A favorite pastime of editors at THE/THIRTY? Scouring the world for the coolest products and wellness trends—whether they're brand-new or classic hidden gems—and keeping you in the loop. In that spirit, welcome to My Top Thirty, a series in which our editors, staffers, and even some readers share what's on their radars at the moment. From cult-favorite supplements to the latest workout to the newest food craze and more, we're going to provide you with inspiration each month. Want to share what's on your must-have list? Send us a DM on Instagram @thethirty.
Summer may look a little different this year because of stay-at-home orders and social-distancing measures, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the season. It's all about getting creative, making the most of your situation while staying safe, and finding the little joys in our new set of circumstances. I polled editors and staffers to see what wellness finds they're buying this summer to take care of themselves, inside and out. Take a look at what they had to say below, and let us know what's your summer wellness must-have!
Beauty
"It shouldn't take a sunburned nose to remind me how important sunscreen is to my overall health and wellness routine. I haven't been wearing makeup (or spending much time outdoors), so I skipped my usual sunscreen application on a recent outing and came home with my first sunburn in years. I ordered a new bottle of my trusty Supergoop! so I won't make that mistake again." — Drew Elovitz, Global Director of Content Strategy
"This is just the most refreshing mist I've come across. I take it with me on car rides and hikes, and once we make our way back to the office, I'll be sure to have a bottle on my desk, too. A quick spritz of this tonic on my face coupled with a spritzy beverage (lately, I've just been mixing lemonade with La Croix) is my perfect summer pick-me-up." — Candice Aman, Social Media Editor, THE/THIRTY
"I recently got my hands on a bunch of eucalyptus branches and had the bright idea to hang them in my shower. The steam releases a scent that reminds me of a fancy spa. Easy upgrade. If you can't find branches online, it's okay to sub for essential oils." — Elovitz
"Taking care of my skin is really important to me, and in summer, the number one way I do that is by wearing sunscreen. I like to apply it every day, no matter what I'm doing, so that if I end up stepping outside or sitting by a window, I don't have to worry about potential sun damage." — Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour, Senior Market Editor, Who What Wear
"I'm a sucker for tools, and this is my latest obsession that I've been using a few times a week after I shower. It's basically a body exfoliator that you use with oil. It helps with lymphatic drainage and gets rid of dead skin cells, leaving your skin from head to toe silky-smooth." — Caitie Schlisserman, Managing Editor, Branded Content
"Sunday Scaries have been hitting me extra hard during this time, so I've been taking an evening bath to relax and center myself before the start of a new week. I either listen to music or grab whatever book I'm reading and then add these CBD bath salts I recently discovered. The CBD is soothing for both the body and the mind, so I feel completely blissed-out by the time I get out of the tub." — Michaela Bushkin, Senior Fashion Editor, Branded Content
"There's nothing like trying to survive the New York City summer humidity, and my go-to staple is a natural deodorant. So far, the best natural deodorant I've found that I can feel and smell good wearing is Each & Every. the brand has a variety of scents that beat that city heat." — Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, Audience Engagement Editor, Who What Wear
"I'll be honest. I always thought beauty tools were a bit overrated and never went out of my way to invest in one for fear of buying into yet another beauty fad. While I'm sure some devices are gimmicks, I'm happy to report that one of them has turned me into a believer. I've been using the UFO from Foreo consistently each morning and night over the past few weeks, and I've noticed a considerable difference, namely that it's left my skin softer, smoother, and brighter. It's basically a mask treatment that amplifies the effectiveness of a face mask by using LED therapy, heating, cooling, and a light pulsation. I'm impressed with the results it's given me so far, and since each treatment only takes 90 seconds, I'm sure I'll keep it in my skincare routine even after I'm able to go out again." — Anna LaPlaca, Associate Editor, Who What Wear
Workout Gear
"Being at home has made me completely rethink my workout routine. Instead of high-impact boxing classes and super-sweaty hot yoga, I've been really enjoying more slow-paced activities like Pilates. I swear by wearing these one-pound ankle weights to take things up just a notch. You wouldn't think a single pound would do much, but the burn is so real. I'm always sore the next day (or two!)." — Bushkin
"At the beginning of stay-at-home orders, I cobbled together a very minimal 'home gym' with a mat, a set of three-pound weights, and resistance bands. For the most part, that's all I've needed for the workouts that I've been doing, which have been sculpt, Pilates, and some dance cardio classes. But recently, some of my streaming workouts have included sliders or gliders. I've been getting by using paper plates (be careful of slippage), but getting a pair of real sliders is at the top of my summer to-do list. It's also very ironic because sliders are always my least favorite part of a class, whether it was an in-person or virtual workout. Damn, they're a lot of hard work, right?" — Sarah Yang, Managing Editor, THE/THIRTY
"I've been dragging my feet on replacing my old pair of AirPods that only works in one ear, but now that I'm getting outdoors more on socially distanced walks, I'm ready to splurge. Then, I can listen to my favorite podcasts and summer playlists as I'm trying to get some steps in." — Yang
Home
"I'm curious about gravity blankets and might finally take the plunge with this lighter one perfect for warmer weather. It says it simulates the feeling of being hugged (who doesn't need a hug right now?) and is scientifically proven to relax the nervous system. Sounds like money well spent to me." — Kat Collings, Editor in Chief, Who What Wear
"One silver lining that's come out of quarantine for me is the onset of a standing weekly phone call with my grandpa. Week in and week out, he'll deliver an update on his beloved tomato plants and a sermon on the therapeutic effects of tending to them. He's gently suggested (about a dozen times at this point) that I get some plants of my own, but since I live in an apartment with only a balcony's worth of personal outdoor space, I've decided to test the waters with some indoor gardening kits to see if I've even got a green thumb. I love these indoor herb gardens by Modern Sprout because they're easy to grow (read: hard to kill), and they actually look super chic." — Courtney Higgs, Associate Beauty Editor, Who What Wear
