All The Lifestyle & Wellbeing Products We Tried & Loved In December
At least once a week — let’s face it, at least once every day — the writers and editors across Refinery29 discuss the latest and greatest products in our lives, from some cool new water bottle that’s been absolutely saving our lives to a state-of-the-art sleep product that’s changed our eight hours for the better. And gatekeeping isn’t in our vocabulary, so we’re here to share the wealth and highlight our favorite products, just for you, each month.
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Tanyel Mustafa, Senior Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Tanyel Mustafa.
If you’ve not experienced hot yoga before, let me tell you, you’ll sweat in places you didn’t think possible. For such a bougie activity, there’s nothing glamorous about it. A good towel with grip is absolutely essential when practising, both for hygiene’s sake and your own comfort. I’ve been testing this towel for a few months now and find it washes well (the grips are still intact) and absorbs moisture quickly. I sometimes use it for regular yoga classes too, to add a little extra padding to the mat.
Yogamatters The Grippy Yoga Mat Towel, $, available at Yogamatters
I missed them the first time around but Gymshark’s sellout Whitney leggings are back. They’re worth the hype. They’re comfortable, they make your glutes look defined and — miraculously, given the fabric — this light purple shade isn’t see-through. Not too thick, not too thin, just perfect for any workout, be it HIIT or yoga. No one needs to look cute while working out but if it boosts your confidence, these are worth adding to your gym kit.
Gymshark Whitney Leggings, $, available at Gymshark
It’s rare to find a puffer coat that’s warm, functional and looks good. I love my puffer from Columbia, which has a velvet-effect sheen (it’s not actually velvet but the black shade reflects light like velvet does). This makes it practical for cold walks to the gym but also stylish enough to wear out and about while seeing friends. The inside is mirrored to help keep heat in, so I’m always toasty.
Columbia Bulo Point™ III Hooded Down Jacket, $, available at Columbia
I spent a week away this holiday season and this case was the perfect size for thick, warm sweaters, gifts and my laptop. I like that it’s a hard-shell case — it feels durable and can withstand a light shower but isn’t heavy to hold. I walked up and down London’s hills with this following behind me just fine. I like that it’s bright red, because if I ever check it in on a flight, it’s going to be very easy to spot on the conveyor belt. This is my second Eastpak bag. My first is a huge rucksack that I’ve also travelled with and four years in, it’s still good as new. I’ve no doubt this suitcase will hold up in the same way.
I’ve decided to add some colour to my home (nothing major, just wee touches). This olive green velvet cushion from Next has been the latest addition. It’s so soft and in a large size it’s ideal for sitting on the sofa watching the new season of The Traitors. Bliss.
Next Olive Green Matte Velvet Cushion, $, available at Next
A Peugeot aluminum bottle stopper is the kitchen gadget I never knew I needed. Throughout December, many bottles of sparkling wine have popped in my presence and this stopper has been great for keeping the fizz. Its locking system is so practical and easy to use, too.
Peugeot Cork for Sparkling Wines, $, available at Peugeot
A good workman never blames his tools — but I do believe if I owned nice pots and pans, I’d make better dishes, right? Enter: Our Place’s Mini Perfect Pot. In a gorgeous green shade, it is the ideal size for cooking different recipes and it doesn’t take up too much space in my small London flat. It’s toxin-free and non-stick, too.
Our Place Mini Perfect Pot 2.0, $, available at Our Place
Alicia Lansom, Associate Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Alicia Lansom.
Period pants are the best things since sliced bread and you can’t convince me otherwise. But often the colour selection is a sea of black and grey which, while practical, isn’t that exciting. This sunset red pair from Snuggs really caught my eye and now, when my hellish period arrives, I feel a little bit chirpier putting on a bright pair of pants. It’s the little things.
R29’s Tanyel is also a big fan of these with the matching bra, as the set makes her “feel cute” at her most uncomfortable time of the month. Washing them as instructed is super easy, too (a cold water rinse to get blood out, then wash as normal).
Okay, I’m sure we’ve read all the same articles about how it’s important to try new things to keep your brain working, especially for computer people who rarely use their hands. Enter: glassblowing. If, like me, you thought that the practice was reserved for artisans, you’ll be happy to know you can get involved yourself in a studio in east London. A session lasts four hours, where you’ll learn the basics (including how to use mediaeval-looking tools) and work to craft your own paperweight before tackling another special seasonal craft. While watching the molten glass run like honey is thrilling, my personal favourite was picking out the colour deposits to infuse into glass and watching the swirl patterns unfold. The actual blowing part is less balloon-like and more a few short, sharp bursts which instantly bring your creation to life. For anyone concerned about being near a 1,000 degree furnace, know that you are well protected with arm guards and guided expertly by Emily, who has been perfecting the craft for over a decade.
