23 products our editors tried and loved in September

Each week at NBC Select we test new products across shopping categories like Hoka walking shoes, lip masks and whitening toothpaste. Editors also spend their personal time sharing products they are most excited about, which is definitely the case for me. September was filled with great sales, and I took full advantage of that and spent more money than I initially budgeted for (it happens to the best of us.) 

This month I found some new favorites, and so did my colleagues. We looked for solutions to our current pet situations, hobbies to reduce our screentime and fragrances to have everyone turning their head and asking us why we smell so good.

While we’ll continue to report on the newest product launches and standout items, we’ll also continue saving as we gear up for the holiday gifting season and upcoming sales including Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and Target Circle Week. But we couldn’t say goodbye to September without a proper farewell. Below, I compiled a list of our editors’ favorite products for this month that we think you should know about. Some are items we directly purchased, while others are courtesy samples from brands.

SKIP AHEAD Kitchen | Home | Beauty + Wellness | Clothing + Accessories | Hobby + Leisure | Pets

Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker Machine

Out of all the desserts out there — cakes, cookies and pastries — ice cream has always been my absolute favorite. While I typically opt for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream, I was recently inspired to make my own ice cream — and save a few bucks at the same time. I ordered this ice cream maker from Cuisinart to start experimenting with flavors. After making my first few containers, I can say that it’s super easy to set up and use, whether you want to make old-fashioned ice cream with eggs or a shortcut version with just cream, milk and sugar. As long as you keep the base in the freezer after each use, it’s easy to make ice cream in just 15 to 20 minutes. Though it makes noise, it’s not alarmingly loud. It makes enough to fill 2 12-ounce containers, too. It’s also smaller than my air fryer, so it doesn’t take up too much room on the countertop but is also easy to store on an elevated shelf.  – Cory Fernandez, commerce editor 

Jade Leaf Sweetened Strawberry Matcha Latte Mix

I’m a big coffee drinker, but I’ve recently expanded into the matcha sphere. So, when Jade Leaf sent me its new matcha latte mix flavors, strawberry and vanilla, I decided to take the plunge and make matcha lattes at home. I quickly became obsessed — nearly every morning, I use my whisk to prepare the matcha mix, drop it into my favorite oat milk and I immediately have the perfect sweetened iced matcha drink to enjoy at home or on the go. Best of all, it helps me avoid spending $8 on a 12-ounce matcha latte at a coffee shop, and it tastes just like a barista-made drink. – Mili Godio, updates editor

Bakit Box Bake & Explore 3 Kit Bundle

Everyone who knows me knows I’m obsessed with spending time with my family. I love finding new ways to involve my younger siblings and parents, and one of my newest and favorite solutions is a Bakit Box. The box comes with three individual kits with recipe cards, ingredients, journey map (with fun facts and information about your creation) and activities. From my mom to my youngest brother (8 years old), we had a great time baking Hexagon Honey Combs, Honey Cake Muffins and Bee Pollen Cookie Pops, all of which were recipes from the brand’s kit all about bees and pollination. Everything was easy to follow, required minimal extra work on our end and was just an excellent way for us to spend time together without being outside or staying in to watch movies — we couldn’t stop laughing and eating during the entire process. I cannot recommend this enough to families with younger kids, and now I’m excited to keep visiting my family and see what else we can do with a Bakit subscription. – Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter

Ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set

For hot sleepers who don’t love linen bedding, this is one of the sheet sets you need. I rotate between this and another pair of sheets, but I find this pair so breathable. Its sateen fabric is silky, soft and cool on my skin, so my sleep is unmatched when I rotate this pair into my routine. My only caveat with my other favorite pair is that it wrinkles if I don’t care for it properly, but this one stays wrinkle-free and looks perfect on my bed, so every time I get in, it feels like a new set of sheets. – Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter 

Lush Sticky Dates Body Spray

I’m a huge Lush fan, so when I found out the brand’s Sticky Dates line was trending on social media, I knew I had to try it. I immediately fell in love with this body spray, which the brand released last month. The ultra sweet, buttery caramel scent makes me smell like a delicious baked dessert, and the spray lasts a lot longer on my skin than most other body mists I’ve used (however, don’t expect it to last as long as a perfume). Plus, a little goes a very long way with this product — the scent is strong, so I only need to spray it a maximum of two times on my body. Keep in mind that the spray keeps selling out, so expect slight delays in shipping. – Mili Godio, updates editor

