In addition to warmer weather and the occasional rain shower, spring at NBC Select means a lot of sales coverage. Some of our favorite retailers and brands roll out their best sale events of the year in March, and we made sure to find the best ones. This month, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale had worthwhile deals on editor-favorite brands like Medicube, Shark and Dyson, Our Place slashed up to 40% off prices on kitchen appliances and Walmart discounted tons of furniture and storage items.
Within all of this sales coverage, though, we were also able to find time to test out products ourselves, some of which we loved so much, we don’t want to pass up the opportunity to talk more about them.
The best products we tried in March 2026
All of the products below are either courtesy brand samples or products that we bought ourselves.
Marilyn La Jeunesse, freelance newsletter editor
As someone who wore Victoria’s Secret Vanilla Lace perfume religiously throughout high school and most of college, I thought my days of smelling like a decadent cupcake were over — until I tried Phlur’s Honey Moon, which the brand sent to me to test. A recent launch from one of my favorite unisex fragrance brands, this scent is a velvety, mature take on vanilla perfume. The base notes of tonka, vanilla bean and sandalwood are warm and inviting while the heart notes of orange blossom, Manuka honey and saffron add a dreamy elegance. The top notes of Mandarin orange and lavender add a beautiful complexity, easily making this one of my new everyday scents.
After years of putting it off, I finally started my Invisalign journey earlier this year and, so far, the most annoying thing about it (aside from the pain of having your teeth adjusted) is cleaning the trays. I’m a stickler for good dental hygiene, but I didn’t feel like my aligners were getting a proper clean with just a toothbrush and some non-fragranced soap. After a bit of research, I called in a sample of the Zima Dental Pod, which other Invisalign users had recommended. Using ultrasonic technology, this device removes build-up on the trays without damaging the shape or structure. I’ve been using it for about a month now and it’s made cleaning my aligners so much easier. All I have to do is fill the pod up with water, close the lid and let the machine do the rest of the work for me.
I’ve been wearing MAC lipstick for over a decade and have fallen head-over-heels for the M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick, which launched back in 2024. The brand recently sent over a few new shades for me to test, including what I think is my new go-to color: Taupe. In addition to having a deep pigment, it lasts upwards of 12 hours and feels smooth and nourishing on my lips. I recently wore it to my birthday dinner and didn’t have to worry about the lipstick transferring onto my cup or running to the bathroom to reapply.
Mili Godio, updates editor
I use under-eye masks every morning to reduce the look of dark circles and eye bags. These patches from Jouer have been my latest obsession; I’ve worn them every day for the last few weeks after the brand sent me some to try out. They’re a little larger than other under-eye patches I’ve tried, so they cover a lot more surface area and give a boost of hydration to the skin around my eyes (which, as someone with dry skin, is extremely helpful). My under eyes also look so much brighter, so I feel much more confident going out without makeup. The only downside is that they’re a little slimy, but somehow they don’t slip off.
I recently went on a press trip to Miami with Isdin, and the Fusion Water Magic was the only thing I wore during those sunny, 80-degree days. I love this sunscreen’s ultra-light texture and how quickly it melts into my skin without leaving an annoying white or oily residue. I have very dry, rosacea-prone skin, so most sunscreens tend to be too irritating or cause dry patches. This one is specifically made to hydrate and moisturize skin, which is exactly what I need to keep my redness at bay. There’s no pilling, scent or shine, so it’s the perfect sunscreen to wear out and about with or without makeup.
I’ve recently been on a baking kick, and since mini muffins are some of my favorite sweet treats to snack on, this Caraway muffin pan has been put to good use. The muffins cook evenly and don’t stick to the pan, which is my biggest pet peeve when baking. It can be hard to clean mini muffin pans since the holes are smaller, but this one is a breeze; any leftover residue simply slides off of the nonstick ceramic without me having to scrub or scratch it off.
Ashley Morris, associate reporter, seo
I’ve seen this viral tracksuit on my timeline for a long while, so when the brand sent me a few pieces to try, I was especially excited to get my hands on this hoodie. At first, I was worried that the material would be too thin, but at this point I’ve been fully converted. It has a soft, stretchy feel that makes it super cozy for lounging around the house or running errands, and I love that the shape of the hoodie flatters my body so well. I have the hoodie in two colors (navy/gold and blue), but it’s available in over thirty — and frankly, I’m considering getting a few more.
