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Apr 13, 2023

New & Notable: Best May launches from Amazon, Lululemon and Our Place

This story is part of Select's New & Notable column, where we highlight our

This story is part of Select's New & Notable column, where we highlight our favorite product launches. We will continuously update this article throughout the month with new releases we think you should know about.

Select favorite brand Supergoop! added a mineral-based SPF lip balm to its line of sunscreens. In addition to protecting lips from UV rays, the balm also gives them a light tint — you can choose from colors like raisin plum, fuchsia, rose and coral and warm terracotta. The balm has mango, shea and murumuru butters to make lips soft and smooth, as well as plant-derived oils for added shine.

Boisson, a non-alcoholic wine and spirits retailer, released its first line of proprietary mixers. They’re made with fruits and herbs and have concentrated, potent tastes. The mixers are available in seven flavors: Grapefruit & Rosemary, Watermelon & Mint, Strawberry & Basil, Blueberry & Lavender, Rose, Honey & Lemon, Strawberry & Rhubarb and Blackberry & Sage. You can add them to alcoholic and non-alcoholic bases to make cocktails or mocktails.

Peace Out's Vitamin C Glow Stick is designed to help brighten and hydrate skin, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines, according to the brand. The balm is made with a 6% vitamin C blend, plus ingredients like peptides, caffeine, squalene and extra fine gold to give your skin an iridescent, reflective look. Peace Out sent Malin a Vitamin C Glow Stick to try, and she's been using it daily for about two weeks. "It's like highlighter, but it's good for my skin and made with ingredients that actually benefit me," she says. The balm has a smooth, creamy texture that easily glides onto skin, Malin added.

Our Place's new Hot Grill pairs with the brand's Cast Iron Perfect Pot (which recently came back in stock), but it also stands alone. You can use it over the stovetop for grilling meat, fish and vegetables, and it's safe to put in the oven or broiler up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The Hot Grill's interior is made from matte black enameled cast iron and it has elevated ridges that create visible grill marks on food, according to the brand. The Hot Grill comes with a flat-topped lid that's also compatible with the Perfect Pot.

Iterating on the design of its Blissfeel running shoe — a Select 2023 Wellness Awards Winner — Lululemon released the Blissfeel Trail, which is made for off-road runs. The shoe has a molded heel that hugs the back of your feet and a high-traction lugged outsole, both of which help stabilize you while running on uneven terrain. The Blissfeel Trail offers supportive, springy cushioning and its upper is covered in a protective film to stand up against muddy conditions. You can purchase the sneaker in women's sizes 5 to 12, including half sizes.

If you’re looking for a mineral sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays this summer, Versed recently debuted its Total Package Replenishing Body Lotion with SPF 30. The lotion has a non-sticky formula and doesn't leave behind a greasy residue, plus it's safe for sensitive skin, according to the brand. It contains ingredients like zinc oxide, grapeseed oil, moisturizing cupuaçu butter and hydrating sodium PCA. The lotion is also fragrance-free.

Versed sent Mikhalia Archer, an NBC page, its new body lotion to try, and she says it's lightweight, provides long-lasting moisture and smells fresh. "As someone with dark skin, it's really nice to find an SPF product that doesn't leave any sort of white or gray cast after applying," Archer added.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is the brand's largest tablet yet. You can watch movies and TV shows on the device's 11-inch HD display, and use it to stream music through the Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers. There are also front- and rear-facing cameras built into the device, which is equipped with Amazon Alexa and has a dashboard on the home screen so you can control compatible smart home devices. The tablet — which has a 14-hour battery life — is available in 64 or 128 GB models. You can pre-order it now before it's officially released on Jun. 14.

By/Rosie Jane's Body Milk is a lightweight lotion made for those struggling with dry skin. It's a hybrid between a toner and moisturizer, according to the brand, so it helps hydrate skin while evening skin tone. You can buy the Body Milk in two scents: one's a blend of lemon verbena, grapefruit and eucalyptus, and the other's a blend of lavender, neroli and chamomile.

Dreo makes some of our favorite cooling fans, and it recently added two new smart options to its collection:The PolyFan S, a pedestal fan, and the Falcon S, a floor fan. They pair with the brand's companion app, allowing you to control their speeds and wind modes remotely, and support voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Voice. The PolyFan S stands 37 inches tall and has an oscillating swivel head, while the Falcon S is 11 inches in diameter and offers vertical and horizontal oscillation.

Ritual recently added an Aperitif Alternative to its line of non-alcoholic spirits. The beverage is a 1-to-1 replacement for its alcoholic counterpart, according to the brand. It has a herby, bittersweet, citrus flavor with a spiced finish. You can use the Aperitif Alternative to make negronis, Italian spritzes, boulevardiers and more, but it's not meant to be consumed straight or neat.

