9 Things To Try In May

Because we tried them for you in April.

1. A Billie razor starter pack and subscription, because using this razor for the first time makes you realize every other razor you've ever used absolutely stinks. With or without shaving cream, this baby glides effortlessly, leaving your legs, pits, etc., the smoothest they've ever been.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

The starter kit comes with the razor handle, two blades, and a magnetic holder.

As someone who regularly goes through phases of not shaving for six months or more, I can't believe I'm even promoting a shaving product, but Billie is just that good. I want to really emphasize that shaving is not important, but if you feel like doing it regularly or even just every once in a while, this should be your go-to razor. Simply put, Billie gives me the smoothest legs I've ever had. The head is wider and flatter than most drugstore razors I've used, so maybe that's the secret to its success? The ring of shave soap around the blades really works to make the razor glide easily, even when shaving with just water. It somehow feels safer to use than drugstore brands, too — I never feel like I'm going to accidentally cut myself. I love that you just get replacement blades so you're not wasting as much plastic by getting an entirely new razor with every subscription, and the magnetic holder it comes with really does work! No more letting your razor get rusty and weird sitting on the edge of the tub.

I got to try Billie as a free sample *years* ago and absolutely adored it (I wrote about it then with my colleagues in a Billie razor review as well. Spoiler alert: we all genuinely loved it.) but I want to follow-up now to say that Billie is STILL the best razor I have ever used. Nothing else even comes close to giving a better shave, especially for the (imo) really great price. I happily spent my own moolah on this subscription again after a few years of letting my body hair mostly just do its own thing but hacking away every now and again with an inferior razor. With summer approaching, I just kind of felt like keeping up with shaving for a while again, and I knew Billie was the only one for the job.

Get the starter kit from Billie for $9.

2. A Misfits Market grocery delivery box to save big time on your grocery bill and do so sustainably. The produce in your box are items that would perhaps be turned away from grocery stores for purely aesthetic reasons (don't worry, they're still delish!) resulting in food waste. With this subscription service, all of this bounty can be delivered to your door instead.

Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed

All of the produce in Misfits Market boxes is organic and GMO-free. For more info, head to their sourcing page!

"If I could get away with it, I’d live off of gas station snacks. Digiornio’s pizzas, Slim Jims, ice-cold Mountain Dews, and other things that are surely taking weeks off my life with each bite or sip are my siren call. So I try to balance that out by filling up on veggies when I’m cooking for myself at home. But I hate, no DETEST, grocery shopping. Also, apparently, living in the Gossip Girl neighborhood will really drive up the price of groceries. So when my Aunt Lynn mentioned she subscribes to the Misfits Market box, I had her text me a promo code. I’ve received three boxes so far and don’t plan on quitting anytime soon.

This beaut delivers organic produce straight to your door that might be a little ugly and not up to grocery stores’ visual standards. Some stuff like spaghetti squash or Roma tomatoes may have a few spots on them (hence the savings with imperfect looking stuff) but they always taste as good as the flawless stuff you’d find in a store. I get the smaller Mischief box that’s meant for one to two people and, tbh, live off of the produce for like a WEEK. Probably a few days more! But it also forces me to be creative to use up these delicious beauts. Like this tasty oven roasted ratatouille recipe I whipped up to use up my zucchini, tomatoes, and yellow squash before I was away for a long weekend. I like that it forces me to be a little creative (something my aunt also said!) though a lot of times I end up chopping up and roasting veggies with garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. (Roasted veggies are my fave.)

Now if you have a *very* specific grocery list with must-have produce on it, you likely won’t be able to snag everything on your list in an order. Misfits Market gives you a certain number of items to choose within a group, so you’re able to shop in season. But so far I’ve been able to get some form of lettuce or salad base each time and tomatoes. My most recent order included all organic stuff — 1 zucchini, 2 Valencia oranges, 2 yellow onions, 1 bunch of curly kale, 1 organic cucumber, 1 Granny Smith apple, 1 (ENORMOUS) head of Romaine lettuce, 1 mixed head of lettuce, 3 Roma tomatoes, 1 bunch of red radishes, 1 spaghetti squash, and 2 Minneola tangelos. So. Quite a bit! And I added on a container of organic blueberries to top my oatmeal breakfasts. Without any add-ons this box costs me $22 plus ~$5 in shipping. It delivers on a bi-weekly basis. But you can change your delivery schedule, skip a delivery, or even donate the delivery you’d otherwise completely skip! Donating charges you your regular subscription fee (minus shipping) and the company donates that food to a food bank.

I ADORE this service. It makes grocery shopping less overwhelming, gives me a bit of a boost by making me think that I’m helping rescue food that’d otherwise go to waste, and, well, helps me eat the amount of veggies I know I should be consuming." —Elizabeth Lilly

Get the "Mischief Box" from Misfits Market starting at $22/box, delivered weekly or every other week.