Harry Rabinowitz, reporter
I’ve been using Peak Design camera straps for years now and they are some of the best I’ve tried. But they have always felt a little over engineered for casually taking photos for fun on a Saturday. The brand’s newer Form straps are much sleeker and simpler, but keep everything I love about the original. Namely, they are comfortable and easy to take on and off my cameras. It’s one piece of slim, non-adjustable leather, so be sure to take measurements into account so you can get the size that fits your needs best. The brand sent me the short and standard sizes, but I preferred the standard.
I’ve been on the hunt for a high-quality variable neutral density filter for my camera for nearly a year now. If that just sounded like gibberish, they are basically adjustable sunglasses for your camera — they give you greater control of your shot or video in sunny conditions. I bought this new launch from Urth and I think it’s a keeper. I love the raised notch on the rim that lets me precisely control how dark I am making the image. And, so far, it seems to keep the colors of the scene accurate, which is often a challenge for this type of filter.
Nikki Brown, senior editor
I had been on a months-long search for a new backpack (I just can’t do tote bags) when Lo & Sons sent me this one as a courtesy sample. I am pint-sized, so when a bag rests on my body uncomfortably, I really feel it, which is why I’ve been so picky while searching for a backpack to commute with daily. This one is Goldilocks size — not too big or small, just right — and storage options aren’t in short supply, so I’ve been able to stuff it to the gills and pack it lightly without it making much of a difference in how it feels. I also got caught in the rain and everything in my bag stayed dry. I wish it were cheaper, but given how it has performed so far, it’s a real investment piece that would last anyone a long while.
After about a year of wearing my hair super short, I am growing it out again because I can never truly make up my mind. My hair has always struggled to retain moisture so this time around, I am making a true effort to focus on hair health and consistency. Before styling, I’m washing my hair once a week with Design Essentials’ Honey Creme Moisture Retention Shampoo and applying the hair mask from the same line. I’m amazed at how soft the shampoo leaves my hair — even if I didn’t condition after, I would have no trouble brushing through and styling it. In the early days of the pandemic, I swore by As I Am styling products because most are protein-free and prioritize ingredients that make my hair feel juicy and hydrated for a couple days at a time. I’ve been combining the So Much Moisture lotion with Camille Rose’s Curl Maker gel, the latter of which has marshmallow root, an herb with lots of mucilage that can be soothing for the hair and gut (I also drink it in tea form). When my hair dries down, my curls are super defined and they don’t feel hard and crunchy. I’ll try to stick to this product combo and hopefully I’ll have a positive update in a few months.
Zoe Malin, reporter
I’ve followed a gluten-free diet for over a decade, and this is hands-down the best gluten-free sourdough I’ve ever eaten. Wildgrain visited our office recently and I luckily got to take home a whole loaf. It smells, looks and tastes great, and I can cut it into average size slices (most gluten-free bread I’ve found at the grocery store is unusually small and there’s distinctly something missing when I eat it). Wildgrain’s loaf is so close to the real thing I had to keep reminding myself it’s gluten-free, and even the non-gluten-free people in my life have been impressed by it. It freezes and defrosts well, too. I’ve been using slices of sourdough to make avocado toast with feta fried eggs, and I cut off the ends of the loaf, diced them up and toasted them to make croutons. This sourdough loaf has everything seasoning on it, which I love, but the brand also offers a plain one and other types of gluten-free breads, cookies and pastas. You have to order at least four items from Wildgrain for your box to ship, which is completely worth it, in my experience.
One of Yeti’s team members told me that they make overnight oats in the brand’s dishwasher-safe Lowball cup, so I had to try it (thankfully they gifted me a sample). I prepare overnight oats for breakfast during the work week, but I’ve never found a vessel that I like making them in, putting in my lunchbox to bring to the office and eating them out of it. Not only is the Lowball the perfect size for a single-serving of overnight oats and all the toppings I add, but it’s also insulated and made from stainless steel, so it keeps my oats cold in transit. The cup comes with a tightly-fitting, leak-resistant lid that has never given issues with spillage when I’m commuting with it. I have one Lowball cup right now, but I’m strongly considering buying three more (one for each day I’m at the office).