Made In's Griddle System is made for chefs cooking outdoors on grills or over open fires. You can purchase a griddle with holes or one that's split in half so one side has holes and the other has a flat searing surface. Made In also launched a multi-tiered stand that props any of the brand's griddles up over an open fire, and a lid that traps heat, moisture and flavor. The griddles are heat-resistant up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and the lid is heat-resistant up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. You can purchase products individually or in sets.

GIR's Ultimate Turner has a larger, wider base compared to the brand's Flip, making it useful to lift and serve bigger, heavier pieces of food. The turner is covered in silicone and it's heat-resistant up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The tool has a sturdy fiberglass core and a semi-rigid straight-edge base. You can purchase it in seven colors including black, navy and mint.

Amazon announced four new Echo devices this month, all of which are currently available to pre-order. We recommend keeping an eye on these devices and previous Echo models during Amazon Prime Day 2023 — you’ll often find some of the best discounts on Amazon-owned tech during the Prime member-exclusive sale.

The Echo Pop has a front-facing Bluetooth speaker and is equipped with Alexa capabilities when paired with the companion app. It's suitable for smaller spaces, according to the brand, like bedrooms, studio apartments and dorm rooms (we think it would be a great high school graduation gift). The Echo Pop will be released on May 31.

Updates to the latest iteration of the Echo Show 5 include improved audio with better voice clarity and deeper bass, an additional microphone for faster Alexa responsiveness and a new compact design. The brand also made improvements to the 5.5-inch screen so it's easier to see at night or in low light. Amazon also launched the Echo Show 5 Kids, a children's version of the new device that comes with the ability to add parental controls. The Echo Show 5 and the kids' version will be released on May 31.

The newest Echo Buds have a semi-in-ear shape, resembling the shape of AirPods. They give you 20 hours of playback with the included charging case. The headphones are designed with two microphones and you can connect them to two devices at the same time. They’re compatible with Alexa and support Siri and Google Assistant as well. The Echo Buds will be released on Jun. 7.

Béis released a line of luggage and travel bags made with kids in mind. The collection includes a Kids Roller with four 360-degree spinner wheels, an adjustable trolley handle and a front pocket to store travel essentials. The Béis Kids Backpack has a removable fanny pack on its front, which clips onto the bag and acts as an external pocket when attached. It's also designed with a water bottle holder, large main compartment and trolley sleeve. Additionally, Béis’ introduced an insulated Kids' Lunch Box, Neck Pillow with a built-in hood and Travel Buddy stuffed animal.

Caraway's updated Linen Collection includes oven mitts and pot holders to protect hands from coming into contact with hot cookware, as well as an apron to keep clothes clean and tea towels to clean up messes. All products are made from 100% organic cotton and they’re machine washable. You can purchase the linens individually or as a set, and they come in cream, navy and terracotta colors.

In addition to two new colors — Hottest Pink and Heron, a blue shade — and two new patterns — Daydream and Topo — Dagne Dover released three new products for the spring. You can wear the Cruz Messenger Bag across your body or shoulder thanks to the adjustable strap. Its main compartment has multiple pockets, a removable zippered pouch, an insulated water bottle holder and a key leash and clip. The bag is large enough to fit a 13-inch laptop. Dagne Dover also released its first washable silk scarf, which you can add to any bag, wear as a top or use as a hair accessory. You can also shop the brand's Dakota Keychain backpack and Mila Keychain pouch. They clip onto bags to store small items like earbuds, lip balm and hair ties.

Quiet Mind's Original Weighted Pillow is the brand's first product, offering shoppers an alternative to weighted blankets that has similar calming effects, according to the brand. The pillows come in three weights — 6 pounds, 9 pounds and 12 pounds — and are filled with shredded foam and glass beads, giving them a firm yet huggable feel. You can remove the plush exterior cover and put it in the washing machine.

Quiet Mind sent Zoe Malin, Select's associate updates editor, a small-size weighted pillow to try, and she compared it to a weighted stuffed animal. "It fits perfectly on my lap, so I can use it any time I’m sitting or lying down," she says. "I can also easily put it in a tote bag, so I think it's a great product for those who have travel anxiety or might even want a sense of comfort at the office."

Material — one of our favorite AAPI-owned businesses — now makes a non-slip version of its bestselling cutting board so at-home chefs can chop, dice and slice ingredients on a stable, still surface. The (grippy) reBoard has silicone grips on all four corners to keep it in place, and was made for kitchens with slippery countertops like marble or particularly vigorous choppers, according to the brand. The dishwasher-safe cutting board is made from 75% recycled plastic and 25% sugarcane, just like the original reBoard.

