An all-over-the-place assortment of stood-behind products culled from this very website that appears in the most recent January issue of New York Magazine.
Best Bets
When strategist writer Rachael Griffiths asked eight veteran hairstylists for the best way to get curls and volume that last for days, they all suggested trying hot rollers, and half of them pointed to one specific set: the T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Luxe. It comes with eight rollers in two barrel sizes, making it versatile enough for a variety of hair lengths and a range of styles (from smaller curls to voluminous body). The rollers heat up fast and are user-friendly, says stylist Lauren Kunijo, co-owner of Kenna Kunijo salon in North Carolina. Simply wind up the roller from the end of the hair toward the scalp. (You can also wrap hair around the roller, securing it with a clip or a pin.) “Let the rollers cool down for about ten minutes, and there you have it,” says New York hairdresser Greg Ruggeri. “When I think of hot rollers, I think Hollywood glamour or goddess.”
Celebrity Shopping
“I’ve been wearing a lot of G-Shock watches lately. I am in love with them.
I used to want them so bad when
I was in sixth grade, but I couldn’t get them because of the money and stuff.
So now that I have money, I can go and get me a G-Shock watch. My favorite is the hot pink.”
“My group of friends and my band, we all have these very good grinders. The Comandante is intuitive and easy to use, and it has an amazing design.
It can go really, really fine, and it can go quite coarse. It’s very specific and consistent. When you’re grinding beans, you want a consistent grind.”
This Thing’s Incredible
I Still Miss Wearing These Flared Maternity Pants
I was about 20 weeks pregnant when a designer I admire posted about the best pants she’d bought during her pregnancy: Old Navy’s Maternity Side Panel Pixie Flares in Black. I’m not being hyperbolic when I say they are the most comfortable pants I’ve ever bought. The stretchy over-the-stomach panel was supportive, not constricting, and the flared bottoms balanced out my bump. For the rest of my pregnancy, if I was leaving the house, I was pretty much always wearing these pants. In a moment when I felt weird and lumpy—not yet like the glowing, obviously pregnant person I would become—they made me feel good, too. –Sarah Leon
Beauty Brief
Resident beauty writers share the facial cover-up they swear by.
“This is a drugstore staple that I’ve used since I was a teenager. It’s creamy and has good-enough coverage to conceal the redness of angry acne spot. I buy a lighter shade for under my eyes, so there are always two in my makeup bag.” –Rachael Griffiths
“I fully understand that this costs a lot for a concealer. But it’s everything you want a concealer to be. It’s buildable and blendable and doesn’t make you look like you actually have concealer on at all. You can’t tell me this isn’t the prettiest tube of concealer you’ve ever seen, either.” –Ambar Pardilla
“I was nervous to try this because I was afraid I would like it too much. I regret to report that it is indeed very good. It blends seamlessly while providing coverage with a luminous finish. I also love the brush-tip applicator, which makes me feel like I’m applying the concealer with painterly precision.” –Kitty Guo
I Can’t Stop
This new breathable, quick-drying fleece blend looks like a cross between animal fur and something that would grow on trees in a far- flung forest. It comes in different weights—and I’m obsessed with it. Here, five (of many) layers I own in the fabric. –Will Porter
This is a great pick for weekend hikes.
It can be squished down to the size of a fist if you’re backpacking.
This is the thickest Alpha garment I have. The fit is incredible, and the attention to detail is second to none.
If you’re a cycler, a jacket with a windproof outer layer is a must.
I love that ACG always pushes the limits when it comes to mixing outdoor gear with streetwear culture.
I wear this one more than any other layer. The color is fantastic, and the elbow pads protect from snags.
Testing, Testing
I put some of the most popular options through weeks of daily use and multiple dishwasher sanitization cycles. Below, three of my favorites. –Kiki Aranita
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Best Overall
When I wring out this foam sponge after doing the dishes, leftover bits of food slide right off it. Its sharp edges masterfully clean the crevices of my square kitchen sink.
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Best Plastic Free
The loofah side is stiff for scrubbing, and the blue cellulose side is good for cleaning items like glassware. And because it’s entirely plant based, it can be composted.
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Best Dual-Sided
This one is excellent for scrubbing baked-on messes in pans and pliable enough for cleaning delicate wineglasses, too. It also makes dish soap last seemingly forever.
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.
