For those attempting to spin plates and do it well – life, work, wellbeing, friends – a solid routine is everything. And that’s where a little personal tech comes in handy.
These are the lifestyle, health and beauty tools we’ve tried, tested and recommend for making early starts, busy commutes, gym recovery and evening wind-downs that bit easier – with a little added TLC for when you need it most.
Lifestyle Tech Buys To Keep Your Day Running Smoothly
The Morning-Ready Caffeine Fix
Start the day right with Bodum’s programmable machine. Simply set the timer and you’ll have a jug of freshly brewed coffee waiting for you when you wake. Plus, the retro design – created in collaboration with MoMA – will bring a little colour to any kitchen. Bodum, 1,049.96 DKK
The Focus-Inducer
Reducing screen time has never been easier. This ‘brick’ is a small device that you connect to your phone to block the apps of your choosing. To use them again, you have to wait until the timer runs out or physically tap your phone against the brick – you’ll soon realise you don’t need that ‘quick’ Insta scroll after all. $59, Brick
The Gentle Wake-Up Call
Anyone living in a city will attest to the benefits of an air purifier – and especially one as slimline as this one, which combines with an alarm clock that wakes you with light. Keep on your bedside to be gently roused by the ‘sunrise’ following a night’s sleep boosted by clean air. £129, Blueair
The Camera To Capture Every Moment
While we all have phones that take pictures, there’s nothing like a hard copy to provide a physical memento of memorable moments. The Instax MINI 41 is small enough to carry with you wherever you go, allowing you to print photos for an instant keepsake. £94.99, Instax at Selfridges
Wellbeing Tech Buys For Genuine Self-Care
The Comprehensive Health Tracker
If you’ve spotted people wearing similar shiny bands on their fingers of late, it’s likely an Oura ring – a sensory device making health monitoring straightforward. It delivers metrics on heart health, sleep quality, activity levels, stress levels and more to your phone, without the need for a clunky watch-style tracker. €399, Oura
The Post-Gym Wind-Down
If you’re looking to relieve tight shoulders, backs, feet – trigger-point therapy might just help. Therabody’s WaveSolo is a textured ball that vibrates according to set programmes you can control from your phone, for targeted treatment and instant relief. $99.99, Therabody
The Skin Sculptor
This one isn’t cheap, but it is effective. FaceGym – the skincare brand aiming to ‘train’ your facial muscles – has released the FaceGym Pro: an electrical muscle stimulation tool to target both the dermis and deeper muscles for a glowier, more sculpted complexion. £633, FaceGym
The Commute Saviour
Tune out the noise with a pair of Loop’s Switch2 earplugs, which offer three modes – engage, experience and calm – to tone down (or completely dull) background noise. Noisy trains, crowded rooms and overly loud gigs will be a thing of the past. €54.95, Loop
The Kegel Coach
According to research, people with vaginas should be exercising their pelvic floor muscles three times a day. Smilemaker’s new Pelvic Partner is a rechargeable trainer that uses first-of-its-kind technology to guide you through your Kegels. Health care and self care made simple. £59.95, SmileMakers
Beauty Tech Buys Worth Investing In
The 2-in-1 Styler
The best blowdries often require multiple tools and seasoned expertise – unless you’re using this Air Power brush from Babyliss. Designed like an actual hairbrush, just pass it through your hair to dry it from wet, while the ceramic heated plates smooth ends. £120, Babyliss
The Laser Device That Works
We’re not telling anyone to remove their body hair. But if it’s something you do want to do, laser hair removal is the most effective long-term route. This device from Tria delivers 233% more power than your average at-home IPL and is clinically proven to reduce hair growth, making it significantly cheaper than ongoing in-salon treatments. £549.99, Tria
The Hairdryer For All Textures
If you have curly or coily hair, you’ll know that different hairdryers have very different effects on your hair texture. The Dyson Supersonic comes with attachments tailored to texture, from a wide-tooth comb to a diffuser that encourages curls, rather than blowing them out into frizz. There are also plenty of attachments for straight hair, too. $449.99, Dyson
