13 Joy-Sparking Products W+G Editors Bought Last Month That Made Them *So* Happy
After more than three carefree, sun-soaked months, summer is finally reaching its end. *Sigh.* It was fun while it lasted, and Team Well+Good has the stuff to show for it: a very cutesy, very demure selection of products that offered us small joys to contend with this season’s inevitable passing.
And we do mean small joys—many of what my colleagues and I added to our shopping carts are well under the $100 mark. The majority were skin, hair, and makeup products that breathed fresh life into our routines (think facial oil and cream blush), while others reflected a preemptive nostalgia for the warm season (like sandals). Some others were more practical but no less joyful. It’s a mixed bag, but all were a sure source of serotonin for our team.
Scroll to see all the joy-sparking products that made us so incredibly happy last month. We hope that they make you happy, too.
Allison Forsyth, Associate Health Director
“I’ve always had thick, curly hair, but noticed that it’s been thinning over the last year or so. After asking some friends for advice, I was recommended the Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil from Mielle Organics. I’ve read that rosemary oil is good for scalp health and regrowth, and this product did not disappoint. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and not only have I seen new growth (especially along my hairline), but it also smells amazing and leaves my hair looking shiny and clean after letting it soak into my scalp for 30 minutes before hopping in the shower.”
Alyssa Gray, Digital Designer
“I received a Camp Snap’s Screen-Free Digital Camera for my birthday this year. It has been so much fun to play with and document my travels! I love the vintage aesthetic of the photos, and it is so easy to use. The USB-C cable makes it easy to charge, and you can just connect it to your laptop and download the images to your desktop whenever you want. Also, the design of the camera itself sparks so much joy every time I see it!”
Amy Eisenger, Head of Content
“Double-tasking beauty products? Sign me up. Years ago, TikTok taught me that I should be allowing my cream blushes or lipsticks to do double (or even triple) duty, adding color to my lips, eyes, and cheeks. But the results haven’t always been perfect. Enter Kylie Jenner’s very cutesy lip and cheek blush tint. The brand sent me all six colors to try—and I quickly fell in love. These semi-sheer hues go on silky smooth and are highly blendable. The sponge applicator makes it easy to apply to lips, where the finished look is a bit like a stain: matte, but not a bit drying. My current go-to shades are Pretty in Neutral and Glow Away, both of which add just the right pop without looking done up.”*
*Gifted
Normally $90
“Over the past year or so, a slew of products that promise to turn back the clock on your hair have started popping up everywhere. This trio, from NatureLab, offers a shampoo, conditioner, and essence—a serum applied to the scalp—that are supposed to decrease grays and reduce hair thinning in its early stages. It takes about 90 days of consistent use to see results, and while I haven’t used the product for that long, I can say that I thoroughly enjoy the way it makes my hair feel: smooth, moisturized, and not weighed down. I’ve been on a steady hair regrowth journey for the past two years, and the serum in this trio, which is packed with peptides, will be a regular part of my rotation going forward.”*
*Gifted
Danielle Calma, Commerce Writer
“It was only a matter of time before calamansi, a citrus fruit native to Asia, got its shine, and this is the perfect vehicle to show off its zippy flavor. At first sip, it made me audibly ahh with pleasure. It’s refreshingly fizzy, tart but not sour, with a taste that isn’t at all artificial—at least to me, it tastes like being home.”
“My ideal sandal is comfortable enough for walking long distances, with some lift so my toes aren’t so close to city pavement. This pair meets—nay, exceeds—my criteria. It is cushy underfoot, and the straps don’t dig into my skin while I walk. For a shoe that’s made for the outdoors, it’s also surprisingly versatile. I can attest that it plays nicely with shorts, trousers, and maxi dresses.”
Danielle Zickl, Fitness Editor
“My skin is prone to getting dry and flaky, and this oil provides so much moisture to it. The best part? My face doesn’t appear oily after I apply it—it rubs in super well. Not to mention, it smells like rose, which relaxes me. The vitamin C brightens my skin, the squalane supports and replenishes my skin’s moisture barrier, and the rose extract helps cleanse and prevent blemishes.”
Danny Feekes, Head of Commerce
“A few years ago, magnetic masks were all the rage, and that’s when I invested in Madonna’s MDNA Chrome Clay Mask. Recently, I had the urge to try it again, and I’m so glad I did. Not only do I love the way it makes my skin look and feel, the gimmicky aspect is also a lot of fun. While Madonna’s version is on the pricier side, the e.l.f. version likely delivers similar results at a fraction of the cost.”
Francesca Krempa, Commerce Editor
“I spend half of my year in Salt Lake City and the other half on the East Coast. Until this past move back, I had been packing my clothes back and forth via trash bags (IYKYK). Not anymore! These $20 garment bags are the best. thing. ever. They’re so convenient—if there’s a move in your future, I beg you to get these. Best $20 I spent last month, hands down.”
Jenna Gibson, Creative VP
“After wearing Birkenstocks daily all summer, I’m very excited to wear some closed-toe shoes. I bought these pink, buttery-suede Alohas that I’m excited to be my transition into fall with all my basic, casual mom outfits.”
Jessica Campbell-Salley, Fitness Associate Director
“It’s late summer, and these have replaced nearly all my other shoes for the season. I don’t have to change for creek crossing on long hikes; I don’t have to worry if I’m going to slip on a wet rock or even loose gravel; my feet aren’t overheating in hot summer temps. I also love that the straps are customizable for my foot in a way lots of other brands aren’t, ensuring I’m not getting tiny rocks stuck between my arch and the footbed.”*
*Gifted
Kaitlin Ahern, Health Director
“My 4-year-old is constantly curious about my morning coffee (what does it taste like? Can she drink coffee when she goes to kindergarten? How about when she’s in college?), so when I heard about Kiid Coffee, I was immediately intrigued. The brand was founded by a dad and his 8-year-old son who, like my kid, was really interested in coffee. It’s made with organic, water-processed decaf coffee (99.9% caffeine-free) and loaded up with vitamins, minerals, and prebiotic fiber. You mix the powder into milk, and voila, kid coffee. I received a sample as a gift, but it’s something I plan to order on my own. My daughter loves that she gets to share this special drink with me in the morning, and I love that she’s getting a sneaky little nutrient boost.”
Rachel Kraus, Senior Fitness Writer
“I got to finish off a Pvolve workout class with a mini facial from Heyday, and man, should every workout class end that way! I am sensitive to fragrance—the last facial I got at a fancy spa was a disaster—but Heyday used only fragrance-free products on me that nonetheless still smelled and felt so good. The facialist felt more like a face masseuse than a skincare practitioner, and I’ve never had gua sha that felt so good and so cleansing. Treat yo’self!”
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