bulb max.
Promising review: "Great little headboard lamps. Make reading before going to sleep a joy. No more trying to find the right light angle. Love them, so I decided to get a couple for my husband." — Gurpreet
Get two from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three styles).
17. A chic wall-mounted towel rack in case you don't have a linen closet — or at least, a linen closet with room for more towels. It'll save space *and* recreate that hotel experience of having a smorgasbord of towels to choose from. I imagine this would work especially well in a guest bathroom!
People also use this rack for storing purses, rolling pins, wine bottles, yoga mats, umbrellas, and all sorts of other items.
Promising review:"Anyone with a small bathroom knows that free space is almost non-existent, and these have been so great. We bought two, so we had one for each bathroom, and we were able to get the majority of our towels up on them and looking nice (which means we freed up space in the linen closet)!" — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.82 (also available in a two-pack).
18. And a mason jar bathroom set for Q-tips, cotton balls, lotion, flossers, and anything else that would look much better outside its original packaging. Again, a great choice for a guest bathroom, just saying.
Amazon
Promising review:"These jars are so cool. The small ones look so cute on my white shelves in the bathroom. The soap dispenser is great. It not only looks cool, it works great. And the jar for your toothbrush and toothpaste is even cool looking and so useful. I highly recommend this set." — Kelly
Get it from Amazon for $17.49 (available in six finishes, including a stunning gold!).
19. A soft muslin throw blanket pulling off that effortlessly cool and minimalist look you might find in a trendy hotel in Upstate New York. It's 100% cotton, so it's moisture-wicking and great for year-round cuddles.
Promising review: "This blanket is the most amazing thing ever! It is incredibly soft and lightweight. It is warm but not overwhelming. It looks great as a throw for decoration but so comfortable you have to use." — Fairykisses
Get it from Amazon for $39.89+ (available in 22 colors and 6 styles).
20. Motion-activated LED light strips that'll illuminate your way to the toilet in the middle of the night. They're so handy in hotels, why not bring the idea home?
www.amazon.com
These charge up with a standard outlet or four AA batteries.
Promising review:"These are great; I absolutely love them. I placed them on my steps, and they are just a showstopper! Everyone had to ask about them. I especially love that you can use them connected to an outlet or without by simply placing batteries in the battery compartment. Best thing ever!!!" — Jesse
Get one meter from Amazon for $9.99.
21. Shower steamers if you don't have a bathtub but really miss the bubble baths you took on your last vacation. The discs will dissolve as you shower, releasing fragrances like lavender, eucalyptus, and vanilla.
Promising review:"These are the best shower steamers I've ever tried. Usually they aren't strong enough or they melt too quickly to even enjoy. These are also bigger than what you can buy at the store. I'd say they are about the size of a hockey puck. One lasted my entire shower and still smelled amazing even after I was done. These are the best shower steamers, hands down. I would definitely buy them again." — Krista
Get them from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two varieties).
22. A roll of Novogratz peel-and-stick wallpaper to capture some of the whimsy you can find in newer hotels. They all love patterned wallpaper! And you know what? I do too. The paper is repositionable and removable and works best on smooth, clean surfaces.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Check out more patterns from Tempaper. See one way to use it in this TikTok from @astoldbymichelle, who revamped their kitchen cabinets with this gorgeous paper.
Promising review: "In love with this daisy paper!! My project turned out beautifully!! Good quality and amazing adhesion!" — Tony
Get a 16.5-foot roll from Amazon for $24.49.
23. A set of wildly popular"hotel" pillows so you can feel like you're falling asleep at the Ritz. Reviewers rave that these are the perfect balance of fluffy and firm, meaning you can prop yourself up for a good in-bed TV binge. Plus, they're breathable and cooling, so you won't overheat while wrapped in all those blankets.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"These had great reviews, but I was still a bit skeptical. I'm a bit of a pillow snob. These pillows — these amazing, heavenly pillows — are now my favorite part of going to bed. Soft but firm. How does that work? It gives support for me to sleep slightly propped up but I sink into this comfortable personal cloud. Soft but firm. My head isn't sinking through the pillow to rest on my mattress, but I feel comfortably enveloped. Heaven. I bought two but think that would be too much fluff, so now my husband and I each have one. Buy them. Add to cart. Buy now with one click. Stop the research. You've found the pillows you were looking for." — Marissa Urey
"God himself must use these pillows. I have (or had, haha) insomnia, not to mention a bad neck/back *and* hot flashes. The comfort and the cooling is AMAZING (even with a silk pillowcase). Thank you, TikTok, for influencing me!!!!" — Rickie White
Get a set of two from Amazon for $42.49+ (available in three sizes).
24. A cold brew coffee maker that lets you make your java at night (when you're actually awake), so all you have to do is stumble to the fridge in the morning. Just pour coffee grounds (or tea leaves!) into the pitcher and let them steep overnight, and you'll feel like you have a café right in your lobb— I mean, kitchen.
Promising review: "I LOVE this product so much! I drink iced coffee on the daily but the system I had just wasn't cutting it for me. I didn't know how to brew cold coffee at home (all we have is a Keurig, and there's no cold brew option) so I would go buy iced coffee from Dunkin' every morning. Now don't get me wrong, I love my Dunkin', but I wanted to find a way to be able to make that same iced coffee at HOME, and I think my wallet and gas tank wanted me to figure that out too. I found out about this product through TikTok and it is a GAME CHANGER. All you have to do is put coffee grounds in the filter, fill up the main compartment 3/4 full with water (I use water from my fridge), screw the filter into the lid and screw the lid shut, shake it a little to put the coffee grounds to work, and let it do its magic for 12-24 hours! This is probably the best investment I've ever made. You need this!!" — Carmen E.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two sizes and three lid colors).
25. A bed canopy adding a little royal glam to your sleeping situation. Sometimes, all you need is a gauzy covering to make you forget about the pile of clothes in the corner.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I LOVE this canopy! It's great for the price. It takes a minute to figure out which way it goes on the bed, but don't get discouraged; you'll figure it out. This is meant to hang from the ceiling, but you can make it work on posts. I tied the hook strings around the bedpost, and it holds great. It's a great canopy." — Teka
Get it from Amazon for $22.95+ (available in two styles).
26. A set of gorgeous hand blown wine glasses to make you feel like you're sitting at a chic hotel bar. These work for both red and white wines, and reviewers like how nicely they open up reds.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "These glasses add just the right amount of luxury to a good meal. They are not the thinnest you'll find, but they are nothing like a thick glass. That being said, they still feel delicate and will feel like being cared for. The rim feels nice for my almost weekly meal of crab legs with a Chardonnay. I like that they feel somewhat right for either white or red." — Craig W.
Get a set of two from Amazon for $22.99 (also available in a set of four or with a decanter).
27. A set of drill brushes so effective, you'll be shocked how clean your bathroom used to be. A hotel would never put up with cloudy glass doors or soap-scummed up tile — just saying.
www.amazon.com
The set comes with a 2-inch flat brush, a 4-inch flat brush, and a round brush. The drill isn't included, but you can grab a basic Black and Decker one ($29 on Amazon) that'll do the trick.
Promising review:"I thought my hard water stains would never come off my shower doors, but I bought this awesome brush set, and it's amazing! I've tried all the hacks — drier sheets, clean erasers, lemon, vinegar — nothing works like this brush! I used Zep shower cleaner with it! In the picture, the side on the right is the part of the door I cleaned, and I still have to clean the left side." — Traci D.
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors and stiffness levels).
28. A modern waterfall faucet to add a spa-like feel to your bathroom. Reviewers say they were surprised at how easy it was to install.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Completely beautiful and modern. It was very easy to install; I did so in a matter of minutes. This was a really nice upgrade to my bathroom." — ca mom
Get it from Amazon for $37+ (available in four finishes).