3. Supergoop's cult-fave product Unseen Sunscreen that makes wearing daily SPF less of a greasy inconvenience. It's nearly weightless and is great on its own or acts as a lovely primer if you want to layer makeup over it. Either way, it'll help protect you from the sun's harmful rays to keep your skin healthy for the long-run.

Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

"I have oily, acne-prone skin and use a prescription retinol to control things, which means I MUST use sunscreen on my face everyday. (Even if you don't use a retinol though, wearing sunscreen everyday is incredibly good for the longevity of your skin.) For the first few years I was using said retinol, though, I stubbornly insisted that I should be able to find a decent, non-greasy sunscreen option at the drugstore. And while I still hold that I shouuuld be able to find such a thing, I tried four or five different formulas — even ones that were supposed to be matte or non-greasy — and all of them left me with an oil-slick face by the end of the day. Finally my mom, who had been using this Supergoop stuff the whole time, got me a bottle of this cult-favorite for Christmas last year (moms do know best sometimes!!). 

I couldn't be happier with it! A dime-size amount covers my entire face, because it's translucent it leaves absolutely no white cast, and 10 minutes after putting it on, my face just feels like I applied a little bit of a nice moisturizer or makeup primer, not anything that's grease-central, like sunscreen usually is. It does pill if I put it on too soon after my morning topical acne prescription, but as long as I give that script about five minutes to sink in I have no issues. I've worn makeup maybe a grand total of seven or eight times over the past year, but every time I have, I've been impressed by the way my matte foundation glides over it, looks with it, and lasts with it. When this bottle runs out — which, despite using it every single day (and sometimes twice a day, if I head out into the sun in the afternoon) for about four months now, it still hasn't come close — I absolutely won't mind treating myself to a new one." —Natalie Brown

Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two sizes), or Sephora or Free People for $34.

4. A BloomsyBox subscription to add a little springtime cheer to your apartment on the reg. Having flowers around is incredibly nice, so let me be the one to tell ya that you deserve it! Not into another subscription? They also have individual bouquets so you can get yourself (or a pal!) some blooms as a treat.

Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed

"I always have fresh flowers in my apartment. Always. I started doing this years ago, and never really stopped. So much so, that I often have multiple bouquets of flowers scattered throughout different rooms. I tried BloomsyBox (because, duh!), and was *thrilled* with my first bouquet from them (pictured above!). I had never tried a subscription service before — like, how could one possibly ship flowers in the mail and they arrive in tact?! But boy, was I wrong. These flowers were so carefully packaged. The bigger flowers were wrapped in netting to protect their petals, and the entire bouquet was securely fastened to the box so there was no shifting around. And they were so fresh, that the lilies themselves have yet to bloom. I love that these flowers feel like a step up from what you can get at the grocery store, and just the option to subscribe or send as individual bouquets means I know what I will be gifting everyone (and myself!) from now on!" —Kayla Suazo

Get a BloomsyBox subscription starting at $44.99/month and shop all of their individual bouquets here.

5. Some comfy Knickey mid-rise briefs made of breatheable organic cotton for anyone who's in need of some new high-quality basics. These are made *without* chlorine, bleach, or other harsh chemicals that can impact the natural balance of your nether regions.

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"Why I was ever wearing low-rise bikini underwear is beyond me. I now find that I adore underwear with fuller coverage and this pair delivers! They come in a wide range of 'nude' colors, but I opted for this playful royal blue — which I love! The color hasn't faded after a couple runs through the wash and the elastic is retaining its shape well. The sizing is a little weird for me — I went with my regular medium and it fits fine in the booty but is a little loose in the waist. Nothing egregious, but think about ordering a size down if you are between sizes like I am. But the real reason I love this product is all the eco-friendly and ethical bells and whistles: organic cotton, Fair Trade certified factories, and a recycling program where you can send back your worn-out undies to be broken down and recycled into new goods! There's a lot of peace in mind (for me) in knowing that when my underwear is no longer wearable, I know what to do with them to keep them out of the landfill!" —Danielle Healy

Get them from Knickey for $13 (available in sizes XXS–XXXL and seven colors).

6. Ghost Democracy's Floodgate Hyaluronic Acid and Lightbulb Vitamin C Serum that can def work separately, but in conjunction helped one of our writers get her dry skin consistently moisturized and even lessen some discoloration from past acne.

Jasmin Sandal / BuzzFeed

Both serums are sulfate-, silicone-, phthalates-, paraben-, alcohol-, and fragrance-free.

"I'm just going to come out and say it: My skin is a temperamental beast. Some days it's oily, other days it's flaky and incredibly dry — which is usually the case. Some days it's blotchy and uneven, other days it's, y'know, fine. BUT since I introduced these two dream formulas into my daily routine about two months ago, I have definitely noticed a significant difference. (Because the one thing I've learned about skincare, is that it's a marathon, not a race, people.)

So let's get down to the deets: The Vitamin C serum has a watery consistency that immediately melts into the skin, while leaving it with a healthy, dewy sheen. The hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, definitely has a thicker texture and leaves a slight sticky residue upon application, but that dissipates after a quick minute. Just a couple drops of each is all I need to treat my Sahara-like dryness and feel like I have a deluge of hydration hitting my skin.

