We write about hundreds of products a week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked out some of our favorites — expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and the very good deals we uncovered while trawling through the vast online-shopping universe this past week, including a Courteney Cox-approved eyelash curler, an Antarctica-ready snood, and an iridescent toothbrush.
The device Courteney Cox uses to transform her eyes
“If I had to walk out of the house having done just one thing, I would make sure my eyelashes were curled,” Courteney Cox says. A Latisse user, Cox says her lashes are plenty long but straight. To give them a lift, she suggests this Tweezerman device that “opens really wide, so I can fit all my eyelashes in there at once.” Even if you don’t use mascara, the extra bend “changes the whole look of [your] eyes,” according to Cox.
An Antarctica-ready snood for frigid temperatures …
Even though she didn’t begin running until she was nearly 40, Chau Smith has participated in more than 100 marathons and raced on all seven continents. Her experience in such diverse climates makes her an expert when it comes to recommending weather-appropriate gear. In cold destinations like Antarctica and Maine, she protects her face with this fleece snood, a gift from her husband. It locks over your ears and stays secure no matter how fast you’re running or how blustery the wind gets.
… and a hot pot for dinner parties that will warm your heart and your belly
Chef and writer Natasha Li Pickowicz, who grew up enjoying family hot-pot parties, shares tips for throwing a gathering of your very own in the latest installment of Steal My Party. You will, as the theme suggests, need a large vessel to keep the liquid (into which you submerge proteins and vegetables) simmering. This dual-sided pot comes recommended by Pickowicz, who says the divider conveniently accommodates vegan and vegetarian guests by keeping their broth separate from the meat eaters’.
A counter-enhancing toothbrush
This electric toothbrush sets a high bar: attractive and effective. Goby’s moonstone line includes two iridescent shades that Stephanie Dumanian, cosmetic dentist at Park Lex 60 Dental, refers to as “eye candy for your bathroom counter.” It’s not just nice to look at, though: “The oscillating head provides a deeper clean than most entry-level toothbrushes,” she says. And if you need a reminder to replace your toothbrush heads, you can opt in to a subscription that sends new ones every one to three months.
Non-skid socks that won’t slide off rambunctious toddlers
When you think of hand-me-downs, you probably don’t think of socks, especially for children. But Strategist writer Lauren Ro was pleasantly surprised to find that Rative’s grippy socks were “ironclad” compared to many pairs that “eventually slide down or come off completely.” She attributes this pair’s tenacity to the “stretchy but not too tight reinforced opening.” She also notes that her toddler never slips in them, even “running across our hardwood floors without incident.”
A cereal that absorbs just the right amount of milk …
Fans of a crispy-gone-soggy mouthfeel, meet your new favorite cereal. Strategist writer Sanibel Chai describes Jolly Pong as an airier version of Honey Smacks that “embodies the ideal sogginess: absorbent and plump, rather than disintegrating and mushy.” This beloved Korean children’s snack includes a prebiotic as one of its ingredients, so even though “no one would mistake this for health food,” it is digestion-friendly.
… and a skin-saving salve that hydrates with a few quick drops
After using tretinoin too many nights in a row, writer Rio Viera-Newton was suffering from redness and flakiness. All it took was “a quick drop” of this all-in-one repair salve from Farmacy to “deeply quench [her] ultra dry skin.” This savior salve capitalizes on all parts of the bee: honey extract, royal jelly (a bee secretion), and “bee glue” (also known as propolis), which has antibacterial and inflammatory benefits. This isn’t the first time the salve has saved Viera-Newton — she says it consistently “eradicates any dryness while also calming any inflamed, pissed-off skin.”
A mesh bra so light you’ll forget you’re wearing it
Strategist writer Chloe Anello knows mesh lingerie and swears by this bralette that “kick-started a newfound love” for this style of lightweight undergarment. Even in sweltering weather, Anello found it “breezier than anything I’d ever worn before … like I wasn’t wearing anything at all.” Thanks to the flexible fabric, the bralette offers support “without cutting into my underarms or ribcage.” Anello adds that the bra washed “beautifully and never stretched out [even] after months of constant wear, unlike many of my traditional bras.”
A wallet-friendly matcha powder …
A steep price doesn’t necessarily correlate with quality when it comes to matcha. Ayaka Ando, founder and chef of New York City’s Tadaima, recommended this Ito En powder for its accessibility and versatility. “It’s easy to buy,” Ando says, “not only on Amazon, but also in supermarkets.” She notes its approachable flavor profile, which combines a “little astringency” with “moderate sweetness” and pairs well with smoothies and lattes.
… and an Air Pod-friendly plane adapter
Described by the manufacturer as “the missing link between wireless headphones and wired headphone jacks,” this game-changing adapter allows you to use wireless headphones with an airplane entertainment system (or with any non-Bluetooth speaker). Food stylist Judy Kim typically flies once a month and was accustomed to getting tangled in cords when seatmates would stand up, but with this device, Kim says, “I don’t have to unplug corded headphones, then my seatbelt, and then redo the whole setup, so it’s not a mess.” After sharing the AirFly on Instagram, Kim was pleased to see that “it got so much traction — among the highest views of anything I’ve ever posted.”
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
