By: Felson Sajonas
My choice is less about pushing product and more about experience. Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) has improved my fitness dramatically and I recently travelled to Phuket, Thailand for a week to add to my current training. While the gym I trained at was more technique focused, there are other Thailand destinations out there like Battle Conquer that specialize not only in Muay Thai but also overall wellness. They offer yoga, meditation, detox and meal plans and you can even stay for a week or up to three months with lodging included.
Where to buy: Battle Conquer, prices start at 5,500 THB (approximately $182 USD)
Battle Conquer Muay Thai Fitness & Wellness Camp
KAO Heated Lavender Eye Masks
By: Emily Engle
I’m frequently asked how I’m able to sleep through every single flight I take — I once slept 14 hours straight on a flight to Japan. Maybe I’m born with it, or maybe it’s my multi-step in-flight skincare routine. A key player in my lineup is a pack of these self-heating lavender eye masks. Whenever I plan a trip or know I have a particularly stressful week ahead of me, I make sure to pick a pack of these up at a Japanese market (or bulk order online if I’m really thinking ahead). As soon as one of these masks emerges from its individual packaging, it automatically starts heating up and emitting a lavender aroma — kind of like a hand warmer for your eyes. The warming effect lasts around 25 minutes, which is just enough time to pass out before the plane even takes off. Once they lose their heat, they automatically double as an effective eye mask for the duration of your flight.
Where to buy: Amazon for $18.95 USD
Ikeuchi Organic Towels
By: Arby Li
These are extremely pricey for towels, but once you find your preference in Ikeuchi’s extensive line (you can choose the best one for you based on a spectrum of absorbance and texture) you’ll never go back. I would recommend the Bamboo 540 for the ultimate in absorbency and softness, as well as its quick-drying capabilities.
Where to buy: Amazon for $75 USD
Rohto Ice
By: Jake Silbert
Over the past decade or so, I’ve tried nearly every over-the-counter brand of eye drops in an effort to soothe my extremely dry eyes. Whenever my eyes are particularly itchy or sore, I prefer to wrap a piece of ice in a napkin and press it against an eye for a few minutes. When I don’t have time to sit around, however, I almost always grab Rohtos. The Ice drops actually feel “cold” when entering the eye; once you get over the initial surprise, it’s pleasantly refreshing. For lasting relief, the “Dry-Aid” works just as well, if not better, than any other drop I’ve ever used.
Where to buy: Walgreens for $8.29 USD
Sunday Riley AutoCorrect Eye Cream
By: Megan Wray Schertler
A friend once told me, “Tired is your look.” Funnily enough we’re not friends anymore, but my relationship with my dark circles is still going strong. This Sunday Riley eye cream is my way of showing them a little love.
Where to buy: Sunday Riley for $65 USD
It’s January now, which for many of us means it’s time to step out of our end-of-year-induced comas and face the real world again. As we wake up from a stupor of excessive eating, drinking and traveling to go back to work without nary so much as the warm glow of the holidays to brighten up the cold weather, we have to admit the days ahead can feel a little bleak.
That doesn’t mean that we need to fully give in to “Bad Winter.” In fact, it’s all the more reason to take a bit of extra time to take care of ourselves. With that in mind, we’ve asked our editors to share their favorite ways to indulge in self-care.
Ranging from humble eye drops to luxurious versions of everyday items like towels and toothpicks, and even an all-out spa day, these are our editors favorite ways to pamper themselves.
Our favorite ways of pampering ourselves.
Editors’ Picks: The Best Items for Self-Care and Wellness
Image Credit: Sunday Riley
Image Credit: Lina Verovaya/Unsplash
Image Credit: Rohto
Image Credit: Pixabay
Image Credit: Heather Ford/Unsplash
By: Ross Dwyer
I’m a creature of habit, and a habit that I’ve developed over the last few years is enjoying a Daneson mint No.9 toothpick. With its burnt end and sustainably-harvested wood, a Daneson is luxury personified. In short, it’s the Cuban cigar of toothpicks, and lasts just as long too. The No.9 is also loaded with natural mint flavoring and other ingredients like wintergreen, sweet fennel and natural oils. Apart from a subtle, pleasant taste, it’s also good for your teeth and gums. If mint’s not your thing, there are several other flavors ranging from cinnamon to whiskey.