Quinear Air Compression Therapy Boots

Everyone is probably sick of hearing this from me, but I’m running a marathon in a few short weeks. After my long runs, I needed to level up my recovery game — I already was doing ice baths, Therabody massages and foam rolling. If I saw my favorite running influencer using it on Instagram, I was trying it, which brought me to these compression boots. I initially bought them impulsively, but now I totally love them. While they won’t replace physical therapy or an actual massage, they do feel amazing while you’re using them; they’re kind of akin to the blood pressure monitoring sleeve but for your whole leg. They’re not as expensive as other models, but do the job just as well, in my opinion. I also love that they compress into a small storage bag when you’re not using them. – Lauren Swanson, editorial director

The 7 Virtues Candied Lychee Eau de Parfum

Chances are that if you’ve spoken to me in the past month, I’ve talked to you about my love for perfumes. While I’ve always been an enthusiast (trust me, I have more than I’d like to admit), this brand and this specific perfume have sent me to the deep end in the best way possible. Hearing the words “Candied Lychee” made me think it was going to be a sugar bomb, which is something I tend to stay away from with my scents, but this was perfectly balanced where it was, fruity and floral with a splash of sweetness. I love wearing it on its own, layering it with the other perfumes I own or adding a few spritz directly to my wrists and collarbones before heading out the door. Even though it’s recommended not to add any fragrance directly on your skin when you have sensitive, eczema-prone skin, I haven’t had any problems at all, which makes life so much easier when it comes to smelling good. – Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter

Ouai Body Cleanser St. Barts

Body washes are some of my favorite skin care products to try out, especially when I can play around with different scents and consistencies. This Ouai body cleanser in the scent St. Barts, which I recently discovered, has been my go-to during this entire month — it has a perfectly thick consistency that lathers exceptionally well on my skin, and the tropical scent is perhaps one of my favorites in my collection. Plus, the smell lasts well after I’m done in the shower. I pair this body wash with my favorite silicone scrubber, and I’ve noticed the combination leaves my skin feeling soft and clean the entire day. – Mili Godio, updates editor

Esw Beauty Iced Chai Cold Brew Energizing & Firming Eye Gel

It’s officially holiday season, which calls for late nights and early mornings at work, so I’ve been going through my collection of under-eye patches like never before. My recent favorite pair are these gels the brand recently launched because they make me feel more awake in the morning. I notice when I leave them in the fridge and apply them that my eyes are less puffy and look a tad brighter than they did before. My absolute favorite thing is that I forget that they’re on my face because they actually stay on and don’t slip around like most alternatives do, so I go most mornings just keeping them on longer than the 20 minutes the brand recommends. – Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter 

Adidas VL Court Bold Platform Sneaker

Last fall, I saw these shoes on Instagram but never bought them, which I deeply regretted. I couldn’t stop thinking about them, so this month I finally got them. They’ve become my go-to low top platform sneakers to pair with jeans, sweatpants, leggings, dresses and skirts. I wear them for hours and they never make my feet hurt, which is impressive considering I walk over 10,000 steps a day. I also love the puffy tongue, which is soft against my skin. I’ll definitely wear these sneakers into the ground — I can’t imagine my wardrobe without them now. – Zoe Malin, associate updates editor

Abercrombie & Fitch Essential Baggy Sweatpant

I have never been able to find a favorite pair of sweatpants despite trying multiple pairs over the years. I’ve slipped into affordable sweats and I’ve even tried some more premium options. But they all had problems that I couldn’t stand. Some of them had pockets that were too small, so my phone or keys would constantly fall out when I sat down. Some would also start to sag in the knees after constantly sitting down.

I decided to try these Abercrombie & Fitch sweats on a whim after visiting their store. They feel incredibly soft on the skin, the interior lining is light but also keeps you warm, and it doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable. I also loved the metal tips on the waistband, which have held up well even after a cycle in the washer. The length of the pants also hits perfectly below the ankle, which means it’s not too short or too baggy. It has a great overall fit that made me want to instantly buy another pair. – Jordan Bowman, commerce editor

Cuyana System 13-inch Zipper Tote

I’ve never been one to travel light; when commuting to work, I’m rarely without sanitizing wipes, snacks, a small sunscreen, lip gloss, a hardcover book or Kindle, plus a water bottle, 13-inch laptop, wallet and keys. For years, I’ve relied on shabby canvas or cotton totes without zippers or pockets, which makes for an organizational nightmare, so when Cuyana offered to send me its new zippered leather tote with pockets, I had to try it.

