I’ve long been a January apologist. Few would claim it’s their favourite month, but I love the optimism of a fresh new year, offering the reset so many crave. In January, you can still believe that this is the year in which you’ll find the perfect work-life balance, become a chiselled Adonis, and finally achieve the zenith of home organisation.
I’m not saying it doesn’t have its challenges. This month has been bitterly cold, with temperatures staying below zero for the first 12 nights of the year. But clearly you haven’t let the chill get in your way. Our January bestsellers tell a story of our readers’ resilience, and your determination to get out and about despite the Arctic blast. From puffer vests and warm coats to grippy running shoes, these are the products you’ve loved most this month.
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The heated throw
Heated over blanket
From £20 at OHS
OK, maybe you haven’t wanted to be out and about all the time. By far our biggest seller of the month was this bargain heated throw from Emily Peck’s in-depth test of the best electric blankets. And we don’t blame you – our highest-rated budget heated throw can keep you cosy on the sofa for only 2p an hour. Emily’s favourite colour, blush pink, is £20, and there’s a gorgeous, albeit slightly pricier, forest green version for £32.
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The invisible padded jacket
Puffer vest
£34.90 at Uniqlo
There’s no mystery to this £34.90 padded jacket’s popularity. It adds a secret layer of warmth to any outfit: fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley likened it to “wearing a hot-water bottle under your coat” when she picked it as one of her January style essentials.
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The all-weather leggings
Walking leggings
£35 at Marks & Spencer
“If I intend to exercise later in the day, I try, if possible, to get dressed in the morning with gym kit under other layers,” said Jess in the same piece. “It serves as a useful reminder of my good intentions, and by removing the friction of getting changed, takes away one possible excuse.” For those of us keen to exercise more this month – but realistic about how our laziness could get in the way – this struck a chord. These simple block colour leggings can also “pass as regular clothes when worn with a coat and boots”.
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The best insulated men’s raincoat
Hybrid down coat
£79.90 at Uniqlo
Featured in Peter Bevan’s selection of the best men’s coats, this mid-length raincoat is now seeing a £30 price cut. Its high-performance down and fleece-lined pockets must have kept hundreds of you cosy throughout the January freeze, with its water-repellent outer “making it perfect for days when it’s wet and cold”.
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The warm, waterproof parka
Janelle coat
£170 at Seasalt Cornwall
Of all the high-performance designs Sian Lewis tested for her roundup of the best women’s waterproof jackets, this cosy parka was the one that caught your eye. Seasalt’s Janelle is “fully waterproof, even in pelting rain”. While not breathable enough to wear for sports, there’s “enough insulation to trap in warmth on winter dog walks, plus nicely placed hip pockets, a reinforced wide hood and a cosy soft lining.”
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The ice cube box
Lékué ice cube box
£19.99 at Lakeland
As I’ve mentioned already, January has been a bit cold. But that hasn’t quenched our readers’ unrelenting thirst for ice. Featuring in our roundup of the gifts so good we buy them on repeat, this well-designed ice cube box is “easy to use, nice to touch and looks so sleek that you’ll want to bring it out at parties”, according to Guardian reader Abbi Baker. I have one myself and can confirm it’s a gamechanger.
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The vegan cookbook
Bosh! By Henry Firth and Ian Theasby
£20 from the Guardian bookshop
Decade-long vegan Tom Bruce chose this as his favourite cookbook in our guide to going vegan – but of course, this book of plant-based recipes that are “healthy, comforting and simple to prepare” is a good pick for anyone looking to eat more healthily. And who isn’t during January?
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The best running shoes for all-rounders
Inov8 trail running shoes
£69.99 at Sports Shoes
For our guide to the best running shoes, Paddy Maddison spoke to everyone from trail runners to ultra-marathoners to get their advice. Your favourites were these grippy “crossover runners that can do a bit of everything” (and it may have helped that they were the cheapest pair in the article). Sam from Newcastle picked them because they’re ideal for wet conditions and can also be relied upon for “everyday walking in snow and ice”, which must have come in handy this month.
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The very best electric toothbrush
Sonic Pro toothbrush
£97.47 at Spotlight
After an in-depth test of 20 toothbrushes (and a lot of toothbrushing), Alan Martin chose this Spotlight brush as his overall favourite. It offers the kind of brushing speeds normally associated with much more expensive sonic toothbrushes, and Alan found it gave a “fresh from the hygienist” feeling. It’s been our readers’ favourite too – maybe because it’s reduced to less than £100.
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The gemstone necklace
Mini nugget adjustable necklace
£138 at Monica Vinader
This beautiful Monica Vinader necklace, another of Jess Cartner-Morley’s style essentials, has been adding sparkle to your January. It’s a string of green onyx and gold vermeil beads that’s the perfect length for the season. “You want one that sits over a crew-neck sweater with a half moon of your top sitting between it and your throat,” says Jess.
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The vegetable box
Oddbox delivery
From £11.49 at Oddbox
Oddbox is another pick from Tom Bruce’s guide to going vegan. It offers a steady stream of seasonal vegetables that would otherwise have gone to the compost heap due to their wonky appearance or because of an oversized harvest. “I’ve found that it encourages more creative cooking, motivating me to find great recipes that incorporate vegetables I wouldn’t typically buy in the shops,” said Tom.
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The moisturising socks for baby-soft feet
Dr Glycolic feet peel socks
£6 at Beauty Pie
A late entry to this list, our readers have been drawn in by the idea of the “snake-like peeling” caused by these Beauty Pie Dr Glycolic socks. After Hayley Spencer featured this at-home pedi method as one of her 19 self-care pick-me-ups, hundreds of you decided to embrace your inner snake.
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This week’s picks
The best massage guns: tried and tested relief for sore, tired muscles
The best women’s walking boots to hit the trails in style and comfort, tested by our expert hiker
‘A bit of ageing helps enormously!’: the best hot sauces, tasted and rated by Thomasina Miers
The best whisky: 10 tried and tested scotch tipples, from single malt to blended
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Editor’s pick
The cold weather is undoubtedly tough on our hands, faces and hair, rendering skin dull and dehydrated, nails flaky and cheeks crying out for a smoosh of colour. Our beauty expert Sali Hughes has rounded up the best skin, hair and makeup products for winter, and she’s used every single item herself or on her family.
Her advice? Think of cold weather skincare like a winter coat and hat – it’s simply about adding a few more layers.
Hannah Booth
Editor, the Filter
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In case you missed it …
From his controversial gesture at Donald Trump’s inauguration (and slated role in his administration) to his meddling in UK political affairs, Elon Musk seems intent on tarnishing his Tesla brand.
If you’re interested in buying an electric vehicle but want to steer clear of Tesla, there are so many other options. Steve Fowler rounded up the best electric cars and found that, in many cases, established carmakers and newcomers have overtaken Tesla with their electric offerings.
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Get involved
Could you use our experts’ help to find that perfect product you’ve been looking for? It could be an anti-ageing daily moisturiser that gives results; a non-stick pan that lasts; trainers for parkruns; or a gadget to get rid of jumper bobbles. No request is too small!
Please let us know by replying to this newsletter or emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com.
