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Hoda and Jenna share their favorite things

Oct 16, 2024

Sometimes the products we stumble across by chance end up becoming the ones we can't live without. For TODAY's Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, these finds range from beauty products to sentimental pieces of jewelry.

Below, we rounded up Hoda's and Jenna's current must-haves from their "Faves & Finds" segment.

We should note that these products were independently chosen by the TODAY anchors. The anchors are not paid to mention them and are unaffiliated with these brands. The products are simply some of their favorite things.

Hoda's pick for June is Color Wow's Money Mist Leave In Conditioner. She boasts that it offers multiple benefits for every hair type, from heat protection to strengthening hair strands. Expect improved hair health and a glossy finish after use, suggests the brand.

Looking for a new SPF? Jenna recommends this product from Bask. This daily sunscreen is perfect for everyday, boasting an "invisible" and hydrating formula to moisturize skin, improve softness and leave a velvety sheen.

Hoda says she uses this balm in the shade Peach Lotus from Pat McGrath Labs every day. It is a creamy blush that can be used on your lips and cheeks for a pop of color and Hoda says it “gives you that sunkissed look.”

Jenna’s pick is a free app for iPhones called HiNote. You can use it to create personalized invitations to text lists and collect RSVPs for events within the app, according to the app description in the Apple App Store. “This is going to change the way you communicate,” said Jenna.

Hoda's "Fave" is this quick-dry nail polish from DazzleDry. The brand says it is long-lasting, non-yellowing and free from synthetic chemicals typically found in gel and acrylic formulas.

"Dazzle Dry, you put it on your nails, it dries in fives minutes," Hoda said. I've had this one for a week, it hasn't chipped. "

Looking to ditch makeup wipes in 2024? Saturday TODAY co-anchor Laura Jarett is loving this beauty find.

“This is something I got recently for Christmas from a friend,” Jarett, who was filling in for Jenna, said. “Imagine like a magic eraser that you’d use at home on your walls — this is that, but for your face.”

If you need a coffee that's strong but doesn't taste bitter, Hoda says this find will "knock your socks off." According to the brand (and Hoda), it's the "World's Strongest Coffee" and only a medium roast. Hoda loves the delicious taste and says it keeps her going from 3 a.m. to when it's time to go to sleep at night.

There's a new game in town that Jenna can't get enough of — Connections! Similar to its sister game, Wordle, it's a play on words. You have to find a common connection to each group of words, without making more than four mistakes.

Hoda loves this "magical mushroom" moisturizer that she says is meant to help hydrate and protect your skin. According to the brand, it's formulated with eight different mushroom extracts, which have antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.

Hoda calls this serum "uplifting," and that might be because the brand says it contains a ketamino acid complex that will leave your skin looking healthier, brighter and more vibrant

Jenna loves the vintage vibe of these polo-style shirts, and she says it will make a great gift for Father's Day. The Austin-based brand (where Jenna is from!) offers these cotton-blend shirts in a variety of colors and they even feature a removable collar.

Willie said he finally got a pair of reading glasses to keep his eyes from getting tired and loves this find from Warby Parker. The retailer has tons of different styles to suit your personal taste that start at $95.

Jenna picked this bronzing mist because she loves that it doesn't have that distinct tanning smell, transfer on your clothing and that it works almost instantly. According to the brand, it's perfect to camouflage acne, scarring and more.

Editor's note: This find is no longer available for purchase.

If you've got a holiday party to attend, Hoda thinks these hoops are perfect for the occasion. They can add a little bling to your look and feature white gold plating, as well as pink faux pearls.

Editor’s note: This find is no longer available for purchase.

Hoda also loves these "beautiful" hoop earrings. They also feature white gold plating and are adorned with 10 high intensity 3 millimeter cubic zirconia stones.

Jenna picked these "adorable" pillows from a small, women-owned business, Furbish Studio, for her holiday Faves & Finds. This festive design is hand embroidered and features a red velvet backing.

This cheeky pillow is sure to make you laugh! The handmade design is made from wool, and on this one you can find a green velvet backing.

Jenna's favorite thing is also one of Oprah's Favorite Things! While Jenna has the 50-ounce size, you can shop the 8.5-ounce version, which has a burn time of over 50 hours, according to the brand. It boasts hints of sandalwood, apple, pine and rosemary.

Snif's Instant Karma candle is another one of Jenna's faves. With notes of cardamom, cinnamon and vetiver, the brand says it is "spicy, warm and sensual."

Hoda is loving this satin-look shirt from Zara right now — she owns it in four different colors as of now! She says she wears it in a size large for a flowy look.

Jenna uses these under eye gels as part of her morning routine, she said. They're reusable, so you can stick them in the refrigerator over and over again (a set of three can last up to seven weeks) and help tackle puffiness and dark circles before the day starts, according to the brand.

This loose powder goes on over your foundation, and Hoda says it "smoothes it all out." According to Honest Beauty, the powder can also help reduce shine and give your makeup a "soft-focus" finish.

Hoda's pick is a debut novel written by her friend Kathleen, a former high school English teacher. The mystery book centers around a first-time mom, Jenn, who joins a support group; and soon after, the group's leader disappears. Jenn is forced to reckon with buried secrets and much more as she attempts to find the missing woman.

Jenna chose this novel, which tells the story of the Fishermen, the Vietnamese refugees on the Gulf Coast of Texas and the violence that ensued between the two groups in the late 1970s. Jenna says the book is "incredible" and "a mix of biography, true crime and an ecological study."

