They say that March tends to come in like a lion and leave like a lamb, and the R29 shopping team’s monthly favorites most certainly reflect that. From practical (but never austere) purchases to playful, soft-girl-era buys, we’ve got a little bit of everything for you in our latest installment of under-$100 MVPs.
With spring finally here, the sun is out, the birds are chirping, and we’re making any excuse to wear floral print for the foreseeable future. Now that our team has defrosted, we’re treating ourselves to fresh perfumes, dainty pointelle tees, soft lace undies, macaron-shaped mini containers, and other essential spring buys. Ahead, peruse our 30 editor-approved finds — all clocking in at less than a Franklin.
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.
“I am a ride-or-die French pharmacy brand girly, so when I was dealing with a few hormonal breakouts this month, I decided to finally try La Roche-Posay’s cult-favorite spot treatment. I will say it did NOT disappoint. I applied just a small amount twice a day, and my breakouts healed in just a few days.” — Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Strategist
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Spot Treatment, $, available at Amazon
“If you’re looking for a bit of color and hydration to your lips when you’re lounging at home or waiting to pick up your Starbucks mobile order, Dior’s Addict Lip Glow Balm has the subtle hue you need. I’m tempted to buy every single one. I appreciate how the shade brings out the natural color of your lips with a bit of glow.” — Vivien Lee, Affiliate Fashion Writer
Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm, $, available at Nordstrom
“Just before spring break, I tried on last summer’s bathing suits and realized that none of them fit. In a panic, I scrolled through all the high waisted bikinis on Amazon, praying that one would arrive on time and be available in my size. Sure enough, this color block two-piece arrived within 48 hours, fit well, and looked three times as expensive as its $30 price tag. It also comes in a wide range of colors in case neon isn’t your style.” — Charlotte Lewis,
Sexual Wellness Content Producer/Writer
Cysincos High Waisted Color Block Bikini, $, available at Amazon
Nativa SPA Quinoa Firming Body Lotion, $, available at Nativa SPA
“If you’re looking to invest in a high-quality pointelle tee to last you a lifetime, look no further. This option from Alex Mill is perfectly thick, the sleeves are not too long or short, and the off-white colorway gives off that slightly vintage feel I’m always looking for. I’ll be wearing this all spring and summer.” — Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Strategist
Alex Mill Remy Pointelle Tee, $, available at Alex Mill
“Even though I’ve lived in my place for almost two years, I’ve only recently been making an effort to finally make my apartment cute. During a midnight Amazon scroll, I came across this vibe-y wave mirror and added it to my cart ASAP. It arrived securely packaged in a slim box with padding on the glass. It’s not too big that I can’t use it as my getting-ready mirror on my desk, but isn’t too small that it would look weird mounted on a wall. For $20, it’s easily one of the cutest home finds I’ve ever come across.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Tstarer White Wave Vanity Mirror, $, available at Amazon
“Squeezing in just below the $100 mark are these Beyond Yoga leggings. As a big saver myself, I would never recommend $99 leggings if I wasn’t 100% obsessed with them. But I am! The first thing that struck me was just how incredibly (eye roll to the back of your head) soft they are. I’ve worn the navy leggings to workout a few times and each time, I found myself mindlessly petting the unique Spacedye fabric. Another major plus is the ultra-high-waisted fit. I was so shocked that the 5” waistband sat well above my belly button, not cutting harshly into my stomach at all. Lastly, these leggings have withstood everything from grounded weight training to high impact Zumba, refusing to slip down at all with any type of movement. Obsessed!” —
Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Out Of Pocket High Waisted Midi Legging, $, available at Beyond Yoga
“Who says that the act of touching your eyeballs in the morning can’t be aesthetic? Until recently, I’d been using the cases that come with my contact lens solution, which aren’t ideal for travel — they’re small, leaky, and don’t actually let you see what you’re doing without an additional mirror. I recently upgraded to this palm-sized kit, which includes a small bottle for a solution, a mirror, a lens case, small tweezers, and a little scoop with which to retrieve your lenses, and I’ve got to say, it’s made my life significantly better to a degree I could not have anticipated.” — Sarah Crow, Affiliate Director
Smanzu Contact Lens Case Marble Contact Case, $, available at Amazon
