25 products our editors tried and loved in June | CNN Underscored

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The Underscored team tests too many products to count each month. Many are average, but some are products we will purchase again and again. We’re committed to highlighting the best products out there, so we’ve decided to curate roundups of our favorite products we try each month.

What did we love in June, you ask? Keep reading to check out the products we tested and couldn’t get enough of, or flash back to our May favorites too.

Casper Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress (starting at $1,781, originally $2,095; casper.com)

CNN/Chelsea Stone

Casper Nova Hybrid Snow Mattress

After seven-plus years of sleeping on a regular ol’ spring mattress (which had a very apparent permanent dent in the middle), I decided during my recent move that I’d finally upgrade to Casper’s Nova Hybrid Mattress featuring cooling Snow technology. All I can say is, wow. First of all, the mattress arrived rolled up in the box — the pinnacle of convenience and certainly the easiest aspect of my move. The Nova is incredibly plush while also still managing to be supportive, and the addition of the Snow technology has been a dream (pun intended) during New York City’s latest sweltering summer heat wave. Read more about Casper’s Cooling Collection in our full review here. — Chelsea Stone, commerce editor

Magic Linen Woodrose Linen Duvet Cover Set ($225; magiclinen.com)

CNN/Rachel Lubitz

Magic Linen Woodrose Linen Duvet Cover Set

Ever since editing our best linen sheets story, I’ve been a linen fiend. I’ve tried Parachute, Casaluna and Citizenry, and among my favorites now is from Magic Linen, which sent me this dusty lavender duvet and pillowcase set. Not only does it go incredibly well with my sienna-colored sheets and my cat apparently loves it as seen above, but it’s perfectly cool and has managed to resist much of the wrinkling associated with linen bedding. And I just can’t get over how good the color is. — Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor

Moon Pod Super Moon Pod ($499, originally $675; moodpod.co)

CNN/Rosanne Salvatore

Moon Pod Super Moon Pod

I was pretty skeptical about how much I’d enjoy sitting in a beanbag chair as an adult, but the Super Moon Pod is so much more than that. It’s become my go-to reading chair and napping pod. The Super Moon Pod has space for two — and in my house that means the second spot is always occupied by my snuggly dog, Brooklyn. For more details on the zero-gravity pod and how it works, check out our full review of the Moon Pod here. — Rosanne Salvatore, deputy editor

Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet (starting at $314, originally $349; casper.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet

I’ve been a comforter gal for a while, mostly because it’s easier to buy one item versus a duvet and a cover. But after trying the Casper Humidity Fighting Duvet, I am totally converted. This is meant to wick away moisture and prevent you from overheating as you sleep, which is obviously great for the summertime — especially if you like to keep your room cold and snuggle under the covers like me. I love the lightweight feel and fluffiness too. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm ($88; lululemon.com)

CNN/Chelsea Stone

Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm

Lululemon’s reversible yoga mat is our pick for best yoga mat of 2021, so I should have known it would be a complete game changer. My old, generic yoga mat was getting a bit gross after a pandemic’s worth of at-home workouts, so I decided to splurge on the pink marbled version of Lululemon’s mat. Not only is it ultra cushiony, grippy for better balance and big enough for me to really spread out on, but I also actually love the look of it in the corner of my living room. — Chelsea Stone, commerce editor

Crane & Canopy Classic Ivory Bath Towel ($36; craneandcanopy.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

Crane & Canopy Classic Ivory Bath Towel

Nothing beats a good towel after a relaxing shower or bath. Using the Crane & Canopy Classic Ivory Bath Towel was honestly a luxurious experience, no surprise considering this is loomed from Turkish cotton and combed to be smooth and soft. I can’t wait to get my hands on the entire bath collection, along with other colors. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress (starting at $1,299, originally $1,697; nectarsleep.com)

CNN/Hayley Saltzman

Nectar Premier Copper Memory Foam Mattress

As a hot sleeper, I’ve been loving the Nectar Premier Copper mattress during these steamy summer months. The mattress itself is super comfortable and supportive without being too firm, but its cooling properties are the reason I’m hooked. The mattress has copper fibers woven directly into its cover, and while you can’t feel them while you sleep, the resulting cooler night’s sleep has been a game changer for me. As a light sleeper, I also appreciate that this mattress also seems to absorb all motion and movement, so I have consistently gotten a great night’s sleep regardless of how much my husband moves around throughout the night. — Hayley Saltzman, head of social media

Boy Smells Petal Candle ($32; nordstrom.com)

