5 of Shop TODAY’s favorite fashion products from 2021
As Shop TODAY writers and editors, we’ve done our fair share of shopping over the last year. While we found many things we loved, there were some definite standouts that became essentials in our everyday routines.
As we count down to the new year, each day this week, we are revealing our favorite products of the year in beauty, hair, fashion, home and kitchen and wellness.
Here, we’re sharing our top picks for everything fashion. Check back each day this week to find out what else we bought this year and can’t get enough of.
Shop TODAY’s favorite fashion products of 2021
EQUICK Slippers
Everyone needs a good pair of house shoes — which is why Emma Stessman, a Shop TODAY associate editor, originally purchased these. However, they quickly became her go-to errand shoes. “They ended up being so comfy (and surprisingly supportive) that I now wear them everywhere, from grocery runs to quick walks around my neighborhood,” she shared. “For a shoe that many people might consider ‘ugly,’ I have gotten a surprising number of compliments from strangers that I pass on the street or in the store.”
Aerie OFFLINE High Waisted Crossover Flare Legging
As many fashionistas (or TikTok enthusiasts) know, the early aughts are back. Which means flared leggings are back in style. “When ‘flared leggings’ started gaining popularity, I never thought I’d try the trend,” Shop TODAY social editor Rebecca Shinners said. “But this Aerie pair convinced me otherwise.”
“It features the brand’s flattering crossover design, but what I love most about them is how comfortable they are. The flare bottom means they aren’t as tight on your legs as traditional leggings. They’re comfortable enough to wear all day when I’m working from home, and when I venture outside in them, I feel more dressed up than I would in leggings.”
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
In addition to the flared leggings of the 2000s, fanny packs of the ’90s are back in vogue — but with a trendy new name: belt bags. And this one, in particular, won over Shinners. “I’ve owned a few belt bags before this one, and what sets it apart is that it manages to have a ton of storage without feeling bulky.”
Charter Club V-Neck Cashmere Sweater
Having a good cashmere sweater is a staple. However, cashmere can feel a bit out of reach for some of us. That’s why Shop TODAY senior editor Alexandra Deabler swears by this affordable option. “It is soft and cozy, and the perfect weight for work — especially with a nice button-up thrown under for some extra office-friendly punch. Plus, it has a really fashionable V-neck that’s great for going out.”
Madewell Perfect Vintage Jean
“I struggle to find jeans that actually fit,” Stessman said, sharing a woe that many of us can relate to. “Especially because I’m short, ones that fit comfortably on my waist and thighs are usually way too long, and the ones that are the right length tend to be pretty tight. But these jeans from Madewell fit me perfectly. I have the petite size, and they hit right at my ankles (this is the only pair of jeans that I own that I don’t have to cuff). They also hug my waist and thighs, but still have a comfortable amount of stretch.” (These jeans have been a Shop TODAY favorite for a while, earning a spot in our best mom jeans roundup.)
Shop TODAY’s favorite hair products of 2021
It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In
As someone who is prone to split ends, Shop TODAY social editorial assistant Daniella Musacchio said that the It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In conditioning treatment has been “a total game-changer” for preventing them. “I love to run it through my damp hair before blow-drying,” she said. “My hair always comes out much shinier with fewer fly-aways.”
Made with amino acids, aloe vera and green tea leaf extract, according to the company, the formula can be used on dry or wet hair to tame frizz, add shine, stop breakage and more.
Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo
“I heard about the Redken Dry Shampoo because my friend wrote about it and said it saved her the week that her shower wasn’t working,” Shop TODAY editor Alicia Tan said. “On a no-wash day, I tried it, and she was right. It hid the oil and grease in my dark hair without leaving the white residue I usually get from other products. It’s hard to find products I can be loyal to and this one passes the test.”
Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum Hydrating Treatment
This Kérastase serum is made to be applied before bed, working overnight to make your hair feel softer and more hydrated. Though Shinners said that it also works as an instant de-frizzer when you’re in a rush. “One small pump leaves my hair looking noticeably smoother and shinier,” she said. “It’s perfect for when I’m rushing out the door without time to fully do my hair.”
HEETA Hair Shampoo Brush
This scalp massager has more than 77,000 five-star ratings from people who have said it has helped them with a range of hair issues, from dandruff to an oily scalp. Stessman said that after using it for a month, her scalp and hair, “have never felt cleaner or healthier.” It has soft bristles, which allow you to get a deeper clean and lightly scrub away dirt, dead skin and oil from your scalp.
RobeCurls Curl Scarf
Shop TODAY associate editor Danielle Murphy’s “lazy ponytail days” might forever be behind her, thanks to this TikTok-famous headband. It makes it easy to get perfectly curled hair without going through the effort of styling with a hot tool. All you have to do is wrap your hair around the headband (there’s a video tutorial that you can follow along with) and leave it in for a few hours. It looks like a normal headband, so you can run errands or go on a walk while your hair sets.
Shop TODAY’s favorite beauty products of 2021
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Bio-Oil’s nourishing skin care oil is a favorite of both TikTokers and Amazon shoppers thanks to its ability to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Shop TODAY associate social editor Kara Quill also counts herself as one of the product’s many fans. “I know putting on Bio-Oil is good for my skin and it also feels good,” she said. “I feel clean, refreshed and super moisturized after using it.”
E.l.f. Cosmetics 16-Hour Camo Concealer
Camo’s internet-famous $6 concealer is also “a must-have,” according to Quill. “Putting on this concealer instantly solves my dark under-eye problem,” she said. “It helps to hide small imperfections while also helping to even out my skin tone.” Jess Sims, a Shop TODAY writer, also loves the “thick, creamy and luxurious texture” of the budget find.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Tan said that she has tried just about every chapstick out there (and some lip sheet masks as well), but nothing shows consistent next-day results quite like this Lip Sleeping Mask from Laneige. “I put it on before bed when I have extremely cracked lips or even if I feel like it’s about to happen, and I wake up with soothed, softer lips,” she said. “If I forget to put it on before I go to sleep, I’ll even swipe it on while I’m getting ready to go out and take it off before I walk out the door. It works for me even when I’m desperate for a quick fix.”
Urban Decay Perversion Volumizing Mascara
Love the look of false lashes but hate putting them on? Shop TODAY SEO editor Jess Bender said that she gets the same look with just two coats of this mascara. The creamy, volumizing formula is made with nourishing ingredients like Hairdensyl, honey extract and marine collagen, which are said to nourish and protect lashes and help encourage growth. Shinners is also a huge fan of the mascara. “I have naturally long, curly eyelashes so it’s hard to find a mascara that works but I can actually see a difference with this one,” she said.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer
During the colder months, it’s important to have a hydrating moisturizer on hand to keep dry skin at bay. This one is made with hyaluronic acid and Pentavitin, an ingredient that the brand says can provide up to 72 hours of hydration. Shinners said that it’s a great option to add moisture to dry skin and it “feels refreshing to apply.”
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