There’s something about a good quality hand soap that feels so luxurious and this one from Reia is just lovely. It’s earthy, invigorating and made from natural formulations — I still can’t get over how much the scent lingers on my skin after each use! Most of all, it’s free from single-use plastic. From a reusable bottle you’ll actually want to keep using to recyclable refill pouches, Reia has thought of every stage of the product life cycle.
Surviving winter with a dog should be considered a special kind of talent. The parks are no longer luscious fields but mud soup, and I’m dodging muck left, right and centre. Alongside a decent set of boots and a waterproof coat, good pup-cleaning tools are essential during this time of year. Your favorite pet shampoo aside, a drying robe like this is the only way to keep your house clean from unwanted muddy splashes and soggy spots on the sofa. I’m obsessed with Cocopup’s robes because they fit well, soak up water and — most importantly — look so darn cute.
Cocopup Nelly the Elephant Drying Robe, $, available at Cocopup
Anything “girly,” pink and covered in bows will find its way into my basket. I don’t make the rules. These PJs are the perfect antidote to winter blues, combating dark skies with bright stripes and whimsical colors. They’re made with 100% cotton and super cozy, with a stretchy waistband to make way for all those mince pies. I’m generally a size 10-12 but I ordered these in a large because I like my nightwear to feel loose and comfy.
Damson Madder Antonella PJ Set, $, available at Damson Madder
Kelly Washington, Senior Social Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Kelly Washington.
I am very committed to elevating my nighttime routine, and much like my various lavender sleep sprays, I fear I am addicted to this candle. The scent is woody, musky and relaxing, and when the candle is lit, entering my bedroom feels like stepping into a high-end spa. It also burns super slow, so it lasts a really long time. I often find bedtime scents a little overpowering but they’ve managed to get the balance just right!
Drowsy Sleep Ritual Candle, $, available at Drowsy
Jessica Aureli, US Money Diaries Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Jessica Aureli.
My incense stick management has always been pretty unruly — high school me was particularly fond of sticking it directly into a lump of Blu Tack and hoping for the best — but enough is enough. I am regaining control of my life (in this respect, at least) with Temple of Incense’s iron incense bowl. It can be used for charcoal, incense cones or incense sticks, and its minimalist design makes it a very unobtrusive addition to your interiors.
Temple of Incense Black Incense Bowl, $, available at Temple of Incense
How often do you find yourself adding a little flourish when you’re cooking? Is the answer “Not nearly enough”? Friends, same — which is why I love this stick grater. Not only does it make me feel a bit fancy (see above re: flourish) but it’s easy to use, a breeze to clean and — crucially — it saves my fingers from the tyranny of the box grater, which has officially been relegated to the back of the cupboard with the (inexplicable) five muffin trays I own.
Borough Kitchen Microplane Professional Series Coarse Grater, $, available at Borough Kitchen
This December, I found myself jet lagged in Singapore for several days (the Christmas journey to Sydney is a long and arduous one). An unreliable sleeper at the best of times, I’m defenceless in the face of the ’lag. I will remain awake for unacceptable numbers of consecutive hours, only to succumb to sleep, inconveniently, in the middle of the day. So to keep myself conscious during those important daylight, circadian rhythm-adjusting hours, I walked. A lot. New Balance’s 9060s saw me through about 30,000 steps a day with not a whisper of discomfort or judgment — not even when I made the pilgrimage to the 7-Eleven for a green apple slushie three times (yes, three) in one day.
I cannot travel without packing cubes. Seriously: I can’t do it. I’ve become so reliant on this organizational hack that I even use them when I’m packing gym bags and overnight totes for weekends at my partner’s place. These Antler packing cubes are a stellar option if you don’t have any cubes yet (what are you doing?!) or if you’re looking to upgrade. After trying many packing cubes in my time, I can say that these ones will actually compress your items and save space when you need it. Next time you’re up against tight airline baggage rules, these can actually save you money.
One of my greatest winter pleasures is sliding into cosy pyjamas post-shower, wrapping up under plush blankets and tucking into a warm drink. This season, I’m going to be living in this cotton sleep shirt because it’s ultra comfy — but lightweight enough for my burrito-style blanket technique — and I can easily throw it on over trousers and under a jacket when it’s time to top up my crisps at the corner shop. The matching pants add a very *adult* touch.
Peachaus Yew Stripe Ethical-Cotton Pyjama Shirt, $, available at Peachaus
I recently discovered Troubadour — a smart, design-focused accessories brand founded in London and based out of Zurich — and I really love the practicality of their goods. This tote bag (along with their range of backpacks) is made for the person who’s always carrying around a jillion things and can’t figure out where to put them all (i.e. me). It has so many thoughtfully placed compartments and pockets, including a magnetic water bottle pocket to keep yours upright (genius!) and a padded laptop sleeve. Best of all: It’s waterproof.
Troubadour Apex Everyday Tote, $, available at Troubadour
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