Intimates brand EBY launched The Only Bra, a seamless option that shapes, lifts and supports your chest without metal underwire. Instead, the bra uses flexi wire and removable cups that fill the entire cup pocket to lift you up. Adjustable straps add further lift, and there are soft, 3D fabric wings embedded in the side of the bra's band, helping it mold to and move with your body. EBY's The Only Bra bra has a deep plunging neckline and is available in band sizes 32 to 40 and cup sizes A to E.

EBY sent Malin The Only Bra to try, and she felt comfortable and unrestricted while wearing it. She says the bra gave her comparable lift and support compared to one made with underwire, and she liked that the plunge neckline provided full coverage yet gave her the freedom to wear shirts with lower necklines. The bra also kept its shape and feel after she washed it, Malin says.

You can place Bearaby's new bolster pillow, The Cuddling, behind your back, shoulders, knees or neck for added support while you’re sleeping or sitting on a couch or chair. The Cuddling is made from the brand's proprietary Melofoam, a squishy, dense yet flexible material the brand's Hugget, a Select 2023 Wellness Awards winner, is also designed with. The bolster pillow measures 14-by-7.5 inches. It comes in white and you can buy Belgian flax linen covers for it in a variety of colors.

Bearaby sent Malin The Cuddling to try. She says it's like a small body pillow, making it a great option for people like her who want the support of a body pillow without having to invest in a large, often pricey and cumbersome product. Malin places The Cuddling behind her back while sitting at her desk chair all day and behind her shoulders while watching TV on the couch. She says the bolster pillow makes her body feel less tense while using it.

The Golf Dasher is Allbirds’ first shoe specifically designed for golfers to wear on the green. The shoe is lined with merino wool, a soft, breathable material that's temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking to keep feet cool and dry on the course. The Gold Dasher's midsole is made from Allbirds’ proprietary SweetFoam, which is derived from sugar cane and has a cushioned feel. The sole of the shoe is thick and adds traction to help golfers grip the ground and feel stable while making a swing, and the upper is made from water-resistant recycled polyester material in case you’re playing in damp conditions. There's also a mudguard around the bottom of the shoe. You can purchase Allbirds’ golf shoes in men's and women's sizes.

Weezie's Hat Holding Beach Tote has two straps on its exterior that holds your favorite hat in place — this provides a designated space for your hat so it doesn't take up space or get flattened inside the bag. The interior of the bag can fit two beach towels, according to the brand, and there's a built-in zipper pocket for your phone, sunscreen and more. The outside of the beach bag is made from a navy French terry material and the inside is coated in a poly material you can wipe clean. Weezie's tote is also machine-washable.

Swiffer designed the PowerMop to help you mop floors without having to lug a bucket of water around your home. Like the Swiffer WetJet, you load a bottle of cleaning solution into the designated compartment and spray it across floors using a button on the handle. Then you wipe floors clean using the large, disposable mop pad. The PowerMop also swivels 360 degrees so you can clean around furniture. Its pads and cleaning solution come in standard formulas and those specifically for wood floors.

TCL recently debuted its new S and Q series TV lineup. The Q series incorporates the brand's QuantumDot technology, which displays colors more accurately for lifelike images, according to the brand. You can shop the Q6, Q7 or QM8, the latter of which is launching in a 98-inch widescreen later this year. TCL's S-class TVs are more affordable compared to the Q class. They’re available in various sizes and resolutions and come in S4, S3 and S2 models.

Dyson is growing its collection of hair care tools with the Airstrait, which dries wet hair, straightens it and makes it smooth using pressurized air instead of hot plates. The straightener weighs 2.2 pounds and has a 9.6-foot power cable, plus a LED screen so you can monitor settings. The hair tool offers wet and dry styling modes, as well as a cool mode to set styles. In wet mode you can choose from three heat settings and in the dry mode you can choose from two heat settings. You can also decide between low and high airflow options.

AeroPress now sells its manual coffee maker in a model made from Tritan, a clear material that resembles glass but is shatter-resistant, making the device durable and fit for travel. This is the first time AeroPress updated its Original model since it was released over 15 years ago and the clear model is meant to be displayed in coffee lovers’ kitchens, according to the brand. The AeroPress sits over a mug and allows you to brew coffee directly into it. It has a plunge system that uses pressure to push water through coffee grinds, aerating them and extracting flavor. You can use it to make drip coffee, espresso, iced coffee and more.

This month, Google hosted Google I/O, it's annual developer conference, and announced the following additions to its Pixel lineup:

The 7A is Google's most affordable new phone. It supports face unlock, has 8GB of RAM and has a camera sensor that's 72% larger than its previous model, according to the brand. It also supports wireless charging, an entirely new feature on the budget Pixel lineup.

The Pixel Fold is Google's first foldable phone. It has a hinged split screen display, and you can use one screen at a time or use them simultaneously to display different apps. The phone is equipped with a Tensor G2 chip, a wide 7.6-inch display and a triple camera system on its rear. The Pixel Fold is currently available for pre-order and will officially go on sale in late June.