29. A rechargeable light-up mirror similar to the kind you can find at hotels. One side has a normal reflection while the other shows a 10x magnification so you can perfect your makeup to the micrometer or zero in on that ooooone little eyebrow hair that's out of place.
Promising review: "I love this mirror! Looks great in the bathroom. It's a great value for such a great product. I couldn't do my makeup without it. It also has a light. Reminds me of mirrors in fancy hotels. :)" — William T.
Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in five styles).
30. A mid-century accent chair because every hotel room has one. While I personally have no desire to sit in a hotel one, an at-home version is great for reading, crafting, or contemplating. This particular armchair is under $100 despite boasting solid wood legs and thick foam cushioning.
Promising review: "This chair is really nice, in my opinion, for the money. It can be a bit daunting to put together, but it's not terrible. The 'leather' looks nice, and the chair is sturdy. It comes with little feet that can be attached to level the chair, but the legs on mine were even, so the extra parts weren't necessary. I really like it because it's light enough to move out of the way if it isn't needed and easy to bring back into a grouping when it is needed. I am happy with the purchase." — Rabid Reader
Get it from Amazon for $77.99+ (available in seven styles).
32. A custom hotel-style keychain so you can feel like you're on vacation every time you come home. This would also be a great gift for anyone who recently moved or bought a home.
Drive 'Til Dawn / Etsy
Drive 'Til Dawn is a small business that sells custom keychains.
Promising review: "Beautiful and high quality. Seller was also very responsive!" — Kelsi
Get it from Drive 'Til Dawn on Etsy for $12.71+ (available in single- or double-sided styles).
Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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It's cropped but still long enough that it doesn't roll up weirdly at the bottom. Can dress this up or down! I'll probably end up buying every color by the end of the year, it's just that incredible." —DanijtateGet it from Amazon for $19.97 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and 27 colors). Add Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 to your morning routine for an immediately brightened complexion. It contains hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide for a glow and light coverage. Lit-from-within radiance *and* sun protection in one swipe? Perfection. Promising review: "I love this stuff! It was recommended to me in a Facebook group when I asked for a one-and-done face cream for someone who doesn't really wear makeup. I wanted dewy, I wanted some light refraction, I wanted sun protection, and I didn't want heavy color. This is all those things. It works really well in the Florida sun. I'm covered in freckles, and it doesn't dull or smudge them, it just brightens everything. I don't wear face makeup, other than the occasional swipe of bronzer, and this works great with that. Love it love it love it." —KristenBGet it from Amazon for $22+ (available in three sizes). No time? No problem. Opt for this matching linen set, which looks like it was plucked from the set of a film where the main character has a terrible boss but a fabulous job in publishing. Please tell me that you know what I mean. Promising review: "Love this more than I anticipated. I'm very picky and usually only shop for clothing at Nordstrom, Neiman, or other boutique brands, and for the price, this is 100% worth it. It's lined, and the quality is great. Will be buying again." —Valerie R. Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and in 16 colors). Tame baby hairs in a jiffy with this plant-based gel cream, which ought to help those pesky flyaways that no amount of brushing can get rid of. The best part? This formula is non-greasy, completely transparent, the mascara wand makes it super easy to apply, and will make your 'do look more polished with basically no effort required. Promising review: "I have super fine hair with lots of breakage, and no matter how I put my hair up, I have bad flyaways. This stuff is great! So easy and it stays better and looks smoother than stiff hairspray." —Jill Stilfield Get it from Amazon for $6.78. Or! Try an edge control gel to help lay your edges and slick back baby hairs with just a few flicks of product. Major bonus points: It won't flake or leave behind any residue, which is *heart eyes* the definition of perfection in our book. BUT we want to add that no one should feel pressure to lay their edges, unless they want to! Check out "Just A Friendly PSA That You Don't HAVE To Lay Your Edges Down If You Don't Wanna." Promising review: "Hands-down! The best edge control I have ever used, and I have used a lot of them. Stayed all day! No flakes and non-greasy! And this one is not even the strongest in the line. Love this product!" —Seabea2013Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in various sizes). I think I speak for all of us when I say blessed be the TikTok. Try out these simple hacks to instantly upgrade your 'fit. Example one: Tuck an oversized sweatshirt into a sports bra for a chic cropped silhouette. To learn more, check out "I Tested 10 TikTok Fashion Hacks". Or! Try this simple method for effortlessly cropping the oversized promotional tops and random graphic tees you bought at PacSun 10 years ago but have yet to part with. All you'll need is a rubber band and a dream. To learn more, check out "I Tested 10 TikTok Fashion Hacks". Achieve the perfect wing in *seconds* with this dual-sided eyeliner stamp. All you'll have to do is apply the stamp to your lashline, press down onto your skin, and a pristine cat eye will be yours in mere seconds. Promising review: "Okay, so I am as shakey as shakey gets when it comes to putting eyeliner on... but this is a miracle sent from above! It honestly is the most amazing eye makeup product I own at the moment. It is as easy as it sounds. Literally. I like that it is double-ended and you have two pens: one for the left eye and one for the right. The opposite end on both is just every day liquid liner pen, but it goes on soooo much smoother than any other liquid liner I've tried or owned." —Heather OlsenGet it from Amazon for $15.97 (available in two colors). Quickly touch up your brows with a Schick dermaplaning razor, a tool sent from heaven for people who are done with the pains of plucking and the expense of waxing. This quickly rids you of stray brow hairs and unwanted peach fuzz (while ridding your complexion of dead skin to reveal a smoother and brighter complexion), so that you can begin the day with perfectly-groomed facial caterpillars that only took three seconds to tame. And don't panic! This tool is super gentle, so you don't have to worry about accidental nicks and scrapes. Promising review: "This is a 100% painless and incredibly easy alternative to waxing or plucking. A few quick swipes get rid of peach fuzz, and I never have to worry about breaking out because of it. Also, it doesn't make hair grow back coarser or darker." —Ellen R. Get a pack of three from Amazon for $5.94. You're not ready to retire the suede sandals you purchased seven years ago? Fair enough. Use this four-sided cleaning brush to remove the scuff marks and stains that have marred your suede shoes for an instantly more polished look. This brush has a welt surface, nylon bristles, an arched half-circle brush, and a protruding brush that lets you clean different kinds of suede with no harsh rubbing or scrubbing required. Promising review: "I was amazed. After spending about five minutes cleaning suede boots with fairly significant smudges, they came out almost completely clean and are looking really good." —Beth Perkins Get it from Amazon for $6.99. Nip brassiness in the bud with a cult-favorite Fanola purple shampoo. The violet pigment in this formula works to wash away unwanted yellow in your 'do, meaning you can extend the time between salon visits — and the benefits of that are two-fold. You'll save a ton of money on appointments, plus you won't have to subject your hair to additional bleaches and dye that will (I'm sorry to tell you this) cause additional damage. Use this only once a week (for about three minutes at a time) to prevent your hair from turning a slightly lavender shade. Promising review: "Finally! A purple shampoo that actually does something to my brassy hair! I have silver-white hair that is exceptionally hard to maintain due to how easily my hair gains brassy tones and how stubborn they are to remove. I've tried a ton of other brands, and none of their toning shampoos will do a damn thing to my hair even if I leave them on for an hour. I normally have to dilute violet direct dyes to make a dent in my brass. It's nice not to have to schedule a chunk of time to mix a