This post contains a sponsored inclusion of LaserAway but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
"Hindsight is 20/20—especially when it comes to shopping. We’ve all fallen for the hype of a trendy product gracing our FYPs, convinced it would be life-changing, only to realize it wasn’t quite what we expected. Maybe it was an impulse buy fueled by an ungodly amount of five-star reviews, a recommendation from a friend, or just a really great sale that made it seem too good to pass up. Sometimes, the regret sets in immediately, and other times, it takes months of frustration before the buyer’s remorse hits like a truck. Either way, those mistakes teach us what truly works for our needs—and what just isn’t worth it.
To save you from making the same mistakes, our editors are sharing the purchases they seriously regret—and the swaps they opted for instead. Some are budget-friendly fixes, while others require a little investment upfront but pay off tenfold in the long run. If you’ve ever wondered whether a product is worth the hype, take it from us: here’s what not to buy and what we’d get instead.
1. Wax Passes
Our jr. graphic designer, Marta, used to be a religious waxer. Before every vacation, special event, or even just a big night out, she’d schedule an appointment and brace herself for the pain (and the price tag). Over time, she realized she was spending hundreds of dollars a year just to maintain smooth skin. And the worst part? The results never even lasted as long as she wanted. Plus, the awkward in-between phase where hair had to grow out before the next appointment was frustrating. Eventually, she questioned whether the waxing cycle was worth it (spoiler alert: it wasn’t).
Laser hair removal turned out to be well worth it. While the cost initially seemed high, finding a salon like LaserAway that offered a payment plan made it surprisingly manageable. Now, hair removal is barely a concern. No more last-minute waxes before a trip, no more painful yanking, and no more uncomfortable ingrown hairs. Looking back, Marta wishes she had made the switch sooner because, in the long run, it has been far more convenient and cost-effective than constantly booking waxing.
2. Apple Watch
Our managing editor, Ashley, understands the hype of the Apple Watch. However, for her, it became just another screen demanding attention throughout the day. She originally bought it to track health metrics, particularly steps, but soon realized that having notifications constantly appearing on her wrist made her more anxious rather than productive. On top of that, no matter how many stylish watch bands she tried, she never felt that it genuinely complemented dressier outfits or a polished look. Adorable outfit, then boom! Giant block on your wrist to kill the vibe. She wanted something that could seamlessly integrate into her life without compromising screen time or her aesthetic.
Alas, the Oura Ring provided the perfect solution. When Ashley saw a friend wearing a chunky gold ring and learned it was an activity tracker, she was immediately intrigued. Unlike the Apple Watch, it doesn’t have a screen continuously pinging her with updates, and it tracks all the essential data—steps, sleep, and recovery—without draining phone battery life or requiring daily charging. Speaking of which, the Oura Ring holds a charge for almost a week, whereas the Apple Watch needs nightly charging (annoying). The sleep tracking has also provided far more insightful data, helping her recognize when she needs extra rest. While the subscription fee is a minor downside, the way this device fits into her everyday lifestyle with ease makes it worth every penny.
Oura
3. Nespresso Machine
Our branded content editor, Steph, was really excited about pulling the trigger on a Nespresso machine purchase. The idea of having café-quality coffee at home felt like the ultimate luxury. However, after the initial wow factor wore off, she found she wasn’t enjoying it as much as she thought she would. The biggest issue? The pods. Despite trying a ton of flavors, she only liked one, and she hated being restricted to a specific brand instead of using her favorite local coffee grounds. Also, while fancier machines with built-in frothers seemed like a great idea at first, she barely used the extra features, making it feel like an overpriced and underutilized purchase.
So, switching to the Ninja Pods & Grounds Single-Serve Coffee Maker was a revelation. It offered the best of both worlds, allowing her to brew anything from a small cup to a full pot while also providing the option of using either coffee grounds or single-serve pods. The coffee tastes richer, and she no longer feels limited to a single brand. She still keeps her Aeroccino milk frother from her Nespresso days, which gives her the same creamy lattes she loves, but it could’ve been a purchase that stood on its own. Ultimately, she realized she wasn’t the at-home barista she once imagined—she just needed a simpler and more versatile coffee machine.
4. Jute Rugs
Allyson, our editor-in-chief, desperately wanted to make a jute rug work in her home. She was obsessed with the look, so she decided to give it a go—only to deal with constant shedding, impossible-to-clean stains, and the inevitable mess that came with having a toddler prone to spilling. Still, she gave it another shot, hoping a different brand or placement would make a difference. It didn’t. Between accidents that wouldn’t come out and fibers that ended up everywhere, she finally accepted that jute rugs weren’t worth the hassle.
Now, she sticks with Ruggable rugs instead. They have the same neutral, textured style she loves, but they’re machine washable—making them far more practical for a home with pets. Instead of struggling to clean stains or replace rugs entirely, she can just throw them in the wash when needed. It’s been a game-changer for keeping her space looking nice without constant upkeep.
Ruggable
5. Budget Litter Boxes
Our other branded content editor, Paige, loves her cats but dreads dealing with their litter boxes. No matter how often she scooped, cleaned, or tried different types of litter, she could never completely eliminate that lingering odor (if you own a cat, you know exactly what we’re talking about). She experimented with covered boxes, metal trays, and alternative litters, but nothing provided the fresh, clean environment she wanted in her apartment. The worst part? Constantly debating with her girlfriend over whose turn it was to scoop. It felt like an endless chore, and eventually, Paige was rightfully over it.
Finally, she invested in the PuraMax 2 Automatic Litter Box, and it’s been a lifesaver. While it was a splurge, it’s been worth every penny. The device is quiet, reliable, and has kept her apartment virtually odor-free. The best part? The cats love it, too—it’s always clean when they need it. Instead of daily scooping, Paige and her girlfriend now only need to empty the waste bin once a week and do a deep clean once a month. It has completely transformed their approach to pet care, and now, they can’t imagine life without it.
PuraMax
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of LaserAway but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
Feature graphic images credited to: Unsplash | Karolina Grabowska, Dupe | Tay Armstrong, Dupe | Alyssa Sumption, Dupe | Dorka Kardos-Latif