"Being home so much has led me to add to my home décor wish list, and more plants are at the top of that list. I recently got a Bloomscape plant and was so impressed by how well it was packaged and how healthy it was upon arrival. This one is the perfect size for my office and is next on my list." — Allyson Payer, Senior Editor, Who What Wear
"Silk pillowcases are one the best additions to my home. Not only do they feel and look luxe, but they also have beauty benefits. The material absorbs less than a cotton pillowcase, so all of those serums and face creams will stay put longer on your face. The silk also causes less friction, so you wake up with fewer creases in the morning." — Kristen Nichols, Managing Editor, Who What Wear
"Since I've been at home so much, I've noticed all the things I put off getting. I needed more greenery in my living room and prioritized finding the perfect plant. I landed on an indoor bird-of-paradise, and I can't tell you how much it lifts my mood!" — Schlisserman
"I always run hot when I sleep, even in the wintertime, so during the summer, I run into some issues. I've already have a bedroom fan that works like magic, but this year, I'm going to invest in a cooling pillow. This memory foam pillow has a gel layer to keep you cool, and it works for any type of sleeper (side, back, and stomach)." — Yang
Food & Drink
"My whole family is hooked on these Nuun hydration tablets. We each try to drink one a day and have all noticed a difference whether or not we're actively exercising or working from home. Our favorite flavor is the strawberry lemonade." — Elovitz
"Drinking the recommended amount of water has been a lifelong struggle, and I know I'm not alone. In order to remind myself to hydrate as much and as often as possible, I'm carrying this bottle everywhere I go. Nothing comes close to keeping your cold drinks icy and refreshing for hours quite like the Hydroflask, which reminds me, I should probably drink some more water right now!" — Aman
"I've been taking turmeric pills to help with inflammation (true story: I've had thumb numbness from too much time on my phone and computer), but I figured it's time to actually make it a part of my routine I look forward to with Golde's turmeric superfood latte blend. It says it tastes like creamy coconut and turmeric spice and can be blended into coffee, smoothies, or water. Delicious." — Collings
"The start of summer means all the bright, seasonal produce that comes along with it. Tomatoes! Corn! Cucumbers and more! I love them all. This cookbook is broken down into different seasons of the year to highlight when vegetables are at their peak. The recipes are all delicious and foolproof—so much so that I think this is a book every budding cook should have in their rotation." — Aman
"I love the ritual of cocktail hour, and I'm still having my own (healthier) version at home drinking Ghia, a delicious non-alcoholic aperitif that just launched. It's slightly bitter, slightly floral, and I've been drinking it on the rocks mixed with fresh-squeezed orange juice. Then, a seat outside on my balcony makes for the perfect way to wind down at the end of the day." — Nichols
Clothes & Accessories
"Getting motivated to be active when it's so hot out can be hard, and my predominately black wardrobe hardly helps. This year, I'm proactively shopping for athleticwear in lighter colors so that I have one less excuse to skip that walk or outdoor activity." — Akhtarzad Eshaghpour
"I've noticed more than ever lately that my sleepwear collection could use a lot of work. I'm tempted to buy several of these oversize T-shirts for summer sleeps and finally weed out my embarrassingly ratty sleepwear collection." — Payer
"Speaking of sleepwear, Pretties is another brand that's on my radar for summer. These little shorts are one of the many items that would bring me joy to put on at the end of the day." — Payer
"I feel like an old woman saying this, but I have creaky hips. Sitting all day while working from home has really taken a toll on my body, and I feel more tension in my lower back and hips than I did several months ago, so in addition to practicing yoga, I'm also wearing these posture-correcting bike shorts that are supposed to help with pelvic alignment (a sexy topic, I know) and relieve hip-related pain. Since bike shorts are a staple in my WFH wardrobe already, these are a simple swap, and I've been wearing them for everything from workouts to, well, work." — LaPlaca
Entertainment
"Confession: I haven't read a book in years. I'll listen to an audiobook here and there, but overall, I've let myself buy into the myth of being too busy to just sit down and read. As an act of resistance against oppression, I've decided to spend more time consuming literature to deepen my understanding of myself and my connection to my Black heritage. With all that's happened over the last several weeks, I've seen so many Black people I respect and admire sharing their favorite books that speak directly to the very experiences many of us are having at this time. The one I'm planning to read first is Training School for Negro Girls, which beauty aficionado and badass Black girl Siraad Dirshe posted about recently." — Higgs
"In an effort to spend a bit more time outdoors (or at least offline), I've added a few narrative history podcasts to my feed. Right now, I'm, particularly into You Must Remember This by Karina Longworth and Noble Blood by Dana Schwartz. If you're looking to get more steps in, take a walk while listening to Noble Blood's six-part series on Henry VIII's wives. Time will fly!" — Elovitz
"I love reading year-round, but during the summer, I love to often revisit novels, as I find sometimes the message hits better a second time or speaks to what's happening in the world in a better way and gives me a chance to see how I've mentally applied what I've read to my life. One essential novel I'll be revisiting is Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper. For those looking to support the voice of a talented Black female writer, this is a great option to add to your summer reading list." — Fox-Suliaman
"I haven't read as much as I hoped I would while staying at home, but I'm hoping to turn a new page (pun intended) this summer. Even though I probably won't be able to make it to the beach or pool as much this year, I'm still going to enjoy some 'beach' reads. I can't wait for The Heir Affair, the follow-up to The Royal We, which was loosely based on Prince William and Kate Middleton's relationship and wedding. A must for anyone who loves the royals!" — Yang
Next up: These 18 Real-Life, Tested Mental Health Strategies Really Work
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
