We write about hundreds of products each week. Here, in our version of the Sunday circular, we’ve plucked some of our recent favorites: expert-recommended essentials, life-changing stuff you didn’t know you needed, newly launched gizmos, and very good deals we uncovered while trawling through the vast online-shopping universe — including a long-lasting lipliner hack, a cherry-shaped toilet-bowl cleaner, and the ice-cube tray owned (and loved) by several Strategist staffers.
Soap and water in a can …
After receiving a few samples of Rock Doctor’s Soap in Seconds, which is water and soap compressed in a can, Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the “foamy spray.” “With just one spray (each can has about 250 washes, according to the brand), my hands are squeaky clean, and never feel sapped of moisture like they do after using alcohol-heavy sanitizer,” Rellosa writes. He admits to now stashing the cans in his car, camping bin, and climbing bag.
… and a sustainable slip-on inspired by bottled water
Rothy’s is giving Evian water bottles collected at the U.S. Open — New York’s largest tennis tournament —another life by transforming them into a range of courtside accessories. Knit from about 11 recycled plastic water bottles, these special-edition slip-on sneakers feature Evian’s color palette probably won’t be available for long.
A catchall that means you won’t forget your belongings in a hotel room
Strategist contributor Alison Freer recently searched for a travel version of her at-home junk tray and uncovered what she calls “the greatest travel hack ever.” This easy-to-pack, flat-folding valet tray keeps all of her personal items in one place. “On a recent trip to the California coast, it saved me from losing my AirPods that would otherwise surely have been left tangled up in the bedsheets,” Freer says.
A undated planner (and journal)
If you’re looking for a back-to-school planner or just want to get organized this fall, this undated productivity-minded planner from BestSelf Co. is part journal and part planner. It’s also a favorite of comedian Sarah Cooper, who says the journal allows you to set achievable goals because it “segments your life into 13 weeks.”
A toilet-bowl cleaner that passes as a piece of art
In our guide to housewarming gifts, Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria, owners of the design shop Coming Soon, recommend a brush just like this kitschy cherry-shaped one. “If you’re invited to someone’s housewarming, that probably means you’ll be back and using their bathroom at some point,” Barquet says. “And you’ll want it to be clean.”
A long-lasting lipliner hack
After stumbling upon a TikTok featuring Hailey Bieber’s everyday lip products (Charlotte Tilbury’s Iconic Nude lip liner topped with a clear lip gloss), Strategist beauty writer Rio Viera-Newton set out to find a long-lasting replacement. The result is this “tattoo” brow tint by Maybelline New York. Inspired by Sacheu Beauty founder Sarah Cheung’s method, “the trick goes beyond making your liner survive mealtime — the tattoo can last up to 24 hours.” If you’re looking for a cruelty-free version, Viera-Newton recommends the LSxia Peel Off Tattoo Eyebrow Gel. “After testing both, I do think the Maybelline, above, works a bit better, but they are practically identical.”
The calligraphy marker used by a world-renowned chef
In the latest installment of “Assistant Files,” we heard from “Camilla,” who previously worked as an executive assistant to one of the most famous chefs in the world. This calligraphy marker, which Camilla’s boss hoards multiples of in his office, is used to sign his own books — sometimes 300 in one sitting — and, in one memorable instance, even the Bernardaud porcelain plates from one of his own restaurants.
The ice-cube tray owned by five Strategist staffers
Last year, Strategist writer Emma Wartzman discovered W&P Peak Ice Cube Trays while visiting her mom. “The material feels thinner and more flexible than that of its counterparts, so you can remove the cubes with almost alarming ease,” Wartzman says. Each tray also comes equipped with a lid, which makes them stackable, a “not-to-be-underestimated attribute.” It’s even become a Strategist sensation, now that four other staffers (and counting) “own and love the Everyday molds as much as I do.”
Boots fit for visiting Oaxaca (and the palenque) …
Agua Magica founder Rafa Shin’s travel guide to Oaxaca (he grew up traveling there with his family) includes these sturdy boots, which he wears to visit his mezcal brand’s palenque located right outside town. “I’ve had the same pair for over seven years, and they’re so comfortable. I love that they work in the city as well as when I’m on the palenque,” he says.
… and an on-sale Teva slipper
Early Labor Day deals are starting to heat up, and REI’s holiday sale begins today, with discounts up to 50 percent (plus more offers for Co-op members). This quilted Tevas go from inside to out, perfect for early-morning dog walks or grabbing an espresso.
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.
