23+ products from January 2025 that our editors can’t live without
Our shopping experts found the best items of the year (so far) from brands like Uniqlo and The North Face.
Gore Men’s Windstopper Thermo Long Sleeve Base Layer
$57.00
$95.00
Over the past few months, I’ve been on a (very slow, but steady) journey of purging and reconstructing my wardrobe, which has involved a lot of research and patience when it comes to online shopping. I bought this top from Tankair Studios as a basic closet staple for my closet, and I’ve been absolutely loving it since. It’s made from a poly-spandex blend that doesn’t make me feel overheated when layering it with pieces like sweaters or cardigans, which is great, since I sweat easily. for me as somebody who sweats easily. I also love that the snug fit is really flattering, and I love how chic the slight crop on this top looks when I’m wearing it with bigger or baggier bottoms. I’ll admit that $75 sounds like a lot for a tank top, but after buying the brand’s Collect $$ mini skirt over three years ago and seeing how well it’s held up, I decided it was worth the splurge for a quality piece — and I don’t regret a single cent.
Calpak sent me a sample of this bag to test at the end of last month, and I’ve carried it almost every day since. For me, it’s the ideal work tote — it’s big enough to fit my computer, notebook and all of my other essentials without looking or feeling too bulky. The material is water resistant, so it doesn’t get ruined during rainy commutes, and I can wipe it clean from any accidental dirt or spills. It also has a good amount of storage, including multiple interior and exterior pockets. Plus, the puffer design is also perfect for adding some extra padding on the shoulder straps that makes it comfortable to carry (and looks great with my winter puffer coats).
I’ll be honest — when the brand initially sent me a sample of this body lotion to try, I was terrified of the scent. I’m very particular about fragrance, and although I don’t dislike eucalyptus, I was definitely nervous about how strong the smell would be. Luckily, after using the lotion I was very pleasantly surprised. The scent is definitely powerful, but not so much that it lingers on your skin. It also has notes of lavender, ginger and more, which help to balance the eucalyptus top note without overpowering it. The lotion is formulated with peptides, niacinamide and plant oils, which makes it very soothing and moisturizing, and it also absorbs into the skin really quickly with no greasy residue. Although I’d likely opt for a richer, thicker moisturizer on days with extremely cold or dry weather, I still think this is a great body lotion for everyday use. When I kept it by my bathroom sink as a hand lotion, I got multiple comments from friends and visitors talking about how much they liked the smell and texture.
I’ve been wanting a weighted stuffed animal or pillow for a while, mostly out of curiosity. I’ve owned a weighted blanket for years but I ended up liking it way less than I expected to (it has since become a napping spot for my cat). The brand sent me this pillow to try and it quickly exceeded my low expectations. I now cannot lay on my bed or couch without having it near. I love laying it on top of my stomach and sticking my hands inside the pockets while watching TV — it’s peak coziness. And I actually do feel calmer whenever I’m holding it — that may or may not be a placebo effect but I’m not complaining either way.
I’ve been decorating my apartment and the most frustrating part has been finding pet accessories that are actually cute. Most cat trees are notoriously the same shades of green or beige and litter boxes tend to be eyesores, too. So you can imagine my elation upon discovering this litter box cover that now doubles as a side table in my living room. The woven material doesn’t look cheap and it does a great job of masking litter odor. It also comes with a mat to catch any loose litter inside. Plus, I think my cats love that they can climb into a dark cozy hole to handle their business instead of being out in the open.
I’m on a mission to downsize my plastic use, particularly in my kitchen. I have extremely limited counter space that makes cooking a challenge and my old plastic drying rack took up about half of that real estate, so I switched to a microfiber mat that I can easily roll up and store away whenever I need more space. The beige color perfectly complements my counters and floor, and so far, it hasn’t caused me any issues.
Since I don’t have a closet in my room, I usually stick to keeping clothing in drawers. Storing heavy winter coats and accessories, though, is a challenge, since they take up a lot of room. I finally got this coat rack and I’m annoyed that I didn’t get it sooner. This took quite literally a few minutes to set up and didn’t require any tools to do so. All of the pieces screw onto one another and the hooks are strong enough to hold my heavy jacket, scarves, beanie and earmuffs without tipping over. I also love the look of the dark brown wood.
