Editors’ Picks: The 31 best products we tried and loved in March

This beautiful candle smells like the definition of spring. It’s floral and bright, with notes of jasmine, orange blossom, black currant, grapefruit and green apple. For the size and the quality of the candle, I think it has superior value to other luxury candles I’ve tried. The glass vessel and lid make it an elegant addition to my coffee table and I can also see it making a stunning Mother’s Day gift. — Sophie Shaw, associate fashion & beauty editor

I work from home most days, so a good desk is essential for my home office setup (which happens to be in the corner of my bedroom). I recently upgraded my old standing desk to the Burrow Copilot, and I’m obsessed with how functional and well-designed it is. Some of my favorite features are the spacious drawer, the built-in cable management compartment and the chic design that doesn’t look out of place in my bedroom. ?—?Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home & gifts editor

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I hate bringing my engagement ring anywhere that I might need to take it off, such as the gym or the nail salon, because I get so nervous that I might lose it. This tiny travel jewelry case (which was featured on season 13 of “Shark Tank”) is the perfect solution. You have to remove the key ring to unscrew and remove the lid, which gives me so much peace of mind knowing that it won’t accidentally open up. I brought it to the spa and it safely housed my ring while I was relaxing in the pools and saunas. —?Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home & gifts editor

Between my pale après-winter pallor and my general lack of sleep, I have been more aware of the nasty bags under my eyes. Which is why I adore this new brightening under-eye color-corrector cream. Unlike some similar products, this is lightweight and creaseless, yet it covers the dark circles while lifting the skin. Because it’s also moisturizing, it doesn’t settle into my fine lines and it ends up looking natural, which is always my first priority with makeup. I just dab on about five small dots and use a brush to blur and set it. — Tobey Grumet Segal, health, fitness & food editor

My typically oily-leaning combo skin has been battling dryness, so I added this moisturizing toner into my daytime routine for another layer of hydration before applying a moisturizer and SPF. It’s lightweight and quickly absorbs into my skin. Along with keeping dryness at bay, the K-beauty product has made my skin feel noticeably softer — which I should’ve anticipated due to the product’s name, but truthfully, I was a bit skeptical. That softness is an added bonus to the all-day hydration it provides with ceramides and peptides. — Sophie Shaw, associate fashion & beauty editor

I’ve been looking for a nourishing lip balm that was also cruelty-free and acne safe, and was thrilled to finally come across my new holy grail. This balm is so nourishing and lasts throughout the day without having to reapply. It’s also cruelty-free and has a pleasing smell — always a plus for lip balms. Plus, in a surprising twist, it can also keep your cuticles looking fresh between nail appointments. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

With the warmer weather coming up fast, I have to consider the frizz I’m in store for. I recently started using this Moroccanoil Frizz Control Shampoo and things are looking up for my out-of-control locks. Not only does it keep my hair soft and smooth all day long but also happens to be cruelty-free and smells great. You can also pair it with the conditioner, making these the only products you need for super-silky hair. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I’ve been subscribed to Agency for about six months now and have loved the new Eye Formula under-eye cream. This gentle cream smooths fine lines and wrinkles and locks in moisture. I’ve seen a huge difference with minimizing my usual dark circles as well. The ingredients are tailored to your personal needs so you’ll see better results than picking something generic off the shelf at the store. — Lindsey Smith, associate newsletters editor

We’re big fans of all things Laneige here at Underscored, so naturally, I was thrilled to try the brand’s version of its famed lip mask treatment for the whole face. Unsurprisingly, this new face mask is a lovely blend of cream and gel that leaves my skin looking and feeling noticeably plumper. While you’re technically supposed to wash it off when you wake up, I let it do its thing indefinitely, and it completely absorbs into my skin without any irritating or greasy film. Its light peony scent is so pleasant I want it diffused throughout my whole house. — Marissa Miller, contributing editor

I’m super picky about how lip products feel, which is why this virtually weightless lip stain stands out to me. It has a watery yet soft feeling on the lips, and once it dries, I can pretty much forget I’m even wearing a lip color. It gives a pretty, sheer tint that lasts all day and doesn’t get splotchy when you reapply. I stocked up on a few shades, and it’s become one of my go-to spring makeup products. — Sophie Shaw, associate fashion & beauty editor

