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Breville Barista Touch Impress
Image Credit: Amazon
Breville’s best-selling Barista Express just got a tech-y upgrade in the new Barista Touch Impress. The sleek machine has a spate of features that help anyone pull a coffee shop-level espresso, like an assisted tamping system for proper dosing, a built-in grinder, and a milk frother. In our testing, I found that these features work well: whether you’re a seasoned barista or a total newbie, I was able to quickly whip up delicious drinks, and so can you. — OH
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Apple AirPods Max
Image Credit: Amazon
When Apple debuted its premium AirPods Max headphones, the brand took a giant leap into the world of noise-cancelling over-ear headphones — a category with no shortage of competition. But after testing them for myself both for commutes and listening to music at home, the AirPods Max deliver truly stellar sound, with unparalleled noise cancellation, the right amount of balanced-meets-booming bass, and intimate vocals that at times feel like the artist is in the room with you. — JL
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Quince European Linen Sheet Set
Image Credit: Quince
I’ve tried almost every linen bedding set that exists on the internet and Quince’s sheets are a standout by far. They are just thick enough to be durable and washed regularly but still light and airy enough to keep you cool and dry during warmer months. I now have several sets in several colors that I use year round. Highly recommend. — JS
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Quince European-Linen-Sheet-Set
Image Credit: Droplette
While it may look like an oversized vibrator, you shouldn’t sleep on this high-tech device is like the Keurig of skincare. The Droplette 2.0 converts pods of liquid formulas into a high-speed, micron-sized mist that the brands says can penetrate the skin 20x more than topical treatments alone. I used the Tranexamic Eraser, Collagen, and Retinol pods consistently for a month, and while it didn’t completely erase my breakouts (curse you adult acne!), I saw a major difference in my facial redness and it worked like a charm on my acne scars. — SA
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Pattern Leave-In Conditioner
Image Credit: Pattern
I’ve had difficulty finding a leave-in product that defined my curls without feeling heavy and greasy. Pattern’s conditioner gave my hair a lightweight texture and left my curls soft and moveable. Use the original in or out of the shower as a last step in your hair routine, or upgrade to the limited palo santo scent for an added woody aroma. — KR
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Sonos Sub Mini
Image Credit: Amazon
I’ve never felt like I needed a subwoofer as part of the audio setup in my tiny NYC space — after all, who was I trying to impress? But with crisp sound and powerful low-end oomph, the Sonos Sub Mini was a worthwhile investment. While I admit this is probably more for audiophiles looking to punch up their tunes than as part of a home theater set up, when paired with Sonos’ Ray soundbar, it filled up the room nicely and was especially great for rock and hip-hop (it gave the bass on The Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post” a fantastic kick). If you want to get the most out of your smart soundbar, then Sonos’ tiny subwoofer provides big bass in a small package. — SA
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Mad Rabbit Tattoo Aftercare Starter Kit
Image Credit: Mad Rabbit
Word to the wise: don’t get a tattoo right before Coachella. I’m fully convinced that the only thing that kept my less-than-a-week-old fresh tattoo’s colors vibrant and bright while baking under the Palm Spring sun was Mad Rabbit’s Tattoo Aftercare Starter Kit. As it was my first tattoo, I wanted to treat it right — using the Repair Soothing Gel helped keep it moisturized and bounce back quickly, while the Defend Suncreen packs with antioxidants, vitamins and moisturizing botanicals protected it during the long weekend in the desert. Tattoo newbies and professional artists alike swear by it, and now we do too. — SA
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Ride1Up Revv1
Image Credit: Ride1Up
Somewhere between a motorcycle and an electric bike, Ride1Up’s new moped-style Revv1 is a beast. Its powerful motor rockets the bike to nearly 30 miles an hour (without any pedaling), and its beefy tires worked for trails and beaches as well as streets. Plus, it’s one of the cooler-looking e-bikes we’ve had the pleasure of riding through town. — OH
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Tatcha The Texture Tonic
Image Credit: Tatcha
I hate using multiple skincare products in the summer. Everything just feels sticky or tacky on my skin, especially if it’s muggy. Tatcha’s The Texture Tonic is pretty much a one stop shop with everything I love: AHA to combat my texture and hyperpigmentation, niacinamide to tighten my pores, and wild rose extract to hydrate the skin. Also, the formula is a water texture so my skin doesn’t feel caked in product. The only downside is that it can be a bit pricey, but considering it’s doing the work of three products in one, it’s totally worth it. — KR
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Hatch Restore 2
Image Credit: Hatch
With calming sunset lights, a gentle alarm, and integrated meditation, the Hatch Restore 2 clock not only helped teach my night owl self how to wind down, but actually made me want to hit the pillow. You can personalize your sleep-wake routine, but it also functions as a sound machine, with a library of soothing sounds, white noise and shades of mood lighting at your fingertips. Hatch’s “sleep stories” also helped me establish a good routine before bed, and ever since this has found a place on my nightstand, I haven’t had to force myself down with melatonin gummies. — SA
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