September is quickly coming to an end (cue the Green Day), but before we jump headfirst into October, we want to take a look back at the last month to share with you the products our shopping editors fell in love with.
Each month, our shopping team rounds up countless deals and covers every sale imaginable. Alongside this, we’re constantly testing out new products to make sure we only recommend what’s truly worth your money.
Below, you’ll see just what we shopped this September, featuring everything from new beauty launches and a beloved suitcase to fall-ready boots and an office essential you’re going to love, too.
Ana Suarez, Manager, Content Innovation
I’ve used Vera Bradley duffel bags since I was in high school, but I’ve never tried their luggage before now. This 22″ Adair Spinner caught my eye because it literally cannot be missed on an airport conveyor belt. It’s perfect for a trip to Disney, but the actual selling point for me is the fact that the interior lining can be taken out and washed!
I hate having to sanitize the inside of my suitcase after a trip, but now it is easier than ever. I can take it right out, throw it in the wash and then zip it back in once it is done.
I don’t ever check a bag, so I needed a backpack to combo with this, and the Disney Bancroft Backpack was the perfect pick. It is much more subtle compared to the suitcase, but is soft and easy to stuff (I’m an overpacker). Plus, it’s also machine washable and can be easily sanitized post-vacation. It has a fun interior pattern, too, to show off the Disney pride.
I am obsessed with my hair and anything to make my hair extra shiny; I simply have to have it. I kept eyeing Kerastase’s Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops Anti-Frizz Hair Oil every time I saw it at Sephora, and after several samples, I finally bought it. It is one of the more price-friendly products from (I owned and loved the brand’s $64 fortifying hair serum) at only $36 a bottle.
The Glaze Drops can be used for anti-frizz, but I personally love them for the level of shine they give my hair. I’ve been using this after showering on towel-dried, damp hair and then if I style my hair, I’ll add a few more drops for extra shine after I’ve finished straightening or curling my hair.
I’ve got samples of the Gloss Absolu shampoo and conditioner to try next to pack in even more shine so my hair becomes reminiscent of a glazed donut.
My fridge is fully stocked with under-eye patches at all times (I never get enough sleep.) Grace & Stella just recently hit Costco, and I stocked up on a 24-pack, because I already love, love, love its caffeine eye masks. They’re not kidding when they say these are better than a morning cup of coffee.
I also recently discovered the brand’s Restoring Eye Balm, which is very similar to the RoC balm I own that is over twice the price. I like to use an under-eye balm on my eyes before applying makeup, but now I’m also grabbing this Grace & Stella balm every morning to give my under-eyes a little extra perk up. It glides on smoothly and leaves my under-eye skin feeling baby-soft.
Victoria Rosenthal, Associate Editor, SEO + Commerce
I’ve been wanting to reorganize my home, and that includes my messy desk. So I started by finding a printer stand to make more space for my computer setup and hide my endless collection of notebooks and files. I ordered this printer stand, and it fits perfectly under my desk with my printer on top.
It comes with a fabric drawer that, to be honest, does look like wood. It’s crazy! It was easy to put together — even though the instructions oddly said I needed a power drill to insert the screws, so I was stuck for about an hour trying to figure out what to use it for. I honestly just needed to use the included Allen key. After that delay, it took 30 minutes to completely assemble the stand.
On the shelf, I added a black rope basket to store all my notebooks, while the fabric drawer holds my printer paper and office supplies. Plus, it matches the rustic wood style of my desk, so it fits seamlessly into my office space and helps tie it together. I will eventually reorganize all the cables under my desk, but that’s next week’s project.
Sarah M. Vazquez, Associate Editor, Commerce
There’s nothing I love more than a new beauty launch, and this month’s find was especially scrumptious.
With fall finally here, I was on the hunt for a fun seasonal body lotion to revive my parched skin and leave me delicously scented: enter Beekman 1802’s new Pistachio & Dark Cherry Whipped Body Cream.
This rich, creamy lotion uses the brand’s staple blend of goat milk and soothing butters to deeply moisturize and soften skin, but this time around they’ve added indulgent notes of pistachio nougat, dark cherry and sugar glacé that leave the most deliciously nutty, gourmand aroma, topped with fresh cherries.
If there’s one thing I have a reputation for, it’s press-on nails. It goes so far that my friends even refer to me as the “Queen of Press-Ons,” given the fact that I’ve become skilled enough to make my press-on look (and last) like a salon set.
