April is one of those weird transitional months where seasons melt into one another; one day it’s 70 and sunny, another it’s cold and rainy. (We were supposed to be done with that, remember?) As for the Refinery29 shopping team, we’ve been weathering this month with the help of some smart, joy-sparking buys — the most notable of which were reverse-gatekeeping as part of our monthly series of favorite buys.
While it’s our job to bring you the must-know news and reviews in the fashion and beauty space year-round, there’s nothing our editors love more than a random, life-upgrading purchase. As shopping experts, we live for the hunt; our standards are high, so when we come across the real-deal, we can’t help but shout it out from the proverbial rooftops. (Luckily, our jobs are tailor-made to do just that.)
From grippy phone cases to film your GRWMs to cozy weighted plushies (specific, but trust us on this one), sometimes it’s the small purchases that become daily essentials. And while there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a little luxury (especially when it comes to gifting — friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is this weekend), we’re all for being smart with our hard-earned dollars: Just because something is expensive doesn’t always mean it’s better. Take a peek at our recent purchases — all clocking in at under $100, but often less — that we couldn’t get enough of in the month of April.
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. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Quince Asher Polarized Acetate Sunglasses
“When Quince announced a new lineup of sunglasses, I was immediately on board. I love luxury, but personally can’t justify splurging on designer sunglasses when they’re made from more or less the same materials — plus, I have the habit of losing my sunnies whenever I travel. Quince’s Asher sunnies are a modern take on the aviator shape (the traditional aviator on me tends to give “Top Gun” extra, not cool girl who maybe rides a motorcycle), and I love the clear taupe acetate.
I love that they’re simple enough to match with everything, but also elevate my outfit more than my basic round tortoiseshell pair. I’ll definitely be wearing these nonstop this summer — but in the unfortunate case I lose them, at least I can afford to repurchase a pair without too much buyer’s remorse.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Quince Asher Polarized Acetate Sunglasses, $, available at Quince
Oomiay Colette Necklace
“I receive so many compliments on this necklace, and people are always shocked when I tell them the price: They always assume it’s a piece of antique jewelry that costs way more than $59. I wear a lot of greens and earth tones, so the emerald pendant goes perfectly with the majority of my wardrobe. I love the pearl and crystal details around it too, as they give just the right amount of bling to be noticeable.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Oomiay Colette Necklace, $, available at Oomiay
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask
“When I stood in a room with Sydney Sweeney (now a Laneige brand ambassador) presenting the brand’s new Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask, I was impressed with just how dewy her skin looked. Of course, I can’t credit her glow solely to a sleep mask, but it certainly made me want to try the skincare myself. And I gotta say, it’s both celebrity- and editor-approved. The peony and collagen complex help firm skin, and the green tea and hyaluronic acids help hydrate it. I predominantly rub the (quite literally) bouncy, cloud-like mask onto my neck with my fingers before bed, and it keeps my skin super moisturized and supple throughout the night into the morning.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
Laneige Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask, $, available at Laneige
Little Words Project Bride Bracelet
“Even though my wedding is a year away (which I’m told is nothing in bride years), I routinely forget that I’m the bride. (Long story short, I never thought I’d find love and was destined to be alone forever — a topic I’m continuing to explore in therapy.) During a recent Target run, I came across this adorable dainty bracelet, and I bought it without question. I haven’t taken it off since, and I love the little reminder of this special time in my life. (Also, it’s available in a variety of sizes, which my small wrists appreciate.) I’m planning on getting matching ones for my maid of honor and bridesmaids, too — so cute!” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Little Words Project Bride Bracelet, $, available at Little Words Project
Bearaby Daisy Dino Weighted Stuffed Animal
“Weighted blankets have given me the best sleep that I’ve ever had, but a weighted stuffed animal is pure heaven. There’s something so nice about falling asleep snuggling with a weighted stuffed animal when it’s waaay too hot to be enveloped by a weighted blanket. I love Daisy Dino and she is now part of my nighttime routine. When I sleep on my back I plop her on my chest and when I sleep on my side I wrap my arms around her, same weighted blanket effect without the heat.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Bearaby Daisy Dino, $, available at Bearaby
Almay Biodegradable Makeup Remover Pads
“I have horrendous spring allergies; so horrendous that I typically opt out of wearing mascara until there’s no sign of pollen around. But when I do wear mascara, my eyes get irritated by the end of the day and taking off my makeup makes it worse. But recently, I’ve been using these hypoallergenic mini pads to wipe off my (inevitably smudged) eye makeup. These micellar pads are oil and fragrance-free, making them super gentle on my skin. I tend to only use one pad for both eyes followed by a face cleanser, making it a great bang for my buck.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
Almay Biodegradable Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $, available at Amazon
Liquid IV Sugar-Free Raspberry Melon
“Whether I’m working out or had one too many glasses of rosé the night before, I swear by Liquid IV’s sugar-free packets to rehydrate my body (electrolytes, baby!). I’ve tried almost every flavor, so I feel uniquely positioned to say that their newest one, Raspberry Melon, is a 10/10. The combination of tart berry and bright melon is so refreshing, and they work wonders for a quick bounce back. I do hot yoga three times a week, and these have been a gamechanger while I sweat from literally every pore in my body.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Liquid I.V. Sugar-Free Hydration Multiplier (Raspberry Melon), $, available at Liquid I.V.
Case-Mate Stick It!
“It is no secret that my roommate and I love exploring all that New York City has to offer and of course, we need photographic evidence of it, but propping our phones against random surfaces at unflattering angles was just not it. Still, I did not want to commit to an octobuddy, aka having my phone stick to any stickable surface all the time. This Stick It! is the perfect solution because I can remove it at will. It’s like having a secret that only comes out when you want it.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Case-Mate Stick it! Magnetic Suction Mount, $, available at Amazon
Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks
“I have ditched all my other eye patches in favor of these snazzy ones from Topicals. If you have been on the beauty side of TikTok, you are likely to have heard of Topicals, a popular Gen Z skincare brand developed for and by women of color. The Faded Under Eye Masks contain discoloration-fighting ingredients such as arbutin and kojic acid, while caffeine helps with depuffing. I like to slap these bad boys on after I’ve been on the road, or if I have been crying: they are almost too good at tightening the skin around my under-eye area — to the point where I’d had a bit of trouble peeling them off initially.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Topicals Faded Under Eye Masks, $, available at Sephora
Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist
“I’m a vanilla perfume girly through and through. When it has warm, nutty notes (rather than bright, sweet ones) it’s one of the only scents that doesn’t give me a migraine. And so Phlur’s new vanilla skin body mist has become my go-to perfume. It’s so cozy and inviting, and while there are also floral notes of lily and jasmine, it’s not overwhelming for my sensitive nose at all.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
Phlur Vanilla Skin Body Mist, $, available at Phlur
Fanka Body Sculpt Bra Tank
“I’ve recently gotten into running a casual two to three times a week. (After my roommate started training for her half-marathon, I started running with her because why not get outside and now I’ve just adopted it as my weekly form of exercise.)
More running means more workout clothes and as the weather has improved I’ve found I really like workout tanks as they’re easy to throw on and can hold the ladies in without too much going on i.e. a shirt, sports bra, and whatever other outwear to accommodate for weather conditions. Fanka’s workout wear contours to my body so it doesn’t have a bunch of extra fabric to interfere with workouts. I also love the biker shorts because they feel like they compress and support like KT Tape/compression socks to improve blood flow and help support my glutes when they’re sore.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Fanka Body Sculpt Bra Tank, $, available at Fanka
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