Where to buy: Daneson for $28 USD
Daneson Mint No.9 Toothpicks
By: Christina Hong
While I had initial doubts about weighted blankets, I can attest that they work. Typically, I hate being cocooned in bed, but the weighted blanket doesn’t feel claustrophobic since it’s made from breathable material. There is something very innately comfortable about this blanket, almost as if you’re back in your mother’s womb perhaps. If you struggle with anxiety or insomnia, it’s worth a try. Suggested weight is 8-12 percent of your body weight.
Where to buy: Baloo for $169 USD
Baloo Weighted Blanket
Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer
By: Mallory Chin
For many, the idea of spending $400 USD on a hair dryer seems absolutely ludicrous. However, after having made the splurge, I can truly say it is one of the best items I have ever purchased. My hair is quite manageable, but with the aid of the Dyson Supersonic it has only gotten smoother and shinier, without having to be exposed to extreme heat. The time it takes to fully dry your hair is also cut down with the Supersonic, which means more time can be spent elsewhere in your daily routine. And if you’re feeling extravagant, there’s also a 24 karat gold option priced at $450 USD.
Where to buy: Dyson for $399.99 USD
By: Eddie Lee
Whenever I travel to Montreal, my first stop is always Bota Bota. The spa is my Hyperbolic Time Chamber. A few hours spent relaxing in various saunas filled with eucalyptus oils, dunking my body into cold tubs, sleeping, or sipping on wine at the onsite bistro reinvigorates my entire body. The breathtaking views of Montreal, Nordic water circuit and surrounding silence makes this the perfect spa in North America.
Where to buy: Bota Bota, prices start at $50 CAD (approximately $38 USD)
Bota Bota Spa and Water Circuit
Image Credit: Daneson
Image Credit: Baloo
Image Credit: Dyson
Image Credit: Zé Zorzan/Unsplash
Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask
By: Keith Estiler
When it comes to skincare regimens, I’m an absolute novice. There are plenty of options out there, I'm sure, but finding the right products is an especially daunting task for folks who are just starting out (like me). Recently, I’ve adopted a weekly upkeep to freshen up my mug and it involves the Detox Clay Mask by Chantecaille. I typically use it two or three times a week at night. The clay itself helps absorb oil and nourishes the skin to minimize pores. After applying, you leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water. It’s a refreshing experience all around.
Where to buy: Chantecaille for $85 USD
By: Emily Jensen
There are few things more relaxing to me than starting off the day with a pot of tea and a good book. And if there is a better tea for this purpose than the malty Assam blend from Japanese tea brand Lupicia, then I have yet to find it. At $9 USD for 50 grams of leaves, this is a tea that demands a proper brewing — that is, made in a pot, with boiling (not boiled) water, and with the full span of the morning to enjoy.
Where to buy: Lupicia for $9 USD
Lupicia Assam Calcutta Auction Tea
Image Credit: Chantecaille
Image Credit: Pixabay
Nike Recovery Ball
By: Ambrose Leung
Someone once told me that your mobility — or lack thereof — shows your age. Children are constantly moving, but as we age, we tend to limit how much we exert ourselves to a point where we just don't want to get out of bed. This recovery ball is just one tool in fighting that process of aging. Much like how a foam roller is used for a good self-myofascial release — relieving tightness, tension and inflammation — this textured high-density rubber ball can be used to target more precise areas of the body. I use it for post-workout recovery or if I feel tightness from sitting for an extended period of time. It’s also extremely portable, so I take it with me when I travel, knowing I am going to stiff from walking all day
Where to buy: MR PORTER for £19.17 GBP (approximately $25 USD)
Image Credit: MR PORTER