batch of custom toner, painstakingly apply it, and then sit around for an hour while it does its stuff. This shampoo actually works really well and can cut a lot of time out of my bi-weekly color maintenance." —AudreyGet it from Amazon for $18.99. Pair a plain tank with lightweight linen pants that won't have you stewing in your own sweat. These are available in neutral hues, so they're easy to pair with any top in your wardrobe. Give yourself a lovely flush of pink *and* non-sticky moisture thanks to the vitamins A, C, and E found in Nooni Appleberry Lip Oil. It's even packed with apple water and raspberry extract to slough away the dead skin that would inevitably result in a chapped pout. Promising review: "I can't remember who first told me about this lip oil, but it seemed like the perfect solution to my multi-year search of trying to find a lip product that enhanced my natural lip color while keeping my lips moisturized. It's not too sticky and lasts longer than a typical gloss. It's a fairly small bottle, but that also makes it great to keep in a wristlet. The appleberry is also sheer enough to pair over a lip crayon or lip liner." —Sammi Cone Get it from Amazon for $12 (available in 11 colors). Romanticize errands by way of swapping leggings for this tiered maxi skirt. Repeat after me: tank, sandals, this skirt. Promising review: "I live in these skirts!! This is the third one I've bought, each one a different color, and I can be sure that I will be buying more. I literally live in these skirts nearly every day. They are so easy to dress up, wear casually, or dress them up for cosplay!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in women's sizes S–XXL and in 20 colors). Trade your pajamas for an equally comfy (and errand-appropriate) lounge set. This one is made with a cozy waffle-knit material, ironic considering you'll adore this two-piece just as much as the doughy, syrup-drenched breakfast dessert. Promising review: "I have two sets from Free People. At $130, they are a splurge, but I fell in love with them. I wanted more colors and couldn't justify it, so I'm so glad I gave this set a try. This Amazon one is definitely thinner, but I really like the fabric of this one too, and it's perfect for fall and winter in Texas. I love being comfy and still looking somewhat put together in this." —Lily McAninchGet it from Amazon for $45.99 (available in women's sizes S–XL and in 18 colors). Get glossy, frizz-free curls on second-day (or third or fourth or tenth) hair with Cake Beauty The Curl Friend Defining Cream. A blend of shea butter and lightweight natural oils provides a ton of moisture but thankfully none of the weigh-down. Promising review: "This is the most reasonably priced curly hair product I've found. I originally got a little tube from my Ipsy order, and I liked it so much, I came to Amazon to order a full-sized bottle. It doesn't make my hair crunchy or greasy, even if I accidentally put too much on. My curls look natural and bouncy after using my diffuser, and even when I let my hair air dry, this gives my curls a little extra form and structure to look like I actually did something to my hair." —sbgoodgirl Get it from Amazon for $10.99. Turn any bra into a no-show racerback with the help of these handy dandy adjustable clip holders. Long gone will be the days of —> put on shirt —> bra shows —> take off shirt to change bra —> put shirt back on again. Not to be dramatic, but these clips will change your life when you're in a rush (which is always), not to mention these will make any ensemble look 10x more crisp without straps peeking through. Promising review: "My bra straps spend more time off my shoulders than on — but NOT ANYMORE. I was hoping something like this existed, and when I found it, I was so happy. They're as glorious as I expected them to be. These are life-changing." —Amanda Get a set of three from Amazon for $4.99 (available in six colors). So the eyes aren't the window to the soul; it's actually your brows. This cruelty-free Elizabeth Mott brow gel has a pomade formula to keep your brows in place while subtly filling them in, immediately giving your ensemble an air of ~I am put together, can't you see my brows look good~. The best part? It's so easy. No expert drawing skills required (unlike your regular brow pencil). Promising review: "So incredibly happy with this. It's incredibly easy to apply (I have to really wipe my wand first, though, or else it's too thick), and the color blends in SO well with my natural color. It gives my eyebrows JUST the right amount of attention; not too much, not too little. Just killer, natural, beautiful brows!" —Monique FrenchGet it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six shades). Swap your usual leggings-and-tank combo with a button-up matching set that screams "farmers market chic," a foolproof way to feel 110% more put-together on days spent running errands. Promising review: "I love this set, it's so versatile. You can wear the pieces separately or together and dress them up or down. I loved the set so much that I got both navy blue and army green, and they mix and match perfectly. JUST GET IT!!!" —Kristine it from Amazon for $18 (available in women's sizes XS–4XL and in 21 colors). And opt for nonconstrictive support with a Hanes wire-free bra — it's designed with a second skin feel that's so comfortable, it *will* be worn all the time. Willingly. Like, you will actually want to wear this. Promising review: "I haven't worn another bra since I got this and I'm gonna buy, like, five more. I am a 34F/G and I've never found any bralette that fits me (always either too big in the band or too small in the cup). I got a medium and I'm SHOCKED to report that not only do my girls actually fit inside (the fabric has a lot of stretch), but it actually holds them up pretty well." —Lily Housh Get it from Amazon for $15.49+ (available in women's sizes S–3X and in four colors).


NBC News
12 hours ago
- NBC News
How to survive the summer, according to the season's biggest haters
For What It's Worth is a live podcast about the stuff we use, the trends we question and the products we can't stop talking about. Stream new episodes bi-weekly on YouTube, hosted by NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson and NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. Shop our product picks below and on Amazon. Surviving the hot, sweaty, humid summer is quite the feat, especially during this year's seemingly never-ending heat waves. Often, doing so requires you to call in the reinforcements: products that keep you as cool, hydrated and sunburn -free as possible. In the inaugural episode of For What It's Worth, NBC Select's live podcast, hosts Lauren Swanson, editorial director, and Zoe Malin, reporter, break down their summer essentials and hacks that help them cope with unbearable temperatures. Episode transcript ZOE: I remember my first summer moving back to the city after living in Chicago for a few years, and it was the first day we were back in office since 2020. It was right after Labor Day, and it was at least 90-something degrees. I walked out of my apartment, and I think I must have forgotten how to dress because I was walking to the office, I live 15 minutes away, drenched. I was dying. And I was walking up to the door to get into the office, and I was like, Oh my god, I'm meeting half these people for the first time in person today. This is so embarrassing. And I opened the door, and I'm like, oh my god, we all look this way. We are all sweating through our clothes. We all look dead inside. I was like, Wow, okay, this is kind of nice to know that we're in it together. Because we all feel the same way. There's no enjoying this. You're being cooked. LAUREN: You're being cooked from the inside out. You're like the lobster in the pot. ZOE: That's how I feel, like I'm being air fried. LAUREN: So that's what we're going to talk about today. ZOE: How to manage it. How to just get through it. LAUREN: How to get through summer. This is Zoe, I'm Lauren. ZOE: Let's chat. LAUREN: And we're going to talk about summer. Welcome back. ZOE: Welcome back on the hottest day on planet Earth, Lauren: On the hottest day in 12 years in New York. ZOE: That makes me sick. It actually makes me sick. When I looked at the weather app and I saw 98, 97, 100, I felt nauseous. I felt anxiety bubble in my whole body. LAUREN: What's the real feel? ZOE: The real feel is 100% at least 104. LAUREN: 103, close. ZOE: I really can't with it. Is this going to be a no-outside-run summer? LAUREN: This is like a snow day. ZOE: Right! LAUREN: We shouldn't have had work today. ZOE: Exactly, I feel the same way. LAUREN: We should have all stayed inside. I had to check on my 90-year-old neighbors and be like, Do you need groceries? Please stay inside. ZOE: Seriously. LAUREN: Nobody should be outside right now. ZOE: I agree. Once I realized that there's nothing I like about this, I