By Gabriela Afanador
Monday 4, May 2026
April felt like one of those months where the things I kept reaching for were not random at all. They were the products and rituals that genuinely made my days better, softer, easier, and in some cases a lot more grounded. Some of these are beauty favorites, some are wellness habits, some are fashion staples, and some are simply little anchors in my routine that I now cannot imagine not having. I always think favorites are more interesting when they say something about how you are actually living, not just what you bought, so this list feels very true to my life right now. It is sleep, meditation, skin, movement, journaling, and a few things that make me feel more like myself.
Hooga red light panel
I have been using my Hooga red light since last year, around four times a week, usually in the morning while I meditate, which for me is the best kind of habit because it lets me do two things at once that genuinely make me feel better. It has become one of those routines that no longer feels optional. I really notice the difference when I travel and stop using it for a few days, especially in my skin, because that is usually when I am more likely to break out or look more inflamed. One thing I do think matters with red light is buying a device that is actually built correctly, because not every product in this category is doing the same thing. A lot of the very cheap ones look convincing online, but the better devices are usually the ones that are more transparent about using the right red and near infrared wavelengths and having enough output to make the treatment worthwhile. That is exactly why I feel good about owning this one even though it is small and definitely not cheap. For me, it has felt worth it. Beyond the skin benefits, which I do feel most when I stay consistent, I also love the way it gives shape to my mornings. Sitting in front of it while I meditate helps me slow down, regulate, and begin the day feeling much more settled.
Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in Unscented
I need to start this one with a disclaimer because I bought the Rhode lip treatment when it first launched years ago, and mine was grainy. I did not repurchase it after that. I got my hands on it again this year, this time in the unscented version, and I have genuinely been loving it. It is one of the few lip products that feels like it is actually hydrating my lips instead of creating that cycle where you keep reapplying something that somehow makes them drier. Rhode now describes the product as an improved formula with the same glossy finish and a smoother texture, and honestly that tracks with my experience because this version feels much better. It has peptides, shea butter, and vitamin E, and the unscented one especially just feels easy, dependable, and actually nourishing. I know it gets a lot of hype, but for me this has moved past hype and into the category of products I reach for because they work.
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
This year I set the intention to read one or two books every month, and I have actually stayed consistent with it, which I am proud of. My April book was The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, and so far it is probably my favorite book I have read this year. It is one of those books that makes you want to underline constantly because even when you do not agree with every single thing literally, the central idea is so powerful: the way you think, repeat, believe, and impress certain ideas into yourself really does shape how you move through life. It has been one of those reads that stays with you after you put it down, which to me is always the sign that a book has done something real. I definitely want to write a proper review and analysis of it for the wellness section because there is so much more to say.
Journals
My journals have been one of the quietest but most important parts of my routine. I actually have three of them for three different purposes, and I might honestly write a whole article about that because separating them changed the way I think on paper. One is for daily thoughts and emotional clearing, another is for yearly goals, manifestations, and the person I want to become, and another is for more structured reflection. I write every single day, and it helps me more than almost anything when my thoughts feel crowded. I know Montblanc notebooks are a bit expensive, but this is one of those situations where my girl math makes perfect sense to me. When I spend a little more on something I know I care about, I use it more, value it more, and actually enjoy the habit. Montblanc’s fine stationery is made in Italy and uses high quality paper, and I do think that material pleasure matters when you are trying to build a ritual you genuinely want to keep.
Vuori workout sets
My Vuori workout sets have become a real staple for me, especially because I now own them in several colors and keep coming back to them over other brands. The quality is amazing, the fabric feels flattering without feeling stiff, and the fit hugs in all the right places. I especially love their flared silhouettes because I truly think there is no better workout piece for making the body look long, clean, and put together while still being comfortable. There is something about a good flare legging that just makes everything look better. Vuori positions itself as performance apparel that is built to move in and styled for life, and that is exactly why it works for me. These are the sets I can actually work out in, but they also still look chic enough that I never feel sloppy in them. Yes, they are pricey, but they are one of those categories where I really do notice the difference in quality, fit, and how often I want to wear them.