I love trying pre-made protein shakes and one bottle of this Lean Body shake has 40 grams of protein and is super filling. The chocolate flavor is pleasant, especially when it’s ice cold. The entire 12-pack fits in the bottom shelf of my fridge and doesn’t all topple over, too. I’m excited to try it out in other ways, like to make overnight oats or a fruit smoothie.
My old oven mitts were looking disheveled, to say the least, and although they got me through many baking projects and roasted vegetables, it was time to say goodbye. I got these oven mitts from KitchenAid and immediately loved how functional they are. The palms are covered in small silicone dots that make it easy to grasp the sides of a hot baking dish without it slipping. Plus, they feel thick and protective, so I don’t feel scared that I’ll accidentally burn myself if I pull something straight out of the oven.
I’ve been looking for a rattan pendant light to complete a little dining nook I created in my apartment, and the minute I saw this one at Home Depot, I knew it was perfect. I love its medium brown color — not too light or dark — and that you can really see its basket-style texture whether the light is on or off. The cord is also easily adjustable so I could play around with the height until I settled on one I liked. This light comes with directions and hardware to mount it on my ceiling and connect it to electricity. I didn’t want to worry about any of that, so I cut off the mounting plate, tied a loop in the cord, hung it on a hook I nailed into my ceiling and installed a rechargeable bulb.
It took me months to settle on the right tree for my two cats. I wanted something extra tall with multiple levels so they could climb and play, and it needed to have at least two perches so they could sleep on it at the same time. I also tried to avoid fuzzy fabric — my cats prefer rope to scratch.
After searching since November, I found Tucker Murphy’s cat tree, which I added to my cart after reading numerous positive reviews. It has everything I was looking for, plus built-in dangling ball toys, a kitty condo and a hammock. I like its minimalist, modern design and that it comes in a neutral beige color to help it blend into my apartment rather than draw attention to itself.
I was intimidated by the idea of building a 69-inch cat tree since it’s taller than me, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was, even when I had to stand on a stepstool. The tree came with labeled pieces, clear directions, organized hardware and useful tools, as well as a pair of gloves to protect my hands while putting it together. It took me about an hour to set the tree up, and my cats have used it daily since it arrived.
I like to switch up my “earscape” every now and then, and the beginning of a new year felt like the perfect time to do so. Studs is always one of the first places I look for earrings because they never irritate my sensitive skin and hold up so well over time. I was drawn to this clicker because it gives the illusion of a double hoop and it has a little sparkly stone in the center — it feels simple yet more elevated than a standard hoop. The 6-millimeter hoop is the perfect size for my cartilage piercing and it’s so comfortable to wear and sleep with.
I have stacks of Moleskine notebooks from all my years of reporting. Some of them even go back to my college years. Once I’ve gotten through all those pages I make sure to pick up a new one so I can jot down notes, to-do lists, recipes or random ideas. I use two notebooks, one for work and one for personal thoughts, whether it’s journaling or logging the movies I’ve watched. I’m trying to be a little less plugged in and more present day to day and this Moleskine is just one small step toward that goal.
The white tee to end all white tees. First: the price point feels fair, but more importantly I’m obsessed with the fit. It holds its shape well and is easy to layer with. It’s slightly cropped but its lines don’t show through under winter sweaters, which I appreciate. The size of the collar is just right, too — it’s not too big or small and I like the way it peaks out of sweatshirts and other tops.
This is the best gua sha tool I’ve ever used. Every side has a different shape that fits my face contours perfectly — I’ve never had a tool align so nicely with my natural shape. I love the fishtail end for my cheekbones and chin, and the rounded edges for above my eyebrows and lips. The stainless steel is cooling, refreshing and easy to clean with soap and water. It’s also much heavier than any other facial tool I’ve tried and almost feels like a paperweight, which I love. Because of its weight, it’s easy to apply pressure and hold in my hand, plus I don’t really worry about it breaking at all. We’re only a few weeks into 2025, but I have a feeling by year’s end, I’m going to call this one of my best purchases.
One of the main reasons I went to the American Dream mall this month, aside from the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park, was to visit the Pop Mart store. I have a bit of a problem when it comes to collecting blind box figures, much to my husband’s chagrin, but I just couldn’t resist. I bought a couple of figurines, but this Hirono one was my first from this line and I’m obsessed. He’s so cute and angsty and would make a great gift to the figurine lover in your life.
