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.Booze housed in cardboard used to be a sign of cheap bad alcohol. With Nio Cocktails, it’s cool and quirky. I’ve been taking these out with me when I go to pre-drinks because they’re light and easy to travel with, give me a clear indication of how many drinks I’m consuming, and they’re tasty. Every time I’ve pulled one out of my bag, torn the corner and poured it out, people are impressed and want to know more about the delicious portable cocktail I’m having. No more lugging large glass bottles of vodka across London (and losing track of how much I’ve had…).
Nio Cocktails Build A Box, $, available at Nio CocktailsI’m still a paper diary person. I don’t like having it all on my phone. Papier has been my go-to for years, because of the clear week view layout and the wide variety of designs. So rarely do we have a need for paper and the act of physically writing anymore, that I enjoy taking the time to jot my plans down.
Papier Clarity Hardcover 2025 Weekly Planner, $, available at PapierI’m on an ongoing hunt for the perfect pair of briefs, so you may see more from me on this. This multi pack from Reebok is a strong offering. Reasonably priced, the briefs are super comfortable, appropriate for both working out and regular wear, and covers the basic need of colour variety (going from white to grey to black). I’m a big fan.
Reebok Suki Bonded Briefs, $, available at ReebokI recently tried out kitten yoga, being a lover of both yoga and cats. The experience is completely adorable. I went after enduring a very stressful day and left feeling much more at peace. And there is science in that, as stroking furry animals can make us calmer. Java Whiskers has rehomed nearly 600 cats, and activities like kitten yoga help people bond with a kitten they then might go on to adopt. There are strict rules around how to interact with the cats and when to leave them alone, so they’re taken care of and respected when they aren’t up for socialising. During the class I attended, one kitten slept the entire time, another sat at my feet while grooming herself, others wondered about, and many mimicked our yoga flow — when the movements were restorative, the cats chilled out; when it got more active, they ran to our matts.
Leanne Tessier-D’Silva, one of the yoga therapists, says: “As we interact with animals, for many of us it promotes relaxation and bonding. This move towards the parasympathetic response in our nervous system, it acts like a break on the stress response and thus stops our body from releasing the stress hormone cortisol into the body. As yoga practices also promote this same relaxation response, practising yoga amongst cats might enhance the relaxing effects of both activities when done in tandem.”
Photo: Courtesy of Kelly Washington.Sick of seeing the sticky strawberry lube (not naming names) in your sexual partner’s drawer? Me too. That is the WOAT. Sitre’s water-based gel uses 20% organic aloe vera to create a safe, silk-like gel that makes every touch feel softer yet more intensified. It’s super hydrating and has a healing, anti-inflammatory effect that helps to protect the skin, making it ideal to use for pleasure as well as everyday intimate hydration. Lubricant designed for women first(!) huge.
Sitre Soft Wave Water-Based Sex Gel, $, available at VushThis is the best bathrobe I’ve ever owned. THANK YOU Rituals. It is soft, towel-like and huge. Every morning I now leap out of bed excited to put it on. There is nothing worse than a dressing gown that is TOO warm. Made from cotton, this one is breathable and non-irritating which is ideal for my sensitive and eczema prone skin. 10/10.
Rituals Cotton Bathrobe, $, available at RitualsFun story: when I was a national cheerleading champion back in school (yes, that actually exists in the UK!), we had to wear Saucony cheer shoes for our uniform. When I saw the brand is having a Y2K revival, I had a wave of nostalgia. I used to be obsessed with them as their cushioning made them so comfortable. Add in a sleek new design, and I’m yours. I can’t decide if I want to wear them to the gym or everyday…
Saucony x SB Progrid Triumph 4, $, available at Sweaty Betty
Susan Devaney, Life Director
Photo: Courtesy of Susan Devaney.One of the best things to remain a constant for me after the COVID-19 pandemic? Waving goodbye to underwire bras! This recycled tulle Peachaus bralette is so so comfy. My advice is to opt for the matching thong to really feel great underneath.
