April is one of those months where you just never know what you might get. One day, we’re met with gloomy showers and another, we have sunlight and a crisp breeze bestowed upon us. In other words, there’s definitely a level of uncertainty at the start of spring. With that said, one thing that is guaranteed at NBC Select is that we’re always bound to find new products that we’ll end up chatting about at the office, regardless of how many rainy days are thrown our way.
As usual, this month we tried tons of products across categories like skin care, footwear, travel and more — some for the stories we write and others as part of our everyday lives. Since not every product makes it into every story, we use this column to highlight our favorite finds from the month that we think are worth sharing. Below, you’ll find Korean beauty products, ultra-durable tote bags, firming moisturizers and more.
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Elliott Hyon
Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Toner
I recently finished my bottle of Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner and despite the fact that I love the product, I wanted to try something new. I wanted to adjust my skincare routine and target my stress-induced acne breakouts so I was back in the market for a new toner. I’m very loyal to Korean beauty products so I asked my relatives back home for any recommendations and they all recommended this rice milk toner from Beauty of Joseon. I never felt like toners made a major difference for my skin, but I have noticed one with this product. It’s light, hydrating and a great base layer for my other skincare products. It’s a dual layer product with water and powder for both hydration and sebum control so you have to shake it before use. My skin feels softer, my pores look smaller and my T-zone is less oily so this is a new staple in my skincare routine.
Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs
I live in a lively neighborhood and my bedroom faces the street so falling asleep is always difficult. I don’t like traditional foam earplugs because they can be tricky to use and I lose them when they inevitably fall out as I’m sleeping. After finding out about updates editor Mili Godio’s love of the original Loop Quiet ear plugs, which also won a Wellness Award in 2024, I bought the Loop Quiet 2 ear plugs. They have become an integral part of my nighttime routine. They’re so easy to use with the circular handle and the four different earbud sizes let you adjust how the ear plugs fit. I like to listen to music as I fall asleep, but these ear plugs are not completely noise cancelling so you could pair this with a white noise machine or your Spotify playlist. The noise reduction blocks out external sounds that might disrupt me like my clanking radiator or my neighbors who love to blast music at midnight. Loop has other ear plugs designed for festivals or background noise that I might try in the future, but for now, I’m a lot more well-rested with the ones I have.
Jordan Bowman
La Sportiva TX4 Evo
I recently wrote a trend story about hiking or climbing shoe alternatives for everyone who might be tired of the ultra-popular Salomon XT6. One of my favorite sneakers from that story was the La Sportive XT4. It has a leather upper, Vibram sole and a wide forefoot fit for more comfort around the toe box of the shoe. I also love the hint of yellow and those loud tropical blue laces. I’ve been wearing my new pair for about three weeks and it’s a welcome addition to my shoe rotation.
Zoe Malin
Nova Microdermabrasion Store Dog Stroller
This month I finally achieved one of my life-long dreams: becoming a lady who pushes her small dog in a stroller through Manhattan. My 4-month old puppy is tiny, and after walking for about half an hour, she’s over it. So I got this stroller to make running errands and going to the park comfortable for both of us. Pushing the stroller is more convenient than holding her in her bag for longer outings, and she can stretch out to sleep.
I was specifically drawn to this dog stroller because it folds down — I slide it under my bed when I’m not using it and it fits in car trunks, which is ideal for any upcoming road trips. The basket my puppy sits in also detaches, so it doubles as a carrier if I need one, and the stroller has built-in storage. I’m a firm believer in dog strollers — I know they seem a little ridiculous, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Milk Hydro Grip 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Skin Tint
My mom introduces me to most of my favorite makeup — she’s very passionate about it and does extensive research. She recently bought us a tube of Milk’s gel skin tint after seeing it on TikTok, which I’m thoroughly in love with and have been wearing for weeks. It has a creamy, serum-like texture, and when I apply it to my face using a brush, it evens out my skin tone immediately and gives my skin a smooth appearance. As its name suggests, the tint is grippy — it essentially holds anything I put over it in place, like blush and concealer. It also doesn’t fade off, even when I wear it for hours. I typically don’t like the way makeup feels on my skin, so I’m picky, but I haven’t found this to be irritating and it hasn’t caused my acne to flare up. I’m definitely keeping it in my makeup rotation.
Universal Standard Stephanie Wide Leg Ponte Pants
I’m always looking for nice pants to wear on-air, and these are my new favorite pair. Universal Standard sent me a pair when they launched earlier this year. I tried them on and I immediately knew they were keepers. They have a wide-leg style, so I tucked a slim fitting shirt into them for my most recent broadcast segments. I didn’t think about my outfit all day because I was so comfortable, and since the fabric is pretty wrinkle-resistant, I didn’t frantically steam my pants minutes before I had to be on camera (which I often do). I’m about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and these pants were long on me even with heels, so I got them tailored.
Jem Alabi
Moussy Straight Long Coat
This jacket is not only really pretty, but also super practical and sleek. When I accidentally spilled coffee on it, I was able to wipe it right off — no staining at all. It’s long, warm and just the right weight for those chilly days when the temperature is transitioning into spring. The fabric is soft, and I love the deep navy blue color.