CNN/Sarai Thompson

Boy Smells Petal Candle

I love to create a calming aesthetic in my apartment, whether that’s through design or scents. This month I tried Boy Smells’ candle in the scent of Petal and my place smells like a botanical garden. The candle is long-lasting and boasts a 50-hour burn time. So far I’ve lit my candle for a few hours after work at least twice a week and it’s still not done. I plan on collecting a few more scents from Boy Smells in the future. — Sarai Thompson, social media coordinator

Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator ($30; nordstrom.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator

I didn’t start using body exfoliators until recently, despite the advice of any esthetician or wax person. But as I’ve slowly started to go on vacation again, I figured I’d try some out for silky, smooth skin — and let me say that the Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator is easily my favorite. Formulated with bamboo charcoal, this works with an AHA/BHA trio of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids, along with physical exfoliation beads, to wipe away dead skin without stripping it. This seriously leaves my skin feeling super soft and hydrated, unlike any other product I’ve tried. It’s totally worth the splurge. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

ZitSticka Megashade Breakout-Proof SPF Serum ($40; ulta.com)

CNN/Hayley Saltzman

ZitSticka Megashade Breakout-Proof SPF Serum

I wear SPF 50 on my face every single day, but with this excessive heat and humidity I’ve found myself more prone to breakouts in recent weeks. I’m LOVING this new serum with SPF 50 from ZitSticka because it doesn’t seem to make my skin freak out the way some other products might. It’s super lightweight and easy to layer underneath makeup, plus it adds a bit of a nice glow without looking greasy. — Hayley Saltzman, head of social media

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter ($44; sephora.com)

CNN/Stephanie Griffin

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

I first discovered this multiuse makeup product on TikTok, and I can confirm it’s absolutely worth the hype. I apply it all over my face using the sponge-tipped wand, and the lightweight formula instantly blends into my skin, creating an illuminated, real-life Hollywood filter effect, just as its name implies. For anyone looking to turn their summer glow up a notch, I highly recommend! — Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

AbsoluteJoi Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream ($42; amazon.com)

CNN/Sarai Thompson

AbsoluteJoi Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream

This was my first time hopping on the tinted moisturizer trend and I am so glad I did. I highly recommend this AbsoluteJoi product on melanin skin. It’s formulated with Vitamin C, chamomile, green tea extract and, of course, SPF 40! This is my summer replacement for foundation. The cream evens out my skin tone with a beautiful glowy finish, and the SPF is a plus. — Sarai Thompson, social media coordinator

Joey Healy Brow Architect Stylo ($29; amazon.com)

CNN/Hayley Saltzman

Joey Healy Brow Architect Stylo

After failing to maintain even a hint of a good eyebrow shape during the pandemic, my brows were in serious need of some help. Even though I have super-thick, dark brows, I’ve always had some odd patchiness that can be tough to fix — until I started testing this product. There are a million brow pencils on the market, but this one is the perfect balance of coverage and blendability. It helps my patchy spots without making the rest of my brows look too dark, and the angled pencil tip makes it so easy to achieve the exact look I want. I’ve been using this product for about two weeks now, and it’s already becoming one of my top go-to daily beauty products. — Hayley Saltzman, head of social media

Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant ($13.99; target.com)

CNN/Stephanie Griffin

Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant

This deodorant is a bouquet of fresh roses in a bottle; the scent is so strong (in a good way) and smells so wonderful that sometimes I even forget to put on my perfume in the morning. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better than that, it’s formulated with nontoxic ingredients and glides on completely clear to prevent any white residue. I’ll never use another deodorant again! — Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Nails of LA The Illest ($16; nailsofla.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

Nails of LA The Illest

If quarantine taught me anything, it’s that I don’t need to get my nails done biweekly like I used to do. I’ve experimented with nearly every nail application process since, especially because I don’t like wearing my bare nails and press-ons tend to be the easiest for me. I can confidently say that the Nails of LA press-ons are the best ones I’ve tried. First of all, the kit contains everything you need to apply the nails — from a buffer to nail glue. Even better: The designs are très chic, and I never experienced the nails breaking or falling off, which is unheard of for me. My favorite so far has been The Illest design from the brand’s Hot Girl Summer 2021 Collection. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector ($92; dermstore.com)

CNN/Stephanie Griffin

SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector

I’ve tested a million different pigment correctors in an effort to lighten up my stubborn dark spots as a result of years of acne, and this one is by far the best and most effective! I’ve been using this product sparingly, morning and night for about two weeks, and I have already seen a huge difference in my skin. My spots are noticeably lighter and the formula is far less irritating than others I’ve tried. It’s a bit of a splurge, but on the flip side, much more affordable than other over-the-counter retinols or pricey treatments like lasers. — Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Dell XPS 13 OLED (starting at $1,518; dell.com)

