17-05-2025
35 Fun Products You Probably Don't Need, But Sure Do Deserve
A cheerful, ridiculously roomy corduroy tote bag that you'll want in every pattern this spring. This lightweight number is strong enough to handle your groceries but also adorable enough to demand that you stick a little Trader Joe's bouquet in them to peek out the side. Also ... it has an inner POCKET.
A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash infused with white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber that reviewers swear by for a cheap alternative to keep that delectably luxe scent on them all day long. Nothing wrong with smelling a lil' ~~expensive~~!
A buildable Lego cherry blossom reviewers love for a small but thoughtful way to add a touch of whimsy to their floral displays, or to gift to a fellow Lego enthusiast as a cheerful lil' pick-me-up.
L'Oreal Paris Makeup Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara in a new brown shade so you can have all the *vavoom* of thick, full lashes with that romantic ~softness~ of the more muted shade. Similar to the iconic black shade that made it famous, this mascara doesn't smudge, clump, or flake for alllll day wear, and washes easily to be extra gentle on lashes.
Death Wish Instant Coffee Packets so downright (dare I say, DANGEROUSLY) delicious that even the biggest coffee snobs you know might trade in their precious pour-overs. That is, if they can handle the 300mg of caffeine per cup 👀.
Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey you're definitely going to want to stock up on *now*, before TikTokers go feral again (guilty as charged). This cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status — it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it subtly transforming entire beauty looks with just a few swipes.
A TikTok-beloved "Soft" perfume rollerball that honestly has no right smelling so delectable and layering so well considering it's only five cash dollars. Reviewers are obsessed with the scent's warm sweetness with a hint of citrusy zest, comparing it to waffle cones, lemon pound cake, and warm vanilla scones ... and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar 👀.
A shaker of Thin Mint seasoning you need to buy as a favor to all your taste buds immediately. Allow me to paint a picture for you: Thin Mint coffee, Thin Mint pudding, Thin Mint popcorn, Thin Mint anything your dessert gremlin heart desires.
A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit for anyone on their "happy accidents" beat — this itty bitty set comes with everything you need to create three tiny masterpieces of your very own.
A set of hair tie bracelets designed to look like *actual* jewelry, so you won't be kicking yourself when you realize you left a hair tie on your wrist for every photo.
Murdle, Volume 1, a true essential for anyone who relaxes to true crime podcasts or Only Murders in the Building. The book is full of 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles with four different levels of difficulty that they can do solo or with pals, and in order or out of order (although if they do it in order, they get the full scoop on Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino, whose hilarious misadventures guide you through the book).
A cheeky pair of double-buckle slides that look like what happens when a Birkenstock from the 2000s falls in love with a jelly sandal from the '90s in a forbidden time-crossed romance.
A set of limited edition wildflower Band-Aids so the next time you get a little ouch, you can be like, "wound care, but make it fashion."
A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," a beloved member of the *elite* Needoh sensory fidget toy line for anyone who wants to add more calm and focus to their day. This goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish with a "slow rise" before going back to its original shape. Reviewers also love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean.
Spring Moments, another beloved stress relief coloring book from Coco Wyo, a brand that's made itself famous on TikTok for its cozy, relaxing, easy-to-draw themes. This one is full of happy little animals frolicking in springtime shenanigans. 🌸
An oh-so-snuggly Kindle, iPad, and phone lap pillow holder so you can stream content or read the latest fairy, dragon, and/or "dead girl found in the woods" book in the *ultimate* comfort. This can rotate and easily adjust the angle of the screen, and even comes with a little spot to hold a snack!
A pair of pretty pastel wireless over-the-ear headphones crafted to look like AirPods Max, so you can still enjoy the comfort and chic style of their iconic headphones without shelling out hundreds of dollars. These feature premium cushion padding, a built-in mic with the ability to take calls, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and surprisingly decent noise blocking for the price.
The TikTok-viral Nooni appleberry lip oil that more than earned its spot on the MVP List — this K-beauty staple not only tints your lips for all-day wear, but helps moisturize and plump lips, so it's your one-stop shop for lip color *and* care.
A set of cowboy straw toppers to add some much-needed "yeehaw!" into your hydration regimen, and keep your straws safe from germs out here in the wild, bacterial west.
A three-pack of vintage-inspired polarized sunglasses for anyone who needs to stock up on a few "these look like Ray-Bans, but I won't cry into my Baja Blast if I accidentally leave them in the Taco Bell parking lot" pairs this year. These are especially handy because you can match the subtle prints to whatever 'fit you're wearing!
A "float-tea unicorn" to make steeping your tea downright magical every morning, no matter *how* much caffeine you need to get yourself across today's rainbow.
A light up solar frog figurine for your garden or porch so when you come home from that "just one drink" dinner past midnight, this croaky lil' fella can lovingly judge you for it.
A goth popcorn maker and bowl for anyone who wants an extra side of spook with their saltiness. This silicone skull is so easy to use that you can pour in the kernels, pop it in the microwave for two to three minutes, and get eight cups of freshly popped popcorn without even having to use oil!
Yellowbird's Small Batch Garlic Shiitake Hot Sauce, the beloved brand's *hottest* sauce yet. Those brave enough to ride the burn will love the combo of umami mushroom and spicy garlic and the fresh, slightly floral top note of habaneros. Bonus — this hot sauce is vegan and gluten-free!
An affordable, elegant gold-plated paperclip-style necklace to instantly give any outfit a touch of sophistication without also making it a little, well, *boring*. Elegance, but with a bit of a modern edge.
A dimmable flexible clip-on mushroom light so versatile that it'll become your Emotional Support Shroom — this gizmo clips to desks, cribs, bedside tables, and computer monitors to give an ambient, soft glow that's easy on the eyeballs when you're trying to focus. (Also, it's just so darn precious??)
A compact, beginner-friendly watercolor palette that comes with everything you need to start creating your own masterpieces you can use to decorate your walls in the coziest, most colorful way imaginable — especially with 100 (!!) colors to choose from.
A set of book-shaped sponges, aka what happens when Cinderella and Belle collaborate on your birthday gift.
A set of itty bitty ceramic rice ball vases that all onigiri lovers deserve to have on their desk as a delicious aesthetic. LOOK AT THESE HAPPY BUBS.
A set of retro-style novelty socks perfect for anyone whose plans this spring are, "Be cute, sleep, repeat." Reviewers note that these are delightfully soft and hold up well in the wash!
A set of dainty but surprisingly strong bow-shaped hair clips to pair with all your frilliest spring dresses or to add a soft touch your more structured work outfits.
A little mushroom cap plate for all your appetizer, dessert, and Girl Dinner needs.
A bunch of teensy macaron boxes for a delightful upgrade to many things in your life, whether it's storing pills or trinkets or just staring at them looking all fancy and delicious on your bedside table.
A set of itty bitty vintage-inspired spoons that are just BEGGING to be used for all your coffee, tea, dessert, and yogurt needs. (Is it just me, or do we all have an Emotional Support Tiny Spoon?)
A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea, the zing! of coffee, and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious (far more AFFORDABLE!!) cocktail in one minute.
