Just 9 Things To Try In February

Because we tried them for you in January.

This post features a mix of items that we purchased with our own money and those that were provided to us at no cost for the sake of review. (But! We’re under no obligation to write a review of those things, let alone a positive review.)

1. An easy-to-use pill remover stone you should try if the whole "sweater shaver machine" thing scares you a bit. Just brush the pumice-like stone gently over your favorite knit that's seen better days and watch the magic happen.

BuzzFeed / Maitland Quitmeyer

"Like many of you, I've been living in sweats and PJs during this almost-year of WFH full time. And it's made me revisit the state of some of my loungewear. Take for example, this college sweatshirt I wear all the time — as evidenced by the rather EXTENSIVE pilling all over it. So when I saw this pumice-esque sweater stone (it's made from upcycled car windshield glass — how cool is that?!), I decided it was worth the try. We've featured electric pill removers (mostly the fan-favorite Conair one) many times, and they really work. But sometimes you're looking for a little more detail or control — that's where this stone comes in handy.

I was able to navigate around the contours of the logo on my sweatshirt with ease, removing pills using the corner or the entire flat bottom in a few quick strokes. It truly took no time at all — the sweatshirt was done in mere minutes. The only thing I would note is that particles do "fall out" of the stone, so do your pill-removing on a surface that's easy to sweep or vacuum up at the end. Btw, I procured mine from Celsious, but they're also available on Amazon." —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get it from Celsious for $17 or from Amazon for $10.32.

Celsious is a Black woman-owned and environmentally focused laundromat *and* online shop based in Brooklyn.

2. A prickly pear cactus for an effortless way to add a new plant friend to your space — especially if you even forget to water *yourself* sometimes.

Bloomscape

"My plant collection has grown exponentially since quarantine started, and this spiky boy is the latest addition to my greenery. I was really impressed with the packaging when it arrived; despite the deliveryman setting the box on the wrong side (despite the box very clearly saying 'this side up'), the plant was in perfect condition and surrounded by a thick layer of recyclable insulation. It also arrived with a handy care card describing the cactus's optimal light and watering schedule. I'm not a plant expert but it looked healthy when it arrived and has been peacefully chilling in my sun room for a few weeks without any issues. All in all, I would highly recommend Bloomscape if you want to transform your apartment into Plant Parenthood. A final word to the wise: this is a cactus and it does have spikes...which I am constantly reminded of and seemingly forget every time I rub the leaves 🥴." —Melanie Aman

Get it from Bloomscape for $80 (available in four planter colors).

3. A PhoneSoap sanitizer to kill 99.9% of germs on the toilet seat that is your phone. It fits almost all phone sizes, demolishes bacteria with UV rays, AND charges your device at the same time.

"I had absolutely NO idea that there was such a thing as UV sanitizing until my friend gave this PhoneSoap 3 to me as a present. I actually had no idea what this was for a few minutes. After looking into it I learned it’s 99.99% effective for sanitizing phones and keys. It kills 99.99% of bacteria with UV-C lighting, which is also referred to as 'germicidal' lighting (according to the FDA. Wild?!) I'd been using up all of my Clorox wipes to clean my phone so I figured I'd give it a try.

Now the first thing I do whenever I come back from a shopping trip or walk is put my phone and keys in here immediately. It’s like throwing my phone and keys in a little countertop washing machine. It also only takes like 10 minutes to do its thing. It has 3,000+ 5-star ratings on the brand’s website (and 2,000+ on Amazon), and it is a truly vital product that I always use every single time I bring my phone or keys outside of the apartment.” —Anna Kopsky

Get it from Amazon for $79.95 (available in seven colors).

And if you want another reason, check out this Amazon reviewer who tested the bacteria levels on their daughter's and husband's phones before and after use. W O W.

amazon.com

4. A pair of cozy socks with extra cushion in the toe and heel for extra comfort. Plus each purchase supports a different cause — these polar bear bbs? They support Conservation International.

BuzzFeed / Natalie Brown

"My WFH outfits vary: some days I wear dresses, others I go for jogger pants, while still others I happily slip on a pair of jeans because they help me feel like life’s a little more normal. But one key component of any outfit? Socks to keep my toes warm! And while I only have a couple of pairs from Conscious Step, I always look forward to slipping them on because they're incredibly comfy, especially for socks that have a fun design on them — most of my ~fun~ socks are comfortable enough, but I don't especially look forward to putting them on the way I do my polar bear socks! Their secret: besides being nice and soft, they have this terrycloth-like cushion in the toes and heels that makes walking around in them just a little more cozy. Need even more of a reason to give 'em a try? They're fair trade certified and each cute pair benefits a different cause!" —Natalie Brown

Get them from Conscious Step for $14.95.

