Kalohe Danbara
NBC Select Intern
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I’ve never enjoyed hot sauce and I’ve always loved honey. It never occurred to me to try something that combines those flavors for a spicy kick I can tolerate. I taste tested this one in the office during Hispanic Heritage Month and have already gone through a bottle in a matter of weeks. It’s the perfect evergreen dipping sauce for fish, meat, chips, potatoes and so much more.
I was saving up for another pair of Camper shoes before these caught my eye while vacationing in Italy. I didn’t find them very attractive while they were on display, but on my feet, it’s a completely different story. They don’t look or feel bulky and the heel is just high enough to complement casual jeans and fancier dress pants or skirts. They’re also incredibly lightweight compared to other loafers I’ve tried and the break-in period wasn’t too painful.
Of all the clothing in my closet, these jeans have been my most-worn item of the year. They fit like a glove, even after multiple washes, and don’t leave a gap in the back (a common pain point for anyone with curves). Because I’m barely five feet tall, I’m used to getting a lot of my clothes tailored. These jeans were one of the few exceptions in 2025.
I started running again this year and during those first few weeks, my toes were going through it. These socks showed up in my Pinterest feed and I’ve never bought something so quickly in my life. Luckily, they were worth the buy. They provide a very gentle stretch, but still feel like they’re doing something. The fabric is still so soft after washing them many times and unlike the more popular gel separators, I’ve never lost these.
Spending $50 on a litter box was not on my 2025 Bingo card. But in a few years time, when, unlike a plastic one, this isn’t misshapen or leaking, I’ll be grateful I invested in it. Stainless steel is also much easier to clean, in my experience.
I can’t remember the last time I loved a bra this much. It’s my go-to for long train or plane rides when I don’t want to go braless but also don’t want to feel completely restricted. The band is stretchy but not flimsy and my breasts don’t feel like they’re being squished. The bra doesn’t necessarily feel like a second skin, but it’s pretty darn close.
2025 was the first year I gave protein shakes a real shot and it didn’t take me long to find a brand I love. I’ve reordered these too many times to count for a few reasons. The flavors are really nice, the ingredients are easy to understand and each bottle gives me a third of the protein I typically aim for in a day. (They also have shakes with a smaller protein load.) The texture doesn’t feel watery or chalky, either — it reminds me of a perfectly made nut butter smoothie. I only wish they were cheaper.
I, along with several of my coworkers, have a lot of opinions about over-ear headphones, so I was excited when Marshall sent me a sample of these Bluetooth headphones to try out. I’ve used them for about half the year and they are easily one of the best products I tried in 2025. The sound quality is amazing and they’re collapsible, so they’re great to travel with. The ear cups are also extremely comfortable, which isn’t always a guarantee with headphones these days.
We write a lot about oral care at NBC Select, and we test a lot of toothpastes and toothbrushes for our annual Wellness Awards. Opalescence let me try a sample of this whitening toothpaste and their set of whitening strips. While I loved both, this toothpaste has become a go-to for me. It has a great spearmint taste that isn’t overpowering and my breath still feels and smells fresh. I’ve also seen a substantial difference in how white my teeth look after using this for a few months.
The brand sent me a sample of these linen pants in June, and since I had a trip to Spain coming up, it was the perfect time to try them out. I love how luxurious the material feels — they’re flowy and breathable without feeling coarse. These pants kept me cool during the hot European summer and even during trips to the beach. I love that the waistband has a drawstring that’s easy to adjust, and I can dress them up or down, so I didn’t have to change when I go out to eat.
Thanks to Breville's The Oracle Dual Boiler, an espresso machine is now a necessity in my house that I simply can’t live without. This one in particular does everything I need it to do and more — it has a digital screen that lets me choose what kind of coffee I plan to make, including lattes, lungos and cappuccinos, and it automatically grinds, presses and brews my favorite coffee beans, so I don’t have to do all of the work. Best of all, it automatically adjusts the grind size so I get a perfect espresso shot pull each time. Though it appears very high tech, it’s actually a fantastic beginner option — as long as you don’t mind investing quite a bit — since it allows for a smooth, automatic process. It also has a steamer wand for your milk, and the machine adjusts the temperature based on your milk preference (if you’re like me and like your coffee piping hot, you can also adjust the temperature manually).