Together, (Vitamin C in the morning/Hyaluronic at night) I have definitely noticed an improvement in my overall skin tone and texture. My skin looks more plump, evened-out, and bright, *and* I am even noticing some minor improvements in my post-acne discolorations (just peep that before and after!)." —Jasmin Sandal

Get them from Ghost Democracy: the Hyaluronic Acid Serum for $34 and the Vitamin C Serum for $34.

7. A Leatherman Free P4 — a cult-favorite multitool ready to solve any and all household probs with its 21 (!!!) functions. It uses magnets to lock everything safely in place when not being used and comes with a hip belt sheath so it's ready to be deployed at all times.

John Mihaly / BuzzFeed

Some of the Leatherman's tools are a saw, multiple screwdrivers, a file, wire cutters, needle nose pliers, a can opener, a bottle opener, and scissiors!

"When my Leatherman went missing for a few months, I finally realized what a time-saver it was. Instead of grabbing the multitool from the junk drawer, I'd now have to drag my heavy metal toolbox from the back of the closet, no matter the size of the job. Such is apartment living.

So when the kind folks at Leatherman offered to let me test the Leatherman Free P4 Multitool, I couldn't reply to the email fast enough. This gorgeous stainless steel model (that's made in the U-S-of-A) is bigger than the one I lost and packs in 21 different tools including pliers, wire cutters, knives, a saw, scissors, screwdrivers, and package and bottle openers to name a few. Plus it comes with a nylon sheath with a belt loop so I can look like even more of a dad.

If you're not looking to invest in a fully-stocked toolbox just yet (again, apartment living) please don't buy that one from Ikea that everyone gets when they move in and leaves when they move out. Go for the Leatherman instead. Consider it an investment for that future toolbox." —John Mihaly

Get it from Amazon or REI for $139.95.

8. A pair of wireless on-ear Marshall Major IV headphones with 80 — yes, 80 — hours of playtime on a single charge. I'll say it: these are the greatest headphones I have ever used. I am constantly listening to something, so only having to charge these every few weeks is amazing. And because they're Marshall brand, the sound quality is top-notch. I can barely think of one downside to these, so they're 100% worth the splurge.

Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed

If you're going to invest in a pair of everyday on-ear headphones, in my humble opinion, these are The Ones. The 80 hours of playtime per charge is no lie. I turn these on at least once a day for a few hours and sometimes go a full month without having to charge them. As someone who is constantly forgetting to charge all of my electronics, but is tired of corded headphones, that is an enormous plus. Marshall is known for their amps and speakers, so it should come as no surprise how great the sound quality on these things are — every note is crystal clear. They're not actively noise cancelling, but the padding on the ears definitely helps keep out external noise and ups the sound quality — I really prefer these kind of headphones, however, since noise cancelling ones can make things a little too quiet for me.

The headphones have one nifty button for turning them on and off, pausing music, and skipping tracks, which works swimmingly. They're pretty dang comfortable for on-ear headphones. My ears start to get a *little* sore if I wear these for 4+ hours but I've yet to find any headphones that don't do that. In a pinch I've even worn these on jogs and they've stayed comfortably on, even in a light drizzle! I also think that these just look cool. A lot of headphones in this style are too modern and sleek for my taste, but these are unassuming, minimally branded, and look plain sweet. After using these almost every day for 6+ months, I could not recommend these headphones more.

Get them from Best Buy for $149.99. (They're currently sold out at Marshall and Amazon, but should be restocked soon).

9. A tube of Summary natural deodorant for anyone out there still searching for their natural deo Holy Grail. This one is formulated with butterfly pea powder, witch hazel, and bamboo powder which work together to keep you stink-free and relatively dry (natural deodorant will never be a miracle worker, but in comparison to many, this one is great).

Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed

Worry not — the plum-colored deodorant glides on transparent!

"I've been on a deodorant JOURNEY for the past couple of years, ever since I decided I couldn't stand how itchy my long-beloved drugstore antiperspirant had started making me. I've tried every natural deodorant formula I could find: baking soda, diatomaceous earth, arrowroot powder, rubbing alcohol, and even ones that were basically scented lotion. Every single one either A) left me itchy and irritated after a week or so of regular wear or B) would work for maybe an hour or two, but needed excessive application even when I wasn't stress sweating. But I wasn't about to give up yet. When the chance came to snag some Summary, which uses butterfly pea flower, witch hazel, and bamboo powder, I was willing to take the chance. My holy grail just had to be out there! A month in, I can happily say I never need to apply it more than three times a day (I usually get away with twice), and it doesn't leave my pits itchy and irritated. It doesn't stand up to stress sweat, but I haven't met a natural deo yet that does. Of course, when it comes to natural deodorant everybody's body is different, but if you're on your own journey, I heartily recommend trying this one!" —Natalie Brown

Get it from Free People for $18.

Want more? Check out what we were loving in April and March for more great finds!