decided that I'm just going to be a summer hater, and that's going to be part of my identity. And some people are like, you're nuts. And then other people are like, you know what? I actually agree with you. We should all just say it. But it also is very different when you're in a city versus suburb, I think. In the city – LAUREN: You're outside, you walk everywhere. ZOE: You have no choice but to walk and to be outdoors. Even if you're trying to limit being outdoors, you still have to do it at some point. But I was thinking back to when I was an intern at my local newspaper many years ago, and I was living in the suburbs, so I'd wake up, work out inside, then shower, then get into my air conditioned car, then go to my air conditioned office, then get back in my air conditioned car, and then go to my air conditioned home. LAUREN: You're like, what do people complain about? This is lovely. ZOE: The only thing I had to complain about was walking from my car in the parking lot to the office. So I was really not suffering. You're suffering here in the city. LAUREN: You're suffering, the trash smells on the sidewalk, everything smells, everything's wrong, we're all miserable. But at least, like you said, we're miserable together. ZOE: But I feel like the interesting thing is when you meet people who have never had a summer in the city, and they are like, What do I do? What do I wear? I love those people. Because I just feel like, let me stand on my soapbox for a moment here. And it is interesting that we all have our little tricks to just survive. LAUREN: Great segway, Zoe. What are your tips? What are your tricks? ZOE: Well, you have to have a neck fan. You must. LAUREN: You got yours from Amazon? ZOE: I literally don't even know why that was the one, but I was just like, This looks fantastic, and it is. I'm obsessed with it. I charge it every night. You don't have to do that, but I just cannot have this thing break down. LAUREN: You can't be mid-subway commute and then have it absolutely crash. ZOE: Absolutely not. I would die. I also think one thing for me that is so key is you need to be as cool as humanly possible before you leave your home. In my tiny little bathroom, when I'm doing my makeup, it's so hot, so I have an enormous fan blasting and I'm freezing. I feel like that prepares me well to go outside because then at least my body temperature is starting low. I'm not starting high, which I feel like is important. I also have these body wipes that I keep in my bag because you feel so disgusting. You always feel disgusting in the city, that's part of life, but especially when you're hot and disgusting, there's literally nothing worse to me than feeling that way and having to be at the office for eight hours, or go to dinner with your friends. I can't enjoy being there because I'm so uncomfortable. So I carry those everywhere, and they smell lovely, and you really feel like you just took a shower. LAUREN: Which ones are they? ZOE: I think they're from the brain, Yuni. I'm almost positive. And I discovered them last year. I originally got them because I would wipe off after a run and then go to brunch with my friends or something. But then I was like, I need to subscribe and save — this is one of my subscribe and save items — and carry these with me all summer. Taking four or five seconds to wipe yourself off after you're in the heat, you feel like a new person. That's huge. I also think my water bottle sling is essential. LAUREN: Calpak? ZOE: The Calpak one. Fantastic. Oh, and a cooling towel, of course. I am a huge cooling towel person. LAUREN: That's another Amazon one? ZOE: The Sunkeen Amazon ones are the bomb. They come in a pack of four, and I will use them at home right before I leave, again, to lower your body temperature. But also, I always put one in a Stasher Bag and keep it in my bag because then it stays freezing, and you can use it whenever you want and carry it around. LAUREN: That's a good tip. Okay, so rank them. What's your rank? Build your team. ZOE: I would say neck fan first. LAUREN: That's your non-negotiable. ZOE: Yes, I'm not leaving the house without that this time of year. LAUREN: And you have the one that's – ZOE: That's around your neck. And I was like, is this going to be bulky and annoying? No. LAUREN: You see them everywhere now. I feel like last year was the first year that I started seeing them everywhere. I don't think I've seen them in previous years. ZOE: Me either. I honestly never heard of them. Maybe they were around, but I just didn't notice. LAUREN: They honestly look like a pair of headphones. ZOE: They totally do. LAUREN: I brought mine one time on a picnic in the park, and I think I sold about four. ZOE: I believe it. LAUREN: I'm like, here's my Amazon link. ZOE: People experience it one time if they try yours, and they cannot go without it again. I want to get another one, not a neck fan, but there's one that I see on TikTok that you clip to your pants and then air blows up your body. LAUREN: Have you seen the one that's a hat? It has fans on it. ZOE: I've seen that, too. LAUREN: I feel like you should get it. ZOE: I feel like I should get every fan imaginable, and then you'll hear me whirling. LAUREN: Oh, Zoe's coming. ZOE: Literally. So my neck fan is non-negotiable. LAUREN: That's your starter. ZOE: Then I would say the cooling towel. Lauren: Number two. ZOE: Then the body wipes, then the water bottle sling. Because the water bottle sling is a nice to have. LAUREN: It's good for a walk. ZOE: Right, but I don't think it's mandatory. I do love it, I will say. It's the best. It's so nice, too, because it has pockets. I put my keys in there, my AirPods, my phone — the bomb. LAUREN: Do you go on walks a lot in the summer? ZOE: I try to not ever go outside in the summer, but if I have to walk somewhere — for example, the grocery store, take my dog to daycare, go to an appointment — then I bring it. I don't even use a purse. I'll just use that. LAUREN: What are your fitness roles in the summer? What do you do? Because you're a runner, and we were just talking about the joys of running in the summer. ZOE: Oh, yes. So joyful. LAUREN: What do you do instead? Do you do the treadmill as much as possible? ZOE: My philosophy is to minimize suffering in the summer, so I will not run outside. If it's a cooler day and I can run really early or really late, fine, I'll do it. But it's not just the temperature, it's the humidity. Like, I cannot breathe, you know? LAUREN: Yes, and then it's more like swimming than running. ZOE: Exactly. And I don't know about you, but if I have a bad run, I get so depressed. LAUREN: I'm sad, I'm angry, the rest of my day is ruined. ZOE: I'm always like, I shouldn't have even run. LAUREN: I might as well have walked. ZOE: It doesn't even count. No, you literally just ran 10 miles. It counts, but you just feel so gross, so I would rather run on the treadmill. I'm fine with it. I tell myself that this is a moment in time, it's fine, I know I will have a better run. So, I'll just run inside. There are days that I'm like, it's a little overcast, the humidity is not horrible, so if I run at six AM or really late at night, it's fine. Most of the time, though, I'll just go inside. I just can't. I've had two experiences, one last summer and then one before that, where I really thought I was going to throw up. I was like, I don't know if I'm going to make it through this run. And that made me feel like, you can never do this again. LAUREN: Especially with the hills in the park — those will kill you, plus the heat and the humidity. Last year, I was walking up the hills, and I was like, what is wrong with me? I'm not going to be able to make it through the marathon. I can't even walk up this freaking hill. I'm on mile one. I had to stop at every water station. ZOE: I think the other thing people don't remember is how your muscles seize, and that scares me, too. My calves will hurt so badly, and that feeling is very scary to me. LAUREN: Then it's time for a swim. That might be my game plan anytime during the heat wave. I don't think I'm going to run. I think I'm just going to go to the pool. ZOE: So many people do that. But if you're training for a marathon, or you're just a runner or whatever, I think you need to accept that you have to go slower. LAUREN: That's such a non-runner thing to do, though. They'll run through a broken foot. I had a broken toe, and I was like, I think I can run the Brooklyn Half. ZOE: I've done that, too. LAUREN: Like, no. You're crazy. ZOE: But you have to accept it because it does not have anything to do with you. It's your circumstances. But it's such a hard thing to accept and it sucks. LAUREN: All right, so, what do you do for beauty in the heat? ZOE: I try not to wear makeup. LAUREN: What are your starting players for beauty in the heat? Do you use spritzes, sprays? ZOE: I'll use a hypochlorous acid spray if I'm really sweaty, but I really try not to