I’m obsessed with my Lola Blanket, and everyone in my life hears about it. I’ll admit it’s very pricey for a blanket, but it’s the softest one I’ve ever tried. I’m so impressed by how well it holds up after I washed it a few times, and the large version is slightly weighted, so it feels cozier than a typical throw. When my parents came to visit me earlier this year, my mom was so blown away by how soft the blanket was that I had to get one for her for the holidays. Plus, it comes in so many neutrals that you can easily find one that fits your personal style.
As much as I’m a coffee lover, I also love drinking tea, especially before going to bed. Dream Tea NYC lets you create a custom tea blend based on your tastes and preferences. You can choose your tea base (like green tea, chai or chamomile) and up to three of your favorite flavors (like lavender, lemon or ginger). Since I’m indecisive, I took a short quiz to determine the best type of tea for me. Best of all, it comes in a personalized tin with your chosen color or pattern and your name on the front. This makes an adorable gift, too, so I’ll be getting it for my loved ones this holiday season.
Though I love a good toiletry bag when I travel, so much of my makeup and face brushes get mixed together and are impossible to find by the time I get to where I’m going. I’d heard so many great things about the Saie Vanity Case on social media, but it was always sold out when I went to purchase it. I finally got my hands on it this year after the brand sent me one to try, and it’s been one of my most-used items so far. It has several compartments to store individual makeup products, brushes and tools, and it’s big enough to hold everything I need without taking up too much space in my suitcase. It is rigid and a bit tall, which makes packing it harder than a softer-sided toiletry bag, but it’s worth a more organized trip. Plus, it looks incredibly chic.
Whether I’m hosting a dinner party or whipping up a cocktail at home with my husband, chic glassware is a must-have. These Ghia glasses are one of my favorite things in my cabinet because they look gorgeous and elevate any drink. I love that they’re stemless with a rounded base, so they’re much easier to hold and won’t spill all over the table.
I’m always looking for ways to elevate my at-home basics, including my hand soaps. This Evolvetogether hand wash is a little luxury that I get to use everyday; it looks classy in my bathroom, smells incredible and the scent lasts for hours on my hands. I have the Taormina scent, which is a delicious blend of orange blossom, geranium and jasmine, but it also comes in floral and warm spice scents. I’ve gotten tons of compliments from guests when they come over, which is a huge mood booster.
I have no shortage of hair tools, but this thermal brush stands out from the rest. It comes in handy when I wash my hair at night but am too lazy to blow dry or style it, so I can use it the next morning to create bouncy, blowout-style waves. It’s also entirely foolproof — I simply turn it on, let it get hot and wrap my hair around it for a few seconds. It’s great for my damaged, fine hair since I don’t need too much heat to style it.
I’ll admit, I’m intimidated by low-rise jeans — they don’t look good on my body type, and I don’t quite have the confidence to rock them. Yet somehow, these Levi’s jeans look better than any other pants in my closet. They’re the perfect mix of slightly baggy and extremely flattering, and though the band sits right at my hips, they aren’t uncomfortably low or awkward.
I’ve clocked hundreds of miles on my bike this year, and something that’s made every ride more comfortable and fun are these cycling clothes from Le Col. The brand sent me items from its Hors Categorie Collection throughout the year, and they are some of the most comfortable cycling clothes I’ve ever worn. The fabrics are soft, slightly compressive and reassuringly durable, the zippers are sturdy and the padding in the bibs is very comfortable. The collection is pricey, but as I say with all cycling apparel: never buy full price, always buy on sale.
Sometimes it’s utilitarian gadgets like this one that really change my day-to-day for the better. This Anker charging station has three AC outlets, two built-in retractable USB-C cables, a USB-C slot and a USB-A slot. It’s a perfect fit for my work desk — it can power my two monitors, standing desk, and recharge any electronics I may be testing without stray cables cluttering my space.
Sorry if I sound like a broken record, but I’m here to once again talk about how good the Nikon Z5II is. I tested out a review unit from the brand in April and enjoyed the camera so much that I ended up buying one for myself.
Despite being a brand new camera, it’s incredibly easy to get started using it. But it’s also a professional tool with so many features and settings you can dig into (if you want) to truly customize the camera to your liking. Most importantly, it takes amazing photos.
