You may have last-minute Halloween costumes and candy on the brain, but the Well+Good team has other things in mind. Specifically, all the joy-boosting products we bought in October. We promise—there are no tricks here, just treats that have made us so very happy.
This October, our editors have embraced the little delights that put a spell on our spirits in the best way. Some have summoned self-care treasures, like a mindfulness coloring book that sparks nostalgia and a candle that casts a warm glow. Others were delightful little luxuries ($10 dupes for the famous Celine sunglasses and bone-conduction headphones that won’t irritate sensitive ears). Each item has cast a spell of joy on our lives. Whether you’re treating yourself or someone you love, we hope these magical finds bring a smile to your face, just like they did ours.
Alyssa Gray, Digital Designer
“My love of candles has continued to grow throughout my life. I get an immense amount of joy from the soft warm light and soothing scents that come every time I light one. With fall officially here, I decided to splurge on a candle from a brand I had heard a lot of good things about, Diptyque. This candle has not disappointed in the slightest! It has an extremely long burn time and the elegant refined scent makes my entire apartment smell incredible. Also, the opaline vessel creates the perfect cozy atmosphere. I have looked forward to lighting it all month long!”
Aimee Simeon, Senior Beauty Editor
“My daughter loves Bluey, so naturally, I am always looking for cute merch and items with her favorite cartoon pup—like these diapers, which I plan to buy by the boatload. Luvs actually gifted us a box of these, and they were terrific: they kept her dry, minimized leaks, and sparked a smile during diaper changes, which you can’t put a price on.”*
*Gifted
Ciara Lucas, Senior Fitness Writer and Correspondent
“I’ve always been curious about juicing. I love how refreshing fresh juice tastes, especially after a sweaty workout—but the cost can really add up. With so many kitchen appliances available, the Nama J3 stood out to me for its size, simplicity, and power. My first time using it was a delicious success that combined oranges, mango, pineapple, and cucumber for a bright and tropical beverage. A major bonus is that this juicer is also super easy to clean, so there’s limited mess. Plus, it comes with a recipe booklet for juice ideas and tips to make a good batch. Juicing is officially my new favorite hobby!”
Allison Forsyth, Associate Health Editor
“Coloring was always a fun and soothing activity for me as a kid, so when I came across this mindfulness coloring book, I knew I had to buy it. The nostalgia of coloring is not only joy-inducing, but it helps slow down my mind when stress and anxiety start to creep in. The intricate designs on each page (there are 100!) are also very cute and whimsical. The wannabe art teacher in me smiles every time I fill in a new page with bright colors.”
Danielle Calma, Commerce Writer
Normally $130
“This cordless handheld vacuum is designed for the kitchen, but I like to use it for other messes that arise in my apartment. I use it to suck up stray hairs and the kitty litter that my messy cat tracks outside his box, and it manages to do the job efficiently—and as quietly as possible. It’s been perfect for quick cleaning tasks, saving me the effort of having to bring my full-sized vacuum out of the closet. Plus, its battery life is surprisingly good—it has a runtime of 24 minutes, and I can use it for up to a week before it needs to be recharged.”*
*Gifted
“There’s no shame in pooping, but when you share a bathroom with someone, these poop drops come in handy. It works like this: Squeeze a drop before and after flushing to trap the stink inside the bowl. The deodorizing drops leave behind a strong floral scent, and my partner and I are very happy that it’s so effective at eliminating stink. I like it so much, I bought another one for my bag—you know, just in case of a public emergency.”
Francesca Krempa, Commerce Editor
Normally $20
“I bought these sunglasses for a recent Eurotrip in which I knew losing my sunglasses was a strong possibility and didn’t want to risk my expensive Costas and Smiths. These were $13 on Amazon and look exactly like the fancy schmany Celine Triomphes, minus the $500+ pricetag. Needless to say, I felt like the coolest girl in Mallorca (I wasn’t) AND I managed to not lose them.”
Danielle Zickl, Fitness Editor
“My favorite forms of exercise are Peloton bike workouts and long walks—with the occasional run or hike thrown in. One of the most important aspects of those sweat sessions is comfortable socks. These from Feetures are genuinely one of the softest pairs of socks I’ve ever worn, plus they wick away sweat and have a tab on the back to prevent blisters from forming on the backs of your ankles (we’ve all unfortunately been there). They also offer the perfect amount of compression—they’re not too loose but they don’t constrict my feet either.”*
*Gifted
“If I’m being honest, I thought pimple patches were a flash-in-the-pan trend among teens on TikTok. But upon trying them out for myself, I can wholeheartedly say I’m a convert. These pimple patches from Franz are infused with tea tree oil and calendula oil for fast-acting, soothing pimple relief. (I’ve put them on before I go to bed and when I wake up, my pimples are literally gone.) They’re also clear and thin so you barely notice them on your face. You can even put makeup on over them.”
*Gifted
Rachel Kraus, Senior Lifestyle Writer
“Cutting down on paper towel use in my home has been my eco-Everest. So when I got served an Instagram ad for ‘reusable’ paper towels I clicked buy so fast, and I am happy to report they work really well! They are very absorbent and not gross (like rags become) once you rinse them out and set them to dry. Plus, the patterns are cute. Paper towels still definitely have their use, but this purchase was worth it for even the handful of times a day I reach for a Papaya wipe instead.”
Amy Eisinger, Head of Content
“I’m pretty picky about the headphones that I work out in. As much as I love my Airpods for work, I’ll never wear them to the gym. I’ve been a Beats Powerbeats fan for years (I wore them for my last marathon), so when I had the chance to try Shokz Open Run Headphones, I went in with a critical eye.
The biggest difference to note about these headphones is that they don’t go in your ear, like normal earbuds. Instead, they sit outside your ear and a tiny speaker delivers the sound. The design is pretty ingenious: Those around you can’t hear your music, and yet, you have more spatial awareness of other environmental sounds—making these ideal if you’re running outside and need to hear traffic or an approaching bicycle bell, for example.
It took a little getting used to, but ultimately, I really like these. They’re super comfortable to wear, the charge lasts for hours, and I love that I could still hear some of the sounds around me. Plus, if your ears sometimes get sore from having earbuds in them all day long (raises hand)—these will be your new go-to.”*
*Gifted
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