If you’re like me or the rest of the NBC Select staff, July was a big spending month. After Amazon Prime Day, Target Circle Week and ongoing weekly sales, I, alongside my colleagues, went a little spending heavy. To put things into perspective, during Amazon’s 48-hour member-exclusive sale, our team spent over $2,300. That’s only two days out of the 31 we had this month.
Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite standout purchases from July. Some are items we bought ourselves, others are courtesy samples from brands. We have favorites across every major category, including helpful pet finds, skin care products, summer essentials and more.
SKIP AHEAD Travel | Kitchen | Home | Beauty + Wellness | Clothing + Accessories | Pet | Tech
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Our favorite travel finds
Jisulife Handheld Fan
While New York City always gets hot and humid in the summer, this year has been especially rough, given our several heat waves. I finally caved and bought this popular handheld fan from Amazon, and honestly, I wish I had gotten it sooner. Only slightly larger than a bar of soap, it has three-speed settings — all of which are cooling — a built-in flashlight and it even works as a power bank for charging your phone. I like that the blades aren’t sharp at all, it’s relatively quiet and the battery lasts me hours. I especially prioritize using it during my commute to and from work and during walks outside. — Cory Fernandez, commerce editor
Amazon Basics Collapsible Folding Wagon
Earlier this month, I moved apartments within my neighborhood, which meant walking many of my items to my new place. This wagon was a game changer during the moving process, making carrying multiple heavy boxes stress-free. It’s surprisingly spacious, so I could fit around three to four large boxes or five to six medium boxes plus other small items simultaneously. It can hold up to 265 pounds, so items like my cast-iron pans, a loaded toolbox and a desktop computer were easy to maneuver. I had no issues steering the cart around the crowded streets of New York City, and it collapses into a flat, portable shape when I’m done. — Mili Godio, updates editor
Our favorite kitchen finds
Sauz Original Combo Pack
I grew up in a Rao’s marinara sauce household, and even as an adult, I rarely stray from my preferred brand when making homemade pizza and pasta. But after learning about Sauz’s origin story — founded by two friends around my age — I was intrigued. The brand sent me its line of sauces to try: Hot Honey Marinara, Creamy Calabrian Vodka, Summer Lemon Marinara and Wild Rosemary Marinara.
I’ve been going through each one over the past few weeks and cooked with them for my family and friends so everyone could try it. We’re all officially obsessed. Each sauce is incredibly flavorful, and I love the addition of ingredients like hot honey and Calabrian chili peppers that take a standard sauce and amp it up. The Hot Honey Marinara, for example, added spicy sweetness to my flatbread, and the Wild Rosemary Marinara took my vegan meatballs from good to fantastic. — Zoe Malin, associate updates editor
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker
I’m a pour-over coffee fan, so I look forward to my coffee-making ritual each morning. I previously made my pour-overs using a coffee filter in a generic glass carafe, but in a moment of clumsiness, I dropped it and shattered it a few weeks back. I replaced it with the Chemex, which I had been eyeing for a while after multiple experts recommended it to me in our pour-over coffee guide, and it has become one of my favorite purchases this year.
I use the brand’s coffee filters, which fit comfortably inside the spout and don’t rip like many other paper filters I’ve tried. The coffee tastes rich and not diluted, and pouring it out of the carafe is seamless. Plus, it comes with a wooden collar, so it’s super easy to handle, even with hot coffee inside. – Mili Godio, updates editor
Shaklee Life Shake French Vanilla Plant Protein
I’m very, very picky when it comes to protein powder. I’ve tried dozens of them over the years, and I often have to abandon formulas because they taste artificial or give my smoothies a powdery, gritty texture. I picked up Shaklee’s gluten-free, vegan Life Shake at an event the brand recently hosted and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it. The vanilla flavor isn’t too sweet for my preferences and blends seamlessly into my smoothies, giving them an extra creamy texture. The resealable bag keeps the protein powder fresh and comes with a little scoop to measure portions. I feel nourished after drinking my smoothie with Life Shake in it, and it refuels me after a long run or strength training session. — Zoe Malin, associate updates editor
Our favorite home finds
Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Hardcore Sheet Bundle
Brooklinen makes some of my favorite bed and bath items, so I decided to switch things up and try a new set from the brand. The Luxe Sateen bed sheets have a silky-soft feel with a subtle sheen. The best part is that I don’t overheat in these while I sleep, which I often do and is usually a dealbreaker for me.