For effortless summer hair, Hoda is loving Virtue's hair care line — especially this Curl Butter. She says it's especially great for anyone with curly hair who wants to style their tresses right after showering. "It's a little pricey, (but) it's worth it," Hoda said. "It gives you that wet look that stays."

To fight summer frizz, Hoda also loves the brand's smoothing spray. It works on wavy, coily and curly hair to help prevent UV damage and block humidity for up to 72 hours, according to the brand.

Jenna's current favorite read is this memoir by Ada Calhoun. "It's a beautiful memoir about Ada's Dad," she said. "She found these old cassette tapes and wrote a book about him." The book touches on the author's relationship with her father — who was working on an unfinished biography of Frank O’Hara — and their shared love for the poet. "It's a beautiful memoir, I adore this woman and I adore this book," Jenna said.

For this cleaning edition of "Faves and Finds" Hoda selected a squeegee. The double-sided tool features a sleek squeegee on one side and a washable microfiber window scrubber on the other.

Jenna says this vacuum "got her through the pandemic," as she used it to clean both her car and her home. Jenna says she keeps it in her car to clean all of the hard-to-reach places where crumbs end up, since it comes with special accessories.

Jenna tried these candies after Hoda introduced them to her. In fact, they're so good that Jenna said she even ate one off of the ground. The sweets are made with pure honey and come in flavors like Honey-Lemon, Honey-Pomegranate and Honey-Apple.

Hoda says this machine is "revolutionary." She tried it after receiving a recommendation from a friend, Stephanie Ruhle, and has been hooked ever since. The nifty gadget turns frozen bananas into a soft serve treat that you can make even more delicious with your own toppings.

Hoda loves all things coconut and this frozen fruit bar is no exception. If you're looking for the "most perfect popsicle" to enjoy this summer, this might just be it. "They have other flavors, but you only want coconut," Hoda said.

Jenna picked this snack, which she's liked since she was in high school, as her first fave. Each bar is made with organic oats and packed with 8 grams of protein.

Jenna also chose a book to round out her faves this week. "This Time Tomorrow" is currently No. 3 on the New York Times Bestseller list for hardcover fiction.

If better blowouts are the goal, Hoda thinks this serum is one way to get there. "Olaplex No.9. Write down the number, don’t get 8 or 7, don’t get 6. Get 9," she said. The No. 9, which is a leave-in serum, can be applied to clean, damp hair to help protect against heat damage and pollution. "Put it in your hair, the blow dry will be like silk satin," Hoda said, adding that she even has a few friends who bring it along with them to the salon for a blowout.

Editor’s note: This find is no longer available for purchase.

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, known as the "Home Edit" team, left this trail mix in Hoda's office, and Hoda has come to love it. It's a blend of almonds, cashews, dark chocolate peanut butter cups and sweetened sour cherries.

This affordable foundation is one of Jenna's longtime favorites. It is formulated with SPF 50 and also helps protect your skin from pollution, the brand says. Unfortunately, Maybelline confirmed with TODAY that the foundation has been discontinued, but a new version of the foundation is below and provides a similar matte finish.

The new formula comes in 40 different shades and helps to refine pores for a natural finish. It's suitable for all-day wear and is non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores, according to the brand.

This lengthening mascara promises to deliver a false-lash look at a smaller price tag.

Hoda says this mascara was big on TikTok, so she gave it a try. Now, she uses it all of the time. "It is like you have eyelash extensions on, I'm not kidding," Hoda said. "And it comes off easily, it's not like the kind that smudges in and you can't get it off. It's really good."

This lip balm from Tarte is slightly tinted (it comes in eight different shades, including a clear), and is also packed with hydrating ingredients such as maracuja oil and goji. "You throw it in your purse, it gives you a little color for the weekend," Hoda said of her fave find.

Jenna's fave is her book club pick for April 2022, "Memphis" by Tara M. Stringfellow. She says the read is "incredible.

Hoda is loving this BPA-free water bottle from Contigo. Specifically, she loves that it doesn't have a fussy straw that you need to drink from. It's also leakproof, so you can keep it in your bag without worrying about a spill, according to the brand.

Trying to drink a lot of water throughout the day? This flip-top water bottle can help keep it cold for up to 24 hours. If you prefer to take your morning coffee on the go, the brand says, it can also keep drinks hot for up to six hours.

Jenna also raves about this anti-chafing stick from Megababe, which can be applied throughout the day to help limit the friction that causes chafing. It is suitable for all skin types and is formulated with skin-loving ingredients, such as aloe and grapeseed oil.

Jenna loves this aluminum-free deodorant, which she says keeps her smelling fresh throughout the day. It won "Best Deodorant" in the 2021 Byrdie Beauty Awards and has a fresh rose scent, the brand says.

Established in 2020, Names for Good started as a way for founder Julianna Manzi to spread joy among friends by selling and sending handmade custom bracelets. Now, the company is spreading joy and doing good beyond Manzi's own community. Names for Good is a partner of many organizations and foundations, including Vow for Girls, an organization working to help end the child marriage crisis and support girls all over the world.

Hoda and Jenna’s Faves & Finds — June 2024Editor's note: This find is no longer available for purchase. Editor’s note: This find is no longer available for purchase. Editor’s note: This find is no longer available for purchase.