Hatch Restore 3
I bought my Hatch Restore 3 at the beginning of the year, and I can honestly say I have not slept better in a long time. What I love most about it is not just the sleep itself, but the rhythm it created around sleep. It helped me leave my phone aside, stop turning my bed into a scrolling zone, and wake up in a way that feels much slower and happier. Hatch positions the Restore as a phone free sleep clock with gentle bedtime and morning routines, sunrise alarms, and sleep sounds, and for me that structure has made a huge difference. I do not want to overstate it medically and pretend I have measured my cortisol, but I absolutely feel calmer in the mornings and less jolted awake. There is also real evidence that bedtime device use can hurt sleep quality, so anything that helps move the phone out of bed and replace it with a gentler routine is already a win in my book.
Loto del Sur body oil and body cream
I have been using two Loto del Sur body products for about eight months now, around four or five times a week after I shower, and they have made such a noticeable difference in my skin and in the marks I had been trying to improve. The two I use are the Árnica & Sacha Inchi Tonifying Body Serum and the Pimienta Rosa & Café Verde Tonifying Body Soufflé Cream. Loto del Sur describes the serum as hydrating, restoring, and firming, with a formula built around botanical oils, and the cream as a more nourishing, refining texture for the body. I really do feel that combination works well. My skin looks smoother, more even, and much more cared for when I stay consistent with them. The only thing I will say is that this is not my favorite scent category from the brand because my real ride or die from them is Tonka Negra in candle and linen spray form. But these body products absolutely do the job, and that is why they made the list.
Insight Timer subscription
Insight Timer has become my meditation app of choice, and I use it constantly. I meditate once or twice a day, always in the morning and then sometimes again later if I am stressed or need to reset. On Sundays I love doing a longer meditation, especially one that helps me feel aligned for the week ahead, and yes, I do have crystals for each chakra and I fully lean into that ritual. What I like about Insight Timer is that it gives me structure without making the practice feel rigid. The app has a huge library of guided meditations, talks, music, and sleep content, but it also has a customizable timer, which is important because some days I want guidance and other days I just want silence with a soft bell at the end. For me it has become less of an app and more of a tool for building intention into my days. There is also solid evidence that mindfulness practices can support stress reduction and emotional regulation, which makes sense to me because I feel the difference when I keep the routine steady.
Chanel Paris Paris
This might be the first time I am publicly revealing what I think of as my forever scent, but it really is Chanel Paris Paris. It has been my ride or die since it came out, and I still love it in a very deep way. Perfume is so personal because skin chemistry changes everything, and this is absolutely one of those fragrances that shifts depending on who is wearing it. On me, it just works. Chanel describes it as built around Damask rose, with lemon, tangerine, pink pepper, and patchouli, and that balance is probably why it feels so beautiful. It has freshness, a little sparkle, softness, and just enough depth to keep it from turning too sweet or too simple. It never feels heavy, but it still feels specific, and that is exactly what I want from a signature scent.
Kitsch Satin Jumbo Flexi Rods
These have been such a good hair favorite for me. I use the Kitsch satin jumbo flexi rods while I sleep, and they really do help my blowout or style last longer. I also find that my hair gets less oily when I use them, probably because I am not constantly redoing it with heat or touching it as much. They are comfortable enough to sleep in, which is essential, and once you learn how to make them stay in place properly, they become very easy to rely on. Kitsch describes them as a heatless styling tool that bends into place without pins or clips, and that is exactly why they are useful. I love that they help me keep shape and volume in my hair while using less heat, because any product that makes hair styling easier and less damaging is automatically going to stay in my rotation.
That is my April list. It is skincare, sleep, movement, journaling, scent, and a few small rituals that keep me feeling grounded in my own life. The older I get (lol), the more my favorites stop being about novelty and start being about what actually improves my days in a lasting way. These did exactly that.