wear makeup. I can't handle the feeling of it on my face. LAUREN: Do you ever go in with a tinted moisturizer? ZOE: Yes, I'll do tinted sunscreen, and that's it. I can't do anything else. I physically cannot do it. If it's really, really hot, I won't even do a tinted sunscreen. I'll just do sunscreen, period, done, move on, because I know that I'm going to be so insanely hot. I also will carry around those little wipes since you can use them on your face, too. And I'll wipe my face off so I feel clean. I would rather not wear makeup. I can't handle it. LAUREN: What about hair? Because you have curly hair. ZOE: Yes, my hair expands. LAUREN: What's your curl type? ZOE: I have no idea. LAUREN: We'll figure out. ZOE: I will walk outside and feel my hair growing, just expanding. So if it's a day that I need to wear my hair down for something, I'll just kind of accept that it's going to be larger than life. Then, other days, I will slick it back. I have a hair wax stick, and I don't know what brand it is, but I love it. I'll put my hair in a braid and call it a day. I can't deal with it. LAUREN: That's what I do, too. On these hot days, it's a banana clip, it's a claw clip, it's hair up. Don't even worry about it. ZOE: It's not worth it. LAUREN: But my hair isn't curly so that makes it a little easier. ZOE: I feel like that's part of the reason I hate the summer. Curly hair is not built for the summer. It's simply not. People are always like, Your hair is curlier, and it looks more defined in the humidity. That's great, but I feel like my head is 17 times its average size. I just feel it. LAUREN: Like a bobble head. ZOE: Yes! I once took a video, I have to find it, of me right before I left the house and what my hair looked like. And then, after 10 minutes outside, it looked like I'd been electrocuted. It grows that much. It's not a good time. LAUREN: Crazy, I hate it. I have a good hack, though. I used to use this a lot. In my first apartment in the city, I was too cheap to run the air conditioner, but I had one, so I'd sometimes use it. In my second apartment, I only had an air conditioner in the living room, and I was too cheap to buy one for the bedroom. So I would run a fan with a bowl of ice near it because I was thinking, oh, let me DIY this. It did not work. I would be nice and cold in the shower, but the second I stepped out, I was instantly warm. The second I took the ice out of the freezer, it instantly melted. It did not work. But I learned this one hack that when you're outside and it's really hot, if you put a little peppermint oil behind your neck, then every time any little bit of wind catches it, it sends shivers down your spine. ZOE: I love this. LAUREN: You have to reapply it every 15 or 20 minutes, and some people are sensitive to peppermint oil, so it can cause a little rash, but who cares? It's in the back. ZOE: I feel the same way. LAUREN: And it works. ZOE: I want to do this. I'll try anything. LAUREN: We were just talking about this. I feel like I'm bleeding money right now with the air conditioning unit, trying to keep my little Bombay cat nice and cool. And he has no idea it's 104 degrees outside. He's in a perfect, air-conditioned, 68-degree apartment, nice and cozy, sleeping, no worries in the world, and I'm over here dreading the ConEd bill. So I've got a lot of cheap little hacks. ZOE: I love that. I love little hacks. I bought multiple fans for my dog. One to put in front of her crate, one to carry with us because I won't let her go on the ground in this heat. Even with booties, the whole thing makes me so nervous. LAUREN: Can I tell you what happened to me the other day? I was walking, and I know flip-flops are not good for New York, but I've been wearing them because they're in right now. And I was walking on the street, and I thought somebody stepped on the back of my flip-flop because I was in the middle of the street crossing and my foot was stuck, like I had gotten stuck on gum, or like somebody had stepped on my shoe. It was stuck on hot tar because it was melting. And I got stuck on it, and I was like, I'm going to get hit. ZOE: That is my fear about my dog's paws. Even with the booties, I don't like the whole thing. It makes me so nervous. And she's eight pounds, she's tiny, so I carry her in her bag everywhere, and I got a fan to clip onto the bag to give her a little breeze. She's an indoor dog. She loves to be indoors. She's wee-wee pad trained. She loves her indoor life. But when we walk to my family's apartment, or we go to daycare, or I have to take her to the vet, she has to be outside for however long. So for that little amount of time, I try to make her as comfortable as possible. I'm dying, but she's happy, so that's what matters. And then my cats, again, like you said, are so crisp and cool in the apartment all day long. But they bake in the sun. LAUREN: Yes! Mine is sunning on the windowsill. ZOE: They're so happy because they're cold and selectively warm. I'm like, you don't even understand what we go through as human beings. LAUREN: Oh, he has no idea that it's hot outside. He's sitting on the windowsill, just living his best life. ZOE: He's like, Wow, this is amazing. I'm cool, but I get the sun. LAUREN: The amount of money I do pay, and I will pay, so that he is as naive to the outside circumstances as possible. ZOE: In his little bubble. Yes, I feel the same about mine — whatever you need. Whenever I go away in the summer, I tell my pet sitter, Please keep it at this temperature. If you're cold, I put blankets out for you. You cannot make it warmer. Don't do it. I'm that person. LAUREN: The things we do. So, I have 'would you rathers' for summer. ZOE: For summer? I'd rather be in Antarctica. LAUREN: Would you rather be hot and glowy or cold and pale? ZOE: Cold and pale. LAUREN: Me too. That's pretty much my resting state. ZOE: Me too. LAUREN: Would you rather walk 20 minutes in New York City summer or do a treadmill run at noon? ZOE: Treadmill run. LAUREN: Treadmill run anytime. ZOE: I will not run in this. I refuse to do it. LAUREN: Exercising in this heat it's just non-negotiable. Marathon training season for the New York City Marathon just started. We're at the beginning of it and everybody's running in the park. It's 100 degrees in the park. ZOE: It's horrible. LAUREN: You can't run in the park. It's crazy. Would you rather wear jeans in 95-degree heat or a sundress in an arctic air-conditioned office? ZOE: A sundress in the office because if you hold a hot cup of coffee or something, there's ways to get your temperature up a little bit. That's why I hate summer so much. In the winter, you can do things to make yourself warmer, and then you can reach a middle ground. In the summer, you're stuck. LAUREN: Right, you can't shed your skin. ZOE: There's only so much you can do to stay cool, and then at some point, you're just suffering. LAUREN: I would rather be cold, too, and then layer. I am a habitual blanket user in any season, so I need the air around me to be cold enough to use a blanket. Which blanket I use will change based on the environment outside. Like I had my little knit one that has holes in it yesterday even though it was also 95 degrees, so I was blasting the air and then I was like, I'm just going to be with my little blanket. Would you rather never use SPF again or never use deodorant again? ZOE: I mean, I don't want cancer, so I guess I'd have to just smell. LAUREN: There are other things you could use instead of deodorant. I feel like you could just rinse off. ZOE: But have you ever gone on a run and forgotten to reapply deodorant? It feels uncomfortable. It's not even just about the scent. It's that the feeling is uncomfortable. But that would be a really tough life. LAUREN: To not wear sunscreen? ZOE: To not wear deodorant. Well, I guess I could never wear SPF again and just stay inside. And as an indoor cat, I wouldn't be upset about that. LAUREN: I guess that's an option. But would you even need deodorant at that point, because you're also not outside? ZOE: I would. LAUREN: You would? Inside? ZOE: Yes. The no-deodorant life is not one that I subscribe to. It's just not for me. LAUREN: Good for you. ZOE: Even if I never saw human beings again, I would still need deodorant. I couldn't do it. LAUREN: You couldn't be stinky? ZOE: No. LAUREN: I'm okay with a little stink. I would like on my tombstone to be: Lauren, she always smelled good. ZOE: Isn't that the best compliment? LAUREN: But I can never get there. I'm chasing that constantly. ZOE: It's so funny. LAUREN: Would you rather have sweaty bangs or a sticky sunscreen face? I feel like sweaty bangs means congested pores on your forehead. ZOE: I agree with you. I think I'd rather have a sticky sunscreen face. LAUREN: Would you rather be stuck outside without water or without sunglasses? ZOE: Without sunglasses. LAUREN: I cannot go without sunglasses. My poor little eyes are so sensitive. I need to have