Peachaus Anthelia Recycled-Tulle Soft Bralette, $, available at PeachausThere's no sugarcoating how bleak a month January 2025 has been for us all. BUT my new Alo hoodie and coordinating sweatpants in a shade of heather grey has been my comfy go-to when WFH or just chilling in the dark evenings. I'm also a huge fan of tracksuits made from midweight French terry. Oh so soft!
Alo Accolade Hoodie, $, available at AloEscaping London for a wee bit to enjoy a long walk among trees is definitely now one of my simple pleasures in life. In this current cold weather, a proper waterproof jacket is essential when doing so. Kathmandu's hooded down jacket is great for keeping me warm and dry. An added bonus: the jacket's outer fabric is made from recycled plastic waste, including end-of-life tyres.
Kathmandu Epiq SE Hooded Down Jacket, $, available at Kathmandu
Alicia Lansom, Associate Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Alicia Lansom.More gorgeous period pants, yay! Desmond & Dempsey might be known for premium sleepwear, but these period pants are an instant hit. Covered in sweet jungle-print designs, the new underwear holds up to four tampons worth of blood and looks cute while doing it.
Snuggs Jaguar Classic, $, available at SnuggsThese pyjamas feel like being swept up into the world’s softest hug. Made from 95% biodegradable TENCEL™ Modal x Micro (derived from tree fibres) the material is stretchy, breathable and so so comfy. For those like me who hate having their ankles trapped in tapered jogger-style bottoms, these PJ pants are all you want and they have a ton of cute designs too.
Stripe and Stare Long Pajama Set, $, available at Stripe and StareOkay, I know it might seem hard to make a microwave sexy, but I think this one might have just cracked it. My microwave had recently gotten to the point of decrepitude that I was embarrassed to even look inside it, so a new one was desperately needed. When searching, I liked the idea of a ‘retro’ looking appliance and this one felt quite 50s to me with its knobs and dials, and the chic off-white shade makes it look less clinical than my current messy monstrosity.
Russell Hobbs Retro 17 Litre Classic Cream Manual Microwave, $, available at Russell Hobbs
Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Esther Newman.I live for a good bath, especially during these dark, dull, grey winter months, and even more so when I’m due my period. Westlab’s magnesium bath salts are a must for easing my tense, aching body and helping my body relax (I often struggle to sleep around this time, too). Rather than shell out every few weeks on smaller packages, I opted for this mega bundle — the tub is huge and will last me ages, saving me £££ in the long run.
Westlab Hormone Health Bundle, $, available at WestlabIt’s Le Creuset! They’re mugs shaped as hearts! With matching heart saucers! In a pretty baby pink shade! Did I mention… Le Creuset?! How could I say no to this adorable pair? I’m about to have the best Galentine’s tea party.
Le Creuset Stoneware Set of 2 Heart Mugs with Saucers, $, available at Le Creuset
Ebony-Renee Baker, Fashion Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Ebony-Renee Baker.I’m a big fan of Frank Green’s water bottles because you can customize them in so many ways, from different color combinations (including stylish shades like lilac and butter yellow) to your preferred lid type (straws for the win, IMO). Plus the bottles are ceramic, which means it feels like drinking out of my favorite mug, no matter where I am.
Frank Green Ceramic Reusable Bottle, $, available at Frank GreenOwning a high-quality umbrella is one of those very adult things that I hadn’t ticked off the list until now. After years of buying cheap umbrellas at the corner shop (that usually break after one or two outings) I have graduated to this robust, built-to-last (and TBH, sexy) bit of engineering: a Blunt umbrella. I feel like this brand just popped up out of nowhere (pun intended) because it’s what all the fashion people are raving about at the moment. Call it good PR, but after testing one out myself for weeks, I can genuinely say these are strong. What I love most about these umbrellas is their seemingly unbreakable tension system and gorgeous kiwi-shaped canopies. Not going to lie, it makes me excited for rain.
