January brought a wave of exciting product discoveries, from innovative gadgets to expert-approved beauty devices. Our team at Underscored tested a range of products, and here’s a roundup of the 38 best we loved:
Fashion
Rothy’s The Mini Crescent Bag
Rothy’s is known for its comfy shoes, but it also makes other cute accessories like this bouclé purse. Although it’s pretty petite, I can still pack in my glasses case, wallet, phone and other essentials, and the strap is still long enough to slip it onto my shoulder. The crescent shape is on-trend, while the textured material gives it a cozy feel perfect for winter. I actually love the style so much that I grabbed the bigger 11.8-inch Crescent Bag too. Both get extra points for being machine-washable as well. — Sophie Shaw, beauty and fashion editor
$149 From $109 at Rothy’s
Bombas Women’s Sherpa-Lined Gripper Slipper Booties
My apartment gets really cold in the winter (don’t get me started), and my feet get really cold … always. That means that in the colder months, I’m pretty much always wearing some sort of slipper sock when I’m at home. These thick ones from Bombas are my new favorites. With my other, thinner cozy socks, I usually still need to double them up with a slipper for maximum warmth, but these ones are toasty all on their own. I also really appreciate the practicality of the grippy bottom and the folded-over design for style. — Chelsea Stone, editorial director
$60 at Bombas
$60 at Anthropologie
The Jacket Maker Ava Ma-1 Black Leather Bomber Jacket
I love the look and feel of this soft leather jacket that I can dress up or down for a myriad of looks. I bought my previous jacket from All Saints about 10 years and knew it was time for a refresh — only this time, I wasn’t prepared to pay $800-plus. Enter: The Jacket Maker. By cutting out the middle man, the brand is able to offer a wide variety of high-quality leather jackets for a fraction of the price, most of which start around $300. I was initially nervous about buying a leather jacket online without trying it on, but I was pleasantly surprised by how well the jacket fit and their customer service was a real standout. Ten out of 10 would recommend. — Rachel Quigley, managing editor
$329 at Amazon
$299 at The Jacket Maker
Ugg Adirondack III Boots
Marissa Miller/CNN Underscored
When I first splurged on my first pair of Ugg Adirondacks several years ago, I made a vow to never wear another type of boot again. I’m proudly on my second (and definitely not last) pair. They’re remarkably warm, lightweight and comfortable — and that’s saying a lot for someone who lives in the Arctic tundra of Montreal, Quebec. When I’m wearing them, I’m usually either pushing a stroller or baby-wearing, so I need the traction to be best-in-class. These deliver on that front. Unlike other boots I’ve tried that require way too much effort to tie, these guys stay tight and fitted when I slip them on rushing out the door. They keep my feet bone-dry in that dreaded slush and are as comfortable to walk in for miles as my favorite pair of sneakers. — Marissa Miller, contributing editor
From $250 at Amazon
$250 $175 at Ugg
BaubleBar 18-Karat-Gold Birthstone Pendant Necklace
I have been looking for quality yet inexpensive jewelry for a while now. When I tried out this BaubleBar piece, I knew I had found the necklace for me. I love how simple yet eye-catching it is. The brand also has many different birthstone colors available, so there’s something for everyone. It’s not obvious that it’s a birthstone necklace, so you can also pick any color you like, which I love. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
$72 at BaubleBar
Show Me Your Mumu Penny Lane Coat
It’s finally cold enough to bring out one of my all-time favorite jackets. The Penny Lane Coat gives ’70s, “Daisy Jones & the Six” vibes. It was the perfect jacket to bring on a recent trip to New Orleans, and I know it will keep me warm all winter long. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer
$216 at Revolve
Rothy’s The Backpack
I’ve long been a fan of the work backpack; a cute tote just doesn’t cut it when you’re lugging a laptop and various products back and forth to the office. The problem is that most stylish, professional backpacks for women are often pretty small. Not so with this new release from Rothy’s. It’s hands-down the most spacious “fashion” backpack I’ve ever tried; everything I need for the workday fits inside with room to spare. Plus, I adore the checkered pattern. I’ve gotten tons of compliments on it! —Chelsea Stone, editorial director
$299 at Rothy’s
$299 at Nordstrom
Home
WLive Narrow Side Table With Charging Station
I’ve been in desperate need of a side table, and I wanted one that could hold all the books I’m reading, my chargers and bits and bobbles — and yes, I even thought about a place for my cat to hang out at the bottom. This table literally holds anything and everything you can imagine while also being compact and easy to fit into small spaces. — Lindsey Smith, associate newsletter editor