sunglasses. ZOE: I do too, because our eyes are very light, that makes sense. But if I don't have water, I will perish. LAUREN: Like, an emotional support one? ZOE: Yes, for sure. I have a water bottle sling, which, I was like, am I really going to do it? And then I was like, I'm never not doing it again. It's the best thing ever because I have to have water. LAUREN: I'm okay without water. I'm a little bit of a camel, and I also have anxi-pee. If I drink too much water, and then I get anxious when I'm outdoors, I'm going to have to pee while I'm outside. And in New York, where are you going to find a bathroom? So, I know where all the bathrooms are. ZOE: Oh, yes, of course. LAUREN: Go to a hotel. Go to a restaurant, pretend you're ordering something, and be like, I changed my mind, and walk out. I have to have sunglasses, though. I also don't want little wrinkles. ZOE: I know, but I would rather have no sunglasses. LAUREN: The thing that changed my life was prescription sunglasses. ZOE: The best, I agree for sure. ZOE: Yes. LAUREN: Me too. ZOE: The thing about me is that I think I've always hated summer, but I was resistant to say it because everyone's like, I can't wait till summer. So I was like, in the corner being like, really? But whatever, I'm not going to ruffle feathers. I'll just go along with the crowd. LAUREN: And everyone's like, summer's almost over. ZOE: I know, and everyone gets upset. And then I realized a couple years ago that I am my worst self in the summer. I'm miserable. I don't want to do anything. I can't get comfortable. I hate every single part of it. I don't like the beach. I don't like the pool. There's nothing enjoyable for me. LAUREN: I hate the beach. ZOE: Me too. I'm sorry! I hate the beach. LAUREN: You get sand everywhere. My feet are disgusting. Here's the thing — I just was at the beach on Sunday. I hate the beach because they have those clean-off water stations still on the sand. And then you have to walk up the sand. There's no point. ZOE: Such poor design. LAUREN: I hate sand. I think oceans are scary. ZOE: Me too, none of our business. LAUREN: I get way too much sun. I hate being hot. There's the risk of umbrellas flying in your face at any moment. ZOE: Danger. I agree, it's miserable. LAUREN: All right, final thoughts on summer — what's your top tip? ZOE: To stay indoors. And I know it sucks about the air conditioning bill if you have to pay one, but remember, it's a couple months. That's what I tell myself. LAUREN: Hopefully, a couple days with this heat wave, and then it's over. ZOE: And hydrate. LAUREN: Hydrate, electrolyte power… ZOE: Drink your water, salt your food, all the things. LAUREN: Have some watermelon, something that cools your insides down. ZOE: Have a popsicle. LAUREN: Oh, those are my favorite. ZOE: Just visit Mr. Softie. We need something to get through. LAUREN: I have a couple of races on Saturday and Sunday, and sometimes during the summer, they'll give an after-race treat and it's a popsicle. And I'm like, you get me. ZOE: They understand. I also feel like, in the summer, there's no Diet Coke limit. There's no iced coffee limit. Do whatever you need to get through. LAUREN: It's like airport calories and airport food. Those don't count. Those aren't real. Summer ice cream is just – ZOE: It's infinite. There is no limit. Froyo – LAUREN: The limit does not exist. ZOE: Whatever you need to do, I completely agree with you. LAUREN: All right, well, thanks for joining. Thanks for watching… until next time. Hopefully it's cooler! LAUREN: Fingers crossed. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select and I co-host our live podcast, For What It's Worth, with editorial director Lauren Swanson. In this article, I summarize Episode 1: I hate summer. I included a summary of the episode, a transcript, products we recommend during the podcast and related articles.


NBC News
12 hours ago
- NBC News
It wasn't love at first sight — here's why we changed our minds about these 11+ products
For What It's Worth is a live podcast about the stuff we use, the trends we question and the products we can't stop talking about. Stream new episodes bi-weekly on YouTube, hosted by NBC Select editorial director Lauren Swanson and NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. Shop our product picks below and on Amazon. It's hard to get past a bad first impression. Be it a pair of running shoes, a moisturizer or a cookware set, saying 'I hate it' after you find a few minor flaws is often easier than giving something a second (or third… or fourth) chance. But as the NBC Select team knows, not everything is love at first sight. We try products over and over again before making a final call because sometimes, even though we hate an item at first, we change our minds about it. In this episode of For What It's Worth, NBC Select's live podcast, hosts Lauren Swanson, editorial director, and Zoe Malin, reporter, talk through products that ultimately won them over, plus a few they still can't get behind. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up Episode transcript LAUREN: I'm getting acupuncture today. ZOE: The bomb. LAUREN: But she's going to ask me face up or face down, and I'm like, face down because the embarrassing sunburn that's on the front half of my body needs to be hidden. The shame that I will feel will be immense. I was wearing this necklace, so now I have to wear this necklace for the next month because there's a little — ZOE: I hate when that happens. I was saying today that my watch tan line is back. It's going to get worse throughout the summer, but I can see it. LAUREN: Such as runners' life. ZOE: Truly. LAUREN: We're going to talk about some more products today. ZOE: That changed our minds. LAUREN: Products we hated and then loved. ZOE: Love it. There are so many things that you try one time and it's a terrible experience, and sometimes, that causes you to never try it again. I think that's a shame because it could be that second or third time that really, truly makes the difference. LAUREN: Which is why we test the same product over multiple weeks. Sometimes it's hard, especially when we're doing 100 best or something like that, and you're like, I literally have 15 sunscreens that I need to test over the next three weeks. How do I do that? But it's important to test more than once because you may end up hating something at the first impression, and then you're like, actually, my skin is glowing. My face is clear. The tank is clean. All of those things. ZOE: It's so true. I feel like, especially for me with leggings and sports bras when we've tried them in the past, I've had a few instances where I will wear them once, hate them and then I'll wear them a second time and I'm like, wait, I hated that? Lauren: What was I thinking? ZOE: Yes! Last year, 2024, I tested this Under Armor sports bra, and it was a great sports bra, except I don't like straight straps on a sports bra. I like cross straps because I think it holds you up better — LAUREN: More support. ZOE: Yes, and it goes with the slope of the shoulder better. I think it's an all-around great option. We tried this Under Armor sports bra, and unfortunately, it had straight straps, and I was like, I'm so upset because I want to give this a great review, but I just can't. The straps kept falling and I was so distracted and yada yada yada. This year, 2025, I got the bra again, and I was like, I don't want to test this again. And then I was looking at it, and I'm like, Oh my god, I can move the straps. LAUREN: And it gave new life. ZOE: I love it. I wore it yesterday. LAUREN: Oh, I love that. ZOE: It's a great sports bra and I wear it all the time, but I wasn't taking enough time to really look at it and see what I could do to make it work. And I think sometimes those tiny adjustments can make the biggest difference. LAUREN: During Wellness Awards testing, I tested those lymphatic drainage leggings. ZOE: Yes, from Elastique. LAUREN: I hated them. ZOE: I remember you telling me that. LAUREN: And in all fairness, I went out running in them, which I don't know that they're really intended for that. ZOE: I agree. LAUREN: But I went out running in them, and we do Wellness Awards testing in the winter, or we start in the winter and it goes into spring. And those little beads were freezing on my legs when I was running outdoors. They're also not thermal leggings, so I was cold, and the beads were making me colder. They were hurting — they felt like little icicles digging into my skin. I hated the experience. I was like, this is not getting a high score from me. I still have them, and I wore them recently, and I kind of love them now. ZOE: I completely agree with you. The first time I wore them, I ran in them. I shouldn't have done that. That was a dumb thing to do. LAUREN: They're made for lounging. They're made for errands. ZOE: One hundred percent. Also, I think they're great for yoga. I've done barre in them, and that