Photo: Courtesy of Jessica Aureli.Before I say anything, the answer is yes, I will continue to use this arena to push my anti-big-light agenda. This is such a little gem of a lamp: it casts a lovely warm glow that instantly increases a room’s cosy factor by about 83%. Not only that, it’s battery operated, so it’s perfect for when you need light in an area not served by a power socket — or you fancy doing a little Rip Van Winkle cosplay wandering around your flat, just to pass the time.
Jysk Holger Battery Lamp, $, available at JyskI've just got back from a month in Sydney. Before you get too jealous, it rained steadily for the entire duration of the second two weeks. But prior to that slightly underwhelming meteorological situation, I enjoyed 14 days of endless sunshine and beach times. I find swimwear a bit stressful — I always seem to go on holiday with a bikini or one-piece that, for whatever reason, is just not quite right — so this time, I made sure I was prepared, leaving Gatwick with this Speedo racerback packed safely in my suitcase. And prepared I was, because this swimsuit checks all the boxes: I like the color, I like the butt coverage, I *love* that it’s thick enough that onlookers needn’t be intimately acquainted with the topography of my areolae (a woman’s gotta have her secrets, you know?).
Speedo Colorblock Racerback One Piece Red, $, available at SpeedoAgeing’s great, isn’t it? One minute you’re walking away unscathed from a head-first fall from the playground’s monkey bars — the next, you sneeze funny and you throw your back out for a week. Case in point: From one day to the next, my slightly too-soft mattress started wreaking havoc on my hips. A bit stiff, a bit sore… They just stopped hipping, basically. Not in a place to buy a whole new mattress (in this economy, you must be joking!), I turned to the Brightr Aurora mattress topper. It’s double sided, so you can use it in soft or medium-firm mode, and was just the thing I needed to return my hips to “don’t lie” status. If I have one observation, it’s that it could be a bit firmer, but my sources tell me that an ultra-firm version is in the works, so watch this space…
Brightr Aurora 2 in 1 Memory Foam mattress topper, $, available at Brightr
Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Venus Wong.I have such a soft spot for British romcoms, such as Bridget Jones’ Diary and Notting Hill, and a rewatch marathon never fails to cheer me up (fun fact: I ended up getting married at a London church featured in Love Actually.) If you’re anything like me, you will love this fizzy new memoir by Lizzie Frainier, a fellow romcom fan who’s tracked the ups and downs of her decade-long dating adventures. You’re not just getting your average share of Tinder horror stories in this book: Frainier has actually done a full-on home exchange over Christmas, à la The Holiday, and documented it all for the book (spoiler: she ended up becoming lifelong friends with the stranger who swapped homes with her). I’ll be gifting this light-hearted read to my friends who are deep in the dating trenches as a pick-me-up.
Amazon Main Character: Lessons from a Real-life Romcom, $, available at AmazonI turn into such a homebody during the cold and miserable winter, and one of my favorite ways to relax is by having my partner draw me a hot bubble bath. No other bath oil has been able to help me unwind my tense shoulders and chest as quickly as this Olverum Bath Oil. Featuring a blend of 10 essential oils, it has the most luxurious herbal smell that lingers in the bathroom for days. I always have the best sleep after taking a bath with a capful of this oil. It’s worth every penny of the price tag.
Olverum Natural Bath Oil, $, available at AmazonI finally made the decision to upgrade my bulky Bluetooth speaker, which had been with me for the better part of a decade and is on its way to the grave. Marshall’s limited-edition Lunar New Year drop couldn’t have come at a better time. Working with artist 野DARK QUESTION, the brand has reimagined the Emberton III speaker in a zany colorway inspired by vintage Chinese firecracker posters for the Year of the Snake. I’ve been really impressed with the sound quality so far, especially for its diminutive size, and the retro design looks so good on my mahogany writing desk.
Marshall Emberton III Lunar New Year Edition 2025, $, available at Marshall
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