When it comes to design, the minimal logo and soft, pebbled leather are its best features. The leather feels creamy, but still sturdy enough that it holds some structure. No part of the bag feels cheap, thin or flimsy and I appreciate that the branding is barely noticeable. Blink and you’ll miss the small gold type on the lower front of the bag. 

The interior zippered pocket has two additional pocketed slots on its exterior that are big enough to store my phone, lipgloss and earbuds. The gold-toned zipper also works seamlessly, I haven’t experienced any awkward lags or pulls. My only wish? That I got the 16-inch size, instead. The 13-inch tote is a little tight when I store my laptop in its puffy sleeve among all my other items; without the puff sleeve my belongings fit perfectly, though. – Lindsay Schneider, commerce editor

Mejuri Duet Ear Cuff

I’ve been searching for the perfect cuff to add to my earscape for months, and the moment I saw this one, I knew I found it. It’s plain gold, so it’s simple enough to wear every day with any outfit, but the dual bands — one of which is thicker than the other — adds some visual interest. I’ve worn other ear cuffs that hurt my cartilage after a few hours, but this one doesn’t at all. I’ve kept it on for over 12 hours without pain, and since it doesn’t fall off my ear, I often forget I’m wearing it. This was my first Mejuri purchase, and because I’ve had such a great experience with the brand, I plan on buying some holiday gifts from its website. – Zoe Malin, associate updates editor

The African Gaze: Photography, Cinema and Power by Amy Sall

At this point, everyone on the NBC Select staff knows that movies are one of my favorite things, so when I saw that this book was being released, I knew that I had to have it. The author, Amy Sall, is an archivist who’s studied and taught about arts and culture across the African diaspora. I’ve been a fan of both her and African cinema for a few years now, and this book is an incredible resource for knowledge on some of the most impactful filmmakers and photographers from the continent. It has essays from expert writers, archivists and historians on the subject, along with contributions from some of the filmmakers themselves (which I think is very, very cool). The bright orange design of the book itself also makes it a statement piece, and a great addition to my home book collection. To any fans of African film, or anyone interested in learning more: I 100% recommend. – Ashley Morris, associate SEO reporter

Tender Is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica

I recently bought this book because I’m trying to transition out of my “romantasy” era and lean more into the horror/thriller genre for the spooky season. I was influenced to buy “Tender Is the Flesh” by both content creators on BookTok and subreddits I am a part of. The premise is a dystopian society where a virus has made animal meat poisonous and eating human meat becomes legal. I am both nervous and excited to dive into this read. – Rebecca Rodriguez, editorial projects manager

Connetix Transport Pack 

My youngest brother Nico loves hands-on toys, so this 50-piece pack from Connetix was a big hit. Since it uses magnets, he can easily build and take things apart and continuously reuse them time and time again. My mom and I love that this is a way for him to take time away from a screen and just be creative with what he has, and although it’s a vehicle kit, that doesn’t stop him from trying to make things outside of this. The best part is that when our cousins (who are even younger than him) come over, they also get to play, and it’s a mess-free form of entertainment that’s safe for everyone and keeps them busy for a while. After seeing how much my brother loves these, I’ll buy more and give them as gifts this Christmas. – Bianca Alvarez, associate reporter

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

As someone who’s passionate about food and cooking, I’ve always loved Ina Garten’s approach to teaching home cooks and her influence on modern food culture, which is largely centered around the East Hampton specialty food store The Barefoot Contessa, which Garten bought back in 1978. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook is the first of an iconic series of cookbooks from Garten — which includes 13 books total. I’ve always had a few of Garten’s cookbooks, mainly so I could always have some of her famous recipes on hand, but I realized I didn’t have all of her books in my library, including her very first one. With her memoir coming out in October, I thought it was only fitting to make sure I completed my collection in time. The book, which includes a foreword from Martha Stewart, has recipes for coconut cupcakes and “outrageous” brownies, which were some of the store’s most popular original recipes. – Cory Fernandez, commerce editor