“I stumbled upon this toner in Target after running out of my favorite Curel Water Essence. I give my props to Byoma’s marketing team because the packaging is what got me to pick it up. And although my eyes love its pretty appearance, my complexion adores the formula. When I pat the watery substance on it leaves the slightest tingle, and after a week, I genuinely noticed a brighter, more even complexion. I heard that it’s good to switch up your products every once in a while no matter how much you stand by them — this moisturizing toner is 100% my new spring go-to!” — Alexandra Polk, Lifestyle Market Writer
Byoma Brightening Toner, $, available at BYOMA
“Lip masks have been one of my beauty faves since the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask became a big hit. I’ve been looking for an alternative that can quench on my flaky, chapness lips in the daytime (I find the Laneige one too sticky for daytime wear), and have found my answer in this plumping lip mask from Alpyn Beauty. The hyaluronic acid and agave leaf extract delivers instant moisture; my lips feel so much smoother without feeling coated in a sticky layer of gel. I’ve been putting this on as a base before applying lip color. It does a great job at preventing dryness, but the makeup color still shows up beautifully on my lips.” —Venus Wong, Senior Travel Writer
Alpyn Beauty Willow & Sweet Agave Plumping Lip Mask, $, available at Sephora
“I’m pretty intense about sunscreen — especially reapplying every few hours — and I’ve leveled up my SPF protection game with the ultimate safe-sun upgrade: A rash guard. I used to think they weren’t very cool (sorry!), but I’m obsessed with this hooded version from classic brand Lands’ End. The white fabric is actually super lightweight and airy, and I love being able to zip it up or wear the hood on breezy beach days.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Lands’ End Hooded Full Zip Long Sleeve Rash Guard UPF 50, $, available at Lands’ End
“Whether it’s a couple of headache pills I know I’ll need after a long day of staring at my computer or a pair of earrings I just don’t want to keep wearing, I am constantly in need of places to stash small items. Enter: these adorable macaron cases. I keep one or two with me on a daily basis, making it easy to keep delicate items from ending up crushed in the bottom of my chronically overstuffed bag.” — Sarah Crow, Affiliate Director
LazyMe Macaron Mini Case, 12 Pcs, $, available at Amazon
“I’m constantly optimizing the space in my small bathroom. This means optimizing the vertical space behind the door as much as possible. Some behind-the-door garment bags can be really flimsy, so I’m glad I opted for this well-constructed one from STNKY. The laundry bags were originally made for healthcare workers — the netted inner layer can be flipped inside out, so you can dump clothing into the washer without having to touch anything. But the nifty design and the durable, odor-locking material also render this a perfect storage solution for sweaty, muddy clothes that you don’t want mixing with your other worn items. It’s a good buy for people living in small spaces and need an extra spot for dirty laundry.” — Venus Wong, Senior Travel Writer
STNKY Laundry Bag, $, available at Amazon
“Disclaimer: I am not a regular wine drinker. But I do enjoy alcohol in social situations and want to try to enjoy alcohol. When I got the chance to try Firstleaf, I took it — like Forrest Gump said, “life is like a box of chocolates and you never know what you’re gonna get,” so I figured I’d take my shot to find a wine I like drinking. Newsflash: this was a great investment! I’ve tried some of the wines and they were surprisingly tasty, so much so that I’d purchase them even if they weren’t in a wine subscription. Good investment for a beginner sommelier, the box comes with explanations of each wine and different things to look for when drinking the wine, like the intensity or flavors.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Firstleaf Wine Subscription, $, available at Firstleaf
“My skin is a fun combination: sensitive, dry, oily, and easily reddened, which makes finding body care products an, ahem, challenging proposition, to put it mildly. Fortunately, this set from Fig. 1 has made it possible for me to exfoliate and moisturize my skin without looking like a freshly-boiled lobster. And, speaking as someone who’s very particular about scented products, the light fragrance — a combo of eucalyptus, mandarin, and sandalwood — is absolutely heavenly.” — Sarah Crow, Affiliate Director
Fig.1 Body Duo Set, $, available at Fig.1
“I somehow have accumulated a collection of water bottles but have only one or two small hot tumblers. Enter this Hydro Flask beaut, which is a gorgeous violet hue and perfect for carrying matcha, herbal teas, or anything that I’d need to keep hot or cold. It’s not too large or bulky, but isn’t too small that I can’t enjoy a bevy over an extended period of time.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Hydro Flask 16 oz All Around™ Tumbler, $, available at Hydro Flask