My parents’ dog Daisy recently started sleeping on the floor by their apartment’s front door, so when Bedsure offered to send a sample of this pet sofa, I knew it would be perfect to put in that spot, giving her a more comfortable place to rest. She loves curling up on the dog bed, and it gets bonus points for seamlessly blending into our home. The bed has a thick layer of memory foam to take pressure off Daisy’s joints and an additional layer of foam with an egg-crate texture to evenly distribute weight, according to the brand. The bed has a removable, machine-washable soft faux fur cover and there’s a sturdy bolster on three sides for Daisy to lean against, burrow into and rest her head on. Daisy is about 18 pounds so I got her the medium bed — she’s tall and long, so I think the large size would have let her stretch out more, but she likes curling up into a little ball when she’s sleeping, so the medium size ended up being perfect. My 8-pound dog Mabel also loves snuggling with her on the bed, and it’s a hit with our cats, too.
Caitlin Cusack, associate social media editor
I’ve been a fan of Olehenriksen products for a while: I absolutely love the Pout Preserve Lip Treatment, the under-eye corrector and the niacinamide serum. So I was excited to try a sample of the brand’s new cleanser that the brand sent me, especially considering my skin loves niacinamide. It almost instantly brightens my skin and leaves it feeling clean and hydrated. It also does an impressive job at removing makeup, including tough waterproof mascara.
I hosted a birthday party for my best friend this month, and I was looking for decor and small details that I could add to set the perfect vibe. Piecework sent me a sample of their Birthday Cocktail napkins, and they were a hit. The set comes with four reusable cloth napkins, which we used as coasters for the majority of the night. They were the perfect piece of functional decor. Not only did they look great on the table, but they also prevented water stains on my surfaces. The best part is they’re reusable; All I had to do was handwash them with a little bit of soap, air dry and they were good as new.
I’m a big fan of Naturium’s body washes, and since summer is coming up, I decided to try out The Energizer with mandelic acid. It’s meant to neutralize and reduce body odor, which I need during the hot New York City summers. I also struggle with body acne, and the gentle AHAs in the formula are a great addition to my routine. The body wash always leaves my skin feeling smooth after I shower, plus the bottle is huge; for $17, you’re getting a ton of product that’ll last for months.
Kalohe Danbara, NBC Select intern
I bought Medicube’s Peel Shot for my face last month and loved it so much. So, when I saw they made a version for the body, I knew I had to buy it. This product is unlike anything I’ve tried before: It’s a serum that instantly peels off dead skin, leaving it baby soft. I’m prone to body acne, so integrating this exfoliator into my weekly routine has made a huge difference.
Tend Skin is my shaving holy grail. I’d recommend applying this product using a cotton pad after shaving any areas where you might get razor bumps. It’s a little pricey but lasts me a long time.
Shalwah Evans, senior editor
This might be my favorite thing that I’ve bought all year (and I shop a lot, so that’s saying something). I use this primarily for taking lunch to the office and I’ve stored salad, pasta and all kinds of foods in it without spilling a drop. I love the little cup inside the cap for storing my salad dressing or grated parmesan. My favorite features: It slips into my workbag like a fat water bottle, so it takes up less space than most food storage containers and when I get home, I just put it in the dishwasher.
My work computer and personal laptop are identical. This has unlocked a new fear that I will commute all the way to midtown Manhattan (I live in New Jersey) with the wrong computer one day. So, I bought these cool laptop sleeves to protect my device and to differentiate between the two. I love how elegant they look; you can barely tell the leather is faux. And so far they’ve done a great job keeping my computers dry when it suddenly rains (which will happen a lot this season).
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Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about deals and sale events, product roundups, reviews and more. The NBC Select staff and I test products monthly from brands in tech, beauty, skin care, hair care and more. I made this list based on the product recommendations from editors and reporters on staff.
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