This skin tint came highly recommended to me in my search for a full-coverage foundation that won’t clog my pores and that can be worn as a base under my makeup. Similar to the viral Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, this liquid skin tint instantly melts into the skin and leaves me with a dewy, glowy and poreless-looking complexion. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social

I’ve been on a hunt for a crease-free concealer that matches my skin tone and undertone (essentially is “brown-girl” friendly), provides full coverage to cover up my hereditary dark circles, yet still gives off a natural finish, and the Kulfi concealer does just that. Most of the concealers I’ve tried have too much of a pale yellow and orange undertone, but this concealer has complemented my undertone the most so far. To my fellow brown/POC makeup wearers, give this concealer a shot because it’s easily now my go-to concealer. — Richa Srivastava, associate manager, business development

I am a sucker for anything that makes my life more convenient. The Rhode lip case not only protects my phone in a chic way but reminds me to keep my lips hydrated while never losing my favorite lip gloss. It allows me to pack lighter when I leave the house, and the shape is super comfortable in my hands. On a typical day, I pair it with their peptide treatment in Watermelon Slice or the tint in Ribbon. — Molly Flores, photo editor

I wear my Apple Watch every day and love changing out my bands depending on the season. Normally, bands are crazy expensive, but this metal band from Withit has been a great addition to my spring band collection. The metal construction is great quality and securely clasps to my wrist. I also love the blue accent color because it makes the perfect addition to my spring outfits. I normally opt for rubber bands, so I have been loving the metal heavy-weight style. — Tyler Holender, social strategist

If you struggle to find the right space to work from home, this all-in-one pop-up desk is the perfect portable companion. I love that it easily fits in most bags and comes with all you need for the day, including a laptop stand and a wireless mouse, touchpad and keyboard. Like a bento box for office equipment, the products all fit into a lightweight housing. It’s so helpful and easy to tote that my husband borrowed it for his trip to Asia last month. I know what I’ll be getting him this Father’s Day.?— Tobey Grumet Segal, health, fitness & food editor

One of my favorite things about working at CNN Underscored is how much time we spend testing a product before actually publishing a review. That’s exactly the backstory with Logitech’s latest 4K webcam, which I’ve been using for weeks. I’ve found that it’s good at dealing with less-than-ideal lighting situations, which is thanks, in part, to the largest camera sensors Logitech’s ever used (with 70% larger pixels). I’m also a fan of the redesigned mount, which allows you to rotate the MX Brio 90 degrees down when you want to share what’s on your desk. It’s also got an attractive design, something I rarely say about even the best webcams. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer

The MacBook Air M3 may not be a huge upgrade from the M2 version that hit last year; however, this year’s models specifically add some hardware-based ray tracing and mesh shading (and some needed fingerprint resistance) on top of already-great battery life, solid general performance and a sharp screen. The 15-inch MacBook Air M3 screen is big enough to meet my multitasking needs, and its sound is pretty strong as well. Having bought and paid for a pricey MacBook Pro a couple of years ago, I’m a little annoyed by how this more-affordable MacBook would probably be enough for me now. No wonder it’s our pick for the best laptop. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer

The Sonos Arc soundbar may be pricier than the $175 Roku Streambar Pro I’m also testing, but I’ve got to say, I am starting to see why someone would pay more. Its support for the Dolby Atmos standard has meant more immersive-feeling sound, and its 11 internal speakers produce a strong blast of sound. The dimensionality of this sound, which I’ve heard while exploring the wide world of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth and hearing the roar of the engines during Netflix’s “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” can be pretty impressive. I’m not shocked it’s one of our splurge picks for the best soundbar. — Henry T. Casey, electronics writer

The latest Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a sleek and reasonably priced gaming laptop that can run my go-to games like Mortal Kombat 11 at respectable settings, but it’s also a delight to use as a regular ole notebook. Its comfy, super-snappy keyboard has been great to work on, it lasts long on a charge and its gorgeous OLED screen absolutely bursts with color whether I’m playing games or catching up on pro wrestling. And unlike a lot of gaming laptops, it’s slim and unassuming enough to throw in a bag and bring to a coffee shop. You just might want to turn that stylish rear lighting off first. — Mike Andronico, senior tech writer