For example, I recently accidentally fell asleep before turning on my air conditioner, and when I woke up, I wasn’t hot or sweaty and felt like I was at the right temperature thanks to these sheets. On top of being soft and breathable, they’re also easy to clean (they hold up well after multiple washes), and the fitted sheet doesn’t come undone easily. — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Dorai Zen Stone Bath Mat
My friends are my biggest influencers, so after trying out Malin’s bath mat from Dorai, I knew it was an absolute must-have for my new apartment. Although it looks and feels like natural stone, it’s made from a smooth, fast-drying ceramic-like material. This allows the bath mat to repel water quickly rather than absorb it like a traditional one would, preventing the growth of mold and bacteria, according to the brand. In addition to drying in literal seconds, it’s also one of the most aesthetically pleasing pieces in my bathroom. — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Tineco Floor One S7 Pro Smart Cordless Floor Washer
This Tineco vacuum makes cleaning my hardwood floors less of a chore. It functions as a cordless vacuum and a mop simultaneously, eliminating my need to buy two appliances and cutting down on my time spent cleaning — a win-win. I fill up the water tank, add the included cleaning solution, press start and choose one of the four modes available: auto, custom, suction and max. I typically use auto mode, which detects messes and decides how much suction and water it needs to release. After using it a few times already, I’m impressed by how much dirt and grime it picks up. I can see how filthy my floors were when I empty the dirty water tank. Since getting it, I even convinced my mom to purchase her own, and we both agree that it’s one of the most convenient home items to have. — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
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Our favorite beauty and wellness finds
Yse Beauty The Overachiever Brightening Eye Masks
Wearing a pair of eye masks while watching TV on the couch is my favorite way to wind down after a long day, so I jumped at the opportunity to try these. The eye masks are made from hydrogel, a somewhat sticky material that grips my skin well and gives off a cooling sensation. They’re infused with vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid and allantoin, ingredients that help brighten dark circles, stimulate collagen production and hydrate skin, according to the brand. After wearing these eye patches, my skin feels tighter and refreshed. My favorite thing is that they’re not goopy or dripping with excess fluid. The side that doesn’t touch my skin is covered in a fabric-like material, so I can wear my glasses on top of them. — Zoe Malin, associate updates editor
Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm
Summer in New York City clogs my pores, so I focus on double cleansing and finding the right products for my naturally dry, eczema-prone skin. After getting a facial at Naturopathica’s spa, I haven’t stopped thinking about and using their cleansing balm. I’ve tried other options before, and I thought I loved them, but this one is gentle on my skin, smells like a jar of honey, and is super effective at removing layers of skin care, makeup and grime that accumulates throughout the day. Surprisingly, my skin feels soft and moisturized after using it. Usually, other balms leave my skin feeling tight and dry, but that’s not the case with this one. To say I’m in love is an understatement, but who wouldn’t when it feels like they have a spa in their bathroom? — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Cocofloss Woven Dental Floss
I’m an avid flosser and can say with confidence that this is the best floss I’ve ever used. I discovered Cocofloss after it won an NBC Select Wellness Award for best floss earlier this year; reading the positive feedback from my co-workers who tested it influenced me to try it out, and I haven’t looked back. I notice a major difference in how my teeth feel when I go a few days without using this floss.