experience I didn't hate at all. Would I spend almost $300 on them? Probably not. I don't think I have it in me. However, I do like the experience. I actually was kind of happy with them. Also, we tested that sports bra, the Elastique one that had the lymphatic drainage beads on the back, and it was kind of lovely. If you're doing barre or yoga and you're lying on your back, you get a little massage. That was great. But again, I wouldn't wear that for running. So, I think, sometimes, it's also how you test the product. Whenever we do skincare testing, if it says you can use this in the AM or PM, I will always do both. Sometimes there's a skincare product that I think is amazing for the morning, and I will not wear it at night, and vice versa. And that's why, with running shoes, sports bras and leggings, different types of exercise are so important too. One of my most recent ones that I was originally like, I hate this, this is ridiculous and I'm never doing this again, is carbon plated running shoes. I was so against them for so long. And then after talking to a bunch of running coaches and researching them so much more, I realized that the carbon plate in a running shoe doesn't activate unless you're over a certain speed. You have to be running quite quickly. LAUREN: Oops. ZOE: So I was like, if I'm going to be running long distance in these, I'm not going to also be speed training. Plenty of people do. Plenty of people wear them for marathons when they're running really, really, really high, fast paces. I'm not doing that. I'm not an elite runner. LAUREN: You mean, you're not hitting a four-minute mile? ZOE: No, I can't say that's a goal of mine. LAUREN: One day. ZOE: One day. But I was so turned off by them because I thought they were so uncomfortable when I was doing 16 miles or so. Like, no, what are you doing? Then, I started speed training in them after I wrote an article about carbon plate running shoes, and I was like, wait, these are amazing. Truly, they work, but it has to be over a certain speed. A lot of the time it might be that you're using it wrong, or maybe it's just not the right circumstance. Then again, there's obviously plenty of products that you just do not like. But I think that if you hate it at first, don't rule it out. LAUREN: Give it a second chance. ZOE: Yes, I think it's so important. LAUREN: What are other things on your list? Bad first impressions? ZOE: Believe it or not, I was really against AirPods for a long time. I was a wired headphones girl, and I kept saying that I could not imagine my life changing. LAUREN: I'm convinced I have small ears. ZOE: Oh, do they fall out? LAUREN: Yes. ZOE: I wonder. It could be. But I was so against AirPods for a long time because I was so set in my ways. I also was like, the connection's not going to be great, whatever. I don't know — what did I know about headphones? And then I got them, and I was like, wow, life is new. LAUREN: I can do the dishes while listening to a podcast and walk around the house. ZOE: It's the best. LAUREN: Or when we're working from home, or even when we're in the office, if you have a meeting and have your headphones in, then you're like, oh, I need to refill my water bottle, and you go and you refill your water bottle, and you're still listening. Although that's when I worry that somebody's going to be like, Lauren, what are your thoughts? And then I'm running back to my desk. ZOE: I feel like that always happens. But truly, I was so against AirPods for a while, and Bluetooth headphones in general, because I was too set in my wired headphone life. Now, I think back to years ago when I was running long distance with wired headphones. LAUREN: Insane. ZOE: I cannot believe it. The amount of times I almost ripped my ears out because I made one teensy, tiny wrong move. LAUREN: Sometimes when you wear wired headphones, the off-brand ones that you get on Amazon, do they shock your ears? ZOE: Yes! That's actually why my mom bought me AirPods in college. When I moved to Chicago, we had to wear, obviously, insanely heavy parkas. And I would always call her when I was walking from my dorm to my first class of the day. That was always our chit-chat time. She said to me, Are you getting shocked by your headphones? I'm like, yes, why? She's like, I hear it. I was like, what? She's like, Yes, I think it's happening because you're wearing this parka and it's creating so much static. And I was like, yes, that's uncomfortable. And she's like, Why haven't you mentioned this? And I was like, I just thought this was life. What was I supposed to do about this? And she's like, there's a solution. And then she got me the AirPods, and I remember calling her and being like, Mom, this is an exciting experience. LAUREN: My inner ears aren't getting electric shocks. ZOE: So that was one that I really was so against for a while, for no reason. And now, I'm obsessed. I'm trying to think of other ones that had a really bad first impression. Do you have any that stick out for you? LAUREN: Oh, there's something Chad got that I hated, and now I'm like, okay, I actually like it. ZOE: Isn't that terrible when you have to admit to someone that they were right about something? So annoying. LAUREN: What was it? I can't remember, but this I still hate — he set up his freaking sound bar for surround sound. And I am like, it's so dumb that we have this. Our apartment is 700 square feet. We don't need surround sound. And our living room is 200 square feet. It's not big enough that we need surround sound. So that is a product that has not changed my mind, and I will not let it change my mind. It sucks. That straight up sucks. ZOE: One that I can't get behind is the Furbo, which I know is surprising as a parent of four pets, but the spewing treats out… it's a no from me. LAUREN: When we did Pet Awards testing, I was testing one of those cameras, and I loved it for a moment. I was like, This is so great. I can watch him, and I can throw treats in the air. I think it works fine for dogs. I don't know. I haven't tested it with dogs. But not for cats that can jump up on the counter.I did not screw it to the wall or whatever, so he learned very quickly that there are treats inside this canister, and if all he does is just knock this thing over, he can have a huge quantity of treats. That was instantly what happened. I would set this thing up, and he would knock it over. I would set it up with no treats, and he would knock it over. ZOE: Right, because they still think they're in there. They smell the remnants of it. But I think even with a dog, they sit in front of it. It's conditioning. LAUREN: It's literally screen time for pets. ZOE: Yes! I cannot get behind the treat-dispensing cameras. I just can't. The other thing for me is, when I look at my pets on my cameras, I don't want them to know. I don't want to drive them crazy. I don't want to cause a whole scene. I want to sneakily be able to be like, Alright, is everyone alive? Is everyone okay? And then turn my camera off. If I were to throw a treat out, the ruckus that would ensue… even from a distance, I can't handle that. I love my 360 cameras. I have the Petcube ones, and I have Blink ones too. They're fantastic because you can spin them around quietly, so the pets don't really know, and you can see the whole room. I have everything I need right there. I don't need to spew a treat out and cause a problem. That's one that I will not change my mind about. LAUREN: Creating addicts… like, no. ZOE: I'm not about that life. LAUREN: I thought of one. Actually, I thought of two. Number one: you know Therabody? ZOE: Yes. LAUREN: They have that recovery cube? ZOE: Yes. LAUREN: When I first got that product, I was like, this is so dumb. Because why would you need a special device when you could just get an ice pack? Essentially, the Therabody either cools down or heats up, so it's either a heat pad or an ice pack. And I thought it was so dumb. Like, just use an ice pack. I was being a little bit of — what's it called when you're a technologically-adverse person? A Luddite? I was being a little bit old, grumpy and crotchety about it. I actually really liked it during marathon training. My shins were hurting and my knees were feeling a little strange, and I would just plop that thing on and it would do a hot and cold cycle. I would just set it and it was awesome. I could recharge it, nothing was melting, nothing was wet. ZOE: You didn't have to take one thing off; put the other thing back. LAUREN: Yes! I actually really liked it. So, I hated it at first, and then I ended up really liking it, and I used it a lot. The other thing that we use consistently is the Casper Glow Light. I was at the press event when they launched the Casper Glow Light, and we were at their factory. I think the CEO was there. And I was like, Why are you launching a night light? ZOE: You're a mattress company. LAUREN: Yes, a night light you can take to the bathroom felt like