5. Pixi Glow Tonic, a 5% glycolic acid toner that gently exfoliates dead skin and increases cell turnover, helping your skin look glowing and fresh — without drying it our thanks to the aloe vera formula (and no alcohol).

Target

"I've been obsessed with the Pixi by Petra Glow Tonic for a little over two years. Back then, I was dealing with a lot of random breakouts that led to hyperpigmentation, so I had some dark spots from pimples, and I wanted to find a way to even out my skin tone. I tried a bunch of different methods, but nothing seemed to work that well. I remember hearing about the Glow Tonic online, so I bought the travel-sized version to try it out. Within the first few weeks, I noticed that my breakouts were clearing up. Eventually, the dark spots faded, and with even more time, they completely went away. I still use the Glow Tonic in my nighttime skin routine (I apply it with a cotton ball after washing my face and before putting on my moisturizer), and it's honestly transformed my skin! Patience and consistency is key!" —Liz Richardson

Get it from Target for $15.

6. An exercise bike with a *built-in* desk surface so you can put the pedal to the metal when it comes to writing those reports you've been putting off *and* squeezing in a low-key workout.

BuzzFeed / Natasha Jokic, Amazon

"I find most exercise dreadfully boring — but the combination of working from home and the cold winter was getting a bit much, even for me. So, I got this desk/exercise bike combination (or 'deskercise,' as I call it) so that I could get moving while doing other stuff. Although it was a bit tricky to set up, it's been great! If I go on it while I'm focussed on work, I hardly even notice that I'm working out — which is, quite frankly, perfect." —Natasha Jokic

Get it from Amazon for $250.86.

7. A Dorinda-inspired candle for anyone (including yourself, of course) who just needs things to be ~made nice~ — even if they're staying in the metaphorical Fish Room.

The Sisters Stoned / Etsy

"This Real Housewives-themed candle made by The Sisters Stoned, a fabulous LGBTQ-owned small business, has been the *light* of my life this month. After I featured them in a Bravo holiday round-up, the two besties who run the shop reached out to me on Instagram and it's safe to say I'm now obsessed. They have such a fun spirit about them, but even more importantly they make an incredible product! I was gifted the Dorinda Medley Berkshires candle and I absolutely love it. It features a deliciously musky scent, designed to make your home smell as nice as Bluestone Manor surely does (with the exception of The Fish Room). If you aren't a fan of RHONY (what's wrong with you?) they've created an array of other candles inspired by other Bravo shows. You can find me adding the RHOC collection to my cart next." —Heather Braga

Get the Dorinda candle for $20, and check out the full selection at The Sisters Stoned or their Etsy shop.

8. Seed, a daily probiotic that's designed to help your digestive system. Everybody poops, after all!

BuzzFeed / Farrah Penn

Talk to your doctor before adding probiotics to your routine and know that different probiotics are regulated differently by the FDA. You can read more about probiotics at the NIH!

"After a friend told me about Seed exactly a year ago, I decided to splurge — and at $49 a month, it is indeed a splurge — but I haven't regretted it. Seed is a probiotic for gut health. While it didn't visibly help with bloating, I did notice a difference in energy levels and better bowel movements. (Spoiler alert: everyone poops!! Might as well talk honestly about it!!) After a year, I'm still subscribed. Their packaging is recyclable and compostable, and unlike other probiotics, you don't need to refrigerate these because of the insulation technology used. I've already recommended it to two more friends who also love the benefits, so take that as you will!" —Farrah Penn

Subscribe to Seed for $49.99/month.

9. Glossier Lash Slick, a mascara that coats eyelashes with super-tiny fibers for a natural-looking extending effect that's *also* water-resistant.

BuzzFeed / AnaMaria

"If you’ve ever wanted lash extensions but didn’t want the hassle associated with them, you will fall unconditionally and irrevocably in love with the Glossier Lash Slick. (That’s a Twilight reference, don’t h8.) I admit that I didn’t think I would like it — I’m not an eyeliner gal (I lack the patience required) and rely heavily on blush and mascara to make me look half awake, so I usually prefer formulas that add a crap ton of drama. But this! This is so surprisingly good! It doesn’t flake, doesn’t clump, lengthens a ton, and looks *extremely* natural. It’s also incredibly easy to remove! My regular face wash is able to take off every last speck, no intense rubbing required.

It’s also very buildable, so I can add on multiple swipes to give my look some extra oomph if I wanted to… and it still doesn’t look clumpy or smudge. I’ve stopped wearing mascara every day due to ::looks around:: these times, but this is my holy grail eye product and will eventually become my ~wear this every single day~ mascara once I get back to the office." —AnaMaria Glavan

Get it from Glossier for $16.

If you're looking for more reviews, check out last year's greatest hits in 36 Things To Try in 2021.