Lego Icons Plum Blossom Set

I’ve been thinking about hobbies to try that will keep me away from my phone while also keeping me stimulated and entertained. After being influenced by a photo of a friend’s Lego flower set, I impulsively popped into the Lego store on my lunch break one day and (after debating between this and the also-stunning Chrysanthemum set for a solid 15 minutes) bought this gorgeous flower kit to try out during one of my weekend movie marathons. Once I started, I really got into the process of it — I love that the instructions are easy to follow, but the process is complex enough that I was able to really get lost in it and focus on the build. Before the weekend was over, I’d finished the set and I’m already itching to get my hands on another one (plus, it looks adorable in my room as decor). – Ashley Morris, associate SEO reporter

Pawz Road Cactus Cat Tree 

I have two cats who love to play, which means I am constantly looking for ways to keep them entertained when they aren’t sleeping or cuddled up together in a corner somewhere. Like many New Yorkers, my space is limited so I have to be extra strategic and intentional about the products I bring into my home — cat furniture included. While this cat tree is huge, it is also tall and fits perfectly into the corner of my living room because it’s more vertical than horizontal. Assembly was also easy and took about 1.5 hours (I recommend having someone spot you as you get closer to the ceiling). The cats are still getting used to climbing it but I can tell they’re enjoying the height advantage they now have over me. And I love the fact that it’s tucked away but still completely accessible for them. – Nikki Brown, SEO editor

Petcube Cam 360

I’ll admit it — I’m a helicopter mom when it comes to my cats. I worry about them 24/7 and constantly need a way to check that they’re okay when I’m not home. Petcube sent me its Cam 360 to try when it launched about a year ago, which I put in my living room. I love the pet camera so much that I just bought a second one for my bedroom so I can see my cats hanging out in there, too. Using the companion app, I can spin the camera 360 degrees and point it up or down, which lets me see literally every corner of my room. I feel so much better knowing I can easily open my Petcube app and livestream footage of my cats playing or sleeping. – Zoe Malin, associate updates editor

Kong Classic Dog Toy

When I travel, I’ll sometimes take my 6-year-old, 15-pound havanese and bichon frisé mix, Bella, on the plane with me. However, she’s a very nervous flier, and she’ll usually need something to distract her from the scary, unfamiliar noises of an airplane and its passengers. I’ve tried so many things — bully sticks, chew toys and anti-anxiety medications, to name a few — but she seemed to get bored and restless within a few minutes. That is, until I tried this Kong toy. Dog trainers previously told me in my guide to dog toys that this is one of their favorite options to keep dogs entertained (especially aggressive chewers like Bella), but I had no idea how effective it actually was until I tried it out. While Bella is in her carrier, I stuff treats specifically made for the Kong inside and watch her try to get them out for over half an hour (she’ll usually succeed, but not without a fight). Though not a complete solution, it does help a lot in that initial takeoff and landing. – Mili Godio, updates editor

American Journey Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Chicken Treats

My cats are picky about their treats — they love anything I give them for a week or so, and then they lose interest. These treats, however, are their all-time favorite. They never get tired of them, and bribing my cat Wanda with one is the only way I get her to take her daily allergy medicine. I’m glad they love these treats because they truly couldn’t get any healthier. They’re made with one ingredient, chicken, and don’t have any additives. I restocked my supply a week ago, but I’m considering signing up for an auto-ship subscription since I buy them so often. – Zoe Malin, associate updates editor

Amosijoy Foldable Cat Window Hammock

I’ve wanted to install a window hammock in my bedroom for a while since my cats love bathing in the sun. But I never bought one because I was worried that it would get in the way of my blackout shades. I saw this window hammock on TikTok and bought it immediately. I can fold it flat against my window at night, which lets me pull down my shades without a problem. Then, I unfold it in the morning so my cats can use it all day. It’s the exact solution I didn’t know I needed. The hammock is super sturdy, too, thanks to its four strong suction cups that stick to my window. My cats, who are around 8 pounds and 13 pounds, have sat on it together every day for a month now and it hasn’t slipped down at all. – Zoe Malin, associate updates editor

I’m an associate reporter at NBC Select, covering skin care and hair care, including recent stories on the benefits of gua sha and the best detangling sprays. For this story, our staff, who frequently try hundreds of products a month, share their favorite finds from September.