At first, it felt a little uncomfortable since I used string floss instead of woven, but I got used to it quickly. It reaches places other floss doesn’t and my mouth genuinely feels cleaner. – Kelsey Fredricks, production coordinator
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Intensive Curl Perfecting Masque
I’m always looking for hair care products that better define my curls and eliminate frizz, which this mask does. Aveda sent me it to try, along with a selection of its other curly hair products, and I’ve been using it once a week for the past month after I use clarifying shampoo. As I use my fingers to comb the masque through my curls, I feel how much softer they get — it’s like my hair is drinking up all the moisture and holding on to it. It makes my curls look bouncier, shinier and less frizzy. Plus, my bathroom always smells amazing after each use. Multiple people compliment my hair lately, which is always the best feeling. — Zoe Malin, associate updates editor
Prequel Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum
I run dry, so I need skin care products that are hydrating and designed for my type, specifically serums. This serum from Prequel feels like hydration in a bottle — I’m not exaggerating. I apply a few pumps of it during my nighttime routine right after toning, and it immediately cools and hydrates my skin. After massaging it in, my skin appears less dull and has a more radiant glow. Plus, the serum not only makes my skin look more plump and bouncy, it also doesn’t irritate my dry eczema-prone skin. When I wake up to complete my morning skin care routine, my skin is in noticeably better shape than the day prior. – Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Dermstore The French Pharmacy Edit
On my recent trip to France, I stopped by the pharmacy but didn’t have time to grab everything I wanted to try out. This edit from Dermstore saves the day by having full-size and sample-size products, including skin care and hair care items from French brands, like Caudalíe and Avène. Some of these products are ones I’ve tried before, others I’ve been eyeing for the longest time, and others I haven’t heard of, so it’s a perfect way to try out new-to-me brands. — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Jenny Patinkin Luxury Makeup Brush Soap
I’m terrible at remembering to clean my makeup brushes. This soap from Jenny Patinkin makes it so easy to do, so now I’m more inclined to clean my brushes regularly. (The brand sent me a courtesy sample to test.) All I have to do is wet my makeup brushes, swirl them around the soap in the container, rinse them under water and repeat until both the soap and brushes run clear. Afterward, I’ll lay my brushes out to dry and leave the tin container open to fully dry the soap. The results on both my new and old brushes were astonishing. What was once an old brush coated in makeup now looked brand new. Plus, the bristles felt softer and had no soapy residue on them. — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Our favorite clothing and accessory finds
Baggu Puffy Glasses Sleeve
Over the years I have acquired many items from Baggu including its medium crescent bag, laptop case, fanny pack, a now-discounted water bottle sling and a bunch of its lightweight reusable bags, so you could say I’m a fan. I recently decided I hate carrying around a hard glasses case since it takes up so much space in my bag and is heavier than I want. I knew Baggu would have the perfect solution. This soft-sided padded case is lightweight and easy to spot in my bag. It has a magnetic closure, which I appreciate since the Velcro on the similarly padded earpods case I have from Baggu has frayed over time. — Lindsay Schneider, commerce editor
Ossa Cell Phone & Accessory Cases
There’s no better compliment than getting asked where you bought something because a friend or co-worker also wants to buy it. That’s exactly what happened to me with this phone chain and case. It’s a two-piece endeavor you buy individually: a clear phone case with little ball connectors on the bottom and your chain of choice. (You can attach or detach your chain by connecting them to little silver balls at the bottom of the compatible case. That way, once you buy the case, you can keep accessorizing it with as many chains as you’d like.)