Cyklar Sacred Santal Sensorial Body Wash
The scent of this body wash is incredible: mature, sweet and perfectly balanced. I actually got compliments from my friends about how good I smelled and I wasn’t wearing any perfume. The brand says the major notes of the fragrance are bergamot, cardamom, wood and vanilla. It’s also a great help for my naturally dry skin which doesn’t react well to most soaps. The formula also includes a coconut fatty-acid multi-oil complex and glycerin, which would explain why my skin feels so soft long after my shower.
Cory Fernandez
Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream
I received a sample of this moisturizing face cream from Fresh after editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez gave it a glowing review. I’ve used it almost every evening before bed for the last few weeks and I love everything about it — aside from black tea, it has a lovely floral scent to it and the cream itself is the perfect consistency for spreading evenly around my face without leaving it feeling greasy. The morning after I put it on, I notice a subtle, moisturized glow to my face. Plus, it makes my face feel a lot less heavy and inflamed.
Beis Commuter Tote Bag
I recently switched from a backpack to this versatile commuter tote from Beis, and it’s been a major upgrade ever since. I love that it has small straps on each side that I can wear on my shoulder, but it also has one large, detachable strap so I can also wear it across my body. Plus, it has other helpful features like a key leash (a game changer for me) and two water bottle pockets on the inside. It also has a large pocket on the front that you can open on the bottom so you can use it as a trolley sleeve.
Lindsay Schneider
Blue Steeletex Beach Tote
Calling it now: this Steele bag is going to be the new status tote of the moment. (Sorry to my beloved L.L. Bean Boat and Tote.) Steele sent me one to test and I’ve been using it for the past few weeks while I moved apartments and traveled to Europe — two activities that required a bag with a lot of space and durability. It’s covered in vinyl-coated nylon so I never think twice about banging it around or getting it dirty since it’s super easy to clean and doesn’t really stain unlike canvas. The size is comparable to the large Boat and Tote (so it can get super heavy) and can easily fit a weekend’s worth of stuff inside. I didn’t have any issues with the 10-inch handles — even when I filled the bag to the brim. It always felt sturdy, secure and definitively long enough to comfortably sit on my shoulder with no issues (even with a thicker jacket on). Plus, it has a small interior pocket, unlike the Boat and Tote, which makes all the difference while traveling. The Yves Klein Blue/cobalt color is such a standout, too.
Harry Rabinowitz
Peak Design Travel Tripod (Aluminum)
I’ve been in a photography rabbit hole for the better part of a year now — learning everything I can to take photos I am happy with. If you’ve been reading my reviews, hopefully you’ve noticed more detailed product photos.
One of the most invaluable tools in getting some of these shots has been this Peak Design tripod. I’ve used it for about 10 months after the brand sent me a sample for review. Like any tripod, it lets me get shots that would be impossible otherwise — low-light scenes, certain macro shots and any photo where I need to be in the shot instead of behind the camera.
What makes this one great is the compact design. I recently traveled across the country with it, and while I wouldn’t call it lightweight, it is portable and fits easily in my carry-on backpack. It also has more features than I can count, and an excellent video product tutorial going over each and every one. It is pricey, though — more of an investment than something to try for fun.
Mili Godio
Mango Double-Breasted Cotton Trench Coat
I’ve been looking for a good trench coat for months, but the ones I tried on always looked too frumpy or bulky. This Mango trench was exactly the fit I was looking for: It’s the perfect length, it’s not too oversized and it has a chic belt to tie it all together. Plus, it’s durable and holds up in heavy rain, so I don’t have to worry about wearing it in the unpredictable spring weather.
Glossier You Fleur
I’m a huge fan of Glossier’s You fragrances, so when I heard that the brand was releasing a new one for the spring, I had to get my hands on it. To me, it smells fresh, tropical and slightly musky. It’s a very unique scent that immediately had me hooked. I’ve gotten multiple compliments on it and it stays on my clothes for days. Plus, it still gives the same “your skin but better” vibe as Glossier’s other You perfumes, so it’s soft, clean and never overpowering.
Big Night Olive Cocktail Picks
When it comes to hosting essentials, I always look to Big Night for fun, unique options. I got these olive cocktail picks to display on my bar cart, and they add such a playful touch to any cocktail. I also have matching olive cocktail napkins, so the combination gets me a host of compliments when I’m having dinner parties.
Josie Maran Vanilla Vibezzz Whipped Argan Oil Firming Body Butter
I had heard great things about this body butter on social media, and it surpassed all of my expectations. The whipped texture makes it incredibly light and easy to blend, and the vanilla scent is one of the best I’ve ever smelled in a body cream. I love applying it after showering because the scent isn’t too overpowering and it layers perfectly with other fragrances. Plus, it absorbs quickly, so it doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on my skin. Instead of the tub, I bought the refill pouch because I like that I can easily squeeze it out (which helps me avoid having to dip my fingers into the container).
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about home, kitchen and lifestyle topics. I test home appliances, cleaning products, cookware and more. I’ve written about the best gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week, shower cleaners and stainless steel cookware.
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