20 Essential Summer Buys, According To R29 Readers

It’s the beginning of May, which means several things are currently sitting at the top of our to-do lists: it’s time to send our friends that Justin Timberlake meme, set our alarms for the return of a new season of Bridgerton, and take a trip down memory lane to unearth the bestselling products our readers loved in the past month.

If the top-performing items from our April stories were any indication, our readers are very much ready to bid spring adieu and usher in hot girl summer, even with Memorial Day weekend still a few weeks away. Among the bestsellers are breezy dresses, glowy makeup, and several Amazon travel accessories thrown in for good measure. This can only mean one thing: you are making some epic plans this summer, and these buys are getting you in the mood.

Click ahead for the 20 products our Most Wanted readers loved in April, based on anonymous shopping data. Feel free to put on “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter — poised to become the summer bop of 2024 — while you’re at it.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream

Kosas is one of the hottest makeup brands of the moment, and we have the proof: The brand’s skin tint practically flew off the shelves when we gave it a shoutout during the Sephora spring sale event. Even though you can no longer get it on sale, we’d still strongly recommend carting the product: the long-wearing and moisturizing coverage sits beautifully on the skin (thanks to ingredients like copper peptides and hydrating Sodium PSA) and gives you a glowy finish.

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Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream, $, available at Sephora

Rokh x H&M Transparent Mules

H&M just keeps releasing one hit collaboration after another. The latest to hit our digital shelves is the Rokh x H&M collaboration, chock full of elevated, edgy basics dreamed up by the South Korean designer. We regret to inform you that as of right now, all the clothing pieces have long been sold out. However, there are still several pairs of these trendy see-through mules left in stock.

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Rokh x H&M Transparent Mules, $, available at H&M

Lululemon Varsity High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt

Tenniscore fashion is everywhere at the moment, thanks to the hotly anticipated Challengers movie and Zendaya’s killer press tour looks inspired by the sport. Our readers are absolutely enamored with this pleated number, which was a part of our Lululemon new arrivals writeup. In true Lululemon fashion, the piece is both chic and functional, with a lightweight, movement-forward fabric that makes every backhand serve look extra on point.

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Lululemon Varsity High-Rise Pleated Tennis Skirt, $, available at Lululemon

HOKA X FP Movement Clifton 9 Sneakers

Your favorite HOKA running sneakers have gotten a fashion-forward update. The footwear brand has partnered with FP Movement to release four brand new colorways for two bestselling styles, the Clifton 9 and Kawana 2.0. Most of the line up — decked in a pleasing medley of soft purples and blues — are already sold out, but you can still get your hands on this Clifton 9 pair in a pretty periwinkle. Run, don’t walk.

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HOKA X FP Movement Clifton 9 Sneakers, $, available at Free People

Skims Cotton Fleece Classic Hoodie

Our readers just can’t get enough of matching sweatsuits, and the loungewear section over at Skims is a treasure trove of comfy yet stylish sets. Swaddle yourself in this versatile black pullover hoodie, which comes in an impossibly soft fleece fabric. It’s the perfect thing to wear lazing around the house, but also makes for an excellent layering piece when you’re traveling this summer. The best part? Every single reviewer talks about how it just keeps getting cozier with every wash.

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Skims Cotton Fleece Classic Hoodie, $, available at Skims

Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Lip Jelly

This lip jelly is Tower 28 Beauty’s bestseller for a good reason: the formula gives you gorgeous color payoff and high shine but with absolutely no trace of stickiness. The Coconut and Pistachio shades — both barely-there rosy pinks that enhance the natural color of your lips — are reader favorites.

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Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly Non-Sticky Gloss, $, available at Sephora

Brayden Studio Corjan Mid-Century Modern Office Chair

You deserve the best home office chair money can buy to conduct your business in comfort and style. This plush caramel leather swivel chair gives off the “WFH boss” vibe in the best manner possible, with plush cushioning, padded armrests, and lumbar support.

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Brayden Studio Corjan Mid-Century Modern Office Chair, $, available at Wayfair

Away The Everywhere Bag

It’s a pretty well-known fact that if you want to travel in style, you want to travel with an Away suitcase. But Away’s weekender bag collection is equally perfect for life on the go, especially The Everywhere Bag, the brand’s signature offering. Thoughtfully designed details like wraparound zippers, a waterproof exterior, and interior pockets galore makes this a trusty companion for every type of trip — even a travel gift for moms who are hard to shop for.

