Nearly 700 University of Miami students hit pause on their packed schedules for Shop TODAY Stages: The Leap — an unforgettable in-person experience for those heading off into the real world. The collegiate event on April 7 featured career conversations with CEOs (including Your Rich BFF founder Vivian Tu), interactive brand activations and even a gift bag worth more than $300. Couldn't join us on campus? You can still be part of the excitement from home! Shop TODAY executive editor Adrianna Brach stopped by Studio 1A to showcase standout products from our summit sponsors.
Registered students were treated to beauty touch-ups in between classes, and you bet Brach took note of the products being used. There was a blowout spray from Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winning brand John Frieda, a sunscreen that we've ranked the best lightweight formula from Bioré and a whole table of skin care samples from Glow Recipe — all of which you can shop below. Attendees also walked away with some elevated fashion essentials, including Zenni sunglasses, Shapermint shapewear and a Parke sweatshirt from Stages panelist Chelsea Parke Goles. Fans of Parke know that her Core Shop collection just launched this month, so of course we had to highlight a few of our favorites from the new line. Want to be first in line for our next event? Tickets for The Mom Edit are available now!
Shop TODAY Stages products seen on TODAY
This has been one of Brach’s favorite sunscreens for a long time — and for good reason. The three-in-one product works as a moisturizer, SPF and makeup primer to make prepping your skin in the morning much easier. Not only that, but the brand says it’s infused with hyaluronic acid which helps give your skin that all-day hydration! If you’re in search of a lightweight, non-greasy formula ahead of summer, score this pick for just under 15 bucks.
Parke is known for these viral mockneck sweatshirts meant to be worn comfy and oversized, and founder Chelsea Parke Goles gifted one to every student in the crowd following her Stages panel. Want to get your hands on one for yourself? Brach says that now’s your chance — this denim varsity color (also seen in denim and white) is part of the brand’s new “Core Shop.” The brand says Parke drops usually sell out almost immediately, but this collection has more inventory of the popular styles.
Brach noted that the collection is chock full of elevated basics that are made to mix and match, including these boxer sweatpants that were also shown on set in the darker denim colorway.
Another one of Brach’s favorites from Wednesday’s drop? This ribbed, short sleeve tee. The soft and stretchy lightweight pick is fitted enough to layer but flattering enough to wear on its own.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with relaxed cotton pants for the warmer weather season ahead. Brach loves this versatile pair that, as the brand says, feels effortless from lounge to street.
If you’ve never heard of the brand Parke, Brach says there’s probably a tween, teen or college kid in your life who is obsessed with it. Once you give this mockneck style a try, you will be too!
Perfect for work, errands and weekend adventures, a branded tote is also on Brach’s wishlist. This stylish pick is crafted from denim in a vintage-inspired wash.
John Frieda is a longstanding Shop TODAY favorite for its innovative formulas and affordable price point — even Brach says she's been using the products since high school! And now, this spray has become her must-have for achieving salon-quality blowouts at home. Not only does it give you a glossy finish and protect hair from heat styling up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, but the brand also says it's formulated with keratin to combat frizz. Grab a bottle (or two) before summer to block humidity and weatherproof your routine for under $15.
Shop TODAY editors and our audience love Shapermint’s breathable shapewear, and now’s the time to stock up because the brand is offering up to 40% off right now! This full coverage contour bra is one of the brand’s bestsellers, and Brach says it feels like you aren’t wearing a bra at all! With a flattering sweetheart neckline, just the right amount of padding and none of those uncomfortable metal wires that pinch or poke, this pick can help make your sides look smoother while still keeping you comfortable all day long.
These bestselling shorts, designed to make the tummy and waist look more shaped, have a silicone strip at the top to prevent rolling or riding up. Brach say’s they’re soft and stretchy enough to wear everyday!
Glow Recipe has gone viral all over social media, and Brach had the pleasure of chatting with co-founder and co-CEO Sarah Lee at the campus event. Wondering what's new from the buzzy K-beauty brand? These super thin toner pads are like little sheet masks for your face and neck that you can either sweep over your skin or leave on for up to 15 minutes, then follow with your usual serum and moisturizer. This LHA and AHA launch is perfect for gentle exfoliation, smoothing out texture and leaving you with a radiant glow.
The brand says these toner pads will help soothe irritation and strengthen the skin barrier, and Brach loves the little pair of tweezers they come with so that she doesn't get the tub all dirty.
For depuffing the under-eye area, targeting dark circles and brightening the skin, the brand says to reach for this vitamin C version. Brach notes that each container comes with 60 pads for just 30 bucks!
Brach loves round and oval styles for summer, like these brown frames that boast UV protection to shade your eyes from the sun. They’re also available in black and clear colorways.
In search of a new pair of sunnies that won't break the bank? After having so much fun trying out all of the different styles at Stages, Brach recommends Zenni Optical for their affordable glasses. Her top picks all range from just $30 to $36!
If you always seem to misplace your sunnies, Brach likes these gold (and black) square glasses for both men and women.
Next up, we’re sharing a handbook that’s teaching a new generation how to level up their finances. Former Wall Street trader and bestselling author Vivian Tu, also known as “Your Rich BFF,” joined Brach for a conversation at Stages to offer students practical advice about getting ready for the real world — and now you can order her second book about navigating some of the biggest decisions in adulthood. From homeownership, marriage and family planning to building a strong foundation to create generational wealth, this guide would make a great gift for upcoming college graduates (or anyone looking to brush up on their financial literacy). It’s no wonder Tu has over six million followers across social media!
Meet the expert
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Adrianna Brach.
- Adrianna Brach is the executive editor at Shop TODAY, with over a decade of experience as an editor covering beauty, fashion and shopping.
How we chose products from Shop TODAY Stages
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. For this article, we selected products from brand sponsors featured at Shop TODAY Stages: The Leap.
For paid content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses products to recommend that are sold by the brand. The brand does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
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