We write about hundreds of products every 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 the vast online-shopping universe — including the perfect work tote one writer found by asking New Yorkers about theirs on the subway and an East Fork pottery-inspired light fixture.
The probiotic drink one chef relies on to beat hangovers
The next time you have one too many dirty martinis, take note from Fieldtrip founder and chef JJ Johnson. He turned us on to this pre-alcohol probiotic drink that he’s been using for the last four months to curb hangovers. “Everybody laughs at me, but when I give it to them, they’re like, ‘Oh wow,’” Johnson says. “I just left the Food and Wine Festival in South Beach. I took one every day I was there and I wasn’t hungover.”
Diaper cream to make your face as smooth as a baby’s …
In last week’s installment of The Strategist Beauty Brief, our writer Rachael Griffiths investigated a skin-care trend that’s gaining popularity on TikTok: applying butt paste to your face. Referred to as “face basting,” it involves slathering on a layer of a cream with a high percentage of zinc oxide before bed. Griffiths turned to Sudocrem, which has a 15.25 percent concentration of zinc oxide, to soothe her dry and acne-prone skin. “I wasn’t expecting much to happen on the first night, but I was honestly dazzled by the results,” she says, adding that her skin feels “as smooth as you-know-what.”
… And the foot cream that made one writer stop getting pedicures
Instead of spending time and money on pedicures to smooth her “scratchy and ragged” feet, Strategist contributor Diksha Basu decided to try this cream from O’Keeffe’s. Though she was disappointed with her results after the first use, Basu persevered — and was very pleased with the outcome. “I have not had a pedicure since I started using this six months ago,” says Basu. “My feet are softer than ever.”
The perfect work tote one writer found by stopping strangers on the subway …
After six years of looking for her perfect work tote bag, Strategist contributor Mya Gelber decided to look for inspiration in the wild. She took to the subway, spotted over 100 tote bags, and talked to about 20 tote owners until finally landing on the Cuyana, her ideal sturdy-yet-lightweight work bag.
… And a new spin on our beloved Madewell Transport Tote (that’s also on sale)
Speaking of totes, our old faithful Madewell Transport Tote is now available in a lovely woven style — which happens to be 25 percent off, as part of the retailer’s bi-annual Insider Event. You can also get a rarely on sale leather jacket, the drapey wide-legs favored by Victoria Justice, and Mary Jane ballet flats all as part of the sitewide promotion. (Just note: You can only access the sale if you’re signed up for the brand’s loyalty program.)
The facial mist that soothes Leslie Bibb’s ultrasensitive skin …
When we asked actress Leslie Bibb about her favorite things, she told us about this soothing face mist, which was introduced to her by a facialist she describes as “like Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind but with skin.” Now if Bibb gets a sunburn, facial, or chemical peel, she simply applies her Epicuren products, which “heals everything.”
… And our new best overall anti-aging serum
If you’ve been wanting to add an anti-aging serum to your regimen, try Medik8, which we recently named our new best overall serum in the category. Its hero ingredient is retinaldehyde, a wrinkle- and fine-line-fighter that works faster than other commonly used retinols, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick.
A sconce inspired by dinner plates
Our latest installment of “Don’t Dillydally” brings an unexpected and especially delightful collaboration between two brands we love: Schoolhouse and East Fork. The collection includes three light-fixture styles (a flush mount, a pendant, and the sconce shown), all of which are constructed with the same ceramic glazes as East Fork’s handcrafted dinnerware.
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.