I was devastated when my air conditioner broke in July during the middle of a brutal New York City heatwave — my apartment was sweltering, so I was miserable, and I didn’t budget for a new AC. After comparing a ton of options, I ultimately bought the Midea U, and minutes after I turned it on, I forgot to be upset about unexpectedly spending $300. It cools off my apartment quicker than any other model I’ve used, and it’s virtually silent. Plus, I can control it from my phone or via voice commands. The AC made the rest of the summer (and part of the fall) so much more bearable. Now, I can’t imagine not having the Midea U. It’s without a doubt my best purchase of 2025.
I’ve always wanted to be the person pushing a dog in a stroller through New York City, and this year I became one when I adopted my puppy Mabel in March. Full-grown, she’s about 9 pounds, so if we’re walking long distances, her little legs get tired. She’s also a diva — if it’s rainy, windy, too hot or too cold, she won’t go very far. I bought this stroller to push her in when needed to make both our lives easier, and it has all the features I was hoping for. It’s foldable, making it easy to travel with and store, and its basket is detachable, serving as a carrier. I also love that it has multiple storage pockets and cupholders, so it holds all my and Mabel’s essentials, plus it helps me carry bags and groceries when we’re running errands. I’m a big fan of the canopy on the basket, too, which I use to shield Mabel from inclement weather.
I test over 50 running sneakers a year, and while there’s a handful of models I love from 2025, the Saucony Triumph 23 is my all-time favorite. I’m on my second pair right now, but I’ll need another pair soon because I log so many miles on them. They’re officially my go-to long-distance shoe — I throw them on any time I’m running 11 miles or more, and I’ve worn them for two half marathons so far. They’re incredibly supportive whether I’m running outside or on the treadmill, and they take pressure off my knees, an area I’m always worried about during long runs. They’re also well-cushioned without being heavy. I love that the Triumph 23s come in a wide option, which I buy so the toebox is nice and roomy, preventing me from losing toenails and giving my feet space to swell.
When I adopted Mabel, she was underweight and very hungry, so she ate her food too quickly. Trot offered to send me this bowl set, which comes with a slow feeder and a water bowl, and we’ve used it every single day since March. The slow feeder helps her pace herself while eating kibble, but it’s not so challenging that she gets frustrated during meal time. I love that the bowls are stainless steel, so they’re durable and bacteria-resistant. The set comes with a silicone, anti-slip base, which the bowls magnetically attach to, so I never have to worry about Mabel (or my cats) moving them around or tipping them over. Everything is so easy to hand-wash (or you can throw them in the dishwasher if you have one), plus you get lids for the bowls, which I bring with me while traveling.
My Kindle Paperwhite is my best friend, she goes everywhere I go. I used to be one of those people who stuck up their noses at e-readers and preferred a physical book, but lugging a 600+ page book around on the subway felt foolish. The best thing about the Kindle Paperwhite, which in my opinion makes it superior to any portable electronic, is that it goes a full two weeks before needing a charge (and that’s not due to lack of use, because I’m glued to that thing every day). I highly recommend getting a Kindle Unlimited subscription since that is where I get 90% of my books from.
I have a large collection of jeans ranging from a $35 pair to a $300 pair I got in a boutique in Japan. These GU jeans are definitely the ones I reach for the most. They are the perfect barrel leg that doesn’t feel too wide but still creates a nice open shape. When I wore these for the first time to the office, they were so well received that two of my coworkers immediately bought a pair. I’ve influenced a couple of my friends into buying them, too, and I even ended up buying a second pair for myself.
My top five songs on Spotify Wrapped were all from this album. I snagged this vinyl when it was initially released a few months ago and it is the perfect record. I’m picky about my vinyls because you can’t really skip around, so I buy ones where I don’t have to — and “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” is definitely a no-skip album. Since I grew up in Puerto Rico, this album is so precious to me and speaks to my soul. It’s definitely my favorite purchase of the year by far.
This Olaplex bonding oil was more of a rediscovery for me in 2025. I’ve been using Olaplex’s line of products for almost ten years now and when I first bought this oil a few years ago, I wasn’t a big fan. Since I recently started my curly hair, it’s been a lot of trial and error on the products that work best for me. When I was complaining to a friend that my curls always feel crunchy, she pointed out that I needed to break the gel cast with hair oil. I pulled this one out from a drawer of extra products and it completely changed everything for me. Since then, my curls look bouncy and shiny, and I’ve gotten more compliments than ever. I even tried using other oils to see if they would have the same effect, but none of them gave me the same softness, volume and shine.