“People are browsing for a new spring scent, but I believe I found my forever one. Jo Malone has tons of timeless scents that evoke nostalgic moments, and the Wild Bluebell does just that. It’s a fresh, crisp, fruity scent with bluebell, lily of the valley, persimmon, and lemon — perfect for spring. With one whiff, I’m brought back to my grandma’s garden. While I would peer and ask her which flower was which, she always came up behind me with a plate of Korean persimmons to snack on. It’s a scent perfect for spritzing on before bed, for daily use, or to bring back memories.” — Vivien Lee, Affiliate Fashion Writer
Jo Malone London Wild Bluebell Cologne, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
“I tried this concealer for a review and while I obviously hoped that it would effectively cover my dark under eyes, I had my doubts since I’d never before found one that did the job with or without the help of a color corrector. But this one truly blew my mind, and for $13, it’s most definitely worth it. It effectively camouflages my dark blue eye area without me using an orange color corrector. Plus the formula is super full-coverage while also surprisingly being lightweight and easily blendable. While I probably wouldn’t use this on light makeup days since it is so full coverage, I’ve been adding it to my routine for full-face makeup days when I want non-budging coverage for hours on end.” —
Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
No. 7 HydraLuminous Dark Circle Concealer, $, available at No. 7
“My best friend put these in our emergency bridesmaid packages at her wedding a few weeks ago, and I’m fully obsessed with them now. With champagne starting during hair and makeup at 10am and the wedding going until 2am (and countless drinks between), I am pretty sure these tablets saved my life — or at the very least, made it possible to make my flight the next day without keeling over in the airport.” — Charlotte Lewis,
Sexual Wellness Content Producer/Writer
Nuun Hydration Tablets, $, available at Amazon
“Ok, this is a fully deranged purchase, but I was having major packing paralysis for a two week trip where we’d move hotels every few nights. I wanted to pack light, and I normally have a pretty full skin-care routine. So rather than decanting all my serums and toners, I splurged on the most expensive moisturizer known to man in travel size. And you know what? It was worth it. My skin looked so hydrated and dewy, as many vacation selfies prove, and I didn’t miss my holy grail actives. It really is a full skincare routine in a bottle.” — Marshall Bright, Affiliate Editor
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream Face Moisturizer, $, available at Nordstrom
“Anyone who knows me knows that I’m obsessed with my dog, Miso. While he’s already pretty spoiled and has an impressive wardrobe of sweaters, jackets, and various bandanas, I recently copped him his very own classic Gap hoodie. It’s perfect, no?” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Gap Logo Dog Hoodie, $, available at Gap
“I never much liked butt floss, aka thongs; they were uncomfortable, cause a wedgie with my buns, and always ended up on the floor after a date with my boyfriend so why bother. But I never tried Hanky Panky – it may seem like a cliche but you gotta see (or try) it to believe it. This piece of ultra-soft Supima cotton is one of the most comfortable pairs of underwear that I own, in fact, I wish I owned more pairs. It’s a bit steep in terms of underwear prices, but WELL worth it, my friend. Take it from a girl who regularly wears granny panties and doesn’t give AF about underwear aesthetic, if I had 365 pairs of Hanky Pankys, I would wear one each day of the year.” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Hanky Panky Signature Lace Original Rise Thong, $, available at Hanky Panky
“I usually don’t go for perfume-y body washes, but this one really impressed me. It has the same lovely scent as the brand’s popular fragrance but isn’t overpowering; a little amount of soap goes a long way. The lather is super fluffy, and it doesn’t dry out my skin! Plus, it leaves a subtle floral scent that blends well with my other perfumes.” — Alexandra Polk, Lifestyle Market Writer
By Rosie Jane Rosie Everyday Body Wash, $, available at Nordstrom
“When it comes to skincare, I’m obsessed with trying new products. You recommend it and I’ll buy it. My skin doesn’t get irritated easily, so if something is trending, I’ll try it on. However, the one facial cream that I steadily return to (especially when my fiancé asks if we can use it again) for spring and summer is belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb. It’s bursting with hydration, and the lightweight gel-like cream is cooling and feels luxurious on the skin. If your skin is dry and needs a desperate ‘drink of water,’ this elixir will revive it.” — Vivien Lee, Affiliate Fashion Writer
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $, available at Sephora