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Away The Everywhere Bag, $, available at Away

Tracy’s Dog OG Pro 2 Clitoral Sucking Vibrator

We keep spotting a great appetite for sex toy content, from viral vibrator reviews to cheeky roundups of the best cock rings on the internet, and we are merely going with the flow. This clitoral sucking vibrator from Tracy’s Dog has been getting lots of traction in particular, and is praised for its showerhead-shaped handle that can be used as a massager or G-spot stimulator. The fact that this vibrator is remote-controlled and on sale makes it a bonafide must-have.

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Tracy’s Dog OG Pro 2 Clitoral Sucking Vibrator, $, available at tracy’s dog

Reformation Evelyn Floral Dress (Rent The Runway)

ICYMI, wedding season is well and truly underway. This one-shoulder floral gown from Reformation was a runaway hit when our Fashion Affiliate Writer Victoria Montalti included it in her writeup of the wedding guest dresses on Rent The Runway. This is the type of flowy, tiered summer dress that will win you loads of compliments, and renting this for $50 a pop is an incredible steal.

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Reformation Evelyn Floral Dress, $, available at Rent The Runway

Jenny Bird Nouveaux Puff Earrings

Whether you’re a gold or silver girlie, these Jenny Bird hoops will make a great jewelry investment. We love the architectural silhouette and how relatively lightweight they are for the size. The fact that they are waterproof and tarnish-free jewelry is the cherry on top.

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Jenny Bird Nouveaux Puff Earrings, $, available at Jenny Bird

Zara SRPLS Double Tank

Pretty much anything from Zara’s SRPLS collection is an instant wardrobe classic in our book. This bi-annual drop focuses on lush-looking basics that have little details that make them look way more expensive than they actually are. This ribbed tank, with a shoulder cut out and strap detail, was a highly purchased item last month.

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Zara Double Tank, $, available at Zara

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil Serum

Our Deputy Beauty Director Jacqueline Kilikita calls this “a hair oil she would recommend for all hair types” in her review, so you know the hype is very real. This leave-in treatment contains a trio of argan oil, marula oil, and camellia oil, and delivers a healthy dose of nourishment to your hair without weighing it down, and the mandarin and freesia scent is oh-so-heavenly.

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Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hydrating Hair Oil Serum, $, available at Sephora

Anthropologie Heatherfield Rattan Bed

We have never met a piece of rattan furniture we didn’t like. This bed frame features a wraparound rattan headboard that looks straight out of a five-star hotel suite. The brass feet make the whole set up look even more sumptuous. We can imagine wrapping ourselves up in linen sheets atop this bed and never wanting to venture outside.

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Anthropologie Heatherfield Rattan Bed, $, available at Anthropologie

Farm Rio Off-White Embroidered Maxi Dress

Summer hasn’t officially started yet, but we are already seeing lots of vacation-worthy sun dresses crop up in our shopping data. Hailing from Brazil, Farm Rio has perfected the art of bright and delightful printed dresses that will make every OOTD a memorable one. We are partial to this tiered maxi dress with a stunning embroidered design.

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Farm Rio Off-White Embroidered Maxi Dress, $, available at Farm Rio

Vibes High Fidelity Ear Plugs

Festival season is definitely upon us s, based on how much these noise-canceling ear plugs have been popping off from our Amazon hidden gems story. Not only do they effectively reduce the decibels of the environment you’re in, they are pretty stylish and hard to detect. This would make the ideal gift for the Swiftie in your life who is about to catch the international dates of the Eras Tour.

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Vibes High Fidelity Ear Plugs, $, available at Amazon

Agolde Riley High Rise Straight Crop Jeans

It’s hard to beat the enduring versatility of a pair of washed, straight-legged jeans. Our readers have been loving these high-waisted jeans from Agolde, featuring a subtle distressed finish and cropped cut.

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Agolde Riley High Rise Straight Crop Jeans, $, available at Shopbop

Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed

Summer glow has never been more achievable, thanks to this bestselling lip and cheek balm from Danessa Myricks Beauty. The highly blendable tint brings out a bold flush of color while nourishing your skin with hyaluronic acid and squalane.

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Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Flushed, $, available at Sephora

Samsonite Freeform Medium Checked Suitcase

If you’re planning on exploring the world this summer, Samsonite luggage is a great investment. This checked suitcase from the Freeform series in particular gets high points from us for its high-quality wheels and robust yet lightweight polypropylene material. At 24-inches, it’s the perfect size for short- and medium-haul adventures.

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Samsonite Freeform Medium Checked Suitcase, $, available at Amazon

Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Linen-Blend Pant

It only feels right to end this roundup with a reader-approved pair of travel pants. These linen-blend pants hang perfectly on the body, with a slightly slouchy drape and tailored pleated details. You will feel equally stylish boarding a flight or heading to dinner on the beach in this pair.

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Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Linen-Blend Pant, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

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