such a weird pivot. I mean, they were so kind. I should say — they were so kind. The product had me baffled at first. This was probably 2017 or 2018, so now this is six or seven years later, and we have the Casper Glow Lights on our nightstands. Chad uses it every single night. He flips off his nightstand lamp, and then he turns over the Casper Glow Light every single night without fail. ZOE: We have a couple people on our team who love that thing. LAUREN: Mine's not charged. Mine is sitting on my nightstand, not charged. But if his is not charged and not operating, he has a bad night's sleep. He's in a bad mood, and he's like, I don't know what to do. I go to bed earlier than him, and I need to make sure that the lights are off. ZOE: Me too. I need pitch black. LAUREN: He is a man that will sleep with the lights on, and it drives me nuts. So I'm like, you need to turn your nightstand lamp off. And he turns it off, but he still needs a light, so he uses the Casper Glow Light because it fades out. That's the perfect scenario for us because he still has his light, but then probably in 30 minutes, when he's asleep too, it's already off. And I don't have to be up in the middle of night, reaching over him, turning off his light, which has happened. ZOE: I love that you changed your mind about that. LAUREN: Now I'm a big fan because it has created a better sleeping scenario for him. ZOE: Well, for both of you, truly. Speaking of bedtime, another thing that I was kind of against, or I didn't really understand the purpose of, was a silk pillowcase. I was like, Why am I spending so much money on a silk pillowcase. This is ridiculous. And then I got one as a gift one year. It was in my stocking, and it wasn't a particularly fancy one; it was just a silk pillowcase. And after a couple of sleeps, I was like, wow, my hair actually does look much better. LAUREN: Have you noticed anything good with your skin, too? ZOE: Yes, for sure. LAUREN: I feel like the changes with those are subtle, but impactful. ZOE: With curly hair, I noticed it very quickly. LAUREN: Oh, I'm sure with curly hair. ZOE: I'm so sorry to this pillowcase that I was so adamantly against you. I now have one that I travel with, and I put it on the pillow in the hotel. I love it. I cannot believe I was thinking this is the most bougie thing ever, and it truly was so necessary for me. I love it. Also, another one that I was like, this is ridiculous, was the filtered showerhead. I was like, This is dumb. LAUREN: Does it show you what it filtered out? ZOE: Yes! LAUREN: How disgusting. ZOE: I was horrified. LAUREN: I need to see pictures. ZOE: I showed someone on our team the other day. I now write about filters of all kinds, and never in my life did I think I'd be so passionate about water filtration. But we are. I now not only have a filtered showerhead. I also have a filtered bathtub thing, I have sink ones, I got my pets a filtered water fountain. That was the one that really got me. Listen, if I'm going to use disgusting water for myself, who cares? But not my children. LAUREN: I hope that when I come back in my second life, I will come back as one of your pets. ZOE: You will get the freshest, most filtered water. LAUREN: I'll get the freshest, coolest air. I will have fresh food. I will have fresh water. I really want to manifest that and put that out to the universe. In my next life — ZOE: One of my cats. LAUREN: I will be one of Zoe's cats. ZOE: I set up this water fountain. I was like, girls, you are going to love this, which obviously they do. They love a fountain. LAUREN: Do I need one? I don't have one, and I was talking to someone yesterday because we were talking about how there's this new Japanese vaccine that will keep cats alive for another 10 or 15 years. ZOE: Fantastic, sign me up. LAUREN: It helps their kidneys not fail. And this person was like, My first cat died of kidney failure because I always fed them dry food and they never drank enough water. And I'm sitting there going, Oh my God, I am such a bad cat mom. My cat has dry food. He drinks water, but is it enough? And she's like, Now I got wet food for my cats, and I got one of those fountains. And I'm like, I need to get a fountain. ZOE: It's the Petlibro Capsule Fountain. It's kind of for dogs, and they have other ones for cats that I'm sure are great. But because I have cats and a dog, I just got the dog one. And my cats actually love that they kind of have to stand up and get the water. I feel like they think they're in the wild at the watering hole. LAUREN: Like they've earned their water. ZOE: Exactly. They also love that it's bowl-shaped, so they scoop it into their mouths. It's the most fun activity ever for them. It's adorable. But I didn't think to myself, This is the same water that's coming out of my shower. Of course, it's going to be nasty. It's coming out of my kitchen sink, too. The first time I took that filter out, it was black. I will show you a picture. Oh, my God. Any filtered product, I am now your number one fan. I completely changed my mind. I think it's sometimes those before and afters that you need to experience. LAUREN: Those disgusting ones? ZOE: Yes, because you can see them online — LAUREN: But you're like, is it marketing? ZOE: Yes, especially if you see that on a brand's website. So often you're like, please, you edited that. But no, not this. I'm won over for life. It was stunning. LAUREN: I mean that, plus the Japanese vaccine. I need my cat to live another 20 years. Every time my husband does the math and realizes how old he is, I'm like, I don't want to hear it. I don't want to talk about it. ZOE: Nope. Out of sight, out of mind. LAUREN: I need the world to freeze in this moment, him to stop aging, me to stop aging. My husband can age. ZOE: Truly, you must get this. It changed my mind. You will have your mind changed. Winner. I feel like sometimes it's those things that you're a little reluctant to try. Because there's plenty of things that I just know I'm not going to change my mind about, and it's not even worth trying. There are other things that I'm on the edge about, and I'm like, should I just take the leap and just see if it works? And sometimes that's the thing that wins you over. LAUREN: I feel like it happens a lot when we do our product testing. We measure a little bit by first impression and what our initial thoughts were. But it happens so often with us where we're like, this is actually a great product. We hated it at the start but loved it at the finish. ZOE: I also think it's interesting when people love something on the first impression, they use it at least four or five times, and they're like, you know what? It's not working for me anymore. Sometimes you have to experience the wear and tear. And in some situations, that wear and tear could be over a month, but in other situations, it could be over days. LAUREN: That happened with Wellness Awards leggings testing, shoes, white T-shirts. So many people are like, I loved it, then I washed it and now I hate it. There's the reverse of that, which happens too. I think give something a chance, try it and if you still don't like it, find a better home for it. If you can return it, fine. But often, returns just end up getting thrown out, especially with Amazon. So maybe find a good home. If you try pet products, what do you do with pet products if you don't end up loving them? ZOE: I first try to see who in my life could take it, and then I will donate it to the animal shelter. Some animal shelters will take anything, but others will only take some things, so I'll call and be like, will you take this? And nine times out of 10, they're thrilled to take it. One of our best hacks as a team is anytime we don't like, or washed and ruined, sheets, towels, etcetera, you can take them to the animal shelter. They always need them. Obviously, your budget is your budget, and you don't want to waste your money. But if you're trying something and you go into it saying, I will just see what happens, if, after a couple tries, you're like, This is not for me, and you can't return it or no one wants it, donate it to someplace great. LAUREN: You might not like it, but somebody else will. Unless it's a beauty product, which you can't donate. But there's places where you can recycle beauty products. ZOE: I think the moral of the story is, just try it. Give it a chance. And remember that not everyone will have the same experience with it. That's important. Just because one person's mind can't be changed, doesn't mean you won't like it. Like me with the Furbo. Those Furbo lovers out there, you do you. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select and I co-host our live podcast, For What It's Worth, with editorial director Lauren Swanson. In this article, I summarize Episode 2: Products that changed our minds. I included a summary of the episode, a transcript, products we recommend during the podcast and related articles.