$91 $73 at Amazon
Glasshouse Fragrances Night Before Christmas and Midnight in Milan Scent Scene Duo
I’m a longtime fan of Glasshouse Fragrances’ candles, but this month I got to try the brand’s liquid-free diffuser, and my bathroom has never smelled better. I love the minimalist gold vessel that holds the scented stems, and the holiday scents are strong without being overwhelming. I’m already excited to try new scents once these are done. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
$45 at Saks Fifth Avenue
$45 at Dillard’s
$52 at Amazon
Displate Metal Posters
Don’t want to ruin your walls? Displate created the perfect solution for displaying artwork. The brand offers a non-damaging, water-resistant alternative to putting up artwork by using a magnet-to-metal system instead of screws or nails. It’s perfect whether you have a teenager at home who wants to cover their room with posters or you want to spruce up your apartment. I love my cat and witchy posters that now live in my dining room and bathroom, but Displate has hundreds more original and licensed artwork that include movie posters, epic landscapes and vintage designs. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer
From $49 at Displate
Haden The Bistro Tile x Haden 1.7-Liter Electric Kettle
An electric kettle is a necessity if you’re a big tea drinker like I am. I consider this one a little luxury that brightens up my day and my kitchen, thanks to the 24-karat decals and nod to Parisian cafés. Not only is it pretty to look at, it heats water super quickly and to the ideal temperature for the perfect cuppa. Plus, the company has British origins dating back to the 1800s, so I trust the brand to make a sturdy and great kettle. — Lindsey Smith, associate newsletter editor
$128 at Anthropologie
Sproos! Fluted Shower Liner
I am loving my shower curtain upgrade from Sproos! Not only does the brand make easy-to-install shower head systems for apartment dwellers like me, but they also now have fluted shower liners that are a great alternative to regular shower curtains. It’s one of my pet peeves when shower curtains stick to my legs or are hard to close because they’re sticking to the side of the shower, but these liners minimize that issue. They’re thick but not at all unwieldy, and mine adds a touch of elegance to my boring bathroom. What’s more: The curtain is transparent, which allows more light in the shower but still offers privacy. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer
$46 at Sproos!
Gocozer Paint With Water Kids Watercolor Paint Book, Set of 2
My toddler is currently obsessed with paintbrushes. (Don’t ask me why.) So, I knew I needed to find her some activities that let her use them. My mother-in-law, who watches my daughter while I work, would probably put a curse on me if I got actual paints for her to try, so when I found this much cleaner, much simpler solution, I didn’t hesitate to add to cart. These pads come with lots of adorable coloring pages, each with its own watercolor palette that has just enough paint to cover that page’s art. My daughter has so much fun with them, and the best part? The paint stays contained! — Danielle Poiesz, copy editor
$17 $16 at Amazon
‘Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy: A Cookbook’ by Tieghan Gerard
I’m not the best cook or baker in the world, but Tieghan Gerard’s recipes are easy to follow and use ingredients that can be found at your local supermarket. Her newest cookbook is my go-to this winter, as it’s filled with cozy, filling and indulgent recipes that don’t take much time. I made the Chewy Pumpkin Cookies for a holiday party, and they were gobbled up in mere minutes. — Lindsey Smith, associate newsletter editor
$33 $23 at Amazon
$23 at Target
$33 at Anthropologie
Beauty
Oakcha Snowy Sun
I don’t love spending a lot of money on perfume, so finding out about Oakcha changed my life. The fragrance brand has its own scents, but it also has several offerings inspired by popular perfumes such as Lost in Ink, inspired by Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck, or Ruhe, which is similar to Le Labo’s Santal 33. And they’re much more affordable. My current favorite is Snowy Sun, which draws its notes from Tom Ford’s Soleil Neige. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates editor
$45 at Oakcha
Finishing Touch Flawless Electric Nail File
I know it’s bad to take off gel nail polish at home, but it’s not always feasible to get to the salon just for a removal. I recently got this electric nail file from Amazon, and it sped up the gel removal process so much. It usually takes hours for me to remove gel polish at home, but this tool made it so much faster because it effortlessly filed off the top layers of gel. So then after I soaked my nails in acetone, the gel polish scraped off so easily. I’m just mad that I didn’t order this sooner! — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor
$20 $14 at Amazon
$20 at Ulta
$20 at Target
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