This is Google's first tablet with built-in Chromecast, allowing you to stream and game on the device. You can access Google Assistant for hands-free help and use the included speaker dock to fill rooms with sound. The Pixel Tablet is currently available for pre-order and will officially go on sale in late June.

This game is the sequel to the best-selling 2017 title, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Not only was Breath of the Wild a staff favorite game, it was one of the most purchased gaming products we covered in 2022.

Tears of the Kingdom expands on the original with a familiar but changed setting, massive sky islands to explore, a plethora of new weapons and abilities and a brand new story with new friends and foes. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is now available for the Nintendo Switch.

JBL, which makes our favorite earbuds for fitness, launched these wireless, noise canceling earbuds with a unique touchscreen case. Through the touchscreen case, you can change volume, pause, play, and skip media, change noise canceling modes, adjust your equalizer setting, even see notification previews from your smartphone.

We’ve been trying out these earbuds for the last few days and are impressed with the features and customization available on the case and through the JBL app. The Tour Pro 2 comes with the earbuds, case, three ear tip sizes and a charging cable.

Housewares brand Crow Canyon and design brand Poketo collaborated over a new line of enamelware covered in colorful, fun prints. The line includes rectangular trays for charcuterie boards or display appetizer spreads, and small bowls to serve salads, chips and more. You can also purchase 16-ounce mugs and 14-ounce tumblers for hot and cold drinks. All kitchenware in the collection is dishwasher-safe, according to the brand.

These wireless earbuds from JLab include an attachable boom mic that you can use with either earbud to get improved voice quality in audio and video chats, according to the brand. Like other wireless earbuds, it has a charging case that stores and charges the earbuds when you aren't using them. The earbuds have Bluetooth multipoint, charge over USB-C and are fine-tunable via the JLab app.

OXO expanded its line of outdoor cooking tools, all of which are designed to help you prepare meals while camping and grilling. New products include a Compact Can and Bottle Opener that has a magnetic bottom to help you lift lids off of open cans so you don't have to touch sharp edges, as well as a Manual Coffee Grinder with adjustable grind settings to get the size just right for pour-over and French press brews. OXO also launched an upgraded version of its Campground French Press, which now has an insulated, double-walled stainless steel crate to keep beverages hot or cold for hours.

The brand sent Malin some of its new products to try, and one of her favorites was the Soap Dispensing Brush with Case -- it has a built-in dispenser for dish soap, and the case allows you to throw the brush in your bag without worrying about leaks. She also found the Cutting Board and Tray very useful. They nest together for compact storage, and the tray offers a clean surface to place all your prepped food.

Breville first launched its Joule Sous Vide in 2015, and the brand just released an updated version that is more powerful and cooks food faster, according to the brand. The Wi-Fi-enabled device can heat and circulate up to 10 gallons of water, and it connects to a companion app, allowing you to follow guided recipes, keep an eye on cooking time, program the appliance and more. You can also connect Google Voice Assistant or Amazon Alexa to the Joule app and use voice commands to adjust cooking settings and get status updates.

Isle of Paradise's first body care collection includes a body polish scrub, cleanser and moisturizer in two lines formulated to address different skin concerns: Brilliantly Bright and Confidently Clear. The Brilliantly Bright line is designed to hydrate and brighten dull, dry skin, and products include ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The Confidently Clear line helps reduce the appearance of bumps and texture to make skin smoother. You use Isle of Paradise's body polish and cleanser in the shower, while the moisturizer is a post-shower treatment.

OnePlus, known for their OnePlus android smartphones, launched a brand new android tablet called the OnePlus Pad. Like other premium tablets, it has a high-resolution display, a fast and responsive 144Hz refresh rate screen, front and rear cameras, face unlocking, USB-C quick charging and magnetically attachable accessories like a OnePlus stylus and OnePlus keyboard (sold separately). Unlike other tablets, it comes in just one, 128GB storage configuration in a halo green color.

Blueair, a brand we recommend in our guide to the best air purifiers, launched their most affordable air purifier yet: the Blue Pure 511. This $100 air purifier is well-suited to small rooms around 180 square feet, according to testing by AHAM. It shares the design of other Blue Pure products. It pulls in unfiltered air from all directions into its base, and blows filtered air out of the top. It also has a washable fabric pre-filter that catches larger clumps of hair, dust and lint.

To round up the best new launches each month, Zoe Malin and Harry Rabinowitz choose products they think Select readers should know about. They include products from brand's Select previously covered, or brands Select staffers recommend. Malin and Rabinowitz also regularly try new product launches to share their experience with items.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor for Select on NBC News.

Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter for Select on NBC News.