Mike Andronico/CNN

The Dell XPS 13 has long been our favorite Windows laptop, and it just got even better, thanks to a gorgeous OLED screen. Watching movies, bingeing Twitch streams and even browsing Twitter was an absolute delight on this notebook’s super-vivid 13.3-inch display, and its slim design and bouncy keyboard feel as great as ever. Check out our full review here. — Mike Andronico, senior tech writer

GE Lighting Cync Indoor Wi-Fi Smart Camera ($59.70, originally $69.99; amazon.com)

CNN/Stephanie Griffin

GE Lighting Cync Indoor Wi-Fi Smart Camera

This is the first indoor smart camera I’ve ever owned and I truly don’t know why or how I have ever lived without one until now. The device sends instant alerts to my phone when it detects motion or sound, features two-way audio and night vision and can also be paired to your Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. It does it all. I initially wanted the GE Lighting Smart Camera to spy on my dog while I ran errands, but I’m so pleasantly surprised by the peace of mind it has given me when I’ve gone out of town too. — Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Logitech G915 TKL ($229.99; logitech.com)

Mike Andronico/CNN

The Logitech G915 TKL has become my new go-to keyboard for working from home, largely thanks to its comfortable, satisfyingly clackety keys and attractive RGB lighting. The G915 TKL’s compact, wireless design fits perfectly into my home office setup, and I love that I can use its multiple pairing options to switch between my Mac and PC with a quick tap. Read our full review here. — Mike Andronico, senior tech writer

8 Other Reasons Medusa Dusters ($55; 8otherreasons.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

8 Other Reasons Medusa Dusters

Each month I find a style piece that’s love at first sight, and in June it was surely the Medusa Dusters by 8 Other Reasons that are even more stunning in person than online. These were my go-to statement earrings on vacation and weekends alike — always drawing in plenty of compliments. I can’t wait to find more ways to style them. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

Jambys Long Pants ($78; jambys.com)

CNN/Stephanie Griffin

Jambys Long Pants

I’m a sucker for a good sweatpant, especially one as outrageously cozy, cute and affordable as Jambys. If that alone doesn’t convince you to buy a pair (or two), a few of my favorite things about the brand is that it’s unisex and can be worn by anyone, and each piece in the line is meant to be mixed and matched with any of its other vibrant colors. I may or may not be wearing it right now! — Stephanie Griffin, social media strategist

Made by Mary Name Disc Necklace ($62; madebymary.com)

CNN/Rachel Lubitz

Made by Mary Name Disc Necklace

I’m a sucker for a personalized necklace, especially when it comes to gifts. Made by Mary is this sweet independent jewelry shop that has tons and tons of options for personalized jewelry. This disc necklace has seriously impressed me over the past few weeks. It’s small enough so people have to squint a little to see what’s written on it, so it feels even more personal and special. You can even customize the metal and the length, and it really does look much more expensive than it actually is. — Rachel Lubitz, lifestyle editor

Rellery Aquarius Zodiac Signet Ring ($85; rellery.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

Rellery Aquarius Zodiac Signet Ring

The personalized jewelry trend isn’t going anywhere, so I was super excited to get this signet ring by Rellery that shows off my Aquarius sign. It’s pretty dainty, but it’s big enough to be eye-catching on your finger while pairing well with any other rings you’re already wearing. Grab the 18-karat gold over sterling silver as an affordable alternative to solid gold at a fraction of the cost. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

Amavii Mylo Sunglasses ($255; amavii.com)

CNN/Kiana Murden

Amavii Mylo Sunglasses

Now introducing my new favorite sunglasses: the Amavii Mylo glasses. Available in four colors, these aviator-style sunnies are designed to be super lightweight yet durable and even comes in a luxe vegan leather case. They also feature silicone nose pads so your glasses won’t annoyingly slide down your nose as you frolic around this summer. — Kiana Murden, associate lifestyle editor

PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge ($49.95; amazon.com)

CNN/Chelsea Stone

PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge

There has never been a happier feline than my beloved cat Phoebe splayed out on this PetFusion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge. Not only is the lounge’s loopy shape aesthetically pleasing, but it also provides the perfect indentation for Phoebe to nestle into while she takes her morning (and afternoon, and evening) naps and does her daily patrol of the windowsill. Plus, the lounge doubles as a scratcher, which is great news for my couch. She clearly loves it, and I, her doting mom, love how much she loves it. — Chelsea Stone, commerce editor