Welcome to How I Pick My Picks — a kind-of-regular newsletter series in which we check in with the Strategist staff on the stuff they’re using day-to-day, the products they’re testing for stories, and the things their friends and family won’t stop asking them about. Consider it a peek into the always-whirring brain of a Strategist writer. Today, we talk to beauty and wellness writer Arielle Avila.
I’ve often said to friends that I feel like a walking test tube, because I’m frequently slathering on or testing products, literally from my head (i.e., face toners and CC creams) to my toes (i.e., callus removers and toenail clippers). To speed up the process, I’ve even broken up my face into four quadrants and tested two things at once on separate feet. The most helpful thing I’ve done was creating an overly detailed spreadsheet that documents my results, even if it’s as banal as “face felt normal today.” I’m often sending myself Slack messages like that at random hours of the day and entering them in later to keep up the log. If I didn’t have this, I don’t think I could remember every detail while I’m testing multiple things at once.
Another part of my job I especially like is when I get to take a closer, more discerning look at marketing jargon in both the beauty and wellness industries, because a lot of what’s sold is just that. I’ve done this with LED teeth-whitening kits and shower filters by interviewing experts to essentially see if someone really “needs” the product, if there’s something cheaper that’s just as good, or if it’s just a gimmick. One of the latest things I’ve been going deep on is the ingredient bakuchiol, which has reentered the skin-care world and is getting tossed around as “nature’s retinol.”
What’s the product that friends and family always ask for your advice on?
I’ve tested a lot of dental-care products over the years, and I get asked the most about teeth whitening. (It is much sexier than, say, water flossers or toothpaste.) Like skin care and any other thing that requires consistency, the result depends on how much you can commit to. I go back and forth between the whitening pens and strips, because they’re convenient at home and on the go, but the best may depend on your lifestyle. Just don’t buy into the little LED light devices I mentioned above. They don’t have enough power to do what they claim.
Do you have any strongly held opinions that have changed after testing?
Everyone should have a bidet, full stop. Because of my current rental situation, I can’t test the fancy toilet-seat-bidet options with air-dryers, seat warmers, and the whole nine yards. However, I’ve had the best least expensive option for almost a year. It was simple to install, it’s easy to use, and I feel cleaner down there than ever. It’s under $50, often on sale, and comes in an even less expensive option. I don’t use nearly as much toilet paper as before, and I miss it dearly when I’m without it.
What’s the least amount of money you should spend on, for example, a shower filter?
I don’t think a shower filter over $50 is necessarily worth it. All of the good ones are made with a mix of KDF-55 and activated carbon, which help filter out some chlorine and bacteria, and there are plenty on Amazon under $50 that check those boxes Anything that costs more is for aesthetics. Overall, though, they won’t soften your water. Experts I’ve spoken to say you’d need something much bigger than just an in-line or all-in-one filter to do that.
What are you currently testing and researching?
Lip stains have been on my mind for a while. I’ve tried out some that absolutely dried out my lips and others that faded quickly. I finally found one that’s hydrating, long lasting, and the perfect everyday nude shade. My review of it will be up in the Beauty Brief newsletter soon, so make sure to subscribe if you haven’t already.
What’s the last thing you bought?
Turtle chips. They are as addictive as Simu Liu told me. I recently brought a bag to a watch party and had to stop myself from hogging them. I turned at least four friends into fans.
What’s the most expensive product that you own?
Probably the Dyson Airwrap. Hairstyling is my biggest beauty blind spot, and this makes a blowout look extremely simple. I know there are some very good dupes out there, but I think I’ve used this enough in the past year and a half to justify the cost.
If you had to spend $1,000 at Ulta, what would you buy?
First, I’d check out Ulta’s revamped Beauty Collection. I’m a big fan of Sephora’s in-house brand for things like concealer and lip glosses, so I’d be interested in Ulta’s take. Then, I’d stock up on fragrances. I’m working on my perfume collection display, so I’d go for Eilish Eau de Parfum, NOYZ’s Unmute Eau De Parfum, and Tory Burch’s Sublime. Finally, I’d fill my bag with wellness powders. I can’t help it. A “functional beverage” is my guilty pleasure, even if they have debatable claims. I’d stock up on my favorites from Golde and Moon Juice.
What are some open tabs on your computer right now? What’s on your list, but you can’t bring yourself to buy it just yet?
I keep a couple of saved searches on The RealReal, just so I don’t miss anything I might have on my wish list. It ranges from vague (“Maryam Nassir Zadeh” and “Eckhaus Latta”) to somewhat specific (“Norma Kamali coat” and “Staud Tommy Bag”). I’ve also been browsing Retail Pharmacy, this shop my friend told me about recently. This dress feels like something I could wear to a club or a fancy dinner party, but it’s far outside my budget. A different vibe, for sure, but I have this set in my cart as I’m typing this.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