“Hot girls like soup, and I wouldn’t say I’m a hot girl but I do LOVE me some soup! As a recent (of a few years) college grad with roommates, I was not in charge of the dinnerware sets, thus my soup-loving soul has been using mugs — which are not a bad substitute at all — to drink/eat soup. One day in Soho, I found this happy cat smiling up at me and I just couldn’t say no. To this day, one of the best purchases I’ve bought for my apartment. I use it for soup, rice bowls, brisket, you name it I’ll use my happy cat bowl as a vessel for consuming it. What’s better is you can purchase matching spoons with even smaller happy cats to use with your happy cat bowl!” — Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
Pearl River Mart Smiley Lucky Cat Collection, $, available at Pearl River Mart
“I swear to you it was a challenge finding a simple jute doormat that satisfied my picky taste. This option from Revival Rugs is under-$50, high-qualtiy, works for indoor or outdoor use, and honestly just makes me happy when I come home each day.” — Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Strategist
Revival Rugs Seraphine, $, available at Revival Rugs
“I never expect the bathroom to smell all that pleasant after, well, doing my business. But these poop drops have been a total game changer. Simply add two drops to the insides of your toilet bowl before going number 2, and any unwelcome smells will magically vanish along with a flush. Instead, an incredible amber, clementine and bergamot fragrance will take over the whole space. It’s the perfect thing to whip out if you share a bathroom with someone else and nature calls: it will be like nothing ever happened, and you’d been burning a designer candle in the WC all along.” — Venus Wong, Senior Travel Writer
DedCool Red Dakota Poop Drops, $, available at Dedcool
“I am notoriously not a good sleeper, and daylight savings tends to make it even worse. So, in March, I tend to need some heavy duty concealer to help give the illusion that I’m at least, kinda, sorta well-rested. This month I tried out IT’s newest concealer in shade Fair Neutral, and it did it job and then some. I was legit shook at how much it brightened my under eye and completely covered the dark blue circles without looking cakey. It’s my new secret weapon.” — Charlotte Lewis,
Sexual Wellness Content Producer/Writer
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer +Serum, $, available at QVC
“I am always on the hunt for the perfect everyday dress, and when I find it, I buy it in every color. I was searching around for size-inclusive, sustainable brands and stumbled on Able, a brand located right in my own backyard of Nashville, TN. I tried on a bunch of things, but this swing dress was an automatic yes: Super soft and just the right amont of oversized, the short sleeves make it a versatile option for spring, summer and fall. It’s a great travel dress, and I bought it in green and black for my honeymoon to Japan, but I will also be wearing it all summer since it works for work, weekends, or the beach. The black colorway is no longer on sale, but you can get it in green and blue for 40% off.” — Marshall Bright, Affiliate Editor
ABLE Sandra Swing Dress, $, available at ABLE
“Ashley Herring Blake’s follow up to her debut queer romance, Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, is everything I wanted it to be and more. When we first meet Astrid, her ragtag group of friends is attempting to break up her wedding to a not-so-nice guy, so I was legitimately shocked that Astrid’s romance was a queer one. As a fellow bisexual myself, it was really refreshing to have a late in life WLW romance that didn’t erase her former identity and that Astrid’s new queer panic and sexuality journey had her labeling herself as bi. I think it’s not only a great read for bi women, who will definitely see themselves repped in multiple of the characters in this LGBT-packed universe, but also anyone who loves a heart-warming romance that also includes some great snarky dialogue and downright sweat-worthy sex scenes.” — Charlotte Lewis,
Sexual Wellness Content Producer/Writer
Berkley Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, $, available at Amazon
“I have a very sensitive nose and often get instant headaches when walking past Lush, Victoria’s Secret, or Yankee Candle stores in the mall. So when I find a scent I like (and can tolerate), I get so excited. This patchouli, lavender, and vanilla shower oil has both an invigorating and calming scent. (I also love the Citrus Blossom scent). While I was only going to use it as the last step of my shower routine for smooth skin, I realized that it is also intended to clean your body. I swap this out with my normal body wash a couple times a week, and I find that it washes me just as well and makes my skin silky smooth. These shower oils come in many scents and three different sizes, which make them perfect for traveling, gifting, or using on the daily.” —
Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
Sabon Shower Oil, $, available at Sabon
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