10 Things That Delighted Us Last Week: From Margarita Glasses to Matte Red Lipstick

“I bought Z-Coils in the midst of an existential crisis,” says Strategist writer Erin Schwartz, who, when they started transitioning, switched to sneakers because of “a sense of obligation to dress masc.” But because they missed the height of heels, Schwartz tested the amorphous-looking orthopedic footwear and says that, right out of the box, the cushy sole cradled their foot into a gently angled posture. A few days into the trial, Schwartz began to realize that Z-Coils are not only the perfect party shoe, but that their previous flat-shoes-only rule was a delusion. “I felt obligated to make an effort to dress like a man, but no one is asking for that or even knows what that means,” they say. And after a week of wear, they concluded, “My body feels better after a day in Z-Coils than it does after one in my running shoes.”

Strategist contributor Mbiye Kasonga, who spent a decade experimenting with skin tints, made it her mission to find a lipstick that looked like a true red (not pink or orange) on her skin tone. After failed attempts with Nars, Pat McGrath Labs, and M.A.C’s Ruby Woo, her odyssey eventually led her to M.A.C Dance With Me, which has deep cranberry undertones and staying power even without a lip liner, Kasonga says. “I’ve since recommended this lipstick to everyone I know, and in my opinion, it looks great across skin tones,” she says, adding that she hasn’t used another red since finding this one.

From interviewing skin-care experts to decoding ingredient lists, and even testing some formulations ourselves, we’ve searched for solutions that will help you look and feel your best. The result is the Strategist Beauty 100, a collection of staples that includes a Danish serum that regrows thinning hair, the best-selling snail goo we’ve been recommending since 2017, and this acne-fighting wand favored by Ally Maki. The red-light tool not only minimizes breakouts and fine lines but also has a calming sensation, “so when you close your eyes it feels like a little heating pad all over your skin,” Maki says.

“I’ve recently been working on my house, and I finally got to my bar area,” says Hailee Steinfeld, who counts these stemless glasses among her favorite things. Steinfeld says she loves spicy margaritas, especially in the summer, and wanted to blow guests away by serving some of her favorite cocktails in these lightweight, wide-rim glasses. “I feel like it’s such a great gift to give as well,” Steinfeld says of the set. (Other shapes from the brand also come highly touted in our guide to the best drinking glasses.)

We’ve heard about the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of the Instant Pot before: It appears on our Best in Class guides to pressure cookers and rice cookers. Singer-songwriter Kelis is also a fan and says every kitchen should have one because the appliance speeds up dishes that would otherwise require a whole day to prepare. “It takes things that Grandma used to make for nine hours and it cuts it to like an hour or two, like oxtail or pretty much braised anything,” Kelis says.

As seen in our guide to the best food dehydrators, this Gourmia model is our budget-friendly pick and comes recommended by Strategist contributor and chef Stella Totino for its user-friendly design and transparent door. Six movable trays can also be rearranged to fit everything into one batch, and its catchall bottom tray makes cleaning effortless, Totino says.

“If you’re thinking of cooking for the whole family, a small griddle isn’t going to be much better than a standard skillet,” says Mike East of Griddle King, who recommends the low-profile Presto as an affordable option. It’s a straightforward electric griddle that offers 218 inches of cooking real estate and fits in most cabinets, which is “a lot of griddle in a very wallet-friendly package,” East says. Pro tip: The best companion for a new griddle is a new griddle press; our kitchen and dining writer Emma Wartzman recommends Made In’s for smashing burgers, searing steak, and more.

As a longtime fan of Nail Glow, Strategist beauty contributor Rio Viera-Newton decided to search for an alternative in light of Dior’s recent reformulation. Thanks to a close friend, Viera-Newton uncovered this dupe from Butter London, which leaves a sheer, jammy pink that makes your nails look just as healthy as the original, she says. And unlike Nail Glow, it contains strengthening ingredients — including vitamin E, hydrolyzed keratin, calcium, and bamboo extract — to combat brittleness. “If you’re someone who, like me, fluctuates between natural nails and extensions, this polish is the perfect way to nurture your nails back to health while ensuring you still have a neat, barely there manicure,” she says.