Whenever I'm birding, my go-to loadout includes binoculars and a camera. The pairing helps me get crystal-clear views through my bins and document any exceptional finds with the snap of a photo. The ATN Binox — essentially a digital camera built into binoculars — combined those capabilities into one device and simplified my setup. It turned out to be a beefier gadget than I needed, equipped with night vision, a laser rangefinder and more high-powered features, but those same specs make it an intriguing investment for serious hunters and backcountry hikers. — Joe Bloss, editorial coordinator

“Loose,” breathable” and “versatile” are the keywords I look for when it comes to a pair of spring pants I can wear daily, whether I’m heading to the beach or running errands. These 100% cotton, blue-and-white-striped pants with pockets and an elastic waistband check all of those boxes. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social

This was the rainiest March I’ve experienced in a while, so I picked up this classic, camel-colored trench to keep me dry (and as a transition coat to wear as the weather warms up this spring). It features a relaxed, slightly oversized fit and looks great with just about everything. — Stephanie Griffin, director of social

It’s still too dang chilly in the Northeast, so I’m relying on this Buff beanie to keep my bald head from freezing. It’s not made for truly frigid temps, but that’s why I love it. The lightweight material means I can wear it on my walk to the bus, then keep it on during my ride without getting sweaty. It’s a great indoor lid if you don’t crank the heat at home. And as I get into running shape this spring, this is my go-to running hat for (slow) jogs at the windy park in my neighborhood. — Joe Bloss, editorial coordinator

I bought these sneakers just as the weather started to warm up to pair with jeans and casual dresses throughout the week. They have become my hack for looking fashionable even when I’m running out the door in a hurry. And I appreciate that they look stylish with jeans or knee-length dresses. The checkerboard pattern is surprisingly complementary to almost everything in my closet, whether it’s striped or floral. — Elisabeth Sherman, associate writer

I love Hu Kitchen chocolate bars and recently tried the brand’s no-sugar-added semisweet chocolate chips — and they are fantastic. They are a great alternative to your traditional chocolate chips and can be used in place of them for any recipe. I love adding a handful to my morning oatmeal or sprinkling a few on ice cream. They, of course, are great in homemade cookies too. — Lindsey Smith, associate newsletters editor

As the weather warms up, I find myself creating more and more colorful mixed drinks. Right now, I’m absolutely obsessed with Yola’s Pechuga Mezcal (as you can see by the nearly empty bottle). From spicy and smoky margaritas to spiked grenadine lemonade, this handcrafted Mezcal is the perfect companion to all of my spring and summer sips. It’s even lovely to drink by itself. — Lindsey Smith, associate newsletters editor

I have been drinking less these days just because I cannot handle a hangover with a two-year-old to run after. In the evenings when I need to unwind and decompress, I make a liter of sparkling water in my Sodastream and flavor it with Tilden Lacewing, a nonalcoholic cocktail that tastes like a fresh vegetable garden. It’s herbaceous, with a mix of cucumber and lemony flavors that is refreshing and easy to sip. I really don’t miss the real thing. Tilden is just as delicious and doesn’t give me a headache. — Elisabeth Sherman, associate writer

I’ve been using Heraclea’s cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oils for months now, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check out the brand’s most recent launch. At the beginning of March, the brand dropped its Aegean Flavors Collection, which features four flavored olive oils: garlic, rosemary, lemon and chili. I’ve been using the garlic and rosemary oils to add additional flavor to my roasted vegetables, and they are now part of my regular rotation. — Rachel Dennis, editorial coordinator

Spring is here and I’m ready to play up at the net — and look good doing it. When it comes to racket sports, I decided to swap out my usual gym tights for this adorable AVI Court skirt. I love that it comes with a soft, comfy 4-inch liner that wicks away my sweat and has a built-in pocket that holds my phone and a ball. The skirt also comes in a lighter shade of pink, plus it covers everything with a pretty flounce. — Tobey Grumet Segal, health, fitness & food editor

I have recently jumped onto the tumbler craze and have tried a few different brands out. But I particularly appreciate the BrüMate because of its sleek design, leakproof lid and overall ability to keep my water ice-cold all day long. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I love signing on to ResortPass for some well needed R&R. This thoughtful app lets you book all kinds of day passes at over 1300 resorts, hotels and spas — or even add a room for the day if you want the full vacation experience. I’m now all about the daycation, and along with already snagging some spa time with my girlfriends, I’m eagerly awaiting the warmer weather and a poolside lounge chair with my name on it.?— Tobey Grumet Segal, health, fitness & food editor