I’ve somehow gone my entire life without a handheld shower and assumed New York water didn’t need improving, but the Sproos Handheld Shower and Filter completely changed my mind. Installation was incredibly easy — all the tools were included — and the water actually feels softer. I like that there are multiple spray settings, and the filter lasts about three months before needing a replacement. The showerhead itself also looks chic and adds a modern flare to my prehistoric-looking bathroom. Guests always have something nice to say about it.
These are the same pastilles that Ariana Grande uses, which is how they first caught my attention, but I keep buying them because they actually work. I’m not a fan of menthol-heavy or overly sweet cough drops, and these don’t have that artificial aftertaste I usually hate. They’re soothing for dry mouth and sore throats, last a long time and the reusable tin is genuinely cute.
This year I was gifted a charcoal-infused body pillow that instantly improved my sleep — but it came with a strong, boxy chemical smell that wouldn’t go away no matter how much linen spray I used. Enter the ByMatter Another Day Fabric Freshener, which worked like a charm. Now, I use it on my Uniqlo Heattech pieces to freshen them up between wears and avoid over-washing, which helps keep the fabric in good shape for longer.
Earlier this year, I decided to toss my years-old, permanently-dirty basket air fryer that was probably slowly poisoning me. It was a tough loss since it worked so well, but I quickly forgot about it once I got the Our Place Wonder Oven Pro. This 8-in-1 oven does everything I need and more: it bakes, proofs dough, reheats and more. It preheats fast and most of the pieces are dishwasher-safe. I’ve tried almost all of the settings, and my food has always come out perfect.
Several NBC Select editors love this sunscreen, and since I trust my coworkers with my life, I had to try it out. Obviously, I was not disappointed. It’s hydrating and isn’t too thick or irritating. I have oily skin, so I like that it doesn’t feel greasy, clog my pores or cause any acne. I also love that it has a slight tint, too — it evens my skin tone without overdoing it, so I can wear it under makeup or all by itself.
Dyson sent me this Airwrap to test shortly after it launched this year, and I’ve probably used it every week since. It’s pricey, but it’s by far the best hair tool I’ve ever tried. The Airwrap is an all-in-one hair dryer and styler that smooths my frizzy hair and gives a voluminous, bouncy blowout every time. The motor is also two times as powerful than the previous Dyson Airwrap model, which means my drying and styling time has been cut down tremendously. For anyone looking to splurge on a great hair tool, I cannot recommend this one enough.
I tested this bag early in the year and have been using it consistently ever since. I’m currently using it as a gym bag, but I also use it as a small weekender, grocery tote and even a beach bag. The fabric is durable and strong, but feels super lightweight when it’s empty. It has a ton of pockets on both the inside and the outside, so I can easily organize all of my gym accessories while keeping my keys, AirPods and lip balms accessible.
When Amazon released the newest Kindle model in the color Matcha, it honestly felt like they made it just for me. I couldn’t possibly be more obsessed with not just the color, but also the device in general. It’s lightweight and portable, making it so easy to use on my morning commute, lounging in the sun or relaxing in bed.
I’ve been a longtime Baggu fan, so whenever I’m in the market for a new bag, they’re always my go-to. I picked up the simple black Cloud Bag to take with me to work, and as always, it didn’t disappoint. I’m constantly impressed by how much Baggu bags can hold, but this one especially stands out. It easily fits my lunchbox (also Baggu, of course), my laptop and any other random items I might end up needing. It’s functional, stylish and has quickly become an everyday essential.
I believe a rice cooker should be just as essential in any home as a microwave or toaster. I absolutely love mine; it’s incredibly reliable and easy to use with just two simple settings: cook and warm. It doesn’t take long and consistently delivers great results every time. For anyone who eats rice regularly, it truly makes meal prep easier and more convenient.
Even though this is technically a face mask, I use it as my nightly moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated through dry weather and Tretinoin. I have acne-prone skin, so I love that it’s fragrance-free, gentle and doesn’t cause breakouts.
I consider myself somewhat of a lip balm connoisseur, and this is hands down the best lip balm I’ve ever tried. It comes in eight shades; I love the Guava Fresca shade for a slightly pink lip, the Fig Sauce shade for a bolder, slightly brown lip, and the Butter Mochi for an unscented, clear option that I can apply before bed. This balm keeps my lips hydrated for hours without me having to constantly reapply it. Plus, it has the shine of a lip gloss without any of the stickiness.
I’m an editorial and production intern for NBC Select. For this article, I asked NBC Select editors to highlight their favorite products of the year.
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