The chain hangs from the bottom of my phone so it never gets in the way of my camera when I need to take photos. I’m currently using a tulip-inspired option and I love that the chain is both functional (you can wear it around your wrist to hold onto your phone) and that it feels like a piece of jewelry — they’re a great way to express my mood or pair with my outfit of the day. There are many chain designs to choose from and now I want a million more. — Lindsay Schneider, commerce editor
Wide Leg Sweatpants for Women
If I could wear sweatpants every day for any occasion, I would. And for most at-home leisure or work-from-home tasks, I do. But finding ones that I feel comfortable wearing when walking my dog outside is hard — most are too baggy, long or generally oversized for my taste. These Amazon sweatpants, on the other hand, look and feel great. They’re soft inside and have a high-waisted fit with a comfortable, stretchy waistband and drawstring. The wide-leg design is flattering and modern, plus the length is perfect for me (I’m 5 feet and 3 inches tall, for reference). I also love that it has deep pockets, so I can easily take essentials like my wallet, keys and phone without needing to grab a purse on my way out. – Mili Godio, updates editor
Undo Hairware 4” Claw Clip
I wear a claw clip every day and had yet to find one that felt elegant or chic until I bought this handmade-in-Italy clip from Undo Hairware. Its glossy, silky texture feels smooth in my hand and looks sophisticated and polished IRL. It’s not the strongest claw clip I’ve ever used but it still gets the job done. I haven’t seen any comparable option that looks or feels like this so it’s a win. — Lindsay Schneider, commerce editor
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag
I recently took this Baggu bag to the beach and could comfortably fit my favorite 22-ounce water bottle, the essentials (keys, phone and wallet), SPF lip balm, a bottle of face and body sunscreen, my e-reader and more. (I couldn’t fit my Kindle Scribe on top of those other items, but I could squeeze in my Paperwhite.) I like how adjustable the new 47-inch extended strap is and how the bag comes with two internal zip pockets. It’s comfortable and lightweight and I see why it’s one of Baggu’s bestsellers. – Kelsey Fredricks, production coordinator
Our favorite pet finds
Vetoquinol Pill Wrap Treats for Dogs and Cats
Trying to get my cat to take a pill is the most humbling thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve tried everything — mixing it into her food, using pill pocket treats, crushing it up into baby food and canned tuna… the list goes on. She somehow outsmarts me every time, which practically leaves me in tears and her without medication. I found this pill wrap on Amazon and the reviews convinced me to buy it. Shoppers say their difficult cats love it, so I tried it. It’s genuinely a miracle product.
I take a little bit of the bacon-flavored paste and use it to cover my cat’s pill, which totally disguises it, as well as masks its smell and taste. My cat gobbles up her pill the second I put it in front of her, making my life significantly more peaceful. Every pet parent needs to keep this at home in case they find themselves in a situation like me. — Zoe Malin, associate updates editor
Furemover Original Indoor Pet Hair Rubber Broom
I love being influenced by NBC Select content. The social team recently posted a video about this rubber fur broom, and I instantly added it to my cart. Once in a while, you’ll find a product that feels like a game changer, and this is one of those situations. I constantly clean my apartment floors since my dog’s hair always piles up, especially during the hotter months of the year. This broom makes life a bit easier when it comes to cleaning the carpet, especially because sometimes a vacuum doesn’t always get the job done. – Jordan Bowman, commerce editor
Approved by Fritz Walk Set
My 8-year-old pitbull has a big neck, so many collars that I’ve tried in the past on her, don’t actually fit around her. This one from Approved by Fritz does. It’s a true size large and adjustable, so I can put it around her neck comfortably without worrying if it’s too loose or tight. The collar and leash are also easy to clean. My dog’s previous collars were more of a fabric-like material that attracted and retained a lot of odors and stains, even after I repeatedly scrubbed them. This one’s made from water-resistant plastic-coated nylon, which, in my experience, has been durable and easy to clean. (I do so by quickly swiping a wet wipe.) Overall, it’s approved by Fritz, Baylor, and me. — Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter
Our favorite tech finds
AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones
After wearing my AirPods for eight hours or more a day, they started to feel a little uncomfortable in my ears with my constant sweating. This convinced me to switch to the AirPods Max over-ear headphones and I feel solid about my decision to convert. I love how sleek these look and how seamlessly they connect to my other Apple products, like my MacBook and iPhone. They charge quickly and have a long battery life, up to 20 hours of listening on a single charge, according to the brand. Also, the noise-canceling feature is effective, but I prefer the transparency mode, which lets me hear the ambient sound around me, so I can be aware of my surroundings. . – Jeffrey Kelly, intern
Bose QuietComfort Over-Ear Headphones
I started feeling uncomfortable tucking my AirPods Pro earbuds into my ears daily and needed to clean them more often, so I splurged and bought these over-ear headphones on sale during Prime Day. I like how easy the Bose app is to navigate and how I can enable soothing background noises (like white noise and rain sounds) to help block out even more sound. They have up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, so I don’t need to charge them too frequently, and I like how they fit in my new Baggu bag. – Kelsey Fredricks, production coordinator
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate reporter at NBC Select, covering skin care and hair care, including recent stories on the benefits of gua sha and the best detangling sprays. For this story, our staff, who frequently try hundreds of products a month, share their favorite finds from July.
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