Lesure sent me a sample of this adorable cat tunnel and my cats fell in love immediately. My cat Enzo is on the larger side and I wasn’t sure if he would easily fit in the tunnel but he was the first one to go in and seemed comfortable enough to hang out inside for 10-15 minutes at a time. It was very easy to set up — once it sprung out of the vacuum-sealed bag we just had to zip the two ends together and attach the bed to the center with the elastic ties on the bottom. It takes up a significant amount of space, but I also live in an apartment in New York City, so space is always a problem.
At the end of 2024 I realized that I somehow only owned two workout shirts, and needed more. I put a few brands on my wish list for the holidays, and this one from Ten Thousand has come out on top. It strikes a great balance between fit, breathability and comfort — I can work up a sweat and not hate the way it feels on my skin, like some others I’ve tried.
With temperatures going below 30 degrees Fahrenheit in New York this winter, I needed to rethink my winter cycling attire, and this base layer was a key missing piece. I have a few pieces of winter gear from Gore that I love for long bike rides, but I had never tried the brand’s base layers, so I contacted them and received a sample of this cold-weather model (alongside a few others) to try. Along with a mid-layer and shell, it made riding in 20-degree temperatures comfortable and enjoyable. The layer has strategically placed thick and thin paneling that helps me feel cool and secure with a few basic venting and layering techniques.
As someone who owns 15+ pairs of shoes, this rack is a gamechanger. It’s small enough that I can fit it into my tight bedroom closet and put upward of 12 pairs of shoes on it. Even with some bulkier pairs, this shoe rack can hold the weight. I was able to build it myself and it’s a drastic improvement from piling my shoes up in the mudroom of my house. Although it’s a bit pricey, it’s a great long-term solution to hallway shoe clutter.
I borrowed these Etip Recycled Gloves from my aunt and after wearing them for a day, I knew I needed a pair of my own. I drove to three different stores to find the same exact gloves because I love how warm they are and how I can still use my phone while wearing them. I also love that they aren’t bulky and are thin enough to roll into a ball and fit into my pockets when I’m inside.
My skin is so dry, and the winter months don’t make it any better. Before a recent trip to Colorado I stopped at my local Lush store and got a sample of this moisturizer, which I used consistently for five days in the mountains. During my trip, I alternated between that sample and the brand’s Skin’s Shangri-La Moisturizer. The Celestial Moisturizer stood out for its thick and creamy formula. My dry skin was hydrated and any irritation instantly melted away when I was using it. Even post-trip, I continue to use it at night. It also works great under my makeup and never causes any pilling.
While Moon Boots have a questionable appearance in my opinion, they helped my aching feet find comfort after hours of skiing in the mountains. They feel like pillows surrounding every inch of my feet and I ended up wearing these more than my Uggs because of their traction and how padded they were. I never once worried about slipping or falling when walking through feet of snow and ice, and I didn’t have to worry about them getting damaged. With my Uggs, I’m always scared of getting them wet because they tend to leave a mark once they dry, but these boots repelled the snow, and not once did my feet feel cold or wet. I have the shorter version, so they fit under my snow pants without being bulky or noticeable.
After revamping my body care routine, I cannot stop adding body oils to the mix — I’m utterly obsessed with how soft and moisturized they make my skin. After showering and moisturizing, I spray this into my hands and work it from my neck down. My skin soaks it in quickly and isn’t sticky. After I apply it, my skin is silky to the touch), and it gives me a slight glow since the oil helps make my skin look less dull. It’s definitely not a necessity, but it’s been an excellent addition to my routine.
I have puffer coats in my closet, but I love that this wool and cashmere coat is a more sophisticated and elevated outerwear option I can wear to work events, dinners and other outings. It’s pricier than other jackets I own, but I view it as the perfect investment — it’s timeless, versatile, warm and durable — a jacket I’ll be able to wear for years to come. Plus, I love the hip pockets and belt with leather detailing.
I’m an associate reporter at NBC Select, covering new product launches and beauty and wellness topics, including recent stories on the best body washes for sensitive skin and the best body serums. For this story, our staff, who frequently try dozens of products a month, share their favorite finds from January.
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