9 Must-Have Items Our Readers Just Can’t Get Enough of This Month
Your top picks include a teeth whitening pen, cozy knits and *wicked* toys.
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In the Readers' Faves edition of What's In My Cart, we reveal the top products our readers can't stop buying right now, selected from our editors' latest gift recs, trending new launches and the best products tested by Good Housekeeping Institute experts.
Once October rolls around, Good Housekeeping editors know that October 1st and onward marks the beginning of a huge shopping frenzy. That's because we have Amazon Prime Big Deal Days and the Walmart Holiday Deals Event at the start of the month, Halloween shenanigans, and some of our readers like to get a head start on *gasp* holiday shopping. We know it's early, but in the last 30 days, our readers have already been shopping advent calendars, loungewear sets, expert-approved toys and more. Fasten your seatbelt, everyone, the merry season is just around the corner.
And if you aren't ready to start tackling your December holiday shopping list, fear not. We have included other top year-round essentials like the smoothing shapewear, teeth whitening pens and water bottles that have been evaluated by our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute as well as consumer testers. Find your most-sought items this month, (mostly $50 and under!), below.
Crest Whitening Emulsions Leave-on Teeth Whitening Gel Pen Kit
Pros in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab evaluate teeth whitening products of all kinds, including the best whitening strips, whitening toothpastes and more. In our last categorial test of whitening pens, we were impressed with how speedy the Emulsions Leave-On Kit provided notable results. We're talking lightening effects of up to two shades in just one day.
Viottiset Women's Sweater Lounge Set
If there is one thing our editors look forward to come fall: it's cozying up in flattering loungewear while binge-watching a new TV series. Streaming services are already increasing their monthly subscription costs, so don't fret about spending a large amount on a new lounge set. Instead, shop this Amazon fall fashion staple from Viottiset that has more than 2,400 online reviews. Our style pros love the flattering drop shoulder and batwing sleeve. We've seen Amazon offer coupons on this set, so keep an eye out for extra savings.
RELATED: The Best Loungewear Brands
Shapewear can be expensive, but some of the best shapewear can be found on Amazon for less. Spanx is one of the most popular shapewear brands and is a favorite among our staffers. The Seamless Higher Power Shorts in particular earned high marks for being lightweight yet supportive. Wear them under dresses, trousers, jeans and more.
RELATED: The Best Plus-Size Shapewear Pieces
Dr. Elsey's Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter
Reliable clumping litter is a top choice for cat owners who use a self-cleaning litter box. The Ultra Unscented Clumping Clay Cat Litter contains medium-sized bentonite clay granules that form clumps to make scooping easy. Consumer testers reported that this litter made litter-box cleaning a 20-second chore. The brand even claims that it provides odor control for households with multiple cats.
RELATED: The Best Cat Litters
Whether one of the kiddos has an upcoming birthday or you want to surprise them with an adorable Halloween gift, the Elphaba & Glinda LEGO figures are sure to entertain ahead of the much-anticipated movie release in November 2024. The duo mirrors specific scenes from the film and can provide inspiration for a Wicked Halloween costume. The set is live, and we expect it to sell out fast.
Amazon is full of seasonal maternity clothing, including these yoga pants from Rheane. We like the stylish combo of a flare leg with a high-waist panel that covers your bump. The flattering pants are made from a polyester and spandex blend for stretch and are designed to follow you through each trimester.
RELATED: The Best Maternity Dresses
So, Barbie may have hit the big screen many months ago, but the craze is here to stay. We recently covered Stanley's launch of limited-edition Barbie tumblers to celebrate the doll's 65th anniversary. While most tumblers are sold out, the 30-ounce and 40-ounce Barbie Icon Quenchers are still in stock!
Parenting editors have included this unique toy in multiple gift and toy guides. It holds the title of the most-purchased toy from the 2023 holiday season and continues to be a hit in 2024 due to its open-ended design. Kids ages 2+ can use the Bilibo as a seat, stepping stone, helmet and more — their imagination will run free during playtime.
Gilmore Girls: The Official Advent Calendar
Christmas may be two months away, but re-watching Gilmore Girls is an October pastime that's in full swing right now. Add this advent calendar to your Amazon shopping cart while you still can — calendars like these are known to sell out before December 1st. Collect 25 themed collectibles as the days count down, but in the meantime, this best-selling, cozy calendar can function as fall decor.
Shop Our Readers' Favorite Products from Months' Past
If you want to jump back in time and see what has been in Good Housekeeping readers' carts in previous months, those shopping guides are in one place for you to check out, below.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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What Our Readers Stocked up on This Month