One of my go-to brands for years now has been Olive & June, and this month I finally got my hands on its Pink Goldfish Press-On Nails. I first fell in love with this pretty moonstone nail color years ago, but only recently found out they made press-ons in the same hue. I don’t think I’ve ever recieved more compliments on a set!
Pro-tip: I use a bit of the nail polish in the same color to top the press-ons for an extra dose of glow.
Dawn Magyar, Commerce Writer
September has been a busy month, and I’m ready for some cooler weather — which is why I picked up some gear that’ll take me into fall and beyond. I grabbed this Carhartt hoodie, and it’s not my first, so I already know how much I’m going to love it.
This one, though, has a soft spot in my heart as its vintage pink camo design is a color I’ve longed for and one that won’t stay in stock for long at Carhartt. While not on sale at the moment, I’ve said it once and I’ll say again, “you can’t survive winter without a Carhartt hoodie.” So, scoop up this one, or one in your favorite color, before Old Man Winter arrives.
I’m not taking any chances with sell-outs this fall, and I already snagged a pair of Hey Dude boots to cozy up in. This Camden Suede style is a fall/winter must-have that will look good no matter how you style it.
Featuring an ultra-warm(and comfortable)shearling and suede upper, these boots slip on with ease and feel like I’m walking on a “Hey Dude cloud.” Now, I just need the weather to cool off a bit, so I can wear them on repeat.
Danielle Hailbey, Commerce Writer
My best friend got married the first weekend of the month, and I didn’t want frizz to factor into my guest aesthetic. I curled my hair for both occasions, and whenever hairspray interacts with my naturally frizz-prone hair, it’s usually a recipe for disaster (it absolutely happened on day one). That’s why I woke up super early on the day of her wedding, and headed to Sephora on a mission to grab an allegedly “game-changing” frizz fighter from amika.
I walked out with the amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Hair Treatment Mask, which I applied in the shower and rinsed out after 60 seconds, and the Frizz-Me-Not Hydrating Anti-Frizz Treatment, which I spritzed on before blow-drying. The results were better than I expected.
But when I used the amika The Shield: Anti-Humidity Spray at my friend’s house, in the downtime between the ceremony and reception, I was blown away. We even walked along the shore in Bradley Beach when it was raining, and my hair stayed intact and sans frizz.
I use all three products any time I have somewhere special to go and don’t want frizzy baby hairs popping up. Not only do the amika anti-frizz formulas smell amazing, they’re also super lightweight, deeply hydrating and gloss-invoking without greasiness. Plus, both sprays are also heat protectants, safeguarding hair up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
I can assure you I’ll be spending at least another $30 on amika in the next month. Starting with the Velveteen Dream Smoothing Balm.
Amanda Edelman, Commerce Writer
I have been dealing with errant pimples lately and this spot treatment from Banu is a recent lifesaver in my book. While most spot treatments tend to leave behind parched, dry patches that require another soothing serum to handle, Banu’s Sulfur Spot Treatment treats blemishes while a green tint helps calm irritation and redness.
I swear the Sulfur Spot Treatment practically shrinks pimples overnight, which I know sounds dramatic, but hear me out. After applying a little bit of the spot treatment before bed, I woke up in the morning with a drastically reduced whitehead. Now, it was a flat non-issue that healed quickly following another quick 20-minute spot treatment mask. Yes, it is $30 for a small tube, but it’s priceless to me. The 10% sulfur formula makes good on its promises and then some.
Nicole Iuzzolino, Commerce Writer
I was very skeptical of this product when I first purchased it, as I struggle with acne and only certain products work for me, but this one has been a game-changer.
When I am out and about, I still want to find a way to treat my acne that doesn’t require wearing a pimple patch in public. I can confidently say that this Ordinary Sulfur Powder-to-Cream Concentrate has helped my skin immensely.
All you need to do is pour the powder onto your finger to create a cream that you dab on the breakouts you are experiencing. It dries completely translucent, which helps with treating my acne spots during the day while I am out and about.
I love painting my own nails, but I hate how long it takes to wait for nails to dry, as I am always on the go and don’t have the time to sit forever and wait. I heard about OPI’s Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops on TikTok and decided to give it a try.
I have to say, this drip oil is a MUST for anyone who loves painting their nails at home as much as I do, but hates the wait. After a minute, your nails are totally dry and you can do the next coat and repeat again with the drops! Now I paint my nails every week, and it barely takes any time out of my day!